can you pass the salt?

Last night I kept dinner simple. I took out Trader Joe's soy-ginger glazed cod (http://www.traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=230), steamed rice, and popped a bag edamame in the microwave  (minus 2 from the freezer!!) The cod had great flavor, and the ginger wasn't too overpowering as Brian puts it.  It was a great meal with very little effort.

After steaming the edamame, Brian sprinkled some salt onto the pods and asked,"Does all salt have iodine?" The answer is no; not all salts contain the micronutrient.  With many recipes calling for Kosher salt or sea salt, these do not contain iodine. Even basic table salt has to state whether or not it iodized.

So what's so important about iodized salt? It helps prevent iodine deficiency, which was first recognized as a public health concern in the 1920's, and shortly after, iodine was added to flour first, then to salt. It may seem that two main staples of our basic diet, flour and salt, should be sufficient in preventing iodine deficiency; however, today, flour is not iodized, and companies are not mandated to add it to salt. Compounded by the fact that we are all "trying" to use less salt, these factors are leading to a decline in the intake of iodine and a rise in the deficiency.

Iodine is needed to produce thyroid hormones, and without its intake, hyperthyroidism can cause the thyroid gland to swell resulting in a goiter. Another concern of iodine deficiency is in pregnant women. Without the intake of the element, the health of the mother and child are at risk, including potential miscarriage, stillbirth, or mental retardation.

Just before you start taking iodine supplements, too much iodine is also not a good thing! It you consume  excess iodine, you can stimulate too much thyroid hormone. If you keep to the required daily allowance of salt, which is less than one teaspoon (and remember most food we consume contain sodium), then your iodine intake should be covered, unless you're expecting, then talk to your doctor.