DOH: Eat Iodine-Rich Food to Avoid Goiter

The Department of Health (DOH) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) here urged the public to consume food rich in iodine to avoid goiter.

NNC-7 Regional Director Parolita Mission disclosed in a recent Association of Government Information Officers-Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7) Forum that 92 percent of goiter cases is due to lack of iodine.

Mission urged the public to eat iodine-rich food such as seafood and only use iodized salt with enough quantity of iodine content.

“Iodine can be taken from seafoods and iodine function is for processing metabolism,” Mission said.

She also said that iodine helps regulate the thyroid hormones.

Aside from iodine deficiency, the excessive intake of food such as cauliflower, cassava, and broccoli can also cause or trigger goiter.

Dr. Anessa Patindol Medical Officer III of DOH-7 said that those who experience symptoms of neck enlargement should immediately seek medical attention as this is one of the common indications of goiter.

Although goiter commonly occurs among women, Patindol said it is still best for everybody to regularly take foods rich in iodine and avoid foods that may trigger goiter.

Patindol added that the treatment of goiter may be costly but DOH is providing assistance to those that seek medical attention.

“We are just requesting the public to seek early consultation if ever they have unusual changes in their body such as neck enlargement and difficulty in breathing,” Patindol said. (ays/PIA7/AGIO-PIA7 Forum)