Iodize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ง
iodize
[หaษชษหdaษชz ]
Definition
scientific process
To iodize means to treat something with iodine or to add iodine to a substance, typically to enrich it with this essential element. This process is often used in the context of food, especially salt, to prevent iodine deficiency in populations. Additionally, iodization helps in promoting thyroid health as iodine is crucial for the production of thyroid hormones. It is a significant public health intervention that addresses nutritional needs by ensuring adequate iodine intake.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Many countries iodize their salt to improve public health.
- Iodized table salt is recommended for cooking.
- The campaign aims to iodize all food products to combat deficiency.
- Farmers were encouraged to iodize their livestock feeds.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Health
- Iodine is essential for producing thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, growth, and development in humans.
- A lack of iodine in the diet can lead to goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland, and other health issues.
Food Industry
- Table salt is commonly iodized to help prevent iodine deficiency diseases, leading to the practice known as iodization.
- The introduction of iodized salt in the 1920s significantly reduced the prevalence of goiter in several regions, especially in the United States.
Cultural Impact
- In regions where seafood is scarce or not a staple, iodization programs have been implemented to ensure adequate iodine intake among populations.
- Iodized salt became a public health initiative aimed at improving the overall health and well-being of communities worldwide.
Science
- Iodine is recognized as a trace element, meaning only small amounts are needed for health but are crucial for physical development.
- Radiolabeling techniques utilizing iodine isotopes are often employed in diagnostic imaging in medical fields.
Origin of 'iodize'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'iodize' comes from 'iodine,' which is derived from the Greek word 'iode,' meaning 'violet'โreflecting the color of its vapors.
- Iodine was first discovered in 1811 by Bernard Courtois, a French chemist who extracted it from seaweed.
The term 'iodize' is derived from 'iodine,' a chemical element that was discovered in 1811 by Bernard Courtois, a French chemist. He isolated iodine by burning seaweed, which contains high amounts of this element. The suffix '-ize' denotes a process of causing a substance to undergo a specific action. Initially, the need for iodine was recognized in the late 19th century when scientists identified that iodine is essential for human health, particularly in thyroid function. Countries began to iodize table salt in the 1920s as a preventive measure against goiter and other health issues caused by iodine deficiency. This public health initiative has significantly reduced the prevalence of such conditions globally, and the term 'iodize' has become synonymous with this important dietary strategy.