The thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands (secretes their hormones directly into the blood) in the body. It controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body should be to other hormones. The thyroid does this by utilizing both iodine and tyrosine to aid in the production of thyroid hormones such as T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). Without proper levels of iodine, the thyroid would not be able to maintain production of T3 and T4 and deficiencies, such as hypothyroidism, can occur.
Iodine is an essential trace element for life. Iodine's main role is for the making of the thyroid hormone thyroxin.* The thyroid gland actively absorbs iodide from the blood to make and release the hormones T3 and T4 into the blood, actions which are regulated by a second hormone TSH from the pituitary.* If you're intake of iodine is low, then your thyroid hormone level will be low as well.*One of the uses of potassium iodine, specifically, is to supply the thyroid with iodine in the event of a release of radioactive material.* The isotope of iodine is one of the toxins found in radioactive fallout. The thyroid absorbs this isotope and this causes thyroid cancer. The taking of potassium iodine after a nuclear event has occurred keeps the body from absorbing the isotope into the thyroid.*
Rhodiola Rosea is a plant that grows in cold regions of the world and is included among a class of plant derivatives called adaptogens. Rhodiola Rosea may be beneficial for improving mood and alleviating depression as pilot studies on human subjects show that it improves physical and mental performance and may reduce fatigue.[1][2][3] In Russia and Scandinavia, Rhodiola Rosea has been used for centuries to cope with the cold Siberian climate and stressful life. Laboratory studies done on rats show Rhodiola effectively prevented stress-induced changes in appetite, physical activity, weight gain and the estrus cycle.[4]
While animal tests have suggested a variety of beneficial effects for Rhodiola rosea extracts,[5] only for depression is there scientific evidence for Rhodiola components having anti-disease benefits in humans. A clinical trial showed significant effect for a Rhodiola extract in doses of 340–680 mg per day in male and female patients from 18 to 70 years old with mild to moderate depression.[6]
Rhodiola rosea extract SHR-5 exerts an anti-fatigue effect that increases mental performance, particularly the ability to concentrate in healthy subjects (Darbinyan et al., 2000; Spasov et al.,2000b; Shevtsov et al., 2003) and burnout patients with fatigue syndrome (Olsson et al., 2009). Rhodiola significantly reduced symptoms of fatigue and improved attention after four weeks of repeated administration (Olsson et al., 2009).
Olsson, E.M.G., von Schéele, B., Panossian, A.G., 2009. A randomized double-blind placebo controlled parallel group study of SHR-5 extract of Rhodiola rosea roots as treatment for patients with stress related fatigue. Planta medica 75,105-112.
With all its wonderful benefits, why was Rhodiola blended with the iodine in our Iodine & Rhodiola Rosea supplement? Those with low thyroid levels experience fatigue, depression and a decreased ability to perform work.* All of which the adaptogen Rhodiola has shown itself to help with.(7)* So, in order to enhance the action of coping with radioactive fallout we have added the Rhodiola. During tests in the 1950's and 60's Russian scientists found that this herb made the troops, who had been exposed to radioactivity, less likely to fall ill to radiation caused conditions.* Independent research has verified the Russian's initial findings.[8]* Rhodiola has also been found to improve athletic performance, physical endurance, mental ability and helping to regenerate the liver. [9]* Absorption is the reason why we included pancreatin in our Iodine and Rhodiola supplement. Anything taken with pancreatin has its absorption increased greatly.*
References
1) Shevtsov VA, Zholus BI, Shervarly VI, et al. (Mar 2003). "A randomized trial of two different doses of Rhodiola rosea extract versus placebo and control of capacity for mental work".Phytomedicine 10 (2-3): 95–105. doi:10.1078/094471103321659780. PMID 12725561
2) Darbinyan V, Kteyan A, Panossian A, Gabrielian E, Wikman G, Wagner H (Oct 2000). "Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue—a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty". Phytomedicine 7 (5): 365–71. PMID 11081987.
3) Ha Z, Zhu Y, Zhang X, et al. (Sep 2002). "[The effect of rhodiola and acetazolamide on the sleep architecture and blood oxygen saturation in men living at high altitude]" (in Chinese).Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi 25 (9): 527–30. PMID 12423559.
4) Mattioli L, Funari C, Perfumi M (May 2008). "Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. extract on behavioural and physiological alterations induced by chronic mild stress in female rats".Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford) 23 (2): 130–42. doi:10.1177/0269881108089872.PMID 18515456.
5) Perfumi M, Mattioli L (Jan 2007). "Adaptogenic and central nervous system effects of single doses of 3% rosavin and 1% salidroside Rhodiola rosea L. extract in mice". Phytother Res 21(1): 37–43. doi:10.1002/ptr.2013. PMID 17072830.
6) Darbinyan V, Aslanyan G, Amroyan E, Gabrielyan E, Malmström C, Panossian A (2007). "Clinical trial of Rhodiola rosea L. extract in the treatment of mild to moderate depression".Nord J Psychiatry 61 (5): 343–8. doi:10.1080/08039480701643290. PMID 17990195.
7) Exploring New Applications for Rhodiola rosea: Can We Improve the Quality of Life of Patients with Short-Term Hypothyroidism Induced by Hormone Withdrawal? José M. Zubeldia, Hani A. Nabi, Miguel Jiménez del Río, Jorge Genovese. Journal of Medicinal Food. -Not available-, ahead of print. doi:10.1089/jmf.2009.0286.
8) Himalayan Bioresource Rhodiola imbricata as a promising radioprotector for nuclear and radiological emergencies. Authors: Raman Chawla(1), Sarita Jaiswal(2), Raj Kumar(1), Rajesh Arora(1), Rakesh Kumar Sharma(1) 1. Division of CBRN Defence, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Brig SK Mazumdar Marg, Delhi - 110 054, India 2. Department of Plant Sciences, Campus Drive College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A8, Canada
Radioprotection by Rhodiola imbricata in Mice Against Whole-Body Lethal Irradiation
H.C. Goel, Madhu Bala, J. Prasad, S. Singh, P.K. Agrawala, R.C. Swahney. Journal of Medicinal Food. Summer 2006, 9(2): 154-160. doi:10.1089/jmf.2006.9.154.
9) http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/abstracts/feb2006_abs_02.htm