| Autor: |
Vargas-Uricoechea H; Director of the Metabolic Diseases Study Group, Associate Professor of the Department of Internal Medicine, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia., Pinzón-Fernández MV; Full Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia., Bastidas-Sánchez BE; Specialist in Family Health and Epidemiology, Full Professor, Department of Social Medicine and Family Health, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia., Jojoa-Tobar E; Full Professor, Department of Nursing, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia., Ramírez-Bejarano LE; Metabolic Diseases Study Group, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia., Murillo-Palacios J; Metabolic Diseases Study Group, Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia. |
| Abstrakt: |
Iodine deficiency and iodine excess have severe consequences on human health and have been associated with the presence of goiter, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, thyroid nodules and thyroid autoimmunity, poor mental health, and impaired intellectual development. Universal salt iodization programs have been considered one of the most cost-effective interventions for the prevention of iodine deficiency-associated disorders, as evidenced over time since the implementation of such programs. However, these efforts have also led to an excessive consumption of iodine in certain geographical regions, due to salt overuse. Consequently, the amount of iodine derived from salt intake exceeds the established limits required for achieving the right balance between salt consumption and health benefits and leads to undesirable health effects. In Colombia, the recommendations and standards for the production and commercialization of iodized salt are fully complied with. Nevertheless, there is a remarkable rate of iodine excess among the country's population, which, at least hypothetically, represents a higher risk for developing functional and structural disorders of the thyroid gland. This review analyzes universal salt iodization programs worldwide, particularly their impact on the thyroid gland and the results of the studies conducted in Colombia following the implementation of such strategy. |
