Nutrition News Focus - New Iodine Recommendation New Iodine Recommendation Iodine is a critical factor for normal function of the thyroid gland, the master gland that controls your metabolism. Iodine deficiency can cause hypothyroidism, whose symptoms include constant tiredness, weight gain, and increased blood lipids. Goiter, or enlarged thyroid gland, used to be common before supplementation of salt with minute amounts of iodine. The new RDA for iodine is 150 micrograms daily for both men and women. Besides iodized salt, seafood and plants grown in iodine-rich soil are the best sources.
Most foods contain little or no iodine.
The upper limit for iodine has been set at 1,100 micrograms a day to avoid damage to the thyroid. However, some weight loss supplements contain iodine in the attempt to make your thyroid gland more active. This is not a safe way to lose weight. If you don't eat fish, you should use iodized salt. Now when nutrition news gets confusing, there IS a place to go to get the real story.