Nutrition is an integral part of Health and well being of every individual and hence it is everybody’s concern. It enables a man to lead a socially and economically productive life. The food we consume consists of various Vitamins and minerals in the form of micronutrients. Iodine is also one of the essential micronutrients which play an important role in maintaining normal growth and development of human body. Its deficiency in the body causes a group of diseases collectively known as Iodine Deficiency Disorder’s (IDD’s). Iodine deficiency is considered as the world’s single most significant cause of preventable brain damage and mental retardation today (WHO). As per information available more than 1.5 billion people in the world are living at the risk of getting IDD’s. In India alone it is estimated that more than 200 million people are living at risk of IDD while more than 71 million people are already suffering from various forms of IDD’s.
• Importance of iodine:
Iodine is an essential for synthesis of two thyroid hormones namely thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronin (T3) which are responsible for maintenance of normal growth and development of both brain and body. It is essential specially during the foetal stage (when the baby is in the womb). Therefore iodine deficiency during pregnancy leads to decreased synthesis of the two hormones by the foetal thyroid gland hampering normal growth and development of foetal brain and body which would limit intellectual growth in later years.
- Normal daily requirement of iodine for an individual is 100 to 150 micrograms and 200 micrograms for pregnant and lactating mother.
• Source of iodine.
The best sources of iodine are sea foods such as sea fish, sea salt, sea weeds, and cod liver oil. Smaller amount occur in the foods such as milk, meat, cereals and vegetables.
But as sea foods and other sea products are not freely available everywhere, the normal body requirement comes from food grown on soil with adequate iodine. Iodine deficiency is therefore geochemical in nature.
• Lose of iodine from the soil?
Iodine is constantly lost from the soil by process of soil erosion. The major factors responsible for iodine depletion in the soil are due to heavy rainfall/snowfall, recurrent flooding, accelerated deforestation, multiple crops, jhum cultivation, burning of forest excessive use of pesticides and chemicals.
• Consequence of iodine deficiency:
A number of physical and mental disorders result from iodine deficiency which affects every stage of human life – both young and adult.
1) Foetus: Abortion, stillbirth, congenital, abnormalities, increased prenatal mortality, mental retardation, deaf and dumb, paralysis, squint etc.
2) Children: Neonatal goitre, hypothyroidism, physical and mental growth retardation, lowering of I.Q level, poor school performance and cretins.
3) Adult: Impaired mental function, low productivity goitre with its complications.
4) Livestock's: Through research it has been confirmed that the productivity of the livestock has remarkably been reduced.
• Government’s Policy:
Realizing the severity of IDD problem, the Government took a policy decision to iodise the entire salt for edible purpose and instructed the States/UT’s to ban the sale of non-iodised salt. Any traders/shopkeepers found selling non-iodized salt for edible purpose are liable for prosecution under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) 1954.
• Prevention and control of IDD’s:
Though the problems of iodine deficiency disorders are severe and irreversible, its control and preventive measures are very simple and cheap. We can prevent both present and future generations from the consequences of IDD’s just by consuming good quality iodised salt daily.
• Importance points to remember :
1) To disseminate the information's on IDD’s.
2) To generate public demand for iodised salt from Fair Price Shop at a subsidized rate for it is a PDS subject.
3) To stock and sell only iodised salt for human consumption. Non-iodised salt should be labeled “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”. Defaulters are punishable under the provision of PFA Act.1954 (Traders).
4) Always store iodised salt in closed container away from direct sunlight or moisture.
5) Do not keep iodised salt near or above the fire place.
6) Do not stock iodised salt for more than 6 months for in such cases the iodine content of the salt will be lost.
7) Always insist only on Iodised Salt from your shopkeeper.
It is indeed the responsibility of every citizen to put a concerted effort to fight the menace of IDD’s by disseminating the information’s on IDD’s and demanding supply of iodised salt through PDS and consumption of only good quality iodised salt for better mental health of our future generation.
• Importance of iodine:
Iodine is an essential for synthesis of two thyroid hormones namely thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronin (T3) which are responsible for maintenance of normal growth and development of both brain and body. It is essential specially during the foetal stage (when the baby is in the womb). Therefore iodine deficiency during pregnancy leads to decreased synthesis of the two hormones by the foetal thyroid gland hampering normal growth and development of foetal brain and body which would limit intellectual growth in later years.
- Normal daily requirement of iodine for an individual is 100 to 150 micrograms and 200 micrograms for pregnant and lactating mother.
• Source of iodine.
The best sources of iodine are sea foods such as sea fish, sea salt, sea weeds, and cod liver oil. Smaller amount occur in the foods such as milk, meat, cereals and vegetables.
But as sea foods and other sea products are not freely available everywhere, the normal body requirement comes from food grown on soil with adequate iodine. Iodine deficiency is therefore geochemical in nature.
• Lose of iodine from the soil?
Iodine is constantly lost from the soil by process of soil erosion. The major factors responsible for iodine depletion in the soil are due to heavy rainfall/snowfall, recurrent flooding, accelerated deforestation, multiple crops, jhum cultivation, burning of forest excessive use of pesticides and chemicals.
• Consequence of iodine deficiency:
A number of physical and mental disorders result from iodine deficiency which affects every stage of human life – both young and adult.
1) Foetus: Abortion, stillbirth, congenital, abnormalities, increased prenatal mortality, mental retardation, deaf and dumb, paralysis, squint etc.
2) Children: Neonatal goitre, hypothyroidism, physical and mental growth retardation, lowering of I.Q level, poor school performance and cretins.
3) Adult: Impaired mental function, low productivity goitre with its complications.
4) Livestock's: Through research it has been confirmed that the productivity of the livestock has remarkably been reduced.
• Government’s Policy:
Realizing the severity of IDD problem, the Government took a policy decision to iodise the entire salt for edible purpose and instructed the States/UT’s to ban the sale of non-iodised salt. Any traders/shopkeepers found selling non-iodized salt for edible purpose are liable for prosecution under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA) 1954.
• Prevention and control of IDD’s:
Though the problems of iodine deficiency disorders are severe and irreversible, its control and preventive measures are very simple and cheap. We can prevent both present and future generations from the consequences of IDD’s just by consuming good quality iodised salt daily.
• Importance points to remember :
1) To disseminate the information's on IDD’s.
2) To generate public demand for iodised salt from Fair Price Shop at a subsidized rate for it is a PDS subject.
3) To stock and sell only iodised salt for human consumption. Non-iodised salt should be labeled “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION”. Defaulters are punishable under the provision of PFA Act.1954 (Traders).
4) Always store iodised salt in closed container away from direct sunlight or moisture.
5) Do not keep iodised salt near or above the fire place.
6) Do not stock iodised salt for more than 6 months for in such cases the iodine content of the salt will be lost.
7) Always insist only on Iodised Salt from your shopkeeper.
It is indeed the responsibility of every citizen to put a concerted effort to fight the menace of IDD’s by disseminating the information’s on IDD’s and demanding supply of iodised salt through PDS and consumption of only good quality iodised salt for better mental health of our future generation.
(Dr. N. Meren)
Programme Officer NIDDCP
Directorate of Health and Family Welfare
Nagland: Kohima
