Scientific iodine supplementation helps children gain a head start in intelligence

Dahe.com News: Everyone knows that iodine deficiency can cause "big neck disease", but iodine deficiency is not necessarily only reflected in the neck. Especially in children, they may also have problems such as mental retardation and short stature. Some seemingly "honest children" may be caused by iodine deficiency.

"Although the iodine content in the human body is extremely low, it plays an important role and is an essential nutrient for the normal development of the brain." Jia Weihua, director of the Institute of Endemic Disease Prevention and Control of Zhengzhou Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, reminded that from the fetus to one year old after birth is an important stage of brain development, so pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers must pay attention to iodine intake during this stage.

After 17 years of promoting iodized salt, Zhengzhou has achieved the goal of eliminating iodine deficiency

my country is one of the countries with the most serious iodine deficiency in the world. Jia Weihua said: "In 1990, the urban area of ​​Zhengzhou was identified as a mildly iodine-deficient area. In July 1994, Zhengzhou began to promote the iodization of salt for all people. Through a series of measures, Zhengzhou has achieved the goal of eliminating iodine deficiency in 2011."

"Iodine-fortified salt is the most feasible, safe, effective, economical and easy-to-promote method of iodine supplementation, and it meets the requirements of trace amounts, long-term and daily life." At present, the overall iodine nutrition of five key groups in Zhengzhou, including pregnant women, breastfeeding women, newly married women of childbearing age, infants aged 0 to 2 years old, and students aged 8 to 10 years old, is in an appropriate state.

Iodine is closely related to children's intelligence and physical development

Iodine is known as an indispensable "intelligence element". The average IQ of children with long-term iodine deficiency is lower than that of normal children. Later iodine supplementation can improve children's intelligence to a certain extent.

"From pregnancy to birth to three years old, it is a critical period for the baby's brain development. If iodine malnutrition occurs at this time, it will increase the risk of delayed brain development." Jia Weihua said that pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants and young children (from birth to 36 months old) and other groups are key groups for iodine supplementation to prevent and control iodine deficiency.

In addition to affecting intelligence, iodine has other effects on growing children and adolescents, such as promoting physical development, height, weight, bone, muscle and gonadal development of children. Children and adolescents have fast growth and development of organs, strong basal metabolism, and high iodine consumption, so they should also pay attention to iodine supplementation.

Iodine is a "double-edged sword". Neither too much nor too little supplementation is good.

Iodine supplementation is not the same as the more the better! Iodine deficiency is not good, and neither is high iodine. Iodine supplementation must be scientific.

Jia Weihua said that in recent years, the prevalence of thyroid nodules has increased. Many people think that thyroid nodules are caused by eating iodized salt. In fact, iodine deficiency is the risk factor for thyroid nodules. "The prevention and treatment of iodine deficiency is simple and easy. Eating iodized salt is the best way to supplement iodine. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women and other key groups can eat iodized salt, no more than 6g per day. Eating salt in this amount will not cause iodine overdose. You can also eat some foods high in iodine, such as seaweed, kelp, marine fish and shrimp."

It is important to note that you should not blindly supplement iodine, especially those with a family history of hyperthyroidism or thyroid disease. You must follow the doctor's advice to supplement iodine.