To be in good health, it is essential to refueliodine regularly. Indeed, this 100% natural trace element is used to manufacture certain thyroid hormones, such as thyroxine and triodothyronine, two substances involved in the proper functioning of the body. Out of the question, therefore, to do without it! Health authorities recommend a daily iodine intake of at least 150 micrograms. However, in some countries of the world, iodine deficiency is high, the fault of an unbalanced diet in a rural environment poor in minerals. In India, for example, NGOs estimate that 350 million people lack iodine on a daily basis.
It is precisely to help these 350 million people that the NGO Neelvasant Medical Foundation and Research Center decided to take action, by offering bindis to women of the Hindu faith. The bindi (also called “tika” or “tilak”) is a religious sign: it is a red point, stuck above the bridge of the nose. However, this “health bindi” is not very special: it is enriched with iodine.
Salmon & shellfish
“Each woman receives 30 bindis for a period of one month,” explained Dr. Prachi Pawar, president of the NGO, to the newspaper. Times of India. Once stuck on the forehead, it provides the body with its daily iodine intake, since iodine is absorbed through the skin. To be effective, the bindi must be worn for at least eight hours a day. »The project (which was baptized Life saving dot – A point to save a life, in French) is particularly aimed at pregnant women country, who need to absorb 250 micrograms of iodine per day in order for the fetus to develop properly.
Iodine is also found in food: also, to preserve our thyroid (and our health!), We get into the habit of regularly consuming seafood: salmon, cod, oysters, shellfish or even … Cod liver oil. Enjoy your lunch !
Moms-to-be: find out which foods are richest in iodine.
