USE OF HIMALAYAN SALT TO GET RID OF IODINE DEFICIENCY

Iodine is one of the microelements that is essential for growth and development of body. Iodine performs a number of important functions in the body the most important of which is the control of working of Thyroid gland. Thyroid gland stores more than 50% of Iodine of the body and use it for synthesis of thyroid hormones. These hormones control the metabolism of the body, including best possible use of calories so that they are not stored as excessive fat, removal of toxins from the body and in facilitating body systems for use of various minerals.

IODINE REQUIREMENT BY HUMAN BODY

Daily Iodine requirement of a human depends on his/her age. Nutritionists have determined  recommended amounts   micrograms (mcg). This amount varies from around 110 mcg  in infants up to 6 months to 150 mcg in adults. Pregnant and breastfeeding women require higher amounts of Iodine , ranging from 220-290 mcg.

Iodine Deficiency

If people are not getting recommended dose of Iodine from food they face Iodine deficiency. It  has numerous bad effects on growth and development of the body. Reportedly , Iodine deficiency is the most frequent reason of avoidable mental retardation across the globe. Iodine deficiency results in inadequate thyroid hormone production that becomes cause of secondary problems. During pregnancy and early infancy, iodine deficiency can cause irreversible effects.

Iodine intake below approximately 10–20 mcg/day can result in hypothyroidism that is accompanied by goiter. A less severe iodine deficiency in infants and children can result in neurodevelopmental disorders such as lower-than-average IQ. Mild to moderate iodine deficiency in pregnant women has resulted in  an increased risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

In adults, mild iodine deficiency can cause goiter as well as weakened mental function and work productivity due to hypothyroidism. Chronic deficiency of  iodine is associated with a bigger risk of the follicular form of thyroid cancer.

SOURCES OF IODINE FOR HUMAN BODY

Humans can obtain Iodine either naturally from various foods or from iodine dietary supplements . Mostly common table salt is  labeled as “iodized”. Many multivitamin-mineral supplements also contain iodine. Kelp is a seaweed that is a rich  source of Iodine.

SWITCH TO HIMALAYAN SALT TO GET RID OF IODINE DEFICIENCY

Most of the people  think of salt as sodium chloride or Table Salt. It is very refined, processed white substance that lacks essential nutrients. Because  of this deficit, doctors  in the early 20th century noticed that people using white table salt started to suffer from diseases such as goiter. This was majorly caused by lack of iodine in the salt. Refined white table salt can be replaced with Himalayan Salt to get rid of Iodine deficiency.

Himalayan salt is also a salt which is excavated from deep underground mines in Khewra, Pakistan. This salt is made up of about 98 percent sodium chloride while the remaining 2%  of the salt comprises of trace minerals. These minerals are mostly transition metals. It is reported that Himalayan Salt contains 84 minerals and trace elements that are required for normal functioning of the body. These minerals include iodine, selenium,  potassium, magnesium , calcium, etc.

So why eat iodized salt that is artificially enriched with iodine when a naturally occurring salt containing most of the needed minerals is available.