Vegetarian Diet Info
Potassium & Iodine Minerals in Vegetarian Diet
Information on Potassium & Iodine Minerals, Thyroid Function in Vegetarian Diet

Vegetarian Healthy Diet Program
More Vegetarian Nutrition Information
Calcium in Vegetarian Diet - Iron in Vegetarian Diet - Protein in Vegetarian Diet - Vitamin B12 in Diet - Zinc in Vegetarian Diet
Potassium, Iodine in Diet - Vegetarian Diet Carbs - Fiber in Diet Plan - Fat in Vegetarian Diet - Cholesterol - Essential Fatty Acids
Vitamin A for Vegetarians - Vitamin D for Vegetarians - Vegetarian Foods - Vegetarian Diet Nutrition

Potassium & Iodine in a Vegetarian Diet

Like Calcium, Iron and Zinc, potassium and iodine are especially important minerals for a healthy vegetarian diet.

Potassium in a Vegetarian Diet

Potassium is important for the correct maintenance of heart rhythm and mineral balance. The best vegetarian source of potassium is bananas, although spinach, sweet potato and winter squash are other good vegetarian sources.

Iodine in a Vegetarian Diet

Iodine is vital for good thyroid function. In vegetarian adults, low iodine intake may lead to hypothyroidism which in turn may cause fatigue, dry or yellowish skin, anemia, weight gain, personality changes, depression, and prolonged and heavy menstruation. On the other hand excessive iodine consumption by vegetarians carries other risks.

Vegetarian sources of iodine include: dairy products, iodised salt and seaweeds. Vegetarians and vegans may also obtain iodine from ordinary vegetables, but this depends on how rich the soil is in iodine. For example, UK vegan diets are typically low in iodine-intake due to the low iodine levels in the UK soil.

Iodine Uptake in Vegetarian Diet

A low zinc intake worsens the effect of low iodine intake. Also, certain otherwise healthy foods interfere with regular iodine intake. Such foods include: brassicas (eg. cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower), soy beans, sweet potatoes, lima beans, maize and millet.

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