Iodine as Essential Nutrient during the First 1000 Days of Life

Abstract

Iodine is an essential micronutrient incorporated into thyroid hormones. Although iodine deficiency can lead to a broad spectrum of disorders throughout life, it is most critical in the early stages of development, as the foetal brain is extremely dependent on iodine supply. During the last two decades, our understanding of thyroid physiology during gestation has substantially improved. Furthermore, thyroid hormone receptors have been identified and characterised in placental and embryonic tissues, allowing us to elucidate the maternal-foetal transfer of thyroid hormones. Experimental studies have demonstrated that the cyto-architecture of the cerebral cortex can be irreversibly disturbed in iodine deficiency causing abnormal neuron migratory patterns which are associated with cognitive impairment in children. In this context, the role of iodine as key factor in the programming of foetal and infant neurodevelopment, needs to be revisited with a special focus on areas of mild to moderate iodine deficiency. The objective of this review is to summarize the available evidence from both animals and human studies, for the effect of iodine deficiency (particularly, of maternal hypothyroxinemia) on brain development and neurological or behavioural disorders, such as lower intelligence quotient (IQ) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

About odide: A Friendly and Necessary Ion

“…Iodine plays a fundamental role in the human species and the ideal plasma concentration of this ion prevents mental retardation/cretinism in fetuses and small children, also causing the thyroid neoplasias expressed by this gland to be less aggressive (papilliferous rather than follicular subtype). Iodine is a friendly and necessary ion at ideal concentrations for the human species (68,69,70,71,72,73,74).…”

“…"Nurturing care" is the term that has been coined to include nutritional, environmental and emotional support to promote the development of key brain regions that have lifelong benefits, including improved health and wellbeing, and increased ability to learn and earn (67,68). Adequate iodine intake is essential for this goal to be reached with supplementation during multiple and overlapping critical timewindows when development of specific capacities and abilities can be most powerfully enhanced (69).…”

The cognitive dissonance

“…Это приводит к материнской гипотироксинемии при нормальном уровне ТТГ и Т 3 в крови, которая на ранних сроках беременности может ассоциироваться с перманентными нарушениями развития нервной системы плода. Для краткости я не стану останавливаться на клеточных и молекулярных механизмах нарушений развития мозга у эмбриона и плода, которые детально описаны в недавно опубликованном обзоре [2].…”

“…Однако одно такое исследование все же было недавно выполнено в Индии и Таиланде, а результаты опубликованы в прошлом году [3]. Изначально предполагалось, что в этих двух странах у беременных женщин будет существовать как минимум легкая недостаточность йода 2 Нервный гребень -совокупность клеток у позвоночных, выделяющихся из краевых отделов нервного желобка во время его замыкания в нервную трубку. Клетки нервного гребня обладают развитой способностью мигрировать в организме и развиваются в весьма разнообразные структуры.…”

“…Помимо когнитивных нарушений дисфункцию щитовидной железы, включая изолированную гипотироксинемию, во время беременности стали ассоциировать с такими расстройствами поведения как синдром дефицита внимания и гиперактивности и аутизмом [2].…”