A scourge that damages babies' brains is coming back

Reference: The Economist

Iodine is essential for the thyroid gland to produce hormones crucial for the proper development of the body and brain. While the visible effects of iodine deficiency, like goiters, are concerning, the hidden impacts are even more severe, potentially leading to a 15-point reduction in IQ.

1. Iodine (n.) 碘
2. crucial (adjective) 重要的，關鍵的
3. development (noun) 發展，進展
4. visible (adjective) 可見的，明顯的
5. deficiency (noun) 缺乏，不足
6. goiters (noun) 甲狀腺腫
7. impact (noun/verb) 影響；產生影響
8. severe (adjective) 嚴重的，劇烈的
9. potentially (adverb) 潛在地，可能地
10. reduction (noun) 減少，縮

The number of countries with insufficient iodine levels dropped significantly from 113 in 1990 to just 21 in 2020. This decline is partly due to changes in dietary habits. For over a century, salt has been artificially iodized in regions like America and parts of Europe, providing a key source of iodine for many people. However, iodization practices are often voluntary and inconsistent. While table salt is frequently fortified, the salt used in processed foods typically is not. The growing popularity of veganism and climate-conscious eating has also decreased the demand for fish and meat, which are natural sources of iodine.eganism adn climate-consiscious eating has also reduced appetities for fish and meat, which are natural sources of iodine.

1. decline (verb) 下降，減少
2. dietary (adjective) 飲食的，膳食的
3. habit (noun) 習慣，習性
4. artificially (adverb) 人工地，人為地
5. iodize (verb) 加碘於…
6. voluntary (adjective) 自願的，自發的
7. inconsistent (adjective) 不一致的，不穩定的
8. table salt (noun) 食鹽
9. fortify (verb) 強化，增強
10. processed foods (noun) 加工食品
11. veganism (n.) 素食主義

The government can implement straightforward solutions. First, it should identify the food items most frequently consumed by low-income populations and require their iodization. Priority should be given to dairy alternatives and salts used in processed foods. Iodized salt could also be incorporated into bread. Large companies have the opportunity to enhance their customers' health voluntarily before being legally mandated to do so. Such measures would yield significant long-term benefits, far outweighing the costs.

1. implement (verb) 實施，執行
2. straightforward (adjective) 簡單的，直截了當的
3. identify (verb) 識別，確定
4. frequently (adverb) 頻繁地，經常地
5. priority (noun) 優先事項，優先權
6. dairy (noun/adjective) 乳製品；乳製的
7. alternative (noun/adjective) 替代方案；替代的
8. incorporate (verb) 納入，包含
9. enhance (verb) 提高，增強
10. voluntarily (adverb) 自願地，自發地
11. mandate (noun/verb) 命令，要求；授權
12. measure (noun) 措施，方法yield (verb) 生產，產出；屈服
13. outweigh (verb) 超過，勝過