​The difference between non-iodized salt and iodized salt

Everyone knows about goiter, but in fact, goiter is a thyroid disease. Hyperthyroidism, excessive secretion of thyroid hormone, becomes hyperthyroidism, and swelling of the neck is one of its clinical manifestations. Low thyroid function and insufficient thyroid hormone secretion lead to hypothyroidism, and neck swelling is also one of the clinical manifestations. Hypothyroidism is more likely to occur in mountainous areas, so people in mountainous areas mostly eat iodized salt. Hyperthyroidism is more likely to occur in coastal areas, so people in coastal areas mostly eat iodized salt. What is the specific difference between iodized salt and non-iodized salt?

01

Changes in our dietary iodine intake, either too little or too much, can affect the thyroid gland directly or indirectly. When the thyroid gland becomes diseased and the production of thyroid hormones becomes abnormal, it will seriously endanger human health. For example, in hyperthyroidism with excessive thyroid hormone, the heart rate will be very fast, and in hypothyroidism with insufficient thyroid hormone, the heart rate will slow down. Blood pressure will also change accordingly, and gastrointestinal motility will also be too fast or slow accordingly, etc.

02

80%-90% of the iodine in the human body comes from food and drinking water. Generally speaking, we can meet the body's iodine needs through daily diet such as iodized salt and seafood. The average adult needs about 100-150 micrograms of iodine per day. The iodine content of the iodized salt we consume is 20-50 mg/kg, or 20-50 μg/g. According to this standard, if you eat 4 to 5 grams of iodized salt every day, the iodine content will meet the standard. People who eat too much salt may exceed the standard.

03

Eating iodized salt and some seafood on a regular basis is the most effective and reliable way to supplement iodine, and is also a basic measure for our country to continue to prevent and treat iodine deficiency diseases. In addition to key areas of iodine deficiency, special groups such as pregnant and lactating women, infants and young children in general areas are also the focus of iodine nutrition. During pregnancy, the iodine requirement increases by about 50% compared to usual, so you should eat more seafood to supplement it. When pregnant women supplement iodine, if the urine iodine content is lower than 100 micrograms/liter of urine, they should increase their iodized salt intake or take iodine pills, but they must supplement under the guidance of a doctor and use the correct dosage to prevent excessive iodine intake. Since middle-aged and elderly women are at high risk of thyroid disease, they should not eat too much iodine-containing foods such as kelp to avoid inducing thyroid disease.

04

In order to prevent excessive iodine supplementation, the country has adopted policies tailored to local conditions. my country has lowered the iodized salt concentration standard since 2000, and the iodine content in salt has quietly "reduced". Moreover, non-iodized salt has begun to be supplied in areas where iodized salt deficiency is prevalent, such as Shanghai. Our country's health department also organized experts to conduct a large number of investigations and concluded that the iodized salt in our country is within the safe range. According to the "Dietary Reference Intakes for Chinese Residents" formulated by the Chinese Nutrition Society, the maximum intake of iodine nutrient is 800 mg per day, and any intake below this number is safe.