Iodine Supplements May Boost Children's Mental Power

One study published in the Oct 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that iodine supplements may boost mental function in children who have a mild deficiency of the nutrient.

Iodine is a trace element that is needed for normal growth and development of the brain and other parts of the body.  Iodine must come from foods including seafood, dairy products, plant based foods and iodized table salt.

Iodine deficiency in severe cases has long been known for inducing mental impairment, stunted growth and other medical conditions in children.

For the study, Dr. Sheila A. Skeaff at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand and colleagues assigned 184 children who were mildly iodine deficient children a tablet containing 150 micrograms of iodine or a placebo daily for 28 weeks.

Those who were given iodine tablets gained better scores on two standard cognitive tests which indicate problem-solving capabilities, than those given placebo tablets.

By David Liu and editing by Rachel Stockton