REVIEW  RELEVANCE OF IODINE NUTRITION TO HEALTH IN THE 21ST CENTURY 

Minerva Medica 2017 April;108(2):147-58

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4806.16.04849-7

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Iodine deficiency and nutrition in Scandinavia

Sofia MANOUSOU ^{1, 2, 3}, Lisbeth DAHL ⁴, Betina HEINSBAEK THUESEN ⁵, Lena HULTHÉN ⁶, Helena NYSTRÖM FILIPSSON ^{1, 3} ✉

¹ Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; ² Department of Medicine, Kungälv Hospital, Kungälv, Sweden; ³ Department of Endocrinology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; ⁴ National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), Bergen, Norway; ⁵ Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Centre for Health, Capital Region of Denmark, Glostrup, Denmark; ⁶ Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Iodine nutrition is a result of geological conditions, iodine fortification and monitoring strategies within a country together with the dietary habits of the population. This review summarizes the basis for the current iodine situation in the Scandinavian countries in order to identify gaps in knowledge, determine necessary future steps, highlight landmarks in Scandinavian iodine research and consider ongoing studies in Scandinavian countries with high international impact. Historically, iodine deficiency disorders such as goiter were common in Norway and Sweden, but not in Denmark. Different strategies have been used in Scandinavia to improve iodine nutrition. The major source of iodine is iodized salt in Sweden and from milk and dairy products in Norway. In Denmark, drinking water, milk, dairy products and iodized salt used in commercial production of bread are the important sources of iodine. The current iodine status in Scandinavia is not optimal and action is ongoing to increase iodination in Denmark, where there is mild iodine deficiency in the general population. Data from all three countries indicate insufficient iodine nutrition during pregnancy and there is a need for data from children, adolescents and young women. Monitoring a population’s iodine status and dietary iodine sources is necessary to secure iodine nutrition in Scandinavia. Ongoing studies in Scandinavia will contribute significantly to the knowledge about the effects of mild to moderate iodine deficiency.

KEY WORDS: Sweden - Denmark - Norway - Iodine - Recommended dietary allowances