Why do we add iodine to salt?
A spoon full of salt helps the iodine go down.
You may have noticed that, in the U.S., at least salt comes in two main forms: iodized and non-iodized. Iodizing salt is actually a public health benefit that started many years ago. It’s not regulated by law, and the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t require it, but it’s become a popular way to take iodine. Why bother?
In the early part of the last century, iodine was found to help prevent goiter. That’s how the trend started. But, 100 years later, we were finding that people with low intelligence scores tended to be iodine-deficient. People now believe that by including iodine in salt, we’ve managed to improve intelligence and, therefore, wealth, for generations.
Iodine is an essential mineral that is needed by the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are responsible for many of the body’s functions, including regulating metabolism, growth, and development.
Iodine deficiency is a major public health problem that affects millions of people around the world. It is estimated that about 2 billion people have inadequate iodine intake, and about 200 million people have overt iodine deficiency. This deficiency is not evenly spread among the socioeconomic classes, but tends to be more prevalent in the impoverished.
Iodine is an essential trace element that plays a crucial role in maintaining thyroid health and overall well-being. Adding iodine to salt, known as iodized salt, is a public health measure aimed at preventing iodine deficiency disorders, particularly goiter and cretinism. Here's why iodine is added to salt and the benefits it provides:
Iodine Deficiency Disorders: Iodine deficiency can lead to various health issues, primarily affecting the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland requires iodine to produce thyroid hormones—thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)—which are essential for regulating metabolism, growth, and development. Insufficient iodine intake can disrupt thyroid function and lead to conditions such as goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) and cretinism (mental and physical developmental delays).
Preventing Goiter: Goiter is a condition characterized by the enlargement of the thyroid gland. In areas where the soil is deficient in iodine, the locally grown food lacks iodine as well. This can lead to iodine deficiency in the population and result in goiter. Adding iodine to salt ensures a consistent and easily accessible source of iodine, preventing the development of goiter.
Simple and Effective Solution: Iodizing salt is a cost-effective and straightforward method to improve iodine intake in populations. Salt is a staple ingredient in many diets around the world, and adding iodine to salt doesn't require significant changes in eating habits or infrastructure.
Global Health Initiatives: The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health organizations recommend iodized salt as a strategy to address iodine deficiency and its associated health problems. Many countries have adopted policies to ensure the availability of iodized salt in their populations.
There aren’t many ways that people naturally ingest iodine. Iodizing salt involves adding a small amount of iodine to table salt. This makes it easier for people to get the iodine they need from their diet. Iodizing salt is a simple and effective way to prevent iodine deficiency. It is a safe and affordable way to improve the health of millions of people around the world.
It's important to note that while iodine is essential for health, excessive iodine intake can also be harmful. Therefore, iodized salt is designed to provide a balanced and controlled amount of iodine that meets the body's requirements without causing harm. If you have specific health concerns or dietary considerations, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist.