It is a mineral that is not paid much attention, but we should. When getting pregnant, a folic acid supplement (even one month before) and also iodine is recommended throughout pregnancy because it has been shown that iodine in pregnancy is essential for the baby's brain development.
It is also recommended during the period of breastfeeding because its lack, which can have consequences on the health of our children such as goiter, hypothyroidism, growth retardation, strabismus and intellectual and psychomotor impairment.
There are several studies that have been responsible for highlighting the effects of iodine deficiency in pregnancy and lactation. The latter has been one carried out by a research team from the University of Granada belonging to the European Nutrimenthe project.
According to the latter, children born to mothers with iodine deficiency during pregnancy were 8 years old an IQ three points lower than others as well as worse reading ability at age nine.
Iodine is essential for growth, brain development, the synthesis of thyroid hormones and the regulation of numerous metabolic processes in the body. That is why its deficit affects the psychomotor and intellectual development of the child, which in Spain, by the way, is very high.
But just like him iodine in pregnancy is essential for the baby's brain development, and during breastfeeding, it is also important to maintain adequate levels of iodine during childhood, at which stage the brain continues to develop. That is why we must take care that we do not miss the feeding of our children when they begin with the incorporation of solid foods.
What foods are a source of iodine? We can find it in iodized salt (beware of excess), milk, vegetables and mainly seafood and sea fish, two to three times a week.
