Iodine deficiency has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the factors directly affecting human health. The WHO estimates that globally over one and a half billion people live in the area of iodine deficiency, of which 655 million are enlarged thyroid gland and about 55 million suffer from irreversible brain damage caused by iodine deficiency. This is a serious social problem shaping the health of people. Iodine deficiency syndrome includes such disorders as development of the thyroid, hypothyroidism, decreased intelligence, endemic morbidity, increased mortality and increased thyroid carcinoma.

1. IWONA PASZEŃKO
„Enrichment of bakery products in iodides”
"Production of bakery products based on iodine content spring
water enriched with iodine, the Program Elimination of Iodine
Deficiency in Poland.".

2. 1.INTRODUCTION.
Iodine deficiency has been recognized by the World Health
Organization (WHO) as one of the factors directly affecting human health. The
WHO estimates that globally over one and a half billion people live in the area
of iodine deficiency, of which 655 million are enlarged thyroid gland and about
55 million suffer from irreversible brain damage caused by iodine deficiency.
This is a serious social problem shaping the health of people. Iodine deficiency
syndrome includes such disorders as development of the thyroid,
hypothyroidism, decreased intelligence, endemic morbidity, increased
mortality and increased thyroid carcinoma.
Iodine deficiency is most common in mountainous, sub-foothills and
far from the sea, in the hinterland. The historical and geographic location of
Poland, namely three glaciations that took place in Poland, completely washed
away the iodine from the top layer of soil. This is the reason why iodine content
in the soil in our country and in agricultural products is highly insufficient.
Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormone (thyroxine and
triiodothyronine) and regulates all metabolic pathways that confer a decisive
influence on brain development. Iodine has a protective effect on inflammatory
processes and cancer. Severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy can lead to
irreversible fetal brain development (cretinism). Moderate iodine deficiency
leads to a reduction in higher brain functions such as learning, memory,
association, and reduces the quotient of intelligence. Iodine is one of the
strongest antioxidants - it slows the aging process.
„Securing the daily required iodine intake for our body is a fight for
the intellectual level of society at the level of the entire population.”
Prof. dr hab. n. med. Zbigniew Szybiński
This is a quote from a speech by Prof. Zbigniew Szybiński of 23.10.2008 at the
meeting organized in the Hall of Mickiewicz Palace of Culture and Science in
Warsaw under the auspices of Minister of Health Ewa Kopacz and the Chair
of the Department of Endocrinology University Jagiellonian in Cracow.