Dear Panditji,
Do we really need to use Iodised salt or is it a stunt of
salt making companies? What about crystal salt? Is there any health
hazard of Iodised salt?
Pavan Kumar
Hyderabad
Dear Pavan Kumar ji,
The need for iodised salt is a very debatable topic. India is
placing a ban on the sale of non-iodised salts. The ban is already
operational all over the country except in Maharashtra. But opinions
differ on the basis of the need for iodine in human body.
Iodised salt helps to balance Iodine deficiency, which is linked
with goitre, cretinism, defects in speech and hearing, and brain
damage. According to government surveys by the Indian Council of
Medical Research an estimated 64 million Indians suffer from Iodine
Deficiency Disorder (IDD).
But, excess iodine in the body (hyperthyroidism) provided by the
same salt may raise the body’s requirement of vitamins and cause a
‘relative vitamin deficiency’. It can also adversely affect blood
flow and heartbeat, and cause depression in heart muscle strength
and increase in arterial pressure. Appetite and food intake may rise
sharply, resulting in diarrhea. Muscle tremour, extreme nervousness,
fatigue and psychoneurotic tendencies like anxiety complexes,
paranoia and worry are other major effects of excess iodine.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “on a population
basis, the benefits of correcting iodine deficiency through
universal salt iodisation vastly outweigh the risk of iodine-induced
hyperthyroidism.” This opinion relies on the prevalent medical
belief that the body rejects excess iodine.
One noteworthy aspect is that the price of Iodised salt is higher
than non-Iodised salt. Clearly, the government iodisation programme
does benefit the
I-salt manufacturers.
Dear Pandit ji,
I just checked out the latest issue of Gobar Times. The cover story
smells amazing! It is very interesting and captivating. I didn’t
know that our memory has a link with smells! It’s true that when we
eat something, its aroma reminds us of many things. But I didn’t
know that there is a scientific reason behind it! It’s great.
Yamuna’s state is actually scary. I mean, what if Yamuna floods the
whole area right after the Village is constructed? Everything, the
money, the time and the energy will go just waste! Still the
authorities want to take a chance? Sad!I also liked the Fibonacci
story. It is very colourful and interesting. The Beehive order was a
complete shock for me!
‘Chalk out’ was very good. You know what? My cousin has got Pica. I
told her the name after reading it in Gobar Times.
Please add more colours!
Saira Khan
Via e-mail
 |
Dear Pandit ji
Gobar Times deals with the serious issues with
simplicity and inspires us to be a part of them. I
really liked the cover story in which you dealt with the
problem of generation turning towards junk food. I have
a cousin who started eating junk food at very young age
and now he is over weight and all his friends tease him
for that.
Saurabh Gulati
Chandigarh |
Dear
Pandit ji,
I’m Shivani Mishra. I feel that Gobar Times puts
awareness into action! Thank you!
Shivani Mishra
Via e-mail
Dear
Pandit Ji
I am a student of class IV and a regular reader of Gobar Times. I
really like the way Gobar Times is presented to us with so many
cartoons and photographs. The language is very simple and
interesting.
One thing I want to know is that do you take stories from kids? I
mean, if I have to express my views on a particular topic, can I do
it through your magazine? I really want to be part of the good work
you are doing.
Ashish Jha
Patna
Dear Ashish ji,
I would love to hear your ideas! |
