National Day for Buying and Using Iodized Salt (November 2): Small actions, big benefits for the community

Iodine deficiency not only causes goiter but also seriously affects intellectual development and health. Each spoonful of iodized salt each day is a "shield" protecting the whole community.

Iodine is an essential micronutrient that helps the body produce thyroid hormones, regulate metabolism and brain development. When iodine is deficient, especially in pregnant women and young children, the body is susceptible to disorders such as goiter, hypothyroidism, mental retardation, miscarriage or premature birth.

In the past, goiter due to iodine deficiency was common in mountainous areas, but now this condition appears in urban areas as well. The main cause is the habit of not regularly using iodized salt, instead using salty spices without added iodine such as seasoning powder, fish sauce or seasoning powder.

According to Dr. Pham Thi Kim Que, Head of Internal Medicine Department, Buon Ma Thuot General Hospital ( Dak Lak ), the early stages of iodine deficiency often have no obvious symptoms. "When the neck is already large, tired, forgetful, people go to the doctor, but the disease is already serious," she warned.

The results of the 2019-2020 General Nutrition Survey show that only about 70% of households use iodized salt, a sharp decrease compared to 92% in 2005. In Dak Lak, although 98% of households use iodized salt, only 38.8% meet the disease prevention standard.

Experts recommend: just one teaspoon of iodized salt per day is enough to provide the necessary amount of iodine. In addition, you should supplement foods rich in iodine such as seafood, green vegetables, eggs and milk.

Responding to the National Day of buying and using iodized salt (November 2), each family should take action today:

Choose salt that says "IODIZED SALT" on the package.

Store salt properly, avoid moisture and sunlight.

Encourage family members to use it together to prevent iodine deficiency.

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Source: https://baolaocai.vn/ngay-toan-dan-mua-va-su-dung-muoi-iod-211-hanh-dong-nho-loi-ich-lon-cho-cong-dong-post885868.html