National survey of South Australian school children found to
be mildly iodine deficient

Iodine is essential for brain development and thyroid function. Mild iodine deficiency can lead to lack of concentration, poor memory or sluggishness, reduced mental IQ, inability to fall pregnant, miscarriage, thyroid problems and in severe cases mental retardation. Iodine can be obtained from some seafood and vegetables and from iodised salt (the green pack). In Australia, iodine intake has been declining for several reasons more.

Initial findings from a study on 400 South Australian primary school children (Eastman et al.) suggest that a significant number of children have mild iodine deficiency, agreeing with other studies from NSW and Victoria. There is no evidence to date however that children in Australia have suffered brain damage as a result of iodine damage, but it is not certain about whether there have been any effects on memory and IQ.

These studies are alarming according to an international iodine expert Professor Basil Hetzel because "we do not want anything that reduces our mental functions - the world is a demanding place, people need full equipment, particularly intellectual equipment, to cope". Professor Hetzel discovered in the 1950s and 60s that iodine deficiency caused much of the mental retardation in the developing world and to solve the problem he advanced the cause of iodised salt.

Professor Hetzel has written a book, available on CD-rom "Towards the global elimination of brain damage due to iodine deficiency - a global program for human development with a model applicable to a variety of health, social and environmental problems" (if you would like to purchase a copy please email info@healthyeatingclub.org)

When the study in South Australia is completed there will probably be recommendations to health authorities about fortifying foods in Australia with iodine and for it to be added to all salt that is consumed in Australia.

Read more about iodine

Last Updated: August 2004