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Background: Seaweeds and kelps, also known as macroalgae, have long been common in the East-Asian diet. During recent years, macroalgae have entered the global food market, and a variety of macroalgae products are now available for consumers. Some macroalgae species are known to be particularly rich in iodine, but little data regarding the iodine content of macroalgae-containing foods exists. Objective: The aim of this research study was to analyse the iodine content in a large variety of commercially available macroalgae-containing foods and supplements and to evaluate whether such products are sources of adequate dietary iodine. Design: Ninety-six different products were collected after surveying the Norwegian market for commercially available macroalgae products, collected from three categories: 1) wholefood macroalgae products (n = 43), 2) macroalgae-containing foods (n = 39), and 3) dietary supplements containing macroalgae (n = 14). All products were analysed for iodine content by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: The iodine content in one portion of wholefood macroalgae products ranged from 128 to 62,400 µg. In macroalgae-containing foods, the iodine content ranged from 30 to 25,300 µg per portion, and in supplements it ranged from 5 to 5,600 µg per daily dose. The species with the highest analysed iodine content were oarweed, sugarkelp and kombu, with mean iodine levels of 7,800, 4,469 and 2,276 µg/g, respectively. For 54 products, the intake of one portion or dose would exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for iodine. Discussion and conclusion: The iodine content in the included products was variable and for most products high, exceeding the tolerable upper intake level (UL) if consumed as a serving or portion size. The labelling of macroalgae species included, and declaration of iodine content, were inadequate or inaccurate for several products. As macroalgae-containing products are unreliable iodine sources, inclus

Background: Seaweeds and kelps, also known as macroalgae, have long been common in the East-Asian diet. During recent years, macroalgae have entered the global food market, and a variety of macroalgae products are now available for consumers. Some macroalgae species are known to be particularly rich in iodine, but little data regarding the iodine content of macroalgae-containing foods exists. Objective: The aim of this research study was to analyse the iodine content in a large variety of commercially available macroalgae-containing foods and supplements and to evaluate whether such products are sources of adequate dietary iodine. Design: Ninety-six different products were collected after surveying the Norwegian market for commercially available macroalgae products, collected from three categories: 1) wholefood macroalgae products (n = 43), 2) macroalgae-containing foods (n = 39), and 3) dietary supplements containing macroalgae (n = 14). All products were analysed for iodine content by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: The iodine content in one portion of wholefood macroalgae products ranged from 128 to 62,400 µg. In macroalgae-containing foods, the iodine content ranged from 30 to 25,300 µg per portion, and in supplements it ranged from 5 to 5,600 µg per daily dose. The species with the highest analysed iodine content were oarweed, sugarkelp and kombu, with mean iodine levels of 7,800, 4,469 and 2,276 µg/g, respectively. For 54 products, the intake of one portion or dose would exceed the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for iodine. Discussion and conclusion: The iodine content in the included products was variable and for most products high, exceeding the tolerable upper intake level (UL) if consumed as a serving or portion size. The labelling of macroalgae species included, and declaration of iodine content, were inadequate or inaccurate for several products. As macroalgae-containing products are unreliable iodine sources, inclus

Seaweeds, or macroalgae, may be a good dietary iodine source but also a source of excessive iodine intake. The main aim in this study was to describe the iodine status and thyroid function in a group of macroalgae consumers. Two urine samples were collected from each participant (n = 44) to measure urinary iodine concentration (UIC) after habitual consumption of seaweed. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and peroxidase autoantibody (TPOAb), were measured in a subgroup (n = 19). A food frequency questionnaire and an iodine-specific 24 h recall were used to assess iodine intake and macroalgae consumption. The median (p25–p75) UIC was 1200 (370–2850) µg/L. Median (p25–p75) estimated dietary iodine intake, excluding macroalgae, was 110 (78–680) µg/day, indicating that seaweed was the major contributor to the iodine intake. TSH levels were within the reference values, but higher than in other comparable population groups. One third of the participants used seaweeds daily, and sugar kelp, winged kelp, dulse and laver were the most common species. Labelling of iodine content was lacking for a large share of the products consumed. This study found excessive iodine status in macroalgae consumers after intake of dietary seaweeds. Including macroalgae in the diet may give excessive iodine exposure, and consumers should be made aware of the risk associated with inclusion of macroalgae in their diet.

