Studies on iodine content in daily diets, particularly elderly people's diets

Poland represents moderate degree of severity of iodine deficiency. In 1997 a national program has been introduced of obligatory iodine prophylaxis including the iodination of household salt. In order to assess the extent of iodine consumption, the assessment were carried out on iodine content in average Polish diets with regard elderly people's diets. The aim of the study was also to analyse the composition of supplements allowed for trade in Poland, with regard to iodine content in these products. The assessment of iodine content in Polish diets was performed on the basis of the data of the household budgets and the data of iodine content in food products (without kitchen salt). The calculated iodine content in average Polish daily diets (adults and children) ranged from 40.4 microg to 50.7 microg. The iodine content in elderly people's diets was 75.5 microg/daily diets. In all studied diets the amount of iodine coming from food products, not taking into account iodinated salt, was insufficient for the realization of Polish RDA for this element. It shows that iodination of kitchen salt in Poland is necessary. Moreover on the Polish market exist supplements including iodine (20-200 microg iodine in tablet).