Did you know that iodine deficiency is the single most preventable cause of brain damage worldwide?
Recently, I had the privilege of meeting Dr Rani, a public health expert working with at-risk populations here in Thailand. She shared some of her inspiring work in delivering iodine to communities, helping combat the effects of iodine deficiency as part of the International Support Foundation.
I met Dr Rani through the We-Woman Network, a knowledge-sharing group that promotes kindness, connection, learning, sharing, and empowerment. It was through this network and meeting its founder Dr Manisha Bose I was inspired to write this blog today. Her vision to connect people through meaningful exchange is inspiring. We are joined to celebrate and enrich each other.
The Connection Between Iodine and Brain Health
Iodine is essential for the thyroid gland to produce hormones that regulate vital processes in the body, including brain development. Hyperthyroidism and other thyroid-related issues are directly linked to iodine deficiency.
The result? Brain damage that is often irreversible and entirely preventable.
But why does iodine deficiency persist, even with knowledge and solutions available? The answer lies in sustainability and accessibility.
The Role of Soil, Water, and Climate in Iodine Deficiency
In many parts of the world, especially in riverine and agricultural areas, iodine levels in the soil have been depleted due to practices like overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable farming. The loss of iodine in the soil means that local food sources—especially those grown in these regions—are severely lacking in iodine. This deficiency affects anyone in the food chain who consumes these products.
As global demand for cheaper and faster food production increases, the cycle continues—leading to malnutrition, impaired cognitive function, and socioeconomic disparities. People in impoverished regions are the hardest hit. This is particularly true in rural areas with limited access to iodized salt or iodine-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. Other iodine-rich foods include seaweed, certain fish and seafood, such as cod, tuna, and shrimp, as well as beans and fruit.
Climate Change and Mental Health
The links between climate change, resource depletion, and brain health cannot be ignored. As the environmental crisis worsens, it’s crucial to understand its long-term implications on human cognitive function, particularly in the next generation. This issue raises some very important points about protecting our children’s mental health. Eco-anxiety—the difficult emotions caused by direct or indirect exposure to climate change—has a significant impact on our sense of agency, or our ability to individually and collectively navigate the challenges we face in an increasingly uncertain world.
A Simple Solution: Iodized Salt
The solution is simple and cost-effective: iodized salt. By adding just a small amount of iodine to the salt we consume, it’s possible to eliminate iodine deficiency globally. Salt is a common part of our daily diet, and widespread iodine fortification can have an immediate and lasting impact.
The World Health Assembly made a recommendation back in 1991 to target this global health crisis. This initiative has led to significant improvements over the last few decades. However, many pockets of the world still suffer from iodine deficiency. Statistics from Southeast Asia between 1994 and 2006 showed that 30% of the population was affected. This remains a concern for Southeast Asia today. To put it into perspective, this represents 503.6 million people at risk of preventable brain damage.
The Interconnection Between Iodine, Water, and Health Equity
Ensuring access to adequate iodine intake is as important as access to safe drinking water (which is crucial to maintaining normal brain function). Yet, disparities persist, and it is shocking to discover that safe drinking water and sanitation are still out of reach for billions.
In her talk, ‘Water is Life’, Marisha Wojciechowska discussed how the climate story is, in fact, a water story. She highlighted that in 2021, 80% of natural disasters in Southeast Asia were storm and flood-related, affecting 43 million people and causing economic damages in excess of 35 billion USD.
The Path Forward: What Can We Do?
- Improve Salt Iodization: Ensuring that iodized salt is used in food manufacturing and animal consumption (since we are what we eat) can drastically reduce IDD.
- Support Local Solutions: Identify areas where iodized salt is not available and work with communities to provide affordable access.
- Raise Awareness: Promote the understanding that iodine deficiency is preventable, and advocate for its inclusion in public health policies.
Marisha recommends implementing grey and green solutions to address the direct impacts of flooding on humanity. Examples of green solutions include planting more mangroves, while grey solutions involve building storage systems to capture excess rainfall. One example of a grey solution is the manmade lake at Benjakitti Park in Bangkok.
On a smaller scale, individuals can choose to reduce, reuse, and recycle where possible. Another piece of advice that I picked up was simple and will help me save my water bill too. This simple action allows us to do our part in conserving water right from our homes.
Sustainable water solution tip. Placing a 2-liter bottle of water in the flush tank prevents the entire 5-6 liters of water from being wasted.
Conclusion
Iodine deficiency and sustainability are interlinked global challenges. Iodine deficiency is entirely preventable, yet millions continue to suffer from its effects. Addressing sustainability is not only about health. It also involves breaking the cycle of poverty. It ensures that future generations have the mental capacity to thrive. Ultimately, it’s about creating a more sustainable and fair society
I am James' mum 