DIETARY IODINE INTAKE AND URINARY IODINE EXCRETION IN NORMAL KOREAN ADULTS

Korea is a region abundant in foods containing iodine such as seaweed and fish. An adequate amount of iodine consumption is extremely import ant as both a deficiency and excess of iodine can result in health pro blems. This study was undertaken to assess the iodine nutritional stat us of normal Korean adults who consume seaweed and fish, and to determ ine the relationship between the dietary iodine intake and the urinary excretion of iodine. The dietary assessment of iodine using a food fr equency questionnaire and a urinary iodine excretion examination were carried out in 278 healthy adults. The iodide selective electrode (ISE ) method was used to determine urinary iodine excretion. The average u sual iodine intake of Korean adults was 479 mu g per day (ranging from 61 mu g to 4086 mu g). There was no significant difference in sex or age. The major food sources of dietary iodine included seaweed (66%), milk and dairy products (11%), and fish (9%). The contribution of seaw eed to the total iodine intake tended to increase with age while the c ontribution of milk decreased. The average urinary excretion of iodine was 674 mu g/g creatinine and there was no significant difference in sex or age. The dietary iodine intake was positively correlated with t he urinary excretion of iodine (gamma = 0.60, p < 0.01). The study dat a indicated that the iodine intake and excretion of Koreans depends mo stly on the amount of seaweed consumption like sea tangle and sea must ard. As well, the current iodine intake and urinary iodine excretion b y Koreans seems to be higher than in other countries.