Table of contents:
- The effect on the baby if the mother is deficient in iodine during pregnancy
- How much iodine do pregnant women need?
- What foods are high in iodine?
- Do I need to take iodine supplements while pregnant?
Pregnant women need a variety of nutrients to maintain the health of the mother and baby in the womb. Lack of one nutrient can have an impact on both mother and baby. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy is one of the most common conditions. However, what actually makes iodine important for pregnant women? Then, how much iodine should be fulfilled while pregnant?
The effect on the baby if the mother is deficient in iodine during pregnancy
Iodine is a mineral substance that plays a role in producing thyroid hormones. Meanwhile, thyroid hormone is a hormone that plays an important role in the development of the brain and body organs, children's growth, digestion and food metabolism, regulating body temperature, and controlling muscle contraction.
When pregnancy comes, iodine is responsible for the development of the brain and nerves as well as the growth of the fetus. With a sufficient amount of iodine, the baby's nerve cells can grow and develop properly.
Conversely, lack of iodine during pregnancy will prevent the fetus from growing and developing properly, causing birth defects and low birth weight. In addition, iodine deficiency during pregnancy can also cause mothers to have miscarriages or stillbirths.
How much iodine do pregnant women need?
According to the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the need for iodine in normal women is 150 mcg per day. however, when the woman enters pregnancy, her requirement increases by 70 mcg, to 220 mcg per day. This increased need is done to prevent mothers from experiencing iodine deficiency during pregnancy.
When pregnancy arrives, iodine is not only needed to meet the needs of the mother, but iodine is also responsible for the development of the brain, nervous system, and the formation of fetal thyroid hormones.
Even the importance of iodine for pregnant women has been proven in a study published in the journal The Lancet in 2013. This study states that pregnant women who are given good iodine intake will have children with better reading and speaking skills than pregnant women who experience iodine deficiency.
What foods are high in iodine?
Indeed, iodine has been added to table salt so that Indonesian people do not experience iodine deficiency. However, that does not mean you are increasing the use of salt in your cooking. It will only have a bad effect on you and the baby in the womb.
You can find iodine in several food sources such as:
- Seafood: salmon, assorted shellfish.
- Dairy products: cow's milk, yogurt, cheese.
- Other food sources: chicken eggs, beef, chicken meat, various nuts.
Do I need to take iodine supplements while pregnant?
If your food selection is good and foods that contain iodine are already in your diet every day, then you really don't need these supplements. You can take iodine supplements or pregnancy supplements that contain iodine if you don't consume enough iodine in your diet. However, iodine supplements during pregnancy should be consumed in consultation with your doctor.
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