Iodine is an essential nutrient for pregnant and breastfeeding women because it allows better brain development in babies, according to a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics published in the trade journal Pediatrics.
Yet many American women are in iodine deficiency. Only 15-20% of pregnant women take iodine supplements. And for most women, their diet is not rich enough in iodine.
“A baby’s brain development problems are very subtle and are unlikely to be noticed either quickly or in any particular child,” says Paulson, a pediatrician at the American Academy of Pediatrics. “But children who have suffered from iodine deficiency may have more difficulty learning in the long run. It is a problem for society as a whole when you have a large number of children who have not reached their full development potential, ”recalls the doctor.
Foods to promote
An iodine deficiency during pregnancy is something that can be easily prevented by eating well and taking a supplement.
Seafood products (fish, seaweed and seafood) are obviously very rich in iodine. But, pregnant women can also eat eggs and dairy products. As for vegetables, apart from spinach and watercress, they have a fairly low iodine intake.
“The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) must ensure that prenatal vitamins contain all the essential nutrients for the health of the baby,” concludes the pediatrician. “It is very important that vitamins like vitamin D which is useful in bone calcification and items such as iodine are part of prenatal vitamins ”.
