A mineral called iodine can be present in various foods. Due to its role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, this mineral is crucial for human health. The body's metabolism and other critical processes are regulated by thyroid hormones. This hormone is crucial for the baby's healthy bone and brain development during pregnancy.
When an adult woman's body is deficient in iodine, her thyroid enlarges in an effort to absorb as much of it as possible and produce the proper quantity of thyroid hormone. This condition is known as goiter. Infertility and goiter are two conditions caused by the thyroid glands erratically growing development, which forms a butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck right below Adam's apple. While brain damage, intellectual disability, including the most severe form of cretinism, low IQ, and stunted growth are possible in children and unborn offspring.
There is a specific amount of iodine which is recommended for each age group, for children male or female, aged 0-5 years old, 90 micrograms is recommended daily. Regardless of gender, school-aged youngsters between the ages of 6 and 12 should consume 120 micrograms. It is also advised that adults, both men, and women, ingest 150 micrograms of iodine daily. While pregnant and nursing women require an additional 100 micrograms per day, for a total of 250 micrograms per day, for the baby and the mother.
Iodine is naturally available in some foods such as saltwater fish, seaweeds, shrimps, and other seafood which are naturally rich in this mineral. Dairy products are also rich in iodine such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and eggs.
However, due to poor nutrition and bad food choices that are brought on by several circumstances that prevent a person from having access to enough of this mineral, the government approved and paased the RA8176 also known as the ASIN Law. This Act was enacted on December 20, 1995, and it mandates the department of Health as the main agency in the implementation across the country. It calls for the addition of iodine to all salt intended for animal and human use in order to eradicate micronutrient deficiency in the nation.
The goal of this law is to provide equal access to iodine for all Filipinos, regardless of age, and to prevent iodine deficiency disorders by consuming iodized salt on a regular basis. This law is also stated on the 10 Kumainments number 7.
Additionally, since processed foods often contain iodine due to the usage of iodized salt, Filipinos are encouraged to use iodized salt as directed. For the recommended amount, 4 teaspoons (23 grams) of iodized salt per day is the safe iodine intake limit.
References:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-Consumer/
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/iodine/
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/iodine-deficiency
https://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/images/images/news/PDRI-2018.pdf
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/iodized-salt
(DMO II KTP/NOIII/RNPC)
