Iodine Deficiency and Consequences in a Long-Term Collapse

Iodine deficiency, like many nutritional deficiencies, is not something we generally give much thought to.  We don't see it personally; we don't hear about it.   And that's because the deficiency has been eliminated in most western countries.  However, it does remain a problem in Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries.  Iodine deficiency is most common in areas where the soil is deficient in iodine, especially islands and mountainous regions.  Statistics vary; somewhere between 33% and 70% of the world's population is deficient in iodine to some extent.  

Here in the US, iodine deficiency hasn't been an issue since the introduction of iodized salt in 1924.  However, change is in the air.  According to WebMD, until about five years ago (whenever that was--there was no date on the article) Americans got sufficient iodine in their diets from bread, dairy, and meat.  But as commercial bakeries transitioned to bromine-based conditioners for their bread, iodine levels started dropping.  In addition, as a whole, we're also consuming about thirty-three percent less salt that we used to.  Most food processors--the manufacturers of frozen, canned, and boxed foods--do not use iodized salt.  Many individuals are limiting their salt intake to prevent cardiovascular disease.

So iodine deficiency is a common worldwide problem, on the verge of becoming a possible problem in this country, and people in general don't know much about it.  Why should we care?  What does iodine deficiency cause?

First, it gives rise to hypothyroidism, symptoms of which include extreme fatigue, goiter, mental slowing, depression, and weight gain.  In pregnant and nursing women it can cause mental retardation, stunted growth, and deafness in their children.  Iodine deficiency has been correlated to a 12 point loss on the IQ scale, while iodine supplementation in the diet in the US has been found to increase the IQ of children 15 points.  But note that this is in the diet of pregnant and nursing women; there is nothing you can do to reverse the mental retardation that occurs in children who lack sufficient iodine for proper brain development.

Risk factors for iodine deficiency include low dietary iodine, pregnancy, exposure to radiation, gender (women), smoking, alcohol consumption, and oral contraceptives. 

Adults need to consume 150 micrograms of iodine per day.  Women of childbearing age should have 200-300 micrograms per day.  Iodine is found in iodized salt (shocker), seafood, milk, eggs, baked potatoes, navy beans, and cranberries.

So what's this mean for the average prepper?  Clearly, the best prevention of iodine deficiency is to use iodized salt.  But keep in mind this little tidbit of info:  According to Morton Salt, the shelf life of iodized salt is about five years.  After that, the iodine breaks down and you have plain salt.  So even the salt that we thought we didn't have to worry about rotating has to be rotated.  Bummer.

Of course, achieving a definitive laboratory diagnosis of iodine deficiency is going to be difficult post-collapse.  Laboratory facilities will likely be limited.  However, there is a simple, if crude, test you can do on your own if you suspect iodine deficiency.  Paint a 3x3 inch square of iodine solution (povidone-iodine "Betadine") on the inner arm, inner thigh, or abdomen.  Let dry completely before replacing clothing.  Check the iodine patch 24 hours later.  Is it still the same color?  Lighter? Gone?  If it's gone, that suggests a serious deficiency.  If it's lighter, there is a mild to moderate deficiency.  And if it's the same color, keep doing what you're doing.  Unfortunately, this test will be difficult to perform on people with darker skin.

Note.  Some people suggest that iodized salt retards yeast fermentation in bread, but I have not been able to find any definitive references for this.  And in an effort to reduce iodine deficiency in their countries, some countries are mandating the use of iodized salt in their bread.  Iodized salt is not to be used in fermenting vegetables, like in making sauerkraut.

Links to related posts:
Hypothyroidism and TEOTWAWKI
Dietary Deficiency and Consequences--Vitamin A
                                                                Vitamin B1
                                                                Vitamin B2
                                                                Vitamin B3
                                                                Vitamin B5, B6, B7
                                                                Vitamin B9
                                                                Vitamin B12
                                                                Vitamin C  
                                                                Vitamin D
                                                                Calcium  
                                                                Iodine  
                                                                Iron
                                                                Magnesium
                                                                Potassium  
                                                                Zinc

For further information:
https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/89/7/3421/2844466
https://media.mercola.com/assets/downloads/pdf/ebook/poor-thyroid-function.pdf
https://draxe.com/nutrition/iodine-deficiency/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/
https://kresserinstitute.com/iodine-deficiency-bigger-problem-think/
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2156587211414424
http://www.progressivehealth.com/iodine-deficiency.htm 

16 january 2019