Iodine Mineral Water And Its Therapeutic Use In Health Resorts: Iodine Consumption From Natural Mineral Waters And Its Effect On The Body

Treatment with native mineral waters is still offered therapeutically in many spas. Complex low-mineralized electrolyte solutions are preferentially used for this purpose. Occasionally higher mineralized spring waters, some of which have considerable iodine content, are used therapeutically. For daily use, low-mineralized mineral waters with low iodine content are utilized without requiring medical supervision. For the application of high iodine doses a justified clinical indication, exact dosage and medical controls are required. The present state of knowledge regarding the effects of different iodine doses on the thyroid will be discussed. Also, in consideration of the clear contraindications, the individual risk/benefit requires evaluation. Iodine is an essential trace element for the production of thyroid hormones. However, it is also in abumdance in other organs, the importance of which fact is still unknown.