Research from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany’s public health monitoring agency, has found that every third person in the federal republic has an iodine deficiency.

Iodine deficiency in Germany

A third of adults in Germany do not get enough iodine, according to recent findings from the RKI’s iodine monitoring programme (Jodmonitoring). The deficiency is even greater among children; half of children in Germany do not get their recommended iodine.

Iodine is a mineral which the body uses to make thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones determine how well your cells work and the speed of your body's metabolism. Adults need to consume around 140 micrograms of iodine per day, while children need between 90 and 120 micrograms, which is possible by eating a healthy and varied diet.

The symptoms of iodine deficiency can be very general, such as neck swelling, sudden weight gain, tiredness and dry skin.

Which foods have iodine in them?

High-iodine foods include dairy products, fish, seaweed, cereals and grains. Using salt fortified with iodine is also one of the most straightforward ways to make sure you are getting your recommended amount.

As of 2021, food production companies in 110 countries are required to iodise salt, but not in Germany. However, most German supermarkets sell iodised salt.

You should also be careful when eating certain foods which are very high in iodine, such as dried algae. It can be dangerous for an adult to consume more than 400-500 micrograms of iodine per day.

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