The first step to a healthy life is scientific iodine supplementation

May 15, 2022 is the 29th "National Iodine Deficiency Prevention and Control Day" in my country, with the theme "The first step to a smart and healthy life and scientific iodine supplementation."

Iodine is an essential trace element for the human body and an important raw material for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. It plays an important role in maintaining the health of the body. Insufficient iodine intake can cause iodine deficiency. Mild to moderate deficiency can cause endemic goiter. Severe deficiency can lead to cretinism and subclinical cretinism. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy can increase the incidence of premature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth.

my country was once one of the countries with the most serious iodine deficiency in the world. With strong support from national policies and funds, and through the unremitting efforts of several generations of endemic disease prevention and control professionals, my country basically achieved the interim goal of eliminating iodine deficiency in 2000, and more than 95% of its counties achieved the goal of eliminating iodine deficiency in 2010. China's achievements in iodine deficiency prevention and control have been recognized by the world.

my country is a country with widespread iodine deficiency. Supplementing iodine with salt is the simplest, safest and most effective way to prevent iodine deficiency. If you do not consume iodized salt, it is difficult to obtain enough iodine from daily food to meet the needs of the human body. In particular, pregnant women and nursing mothers need almost twice as much iodine as ordinary adults. They should consume iodized salt to avoid the adverse effects of iodine deficiency on their own health and the brain development of the fetus and infant.

In terms of iodine supplementation, "too much iodine is not good, too little iodine is not good, and the right amount is the best". Appropriate iodine nutrition can not only ensure thyroid health, but also help normal metabolic indicators. Iodine deficiency can lead to an increased prevalence of thyroid diseases; it is also closely related to an increased prevalence of diabetes, prediabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, and hypertension. Eating iodized salt is the best way to correct iodine deficiency.

my country's salt iodization strategy has ensured that my country is in a state of continuously eliminating iodine deficiency. We must adhere to the strategy of universal salt iodization, follow the principles of adapting measures to local conditions, classified guidance, and scientific iodine supplementation, ensure that the iodine nutrition of our residents is in an appropriate state, especially to ensure the iodine nutrition needs of special groups such as pregnant women and children, continuously eliminate the harm of iodine deficiency to the health of our residents, prevent the hidden intellectual damage caused by iodine deficiency to the future generations of the Chinese nation, and safeguard a healthy life and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.