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Iodine is an essential mineral you must get from your diet. Interestingly, your thyroid gland needs it to produce thyroid hormones, which have many important responsibilities in your body. The recommended daily intake of iodine is 150 mcg per day for most adults. For women who are pregnant or lactating, the requirement is higher by 100 mcg per day.
Based on the latest survey conducted by FNRI-DOST, 3 out of 10 (34.3%) lactating women suffer from Iodine Deficiency, which is already of public health significance according to the WHO Cut-off of less than 20%.
Iodine deficiency can lead to swelling of the thyroid gland, known as goiter, and hypothyroidism, which can cause fatigue, muscle weakness and weight gain among adults; cretinism and low IQ among children.
While there are numerous existing interventions to address these iodine deficiency disorders, individual diet still plays a major role in its prevention.
Here are the 9 iodine-rich food sources that can help prevent iodine deficiency.
1. Seaweed. Seaweed is an excellent source of iodine. However, the amount it contains depends on the species. Kombu kelp offers the highest amount of iodine, with some varieties containing nearly 2,000% of the daily value in one gram.
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Goiter Awareness Week (GAW) is an annual event in the Philippines observed every fourth week of January by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1188 on December 11, 2006. With the theme “Goiter Sugpuin, Isip Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt Gamitin”, the campaign aims to disseminate relevant information on the ill effects, prevention, and signs and symptoms of goiter or "bosyo" among Filipinos. It was formed with the Department of Health (DOH) designated as the lead agency. Working with DOH are partners and stakeholders like the Philippine Thyroid Association, Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Iodine Global Network, National Nutrition Council and DOST-FNRI.
Experts believe that prevention and long-term solution of goiter and iodine deficiency can be brought about by information dissemination, education and training, research and preventive measures like the use of iodized salt adopted early enough to forestall frank clinical manifestations and disabilities.
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The new P18-million molecular laboratory in the Southern Philippine Medical Center compound is expected to quadruple the existing COVID-19 testing capacity of the hospital. This according to Fr. Joel Tabora, president of the Ateneo de Davao University.
“Through this facility, its capacity for testing for the virus using the gold standard for testing has at least quadrupled,” Fr. Tabora said.
Using RT PCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) test, the molecular laboratory is capable of testing 200 samples per day for an 8-hour shift and with a result turn-around time of three operating days.The negative pressure molecular laboratory, which was inaugurated on Jan. 9, was established thru the donation of Metrobank Foundation and George Ty Foundation to the Ateneo de Davao University for it to build the laboratory which was in turn donated to the SPMC.
Read more: SPMC to quadruple COVID-19 testing capacity with new lab
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The Department of Agriculture-Davao region has conducted a site validation in a 5-hectare agricultural production area as per request of the Congregation of Sisters Apostles of Jesus Crucified (AJC) in Tugbok, Davao City to the DA-XI Office of the Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr.
AJC sets to develop the agricultural production area for which produce will be used for the Feeding Program of Padre Pio's Home for Children orphanage as well as the beneficiaries in their immediate community.
"Unlike other congregations, we are not an income generating institution and only rely on donations. That is why we want to produce our own food to support the orphanage and the community," said Sr. Maria Elisabetta D. Mapa of AJC Sisters.
Read more: Davao City Orphanage seeks assistance for food production and Feeding Program
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Almost 30,000 patients admitted in Davao del Norte provincial hospitals benefited from the extended zero hospital billing amounting to more than P28 million in year 2020 alone. Data from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) says that a total of 29,838 patients benefitted from Gov. Edwin I. Jubahib's Zero-Billing policy.
Davao del Norte PSWDO Department Head Rose Rapista explained that the Zero-Billing Policy is being implemented in provincial district hospitals in connection with the Malasakit Program which involves the Office of the President, the Provincial Government and other national line agencies extending health and hospitalization assistance.
Read more: Davao del Norte’s Zero Billing Policy benefits thousands of Dabaonons
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MANILA, Jan. 13 -- A year since its establishment, the government’s Zero Hunger Task Force (ZHTF) has been making significant progress in its efforts to address hunger in the country. And despite the restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the task force is now marking its first year with the launch of the National Food Policy, as one of the task force’s important accomplishments to date.
This according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who at the first anniversary of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger and the launching of the NFP document, acknowledged the valuable contributions of the task force’s member agencies and private sector partners.
“In a span of one year a lot of things have happened; from typhoons and other calamities that have hit our country to our continuing battle to address the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the Palace official.
Read more: Zero Hunger Task Force marks anniversary with NFP launch
