Startup company Iceprotein in Sauðárkrókur, Northwest Iceland, is developing a natural food supplement for people suffering from hypothyroidism. The substance is extracted from the thyroids of slaughtered animals, which so far has gone to waste.
Hypothyroidism is a common health problem, which causes fatigue and muscle pains, among other symptoms. After suffering from hypothyroidism herself, Hildur Þóra Magnúsdóttir got the idea to use animal thyroids to treat the condition, ruv.is reports.
“It’s a very interesting project; it uses a material which is available but is not being used for anything else, so it is clearly beneficial. And we’re tackling a widespread problem,” Hildur stated.
The project has been shortlisted for an innovation contest in Skagafjörður and Hildur has guaranteed sufficient funding for further developing her idea. The first testing of the supplement’s function is promising.
