Addressing iodine deficiency

Iodine is an essential mineral, commonly found in seafood. One's thyroid gland uses it to make thyroid hormones, which help control growth, repair damaged cells and support a healthy metabolism. Unfortunately, many people in Bangladesh are at risk of an iodine deficiency. According to the media, at least 60 million people in the country are suffering from such deficiency since salt producers are selling table salt without adding iodine as per government rules. As a result, a number of people, including children and women, are increasingly suffering from intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this context, the World Iodine Deficiency Day was quietly observed on October 21.

Our body cannot make iodine and therefore we need to consume it regularly. It is important for proper functioning of thyroid gland and its deficiency can cause hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough of certain crucial hormones. It can result in thyroid enlargement, increased neonatal and infant mortality, retardation of growth and development of the central nervous system in children, reproductive failure, and an increase in the fluid in the tissues.

It is important to raise awareness among our people to get rid of iodine deficiency. Everyone should know the sources of this mineral. Food from marine sources such as sea fish is rich in iodine. Some vegetables like spinach, beets, tomatoes and peppers also contain good amounts of iodine. Consuming iodised salt is the best and easiest way to get iodine on a regular-basis. And this is why, the authorities concerned must monitor the salt producers to check whether they add iodine to table salt or not.

Ashikujaman Syed,

Research Assistant,

Bioinformatics Research Lab,

Center for Research Innovation and Development (CRID),

syedashikujaman@yahoo.com