Srinagar, Oct 23 (KNO): Warning that insufficient consumption of iodine can lead to serious health complications, including thyroid enlargement, pregnancy-related complications and impaired physical and mental development in children, health experts on Friday said that the intake of this essential micronutrient is must for human beings to remain healthy.
Health experts while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “Although the use of iodised salt has increased significantly in Jammu and Kashmir, sustained public awareness and proper dietary practices remain essential to prevent avoidable health problems.”
Referring to the recent NHFS data, the doctors said, “Around 98% of households in Jammu and Kashmir use iodised salt, reflecting significant progress in preventing iodine deficiency disorders.”
However, they cautioned that ensuring the availability of iodised salt alone is not enough, as its proper storage and regular consumption are equally important.
Dr Momin Ahmad Dar from the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) said, “Iodine is an essential micronutrient required by the thyroid gland to produce hormones that regulate the body's metabolism, growth and development.”
"Iodine plays a crucial role in maintaining normal thyroid function. When the body does not receive adequate amounts of iodine, the thyroid gland may enlarge in an attempt to obtain more of the nutrient, resulting in a condition known as goitre," he said.
He said iodine deficiency can have particularly serious consequences during pregnancy and early childhood, when adequate nutrition is essential for the healthy development of the brain and nervous system. "Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and impaired development of the unborn child. Severe deficiency can cause irreversible damage to the developing brain, while children affected by it may experience developmental delays, poor growth and reduced intellectual abilities," he added.
Dr Dar said preventing iodine deficiency is particularly important for pregnant women, lactating mothers and young children, as their nutritional requirements and vulnerability to the consequences of deficiency make timely prevention essential.
Dr Bashir Ahmad Mir, a paediatrician, said that despite considerable progress under the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP), continued awareness and monitoring are necessary to ensure that iodine deficiency does not re-emerge as a public health concern. "Iodised salt is one of the simplest, most affordable and effective ways of preventing iodine deficiency. People should ensure that the salt used in their households contains adequate iodine and that it is stored properly to preserve its nutritional value," he said.
He added that iodine deficiency is not limited to thyroid-related problems but can also affect the physical, neurological and cognitive development of children, with consequences that may persist throughout their lives.
Doctors said iodine deficiency disorders can manifest differently depending on the severity of the deficiency and the stage of life at which it occurs.
In adults, inadequate iodine intake may cause goitre, thyroid dysfunction, fatigue and reduced productivity. During pregnancy, severe deficiency can adversely affect the developing foetus and increase the risk of pregnancy complications. In infants and children, it can interfere with normal brain development, growth and learning abilities.
They said severe iodine deficiency during early development can cause profound and irreversible intellectual and developmental disabilities, making prevention particularly important during pregnancy and the first years of life.
PROPER STORAGE OF IODISED SALT CRUCIAL
Health experts said households must pay attention not only to the type of salt they consume but also to how it is stored and used.
They advised people to keep iodised salt in tightly covered containers, away from moisture, excessive heat and direct sunlight, to minimise iodine loss during storage.
Doctors also stressed the importance of purchasing properly labelled iodised salt from reliable sources and following recommended cooking practices to help retain its iodine content.
They said health authorities should continue monitoring iodine levels in commercially available salt, conduct awareness campaigns and strengthen community-level interventions, particularly in remote and rural areas where access to health information may be limited.
Regular nutritional assessments and awareness programmes can also help identify vulnerable populations and reinforce the importance of adequate iodine intake, they added.
Doctors said that while the reported household coverage of iodised salt in Jammu and Kashmir is encouraging, continued vigilance is necessary to ensure that the gains achieved through public health interventions are sustained.
They urged families to make the use of adequately iodised salt a routine part of their diet, particularly emphasising its importance for women of reproductive age, pregnant women and children.
"The consequences of iodine deficiency can extend across generations, affecting a child's health, learning abilities and overall development. Prevention is simple and affordable, but its benefits are enormous," the doctors said.
They added that ensuring adequate iodine intake through iodised salt remains a practical public health measure to protect future generations from preventable thyroid disorders and developmental complications—(KNO)