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Salt on Shelves Does Not Have Enough Iodine
DUBAI — The common salt that is available on the shelves at your local grocery may not be giving you the required levels of good minerals that your body needs to function normally, a survey has found.
Results from the National Survey on Iodine Deficiency, held earlier this year, have now prompted the health authorities to study salt samples in homes and the local market after the survey found that the salt did not have the recommended levels of iodine — an essential element that is required for growth and survival.
“Though the study found that 94 per cent of the UAE population was consuming iodised salt, it also found that the salt was not adequately iodised,” said Dr Izzeldin S. Hussein, regional coordinator for International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders.
The international requirement is 15mg-40mg potassium iodate per kilogram of salt. The daily required iodine intake through salt for an adult is 150mcg.
Iodine is produced by the thyroid gland in our bodies. It helps maintain a healthy working of the brain and nervous system. Health complications resulting from iodine deficiency include thyroid gland dysfunction, including goitre, and various neurologic, gastrointestinal, and skin abnormalities.
Iodine deficiency in pregnant or nursing mothers can lead to significant neurocognitive deficits in infants.
Iodine deficiency is common in geographical areas where animals graze and foods are grown and in iodine-deficient soil. The deficiency is made up through use of salt in which iodine has been purposely added.
“Disorders caused by micronutrient deficiencies occur in both rich and poor countries either through imported foodstuff, food processing or distribution system or through deficient soils,” said Dr Hussein.
“Malnutrition can occur while deficiencies of essential nutrients such as Vitamin A and D, iodine, iron, calcium and fatty acids can also take place,” he added.
To avoid mass health disorders related to these deficiencies, the UAE needs to incorporate study of nutrition into the national strategy and surveillance system, said the expert.
“Residents should only consume iodised salt without increasing the salt intake as well as eat more seafood to overcome iodine deficiency,” said Dr Hussein.
The survey also found that the prevalence of goitre (a thyroid gland dysfunction) in the country had dropped to eight per cent in 2009 from 40 per cent in 1994.
Micronutrient deficiencies, nutritional well-being of women and children, and food-borne diseases are among the current health challenges facing the UAE, said an official from the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently. Other challenges include diet-related non-communicable diseases and obesity in adults, children and adolescents, he added.
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