Introduction – World Iodine Deficiency Day is celebrated on October 21 every year all around the world to spread awareness about the importance of iodine in the health of a person. Iodine is a component that is present in the salt and is essential for regulating the thyroid hormone in the body.  The deficiency of iodine can cause a problem in the metabolism of a person and may also hamper the development of the brain. Lack of iodine also causes pregnancy-related problems, swelling in the neck, learning difficulties, and weight gain. Goiter or swelling in the neck is the most common symptom of an iodine deficiency that occurs when your thyroid gland is forced to make thyroid hormones and deficiency of iodine in the body.

Since the 1980s, the World Health Organization (WHO) worked to highlight the effects of iodine deficiency by building national salt iodization programs. As per a report, there are about 200 million people are suffering from Iron Deficiency Disorder (IDD). India introduced the National Goiter Control Program in the year 1962 that was implemented in several States and Union Territories to make sure that there is adequate consumption of iodized salt in all households that help in lowering the Total Goiter Rate (TGR) in our country.

Main cause of Iodine Deficiency – Salt is one of the important sources of iodine that is used for metabolism fast and is lower the risk of goiter. But 30 percent of salt is wasted in cooking at homes and only 70 percent is absorbed.

Important sources of iodine– There are several important sources of iodine is to prevent iodine deficiency are discussed below –

• Take iodized salt of 100 gm regularly to prevent iodine deficiency issues
• Sea vegetables and seafoods are rich in iodine that also helps in lowering the risk of problems related to iodine deficiency.
• Eggs play a significant to enhance the level of iodine in the body.
• Yogurt is also a good source of iodine, which is beneficial to prevent iodine deficiency problems.