Iodised salt is common salt to which a very small quantity
of an iodine compound has been added. Iodised salt
looks, tastes and smells exactly like common salt
and is used in the same way, and for the same purposes.
Iodised salt is used to prevent iodine deficiency
disorders (IDD).
Iodine
is a natural element, a mineral, and like carbohydrates,
fats, proteins, and vitamins, is an essential constituent
of human diet. Iodine is also called a “micronutrient”
(like vitamin A and iron) because it is required in
very small amounts by our body.
The
daily requirement of iodine for an adult is 150 micrograms.
Pregnant women and lactating mothers however, need
more iodine (200 micrograms on average).
The total iodine requirement for a person living
up to 70 years of life would add up to less than
a teaspoonful. However, as there is no storage organ
for iodine in the body, it is necessary for iodine
to be included in our daily diet. The usual sources
of iodine containing foods are meat, fish, vegetables,
milk, cereals and water.
Our
normal requirement of iodine comes directly or indirectly
from crops grown on iodine rich soil and from fish
and seaweeds. So, when the soil of any area lacks
iodine, the crops too are deficient in this essential
nutrient. People, who eat these crops regularly,
do not get their requirement of iodine and ultimately
develop iodine deficiency.
The
thyroid gland is an (endocrine) gland located in
the front of the neck. Iodine is used by this gland
to produce thyroid hormones.
Thyroid
hormones are essential for normal growth, development
and functioning of both the brain and body. Lack
of iodine results in deficiency of these hormones
and results in a wide spectrum of disorders, collectively
called iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Iodine
deficiency can lead to goitre, cretinism, deafness,
dumbness, squint and mental retardation.
The most visible and easily recognizable sign of
iodine deficiency is goitre. A goitre is an enlarged
thyroid gland which can range in size from an invisible
swelling to a monstrous growth in the neck.
In
the mother's womb, a baby/foetus needs a steady
supply of iodine for the normal growth and development
of its brain and body. Only the mother can provide
this. But if the mother is iodine-deficient, the
child too becomes iodine deficient. If the woman’s
deficiency is severe, the child’s brain and
body are seriously and permanently damaged and the
child becomes a cretin, unable to hear, talk, walk
or think normally.
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy may also result
in abortion or stillbirth.
The critical period for brain growth is from conception
to the first three years of life. Optimum iodine
nutrition during this period is absolutely essential
for normal brain development.
In
cases of mild iodine deficiency, even though the
child looks normal, s/he will have mild mental retardation
on closer examination. Children living in iodine-deficient
areas could have an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) level
13.5 points lower than those living in iodine sufficient
areas, which will affect his/her school performance.
Salt
is an ideal vehicle for addition of iodine as it is
usually needed in fairly constant daily amounts. Salt
is thus the most suitable food item for iodine fortification,
and is effectively being used in many developed and
developing countries. The techniques for iodisation
are simple and well established. The added iodine
does not affect the appearance or taste of salt and
is well accepted by the consumer.
An important fact about iodine is that although it is
needed in tiny amounts, it is needed regularly, every
day. If given like a medicine/vitamin, this would
involve taking it daily for the rest of our lives.
Salt, however, is something that is used by everyone,
every day. On an average, the same amount of salt
(10 to 15 grams) is consumed every day. If this salt
is iodised, then the population automatically gets
the required amount of iodine.
All
of us need only a certain amount of iodine to function
normally. If this iodine is already available, the
body will simply reject any additional quantities
and excrete it unused through the urine.
On the other hand, if someone is deficient in iodine,
the thyroid gland will use as much iodine as it
needs and reject the rest. This makes iodine safe
for everyo
YES,
iodised salt can be stored like normal salt. However,
as the iodine in the salt can be destroyed by prolonged
exposure to direct sunlight and moisture, it is important
to store the iodised salt in an airtight container
made of plastic, wood, glass or clay, with a well-fitting
lid. Similarly, if salt is not packed well, iodine
loss will take place during transit from production
to consumption. Also, iodised salt should be consumed
within twelve months of the packing date.
YES.
Iodised salt can be used in cooking, or as table salt.
There is some loss of iodine during cooking (20% -
40%). Therefore to compensate loss of iodine during
distribution, storage and cooking, higher levels of
iodine are added at the production stage.
NO.
Contrary to popular belief, sea salt does not contain
adequate iodine (on an average only 2 micrograms
of iodine per gram).
NO.
Cretinism is permanent and incurable, like many other
iodine deficiency disorders, but is preventable.
Certain goitres can be "cured" in the early
stages.
Regular intake of iodine, however, prevents goitre
and other iodine deficiency disorders.
YES.
Iodine deficiency affects domestic animals in much
the same way it affects humans. Iodised salt improves
the health and productivity of animals and reduces
the number of stillbirths and miscarriages. In addition,
cattle that are fed on iodised salt produce milk that
is rich in iodine.
EVERYDAY,
FOR ALL TIME TO COME. If one lives in an iodine-deficient
environment, there is no likelihood of the deficiency
being corrected at the source, namely, in the soil.
On the contrary, the increased degradation of our
environment is making the problem worse. Large scale
deforestation, among other things, has led to increased
flooding and erosion of the topsoil, which carries
away the iodine. Using iodised salt every day is the
only way to protect ourselves and our children from
the tragic and completely preventable effects of iodine
deficiency. It is a small investment towards helping
our children, and their children, to get the best
chance to grow up with healthy minds in healthy bodies.
We
need to work closely with health care providers,
agriculturalists, non government organizations,
IDD experts, the salt industry, salt regulators,
the government, policy makers, communicators, and
educators, in creating awareness in the consumers
for use of iodised salt.
There
are two commonly used methods of testing iodine content
in salt. One method is by using an iodine testing
kit. When a drop or two of this solution is added
to a teaspoon of salt, it will turn purple if the
salt is iodised. Another method is by getting the
salt tested in a laboratory (titrimetric method).
If
a law is enforced to ensure production of only iodised
salt, it would enable everyone to consume iodised
salt.
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