You will now take less iodine in salt

The health implications of either too low or too high levels of the substance are almost the same — enlarged thyroid glands which result to goitre.

However, the controversy is not new, but the WHO has now moved to act on the suggestions guided by numerous researches by review iodine recommendation.

A nationwide study conducted by the Kenya Medical Research Institute in 2003/ 2004 and commissioned by the Ministry of Health found that a sizeable number of the population— about 25 per cent — had high iodine levels.

“Ingesting too much iodine results to iodine induced hyper-thyroidism, a condition that leads to over production of thyroid hormones in the blood,” said Terry Wafuafua, chief nutrition officer at the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.

Thyroid glands stimulate metabolism linked to weight control, burning of calories, and body temperature.

Are you intolerant to heat, yet you are not menopausal? Do you have increased bowel movement?

Are you suffering from breathlessness, insomnia, unexplained nervousness or fatigue? These are common symptoms of too much iodine in the body.

Others are faster heart-beat, muscle weakness, trembling hands and weight loss.

Research has further shown that high iodine levels in the body can trigger auto immune thyroiditis disease, caused by the body’s own immune system attacking tissues.

Now the government has directed manufacturers to reduce potassium iodate by half.