Vegans may be at risk for low iodine

Some vegans may not be getting enough iodine in their diets, suggests a new study from Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. That finding is particularly relevant for women who are pregnant, researchers say, as that's a time when a mom's iodine levels are strained by her growing baby. Iodine, which is present in iodized salt, seafood, eggs, dairy, and some breads, is used by the thyroid gland to help regulate metabolism and development, especially in babies and young kids. Iodine deficiency during fetal and early-childhood development is a leading cause of brain impairments in much of the world. The American Thyroid Association recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women take a vitamin with iodine because low iodine can increase the risk of miscarriage and thyroid problems in moms, in addition to mental disabilities in babies. Researchers recruited vegetarians and vegans -- mostly women -- and tested their urine for concentrations of iodine. The average iodine level was 147 micrograms in vegetarians and 79 in vegans (considered below reference range).