For over a century, iodine was considered a "panacea for all human ills".
Proponents of iodine therapy argue that a silent epidemic of deficiency is undermining public health.
: By the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was used to treat conditions ranging from bronchitis and asthma to scrofula, syphilis, and chronic infections . Iodine - Bringing Back the Universal Medicine
The movement to "bring back" iodine emphasizes its essential role beyond mere thyroid function, framing it as a critical nutrient for total body wellness and protection against modern environmental stressors. The History of the "Universal Medicine"
: The emergence of synthetic pharmaceuticals and specific thyroid hormones in the mid-20th century led to a shift away from elemental iodine/iodide preparations toward more targeted (and often more expensive) treatments. The Modern Deficiency Crisis For over a century, iodine was considered a
"Iodine: Bringing Back the Universal Medicine" explores the revival of iodine as a cornerstone of holistic and preventative health. Historically dubbed the "Universal Medicine," iodine was once used to treat an astonishing array of conditions before falling out of favor in modern medical practice.
: Discovered in 1811 by Bernard Courtois, iodine was quickly adopted by physicians like J.F. Coindet to treat goiter. The movement to "bring back" iodine emphasizes its
History of U.S. Iodine Fortification and Supplementation - PMC