Iodine deficiency French, the term "crétin des Alpes" also became current, since the condition was observed in remote valleys of the Alps in particular. The word "cretin" appeared in English in 1779. While reporting recent progress towards overcoming iodine-deficiency disorders worldwide, "The Lancet" noted: "According to World Health Organization, in 2007, nearly 2 billion individuals had insufficient iodine intake, a third being of school age." A conclusion was made that the single most preventable cause of intellectual disability is that of iodine deficiency. There is preliminary evidence that iodine deficiency enhances the sensitivity of breast tissue to estrogen. In rats treated with
Nutritional neuroscience β-mono-oxygenase is affected by copper deficiency leading to increased dopamine and decreased norepinephrine levels. Both copper deficiency and toxicity can interfere with brain development and function. The neurodegenerative syndrome of copper deficiency has been recognized for some time in ruminant animals, in which it is commonly known as "swayback". The disease involves a nutritional deficiency in the trace element copper. Copper is ubiquitous and daily requirement is low making acquired copper deficiency very rare. Copper deficiency can manifest in parallel with vitamin B12 and other nutritional deficiencies. The most common cause of copper deficiency is a remote gastrointestinal surgery, such