What can people themselves do to prevent IDD and its consequences?
IDD cannot be eliminated without the active participation of the people themselves. Everyone who lives in a country or area where the soil is deficient in iodine is at risk of IDD. Even in countries were the problem is not very severe, the risk of intellectual impairment is real. To prevent IDD and to have bright and intelligent children, every parent should ensure that only iodized salt is consumed by the family, every day. There is no need to start eating more salt; in fact this is dangerous. Just eating iodized salt instead of non-iodized salt, in the same quantities as usual, is enough to prevent IDD. It is important to remember that the salt producers and the government are doing their best to ensure that the salt contains adequate amounts of iodine. Therefore, the consumer has the responsibility to ensure that the salt, once purchased is kept in a tightly closed container, to protect it from humidity and sunlight which can destroy the iodine. Iodized salt should be used in cookin
