Vegetarian diet and iodine deficiency:
Vegetarian diets may result in higher iodine requirement and have been found to be associated with iodine (I) deficiency. Six healthy individuals were analyzed in four separate 5-day diet periods (diets included normal, protein-rich, lactovegetarian [includes dairy products, vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts] and normal diet with no fish, sea food, iodized salt or processed foods fortified with I). Results show the iodine levels in urine were significantly lower in the lactovegetarian diet (36.6 mcg/d) than in the normal (50.2 mcg/d) or protein-rich diets (61.0 mcg/d). Corresponding to findings that show iodine consumption was lowest for the lactovegetarian diet (15.6 mcg/d) compared to the normal (35.2 mcg/d) or protein-rich diets (44.5 mcg/d). (14)