Question

Give reason why we should add Iodine-rich food in our diet?

Answer 1

Iodine-rich food must be included in our diet because:

1. Iodine is required for the synthesis of thyroid hormones that controls development and growth in the body.
2. It is obtained from water, iodized salt, leafy vegetables, fruits, etc.
3. It is absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream and further accumulated by thyroid follicular cells.
4. The iodine molecules combine with tyrosine (an amino acid) inside the follicles, present in thyroglobulin, to synthesize thyroid (T3 and T4) hormones.
5. Deficiency of iodine in the diet leads to hyposecretion of thyroid hormone causing several diseases like simple goiter, weight gain, cretinism, etc.
6. Low intake of iodine by pregnant women causes irreparable brain damage in infants for their lifetime.

So, iodine is very essential for our body and must be included in our diet.