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Are ovo-lacto-pesco-vegetarians and vegans risk groups for suboptimal iodine intake? Iodine intake and status in a group of Norwegian vegetarians

Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Iodine is a trace mineral of vital importance for brain development and\nfunction. Vegetarians generally avoid or limit their consumption of animal foods. Salt iodization\nin Norway is exceptionally low, and approximately 80% of dietary iodine derives from animal\nfoods, with milk, seafood and eggs as the main sources. The iodine status in Norwegian\nvegetarians is unknown.\nOBJECTIVE: The main objective was to evaluate iodine intake and status of a group of\nNorwegian vegetarians.\nMETHOD: Two day food diaries and morning spot urine samples for analysis of iodine\nconcentration (UIC) were obtained from 52 vegetarians (including 18 vegans and 34 ovo-lactopesco-(\nOLP-) vegetarians) and 67 non-vegetarians (control group). Use of iodine containing\nsupplements was reported, and evaluated in addition to the contribution of iodine from food.\nRESULTS: None of the vegans and 24% of OLP-vegetarians reached the recommended iodine\nintake of 150 μg/day with diet as the only source of iodine.\nUse of iodine-containing supplements was reported by 18% and 28% of OLP-vegetarians and\nvegans, respectively. When including iodine from supplements, 17% of vegans and 38% of OLPvegetarians\nreached the recommended intake of 150 μg/day. According to WHOs criteria for\nevaluating iodine status based on spot urine samples only 12% of vegans and 21% of OLPvegetarians\nhad adequate iodine intake.\nIn the total vegetarian group, the median urinary iodine concentration was 52 μg/L in noniodine-\nsupplement and 102 μg/L in supplement users. High UIC (>700 μg/L) was found in three\nvegetarians using kelp supplements. Total iodine intake (food and supplements) did not differ\nbetween vegetarians and controls. CONCLUSION: This study showed that suboptimal iodine intake was prevalent in vegans,\nOLP-vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Although the participants are not representative groups of\nall vegetarians in the Norwegian population, the results highlight the need to focus on iodine\nnutrition in subgroups of the population
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2550236790
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