Seaweeds, or macroalgae, may be a good dietary iodine source but also a source of excessive iodine intake. The main aim in this study was to describe the iodine status and thyroid function in a group of macroalgae consumers. Two urine samples were collected from each participant (n = 44) to measure urinary iodine concentration (UIC) after habitual consumption of seaweed. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), and peroxidase autoantibody (TPOAb), were measured in a subgroup (n = 19). A food frequency questionnaire and an iodine-specific 24 h recall were used to assess iodine intake and macroalgae consumption. The median (p25–p75) UIC was 1200 (370–2850) µg/L. Median (p25–p75) estimated dietary iodine intake, excluding macroalgae, was 110 (78–680) µg/day, indicating that seaweed was the major contributor to the iodine intake. TSH levels were within the reference values, but higher than in other comparable population groups. One third of the participants used seaweeds daily, and sugar kelp, winged kelp, dulse and laver were the most common species. Labelling of iodine content was lacking for a large share of the products consumed. This study found excessive iodine status in macroalgae consumers after intake of dietary seaweeds. Including macroalgae in the diet may give excessive iodine exposure, and consumers should be made aware of the risk associated with inclusion of macroalgae in their diet.

Background: Iron deficiency is one of the most widespread micronutrient deficiencies worldwide and the prevalence of iron deficiency in European infants is increasing during childhood. One high-risk group in respect to iron deficiency is children, as they are in excessive demand of iron due to their rapid growth. During the first six month of life the infant is self-sufficient with iron due to iron depots. After six months the infant may not receive sufficient amount of iron through food, and may increase the risk of iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anaemia. Aim: The overall aim of this study was to examine if length of exclusive breastfeeding and time of introduction to complementary food is related to functional iron stores in women and their infants during the first year of life. Subjects and Methods: “Infant nutrition, Iron and Development” is a part of a population based longitudinal observational study, based in the municipality of Fjell outside of Bergen between the years of 2009-2011, called “The Fjell-study”. The cohort consisted of 126 pregnant women and their babies, and comprised four time points of follow up starting from the 28th gestational week, followed by three-, six- and 12 months after birth. Blood samples and dietary habits were collected at all the time points in the mothers, and at all time points after birth in the infants. The mothers completed the Ages and Stages Questionnaires at six-, and 12 months postpartum, in order to compare mental and physical development with haematologically factors in the infants. Results: The amount of infants having inadequate Hb levels decreased from 34% in the first measurement three months after birth, to 21% in the second measurement six months after birth. After 12 months, postnatally approximately none of the infants had inadequate Hb levels. The amount of infants with inadequate CHr levels increased from 1% at the first measurement three months postnatally

Background: Iron deficiency is one of the most widespread micronutrient deficiencies worldwide and the prevalence of iron deficiency in European infants is increasing during childhood. One high-risk group in respect to iron deficiency is children, as they are in excessive demand of iron due to their rapid growth. During the first six month of life the infant is self-sufficient with iron due to iron depots. After six months the infant may not receive sufficient amount of iron through food, and may increase the risk of iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anaemia. Aim: The overall aim of this study was to examine if length of exclusive breastfeeding and time of introduction to complementary food is related to functional iron stores in women and their infants during the first year of life. Subjects and Methods: “Infant nutrition, Iron and Development” is a part of a population based longitudinal observational study, based in the municipality of Fjell outside of Bergen between the years of 2009-2011, called “The Fjell-study”. The cohort consisted of 126 pregnant women and their babies, and comprised four time points of follow up starting from the 28th gestational week, followed by three-, six- and 12 months after birth. Blood samples and dietary habits were collected at all the time points in the mothers, and at all time points after birth in the infants. The mothers completed the Ages and Stages Questionnaires at six-, and 12 months postpartum, in order to compare mental and physical development with haematologically factors in the infants. Results: The amount of infants having inadequate Hb levels decreased from 34% in the first measurement three months after birth, to 21% in the second measurement six months after birth. After 12 months, postnatally approximately none of the infants had inadequate Hb levels. The amount of infants with inadequate CHr levels increased from 1% at the first measurement three months postnatally