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 Why the Need for Iodine? Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormone (T3 & T4) and important for normal thyroid functioning. It also functions as an antioxidant, an anti-infective agent, and is protective in certain cystic conditions like fibrocystic breast disease and ovarian cysts. Higher levels of iodine intake have been shown to be protective against benign breast changes such as fibrocystic breast disease. Studies show a daily intake of 3000-6000 micrograms per day to be helpful and tolerable for this condition. These higher levels are similar to the typical daily intake seen in Japan. .ELEMENTS (THYROID) DRIED URINE...

“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.” This famous quote strikes me as particularly appropriate for a conversation about stress. It speaks to what is most surprising about humanity. I find the point being made to be poignant – especially when we...

While optimal selenium levels are imperative for proper thyroid function, abnormally high selenium intake can be toxic – causing gastrointestinal disturbances, changes in nails and hair, weakness, convulsions and decreased cognitive function. So it’s important to understand the ways in which we take in selenium, both in the diet and as supplements. A balance of nutrients is required by our bodies to maintain good health, and selenium (Se) is an important one that often gets overlooked. This essential element is a required component of the selenoproteins, which include those that are needed to convert thyroid hormone from the inactive to the active form, and...

Bromine should be recognised as the 28th essential element for all species, from fruit flies to humans, in according to researchers at Vanderbilt University. Study results were published 2014 in Cell, and demonstrate that without bromine, collagen type IV molecules will not bond together properly to form the structural proteins of connective tissues, leading to disrupted tissue development.   This figure demonstrates bromines role as a co-factor in formation of collagen IV crosslinks:  Image Source: McCall S, Cummings C, Bhave G, Vanacore R, Page-MCaw A, Hudson B. Bromine is an essential trace element for assembly of collagen IV scaffolds in...

The current concern over the dangerous Ebola virus has heightened awareness about infections that can be transmitted via contact with body fluids. The last thing we want is to be exposed to body fluids from others infected with dangerous organisms and, ironically, a likely place to encounter such fluids is the phlebotomy station at the doctor’s office. How can exposure to other people who may be sickened with an infectious agent be minimized? One way to minimize exposure is to use at-home sample collection methods, a hallmark of ZRT lab testing, which ensure seclusion and don’t require samples to be...