Blog — #Iodine

By Tracy Tranchitella The use of iodine dates back to 4th century China where seaweed and burnt sea sponge were effectively used to treat goiter. It was not until 1811 that iodine was isolated as a specific element that exhibited properties similar to the other halogens of bromine, chlorine, and fluorine. In 1829, Jean Guillaume Auguste Lugol, MD, introduced potassium iodide as an effective treatment for the effects of tuberculosis, and John Murray, MD, used iodine to treat croup, asthma, consumption, and other respiratory diseases [1]. Tincture of iodine has been a staple in every first aid kit for the...

The Problem - Iodine Deficiency Iodine deficiency is a worldwide health problem today. Some important current research indicates:  Urinary iodine levels in the US today are about half what they were in the 1970s Some individuals are within the ranges considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as mild and moderately deficient In 2004, the New England Journal of Medicine defined our iodine status in the US as “marginal,” based on data acquired from the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorder and the World Health Organization (WHO). Geographically, one-third of...

By Dr Kate Placzek, ZRT Laboratory Influenced by our environment, we are constantly being exposed to elements, whether nutritional or toxic. They are a big contribution to the yin yang dualism of health and disease.  With heavy metals, contamination is so extensive nowadays that it is no longer a question of whether exposure took place, but rather what the level of exposure was or continues to be. Toxicity from low levels of exposure can lead to a wide array of neurological disturbances and can be much more insidious in presentation than acute toxicity, which is, in contrast, rather obvious in...

By Dr.Ted Zava of ZRT Laboratory. Have you ever wondered where dietary iodine comes from? Most people are familiar with iodized salt and shellfish containing high levels of iodine, but few realize a vast assortment of food and drinks contain this essential nutrient.  What Food Products Contain the Highest Levels of Iodine? It may come as a surprise that most dietary iodine comes from dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt. Iodine is used to prevent bacteria growth in cattle feed and it can also be used as a sanitizer when milking cows. Because cows typically graze in fields...

Dr. Allison Smith September 28, 2018 I’m excited to do this practical piece on iodine therapy because I field a lot of questions on the matter of assessing iodine status, implementing the right iodine supplement, and monitoring that therapy. Iodine performs some crucial roles in the body, but it never acts alone. Therefore, to assess iodine deficiency, it’s imperative to test iodine and its partners - selenium, iron, magnesium, zinc, B6, cortisol, and glutathione. To assure optimal outcomes, it’s also important to check for endocrine disruptors like bromine, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. Iodine's Relationship to Health If you do an online...