WILD ATTRACTION WILD ATTRACTION - Earthstar

of ten days, repeatedevery sixmonths for twoand-a-halfyearsyears. Of the ninehundred girls withnormal thyroidswho receivediodine supplementation,virtuallynone developedgoiters, comparedto twenty-eaightpercent of the controlgroup notreceiving iodine.Recognition of iodine’s importance launched it into therealm of public health, felt to be too important an issueto leave to individuals, families, or physicians to remedyon their own. With no TV, radio, or internet, and muchof the country rural or illiterate, how could the USensure iodine intake nationwide? In 1924, the FDAintroduced a voluntary program for adding iodine totable salt.From the 1950s to the 1970s, most Americans willinglycomplied by liberally shaking the salt shaker over anythingand everything. Overt iodine deficiency largelybecame a thing of the past, and goiters became a rarity.By FDA guidelines, approximately one half teaspoon ofiodized salt per day, or 3,000 mg (containing 1,150 mgsodium), provided the Recommended Daily Allowanceof iodine of 150 mcg per day (the RDA is higher forpregnant or lactating women).Following the widespread application of the salt shakerwas the recognition of the dangers of hypertension.Sodium from salt increased blood pressure and fluidretention in susceptible individuals. As a result, aftergoiter had been erased from the consciousness of mostAmericans, the public health message reversed andurged reduced use of salt. Salt use was demonized as thecardiovascular dangers of hypertension gained publicrecognition.In the 21st century, many health-conscious people proudlydeclare their assiduous avoidance of salt, especiallyiodized table salt. Others have turned to alternative preparations,such as sea salt (containing very little iodine content),Kosher salt (containing no iodine), or potassiumchloride-based salt substitutes (containing no iodine).Iodine Has Been ForgottenThe public health message to limit salt use underlies agradual and insidious return of iodine deficiency. TheNational Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys(NHANES) assessment of Americans’ health revealed afifty percent reduction in iodine levels and a quadruplingof iodine deficiency in the period between 1971 and1994. Twelve percent of the population surveyed from1988 to 1994 were severely iodine deficient, judged byurinary levels of iodine. Women of childbearing age areat particular risk for iodine deficiency, with up to thirtysixpercent evidencing low levels.Even goiters are staging a comeback. In my cardiologyclinic, I now see about two or three patients with smallto moderate goiters every day. So history repeats itself.Your Iodized Salt Isn’t So IodizedIf you rely on iodized salt for iodine, are you reallymeeting your body’s iodine needs?A recent detailed analysis of several brands of commerciallyavailable salt showed that, after opening, iodine islost rapidly from the product. Once the container isexposed to air, iodine content is nearly gone within fourweeks after opening (even faster under conditions ofhigh humidity). The study suggests that, even amongpeople who use the salt shaker frequently for cookingand food, daily iodine intake may be below the recommendeddaily intake.Your Iodized Salt Isn’t So IodizedThe majority of salt used in processed foods is notiodized. While dairy products and baked foods (breadand related products) were formerly substantial sourcesof iodine, the iodine content of these foods has droppeddue to changing practices by dairy producers and bakers.There’s no question that iodized salt worked to stop goitersduring a time when the entire family liberally usedsalt, causing mothers to buy another canister every coupleof months. But with modern efforts to reduce salt, asingle canistercanlast sixmonthsorlonger—completelydevoid ofiodine.64 EARTH STAR OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2009 www.earthstarmag.com