Browsing by Author "Paavolainen, Sanna"

Background: Recent findings in adults and children suggest that vegetarians, and particularly vegans, are at risk of iodine deficiency. As an increasing number of individuals adhere to plant-based diets, it is important to investigate the current iodine nutrition in children and adults. Aim: The aim was to examine whether iodine intake from food and supplements differs in children and adults who follow vegan, vegetarian, or omnivore diets, and to describe the main sources of iodine in these diets. Furthermore, the objective was to investigate the median urinary iodine concentration and determine whether these diets are associated with inadequate iodine status. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional data for children (n=73) and adults (n=79) were drawn from participants in the MIRA2 study. Iodine intake from food and supplements was assessed using a 3-day food record and a background questionnaire. The iodine status was assessed using spot urine samples. Results: Among children, there were no between-group differences in total iodine intake from food and supplements. In adults, vegetarians had a significantly lower total iodine intake than vegans and omnivores, but only vegan adults had a median urinary iodine concentration below 100 μg/L. Iodine supplements were the main sources of iodine in the vegan diet for both children and adults, whereas grain products were an important source of iodine regardless of diet. No association was found between plant-based diets and inadequate iodine status, defined as a median urinary iodine concentration below 100 μg/L. Conclusions: This study found no association between plant-based diets and inadequate iodine status. However, sufficient iodine intake may be compromised in adults who follow vegan and vegetarian diets. These results highlight the importance of iodine supplementation in the vegan diet.