IODISED RAPESEED OIL FOR ERADICATION OF SEVERE ENDEMIC GOITER

Iodised oil is traditionally based on the fatty acids (FAs) of the pop pyseed, an expensive commodity, An equipotent but cheaper vehicle woul d be welcome, Iodination of rapeseed oil yields a product (Brassiodol) with a total iodine content of 376 mg/mL, Brassiodol has been compare d with the poppyseed-based Lipiodol in two villages in Chad in the wes t African goitre belt, A 2 mL dose of Brassiodol is followed by urinar y spillover of half the ingested iodine, The other half undergoes tiss ue sequestration and slow release, allowing protection against iodine deficiency for 9 months and regression of stage I/II goitre for longer than was achieved with Lipiodol. The prolonged protection offered by Brassiodol can be attributed to its unique lipid profile, The urinary output argues that 1 mL should not be exceeded, and at that dose the c ost would be only 20 US cents per person per year.