Sushi seaweed linked to surge in thyroid illness

缺碘會引起甲狀腺問題，原來吸收碘太多，會引起甲狀腺亢奮，心跳加速，容易疲倦，體重急降等病症，對孕婦尤其不利。碘每日建議的吸量為150微克(百萬份之一克)，一件日本壽司所有的海藻，已有92微克的碘。建議不要多吃。

SUSHI lovers beware - eating too much of the popular Japanese dish can cause serious health problems.

Dietitians Association of Australia's Lisa Renn said sushi was a healthy meal but only if restricted to two or three rolls twice a week because of the iodine levels in the seaweed wrap.

Last month, a type of dried seaweed sold in Asian food supermarkets was recalled after it was found to have high levels of iodine, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

''When we talk about a healthy diet, variety is the key so I would not recommend having sushi every day,'' Ms Renn said.

According to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand, one sushi roll contains 92 micrograms (one millionth of a gram) of iodine. The recommended daily intake of iodine for adults is 150 micrograms (20,000th of a teaspoon).

The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in the lower part of the neck, needs iodine to produce essential hormones that regulate the metabolism. But excessive amounts of iodine can lead to hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid causing symptoms including palpitations, fatigue and weight loss) while low levels can cause hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid causing fatigue, weight gain and confusion).

Thyroid Australia estimates about 850,000 Australians suffer from thyroid dysfunction, with more than 40,000 new cases developing each year.

The Federal Department of Health and Ageing, alarmed by the increasing number of people with thyroid conditions linked to seaweed, issued a warning to doctors, endocrinologists and state and territory chief health officers last year.

Victoria's Department of Human Services, the National Health and Medical Research Council and Food Standards Australia New Zealand told The Sunday Age they agreed with Ms Renn that eating too much sushi could be a health risk.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/sushi-seaweed-linked-to-surge-in-thyroid-illness-20110730-1i5mm.html#ixzz1X5ieZ2ck