Just a quick drive-by post here… One of my favorite readers is part of a research team that is currently seeking Boston-area formula-feeding mothers and their babies. The study is examining iodine levels in formula-fed babies.

Iodine supports healthy thyroid function, and it exists naturally in breastmilk, as long as the mother’s iodine status is sufficient. This isn’t much of an issue here in the States, because so many of us use iodized salt (see, now you don’t need to feel guilty about throwing an extra dash of salt on your spaghetti). Formula manufacturers have added iodine to formula – in fact, the FDA mandates that all infant formula contains iodine at levels sufficient to support normal growth and development.

The study in question is going to examine the iodine status of formula-fed babies, and it needs wiling participants to make it work. According to my source:

We’re looking to recruit formula feeding moms and babies under 1 year of age in the Boston area who are exclusively on formula and prepared baby foods (jars and cereals, etc). The details of the study can be found here (please note – this is a Craigslist posting, which is very standard for healthy volunteer research studies). The time commitment is minimal (about an hour) and involves collecting a urine sample from the baby’s diaper and samples of all foods and formulas fed over 24 hours before the sample.”

Minimal time commitment, non-invasive collection methods, and the chance to help obtain some truly useful evidence on formula-fed infants’ nutrition. Sounds pretty sweet to me. So if you’re in Beantown, fit the description, and think you might be willing to participate, give ‘em a call.