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AlwaysChildish t1_irev27h wrote

Reply to comment by NeedlessUnification in TIL A 2017 study found that the introduction of iodized salt in 1924 raised the IQ for the one-quarter of the population most deficient in iodine. by kstinfo

I think they mean why did the doctor think it would do anything in the first place

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NeedlessUnification t1_irf0cjn wrote

Dr noticed that goiters were prevalent in the Midwest from WW1 soldier fitness studies (I think), noticed that further from salt water you were, the more likely you were to have goiters. Figured it had to do with salt or saltwater seafood, eventually isolated it to iodine. Had experimented with dogs before moving on to people.

Edit: it has been a while since I heard the episode, basing it on my memory. My wife contends my memory is an unreliable narrator.

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AlwaysChildish t1_irflyqp wrote

Awesome answer! Thank you!

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Mysticpoisen t1_irg0oq3 wrote

Also fun fact, the reason both the Midwest and European alpine countries both had such large goiter epidemics is because glaciers had swept those regions, greatly reducing the iodine content in the soil.

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