Iodized salt is a type of table salt made by spraying regular salt with a tiny amount of potassium iodate. One of the known benefits of using iodized salt is providing people with iodine. Iodine is an element needed in trace amounts to maintain normal health, but unfortunately it is not found in the normal diet. It is essential for healthy brain development in the fetus and young child. People are encouraged to add iodized salt into their food, not only to add flavor, but also to get iodine in their diet.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), iodine deficiency is considered a public health problem in 118 countries, and more than 1.5 billion people are believed to be at risk. It’s most common in developing countries where people may lack access to enough healthy food. Signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency includes swelling of the thyroid glands in the neck- this can cause a visible lump, called a goiter, to form on your neck, fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, and weight gain among others.

Iodized salt is proven to help prevent iodine deficiency. Historically in 1917, physician David Marine began conducting experiments demonstrating that taking iodine supplements was effective at reducing incidence of goiters. The introduction of iodized salt was proven to be effective at eliminating the deficiency in many parts of the world. Just a half teaspoon (3 grams) of iodized salt per day is enough to meet your daily iodine requirement. This makes iodized salt one of the easiest ways to prevent iodine deficiency.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and vegetarians are at greater risk of iodine deficiency because they need more iodine in their normal diet. Thus, they need to consume food that provides iodine. Iodine is most concentrated in foods like fish, eggs, nuts, bread, dairy products, and seaweed.

Iodine deficiency can be treated by a healthy diet. By consuming just few servings of iodine-rich food every day, you can easily get enough iodine through your diet, with or without use of iodized salt. If you think your diet does not meet the required daily intake, consider adding iodized salt to your food.

Always remember Kumainment No. 7: Gumamit ng iodized salt

AA VI Cielo Katrina M. Mabalot

References:

1. “Iodization of salt for the prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders” from https://www.who.int/elena/titles/salt_iodization/en/#:~:text=to%20use%20eLENA-,Iodization%20of%20salt%20for%20the%20prevention%20and%20control%20of%20iodine,productivity%20and%20quality%20of%20life.

2. “Iodized or plain salt: what’s the difference?” from https://unitedsalt.com/iodized-or-plain-salt-whats-the-difference/#:~:text=The%20main%20answer%20to%20%E2%80%9Cwhy,breast%20cysts%2C%20and%20developmental%20disorders.

3. “Should you use iodized salt?” from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/iodized-salt#preventing-deficiency

4. “What you should know about iodine deficiency” from https://www.healthline.com/health/iodine-deficiency