The thyroid gland secretes hormones into our body, in particular the thyroxine hormone, and iodine is needed to properly synthesize it. These thyroid hormones help to regulate our growth, development and reproduction, as well as controlling our metabolism and maintaining our body’s temperature. Iodine is also important for pregnant women; it’s essential for the proper growth and development of the baby, especially the brain.

In nature, iodine is found in fish and seafood, as well as vegetables and nuts. While the iodine content of the food from the sea is standard, the same can not be said about the food from the ground. The iodine content of vegetables and nuts is dependent on the iodine content of the growing soil. Consequently, agricultural areas with lower iodine levels produce crops with a lower or inadequate iodine content. Populations that don’t have access to iodine rich crops and don’t eat enough seafood to compensate, can easily become iodine deficient. The response to this is the economically sound and health wise addition of iodine to salt. Iodized salt is an easy and economical way to provide many populations with this essential trace mineral. It’s one of the best examples of a fortified food.

Iodized salt can be found in most developed parts of the world and there are also programs aiming to make it a universal product. This will help to combat iodine deficiency, which is still a problem in many undeveloped countries and malnourished populations. Given the ease and financial efficiency of iodized salt, there’s no reason for this deficiency to perpetuate.

An iodine deficiency effects our thyroid gland and can result in hypothyroidism. This effects the synthesis of thyroid hormones and has a domino effect on all of its functions; lowered metabolism, lowered body temperature, weight gain, fatigue and mental problems. An extreme iodine deficiency results in goiter. This is an enlargement of the thyroid gland, which can be seen in the throat or adam’s apple area.

If an infant or child suffers from an iodine deficiency, it can effect their growth and development, including brain development. This can result in mental retardation, lowered IQ and poor bone structure.

What’s worse than an infant or child suffering from an iodine deficiency? A pregnant women going without. A mother to be with too little iodine not only puts herself at risk, but also poses great danger to the development of her baby. It increases the chance of a miscarriage or stillborn, or the baby may be born with mental retardation.

With so many irreversible damages that can result from an iodine deficiency, and with such an easy and economically sound intervention, there’s no fair reason for any population to have to experience this. A pinch of iodized salt goes a long way.