by Cheryl
(USA)
Cheryl's Question:
I am on a low iodine diet. What is the iodine content of chia seeds and flax?
Suzy's Answer:
This is an important question, Cheryl, and one I had not thought about before.
Iodine content depends on soil.
The problem with determining iodine content of plant foods, is that it will depend on where they are grown and how much iodine is in the soil. While iodine is found in most plants, it is more highly concentrated in foods from the sea or those grown close to the sea. Therefore, seaweed and kelp are always listed as the best sources.
Unexpected sources of iodine.
There is some iodine to be found in dairy products and baked products, such as bread, due to the way that these foods are produced.
Iodine is added to animal feed and it shows up in the milk they produce.
In addition there are some iodine compounds, such as dough conditioners used in breads, that are added to baked products.
Some cereals and supplements are also fortified with iodine. Processed foods that are dyed red can also be a source of iodine.
What about chia and flax?
Chia seed is normally listed as a good source of iodine and flax seed is often listed as a "goitrigen" a food that, when eaten in excess, can inhibit the uptake of iodine to the thyroid.
I include a Tablespoon of each--flax and chia--freshly ground in my diet every day because of the
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