Blog

By Tracy Tranchitella, ND ZRT Laboratory. The use of natural and alternative therapies for the prevention and treatment of viral infections focuses on key nutrients that inhibit viral entry, reduce viral replication and balance the inflammatory reaction to infection. While  avoiding exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is ideal, some may not be so lucky. Those who work with the public are at increased risk of contracting the virus; therefore, taking some reasonable precautions to decrease the chance of infection and reduce the severity if they do get the virus may be prudent. In this 3-part blog series, I will discuss 3 important...

As we face the current coronavirus pandemic, knowing our baseline level of vitamin D and supplementing appropriately has never been more important. Assuring that we have a healthy and balanced immune response that can effectively reduce viral load and suppress uncontrolled inflammation is crucial for prevention and recovery. Spending time outdoors and exposing our skin to a little bit of sunshine is also good for the body and mind.

By Margaret N.Groves, M.Phil. ZRT Laboratory The Italian magazine Evolutamente recently published a well-researched article exploring the link between melatonin and COVID-19, pneumonia and inflammation. It’s a compelling article so let’s take a look at the key argument and see why melatonin could be so important. Melatonin and Health Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland during the hours of darkness to usher the initiation of sleep, and peaks at around 2 a.m. Its production is reduced when we are exposed to light during the night, such as when watching TV or looking at other electronic screens late at night....

By Dr. Kate Placzek, ZRT Laboratory. I was in teenage hell. Overnight, I went from being completely oblivious to what I looked like, to being obsessed with my appearance. And let me tell you, I did not like what I saw in the mirror. Too tall and too skinny, with an awkward toothy grin, uncoordinated and gangly, and I didn’t seem to know where my limbs were supposed to be around me. I wanted pretty hair and a semblance of curves, like many of my friends; instead I was a bean pole with a grease mop on my head. I...

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...