Iodized Salt: Most Important Prophylactic Measure
to Avoid Iodine Deficiency Diseases
Iodine is a vital trace element for the human organism, the intake of which must be through food diet on a regular basis, since the body is unable to make it itself. Table salt is particularly suitable as a vehicle for iodine, thereby helping to prevent deficiency symptoms and health problems.
The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones which are involved in numerous vital processes regarding metabolism and circulation regulation. Pregnant women and nursing mothers require even higher amounts of iodine. "Arbeitskreis Jodmangel", the German study group Iodine Deficiency, has been applying itself to this issue for a long time now. According to Professor Dr. Roland Gärtner, spokesman of Arbeitskreis Jodmangel, "in addition to difficulties in learning and remembering things, iodine deficiency in children and adolescents can also result in the impaired development of intelligence."
Although the main sources of iodine are salt water fish and seafood, other important sources are milk and dairy products as well as certain types of vegetables (including lamb’s lettuce, spinach and broccoli). However, due to the fact that the consumption of sea fish is continually falling and most European countries are regarded as being iodine deficient areas, the use of iodised table salt is recommended for all age groups.
The United Nations World Summit for Children in 1990 had the decisive signal effect to combat worldwide iodine deficiency. At this time, 192 countries - including Germany - committed themselves to setting up national health programmes with the aim of eliminating iodine deficiency by the year 2000. Germany has failed to completely meet this target to date.
In a summary of the findings of current studies presented at the press conference of Arbeitskreis Jodmangel in Munich, Prof. Dr. Thomas Remer of the Research Institute for Paediatric Nutrition in Dortmund states that "overall, the supply of iodine in Germany may be described as virtually sufficient.". However, the nutritionist points out that there is still a clear need for action despite the success over the past few decades, as around seven percent of children still have severe iodine deficiency levels. Due to various legal requirements in countries of the European Union, the food industry producing for the international market, in particular, is increasingly dispensing with the use of iodised salt in the manufacture of foodstuffs. Owing to this decline, which has been emerging since 2005, one may expect a deterioration in the supply of iodine again in future, including that among children.
According to the report "Iodine Supply Worldwide" of the World Health Organisation (WHO) published in 2004, there has been a noticeable improvement in the iodine deficiency situation. From data collected in 126 countries in the year 2003, iodine supply is meanwhile regarded as sufficient in 43 countries, while the intake of iodine is even substantial to overabundant in 29 countries, for example from eating fish and algae-derived products. However, the intake of iodine continues to be insufficient in 54 countries, and in 14 of these countries this intake is actually poor. All over the world there are some 70 million newborn babies who are still not benefiting from the iodine deficiency prophylaxis required for health.
Even after 25 years of existence, the declared aim of Arbeitskreis Jodmangel thus continues to
be: to further improve the supply of iodine in Germany, thereby preventing subsequent health
problems. Since the use of iodised table salt is voluntary, intensive and consistent awareness
training activities are still of particular importance. Arbeitskreis Jodmangel and Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Ernährung (German Nutrition Society) - as well as other international
organizations concerned - therefore recommend eating fish at least once a week and using iodised
salt at home. When buying convenience products (including bread, sausage and cheese), consumers
should also check the label to see if the product has been manufactured using iodised salt.
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