IODINE IN NUTRITION

Abstract

In the struggle for survival in this world conflict, in which both physical and emotional demands on the body's resources are rapidly mounting, the problems of nutrition assume an even greater significance. And thus iodine, a nutritional necessity, essential in the normal regulation of the energy output of the human body, comes to take its place in any all inclusive war effort. DISTRIBUTION OF IODINE AND GOITER Iodine is widely distributed throughout all nature. It occurs in many forms, both organic and inorganic. It is found in nearly all living things as well as in the air, water, soil and rocks. Not the sea, as is popularly believed, but the earth's crust is the major storehouse of iodine.¹ Iodine is not uniformly distributed but varies with the local geologic conditions of the soil and water. Inversely related to the distribution of iodine is the incidence of endemic goiter. The