1. What is iodine deficiency disorder?
Iodine deficiency disease is a series of damages caused by insufficient intake of the organism due to the lack of iodine in the natural environment. In addition to the two typical manifestations of endemic goiter and endemic cretinism, it is mainly the iodine deficiency that affects the brain development of the fetus, leading to delayed or permanent impairment of the intellectual and physical development of children and causing intellectual damage to the population in the disease area. Iodine deficiency can also lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital malformations and increased neonatal mortality, thus affecting the most widespread and substantial problems of eugenics and population quality.
2. Main manifestations of iodine deficiency disorders.
(1) Endemic goiter: It refers to varying degrees of enlargement of the thyroid gland, with thickening of the neck and, in severe cases, difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
(2) Endemic cretinism: mental retardation, deafness, lagging growth, motor nerve dysfunction, spastic paralysis of lower limbs and symptoms of hypothyroidism (mucus edema, unresponsiveness, drowsiness, lack of energy, fear of cold, low appetite), etc.
(3) Subclinical type of Ting’s disease: mild mental retardation, mild hearing and speech impairment, mild neuromotor impairment, mild physical developmental retardation, hormonal hypothyroidism.
3.Why is iodine called an element of intelligence?
Iodine is an important raw material essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones and a trace element necessary for human growth and development. If the body lacks iodine, it will cause a series of pathologies, stunt embryonic growth and development, affect the normal development of the nervous system and intelligence, and lead to mental retardation or intellectual disability.
Severe iodine deficiency during the embryonic period can lead to developmental defects or malformations of the nervous system, hearing organs, thyroid gland, and produce disabilities such as dumbness and deafness; iodine is the raw material for synthesizing thyroid hormones, and if it is lacking, the amount of thyroid hormones synthesized by the body will be reduced or insufficient, leading to low or insufficient thyroid function, which in turn will affect the growth and development of the body. The first and foremost impact is on the nervous system and intellectual development, which can lead to different degrees of intellectual impairment and even intellectual disability.
4. What are the main methods of iodine supplementation for iodine deficiency disorders?
Since iodine deficiency disorders are caused by environmental iodine deficiency, iodine supplementation is the most effective measure to prevent and treat iodine deficiency disorders. The current methods of iodine supplementation are salt iodization, oral iodine pills, water iodization, iodine-containing drugs, iodized tea, iodized food, and iodine-rich food (seafood).
5. Consumption of iodized salt is the best way to prevent and control iodine deficiency diseases: iodized salt is not only safe, effective, economical and easy to promote, but also meets the requirements of trace, long-term and living.
(1) Safe and effective.
The daily requirement of iodine can be guaranteed by consuming this iodized salt. If each person consumes 5-15 grams (10 grams on average) of iodized salt per day, they can get 100-300 micrograms (200 micrograms on average) of iodine per day, which is sufficient to meet the physiological needs of the human body. This dose does not cause waste and does not cause adverse reactions.
(2) Living and long-term. Due to the lack of iodine in the external environment, human beings need long-term iodine supplementation in appropriate amounts. Therefore, salt is the best carrier for iodine supplementation. By eating salt, we can ensure that iodine supplementation can be made to live, in the right amount and be sustainable.
(3) Economical and easy to promote. Eating iodized salt is economical and uses less money, and it only costs a small amount of money to solve the big problem of disease prevention and control.
6. What should residents pay attention to when buying, storing and consuming iodized salt?
Iodized salt must have packaging and the iodized salt logo. Residents should identify iodized salt when purchasing it.
The iodized salt purchased should be properly stored in.
(1) Iodized salt should be stored in brown, shaded bottles or ceramic jars with covers.
(2) Iodized salt should be kept in a cool, dry place to avoid direct sunlight and moisture absorption, and stored away from the stove to avoid high humidity.
(3) Iodized salt should not be stored for too long and should be bought as it is used and properly stocked.
7. To prevent loss of iodine, when consuming iodized salt, pay attention to.
(1) Do not wash with water.
(2) When stir-frying, roasting or cooking vegetables, it is not advisable to put salt too early, but when the food is almost cooked.
(3) Do not fry iodized salt in a pan, and do not fry it in a pan.