04/07/2024
๐๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ: ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง: ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐ง๐, ๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ญ ๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ง?
Pursuant to the Republic Act 8172 known as Act of Salt Iodization Nationwide or ASIN Law, which was signed into law on 20 December 1995 by no less than President Fidel V. Ramos, the country must address the micronutrient deficiencies among Filipinos particularly on iodine deficiency disorders or IDD. Hence, every year, the NNC and the DOH enjoin everyone to support the celebration of national Goiter Awarenessโ Week, with the theme โGoiter Sugpuin, Isip Patalinuhin, Iodized Salt Gamitin!โ This is to create greater awareness among Filipinos to consume iodine-rich foods to prevent not only goiter but all types of Iodine-Deficiency Disorders.
What is Iodine or โyodoโ? Why is it important? Iodine is an essential nutrient needed by the body in minute amount. It is an integral part of the thyroid hormone responsible for the regulation of body temperature, metabolic rate, reproduction, growth, nerve, and muscle function.
Iodine is an essential micronutrient for humans. Just like other minerals, it is needed by the body to regulate body temperature, metabolic rate, reproduction, growth, nerve and muscle function. Inadequate intake of iodine has a wide range of serious risks such as mental retardation, reduced IQ points, deaf-mutism, and dwarfism; goiter or enlargement of the thyroid gland, miscarriage and giving birth to abnormal babies. Based on results of studies, an average of 13.5 IQ points is lost due to deficiency in iodine. Both children and adults are affected by IDD.
Bakit inilalagay sa asin?
One cost-effective strategy to address IDD is the addition of iodine or potassium iodate to salt. One of the many ways to ensure iodine supply in your body is through the use of iodized salt in preparing meals. Iodized salt is salt fortified with iodine at levels above the natural state. It is food grade salt, fit for human consumption, and contains the prescribed level of iodine. Iodized salt is just like ordinary salt used to season and make food taste good. It does not make food taste bad or bitter. Iodized salt is not always fine salt o โpinong asinโ. It is any salt, whether rock (coarse or โmagaspangโ), fine or those available in the market using the takal system. Just like any other food, iodized salt can be bought in groceries, supermarkets, sari-sari stores and even in health centers nationwide.
This salt fortification strategy was made initially in Central Luzon, particularly in the Province of Bulacan using an iodizing machine although it was short-lived because of the cost of maintenance of the machine. In Olongapo City, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars of Barangay Sta. Rita had their salt iodized manually through the initiative of a non-government organization under the Urban Basic Services Program in the city. Another one was in Barangay Mabayuan, Olongapo City which was initiated and initially funded by barangay officials. Meanwhile, a barangay cooperative or Samahan ng mga Magsasaka at Mangingisda in Barangay Libaba, Palauig, Zambales had engaged also in manual salt iodization. The product is labelled as โBagong Sikatโ iodized salt, which is in operation until today.
Maging matalino, mag-iodized salt tayo!
Author: NO III Angelita M. Pasos
31 January 2024
National Nutrition Council (Official)
