This year’s Annual Dairy Council Nutrition Lecture at the Ulster University was given by Professor Margaret Rayman, Professor of Nutritional Medicine at the University of Surrey.
Professor Rayman spoke to an audience of more than 150 academics, nutrition students and health professionals on ‘The importance of iodine in the UK diet: relevance of milk and dairy products’.
The audience heard how iodine is particularly important for women during pregnancy as it contributes to normal growth and brain development of the baby. Unfortunately, not everyone is getting enough.
Professor Rayman and her research team have evaluated iodine status in UK pregnant women, finding that levels of iodine are lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) cut off for adequacy in pregnancy. Milk is a good source of iodine; a 200ml glass supplies over 40% of a woman’s iodine daily needs*
Professor Rayman said:
'It is important that women ensure that they have an adequate iodine intake from dietary sources which in the UK are mainly cow’s milk and dairy products, with contributions from fish and eggs".
Nutrition and Health Professionals can find out more about the Lecture here.
Pictured L to R: Dr Mike Johnston MBE, Chief Executive, Dairy Council for Northern Ireland; Professor Margaret Rayman; and Professor Paddy Nixon, Vice–Chancellor, Ulster University.
* RNI, Reference Nutrient Intake