THE use of iodized salt in the preparation of food has been found to be an effective and cheap way of preventing goiter.

Goiter is a health condition that involves the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Although most goiters produce no symptoms, what is obvious is the formation of a lump in the front of the neck. When symptoms occur, most common are the tightness in the throat, cough and hoarseness and trouble in swallowing, according to a Goiter Awareness Week post on www.dilg.gov.ph.

Most simple goiters are preventable through adequate intake of iodine, which is added to table salt and also found in food like tuna, shrimp, seaweed, cheese and cow’s milk.

Julie Vannie Palaca, of the Department of Health (DOH) 7 local health support division, said that aside from iodized salt, consuming seafood and seaweed such as lato, guso and lukot are ways to avoid getting goiter.

Goiter Awareness Week was marked from Jan. 27 to 31, 2020 by the Regional Bantay Asin Task Force 7.

Palaca said her team monitored two big salt manufacturers and distributors in Mandaue City last Jan. 29 to check on their products. Visited were Arvin International Mktg. Inc. and the Bohol Lirio Trading Corp. The DOH team found that their products passed the standard of iodine in salt.

They complied with the standard in parts per million (ppm). It should be 40 to 70 ppm of iodine that is added to the salt, Palaca said.

Records showed that only eight or nine out of every 100 individuals in the country have goiter.

Palaca said goiter is not contagious but it is necessary to keep healthy.

Every fourth week of January has been designated as Goiter Awareness Week per presidential declaration.

According to a www.dilg.gov.ph report on the celebration, the lack of iodine in the body may result in Iodine Deficiency Disorder that has different signs and symptoms. Pregnant mothers who lack iodine in their body may experience miscarriage or give birth to a stillborn baby. Adult with iodine deficiency may encounter lethargy, lack of mental alertness, obesity, dry hair and goiter. (FVQ)