The influence of iron status on iodine utilization and thyroid function.
Despite significant progress, deficiencies of iron and iodine remain major public health problems affecting > or =30% of the global population. These deficiencies often coexist in children. Recent studies have demonstrated that a high prevalence of iron deficiency among children in areas of endemic goiter may reduce the effectiveness of iodized salt programs. These findings argue strongly for improving iron status in areas of overlapping deficiency, not only to combat anemia but also to increase the efficacy of iodine prophylaxis. The dual fortification of salt with iodine and iron may prove to be an effective and sustainable method to accomplish these important goals.
Zimmermann
Michael B
MB
Laboratory for Human Nutrition, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich CH-8092 Switzerland. michael.zimmermann@ilw.agrl.ethz.ch
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D000818:Animals; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D011634:Public Health; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D004338:Drug Combinations; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C034024:iodized salt; D007455:Iodine; D007501:Iron