Question

Why are people living in mountaneous region more prone to goitre?

Answer 1

People living in mountainous regions are more prone to goitre because the salt they consume is rock salt that is the solid salt crystals present between rocks. Due to presence of impurities it is usually brown in colour.

We know that thyroid gland in our neck secretes a hormone called thyroxin hormone which maintains metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in our body. Thyroid gland needs sufficient amount of iodine for its proper working. But rock salt present in mountainous areas does not contain iodine . People in these areas usually develop goitre due to deficiency of iodine in their salt. But the salt we eat contains adequate quantity of iodine unlike rock salt due to which people in cities rarely develop goitre