"Iodine Fix"💡 - How to supplement iodine for whole body sufficiency
Unfounded fear of iodine supplementation is having deathly consequences
A ‘No-brainer’
High level iodine supplementation may be the safest, simplest, most effective and least expensive way to solve the healthcare crisis currently crippling our nation. Supplementation is with INorganic, NON-radioactive forms of iodine, in daily amounts of iodine for WHOLE body sufficiency and properly monitored.
According to Guy E. Abraham, MD, former professor of endocrinology and perhaps the world’s most knowledgeable expert on iodine and the thyroid: “Medical iodophobia has reached pandemic proportions. It is highly contagious and has wreaked havoc on the practice of medicine and on the U.S. population. More misery and death in the U.S. may have resulted from [medicine’s unwarranted fear of iodine] than from both World Wars combined.”
Dr. Abraham has studied iodine therapy in high doses in over 4,000 people. He published his findings in a document entitled “The Iodine Project”, completely dispelling the myth and fear of iodine therapy by the mainstream medical profession.
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The goal is to attain whole body sufficiency of iodine
This requires a daily intake of AT LEAST 3 milligrams (mg). Collective experience of 3 generations of clinicians has determined the 3 mg daily dosage to be the most effective minimum amount of iodine / iodide for treating symptoms of iodine / iodide deficiency in today’s world with its iodine-competing goitrogens (i.e. chlorine, fluorine, bromine)
This therapeutic goal necessitates the use of an iodine supplement. Milligram amounts of iodine are not easily obtained from food, unless you regularly eat seaweed.
Supplements should contain both iodine and iodide
Because different tissues concentrate different forms of iodine, it is ideal to use a supplement that contains both iodide and iodine for all-over benefit.
Choices of iodine/Iodide supplements
| Form | Information | Prevalent In | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iodine (I2) | Oxidized /Elemental form | Halogen (member of Group 17a in the Periodic Table), and like other halogens forms diatomic molecules (2 atoms bonded together) | Breast, prostate, stomach cells, ovaries |
Iodide (I–an ion) | Reduced /Salt form | Iodide atom with a −1 charge. Compounds with iodine in formal oxidation state −1 are called iodides. This includes ionic compounds such as cesium iodide or covalent compounds such as carbon tetraiodide (CI4). Other examples are hydrogen iodide, sodium iodide (NaI), potassium iodide (KI), silver iodide (AgI)and nitrogen triiodide (NI3). | Thyroid gland, salivary glands, skin |
| Both | Kidneys, spleen, liver, blood, salivary glands, intestines | ||
Thyroid gland functions better when iodIDE is included. Endocrinology textbooks state that ingestion of only iodine is sufficient without iodide, since it is converted into iodide in the intestines, but a study using both iodine and iodide indicates that the thyroid gland functions better when iodide is included. (The thyroid gland and the skin contained significantly more iodide / iodine when rats were fed with iodide compared to when fed with iodine; whereas the stomach walls and stomach contents had a significantly greater level of iodine/iodide in iodine-fed rats than iodide-fed animals, questioning the view that iodide and iodine are interchangeable). (Thrall & Bull, 1990)
How much iodine / iodide are we consuming?
The U.S. RDA for iodine is 150 micrograms (mcg or μg). Introduced in 1980’s, this RDA was based on data from endocrinologists concerned solely with the amount of iodine/iodide needed to prevent goiter, hypothyroidism, and extreme stupidity, and does not take into account the body’s other iodine requirements. According to Dr. David Brownstein, M.D. author of “Iodine: Why You Need It Why You Can’t Live Without It, the current RDA of 150 mcg (1 mcg = 1 thousandth of a milligram) is woefully deficient for supplying iodine sufficiency to the body
Average U.S. consumption of iodine in 2000, was 240 to 300 μg/day for men and 190 to 210 μg / day for women
Japanese iodine consumption is higher than in the U.S. at around 1-3 mg / day. Zava, T. T., & Zava, D. T. (2011). Assessment of Japanese iodine intake based on seaweed consumption in Japan: A literature-based analysis. Thyroid research, 4, 14. doi:10.1186/1756-6614-4-14 Japanese women experience one of the lowest prevalences for breast, ovarian and uterine cancer;
The need for high amounts of iodine does not seem to fit with the fact that the earth’s soil contains very little iodine. Unless a catastrophic event took place that somehow depleted the earth’s content? – – – One explanation lies in the biblical account of the worldwide flood some 4500 years ago. Mountainous areas would have had fast-moving receding waters that could have washed the topsoil away, depositng its minerals into the seas and deep in the earth. Brines associated with oil-wells and natural gas deposits have high iodine content (of which, brines in Japan accounted for >50% of the world’s 1977 iodine production);
For general health maintenance. An intake of a minimum 3 mg iodine / day, supplied as a combination of iodine and iodide, is likely to be healthful.
More iodine needed during pregnancy / lactation. Iodine is the only compound of significance during early pregnancy which can pass rapidly through all tissues of the fetus without the aid of any blood vessel or lymphatic transport. It could be that not only does iodine control natural cell death (apoptosis) in the fetus but may also influence stem cell development.
Iodine requirement increases with exposure to iodine antagonists (halogens). Iodine requirement depends on the individual’s goitrogenic load. Examples of halogens include bromine, fluorine, and chlorine (typical in the Western world today).
For people with lower organ dysfunction and in greater need of optimization of body iodine stores. Intakes up to 50 mg per day can be consumed safely until whole body sufficiency is met, and then cut back to a daily maintenance dose of 3mg .
A daily intake of 6 mg iodide required for sufficiency of the thyroid gland alone, without considering the rest of the body. According to calculations by Dr. Abraham’s research group. (Abraham et al, 2002)
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to iodine supplementation, since everyone’s needs are different.To help you determine your ideal dosage:
How to use Lugols solution / Iodoral
Dr. Guy Abraham’s optimum iodine intake
Dr Guy Abraham’s optimal daily requirement for iodine is around:
- 6 mg IODIDE / day for the thyroid gland. The first in line for any available iodine;
- ~5 mg /day for the mammary glands (breasts). More for women heavier than 110#, or with large breasts, less for men;
- The rest of the body needs ~2 mg / day – such as adrenals, thymus, ovaries hypothalamus, pituitary, others. (http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-02/IOD_02.htm)
Long-time recommended daily intake for iodine/iodide supplementation was 2 to 6 drops of Lugol solution containing 12.5 to 37.5 mg total iodide. A dose of 0.1 ml (~2 drops) of Lugol’s solution contains 5 mg iodine and 7.5 mg iodide as the potassium salt, according to Dr. Abraham – the near perfect total amount of iodine and ratio of iodine to iodide, for sufficiency of the thyroid, mammary glands and rest of the body;
The 1-3 mg iodine daily Japanese intake would be handling the toxins from their heavy seafood consumption (Many of the types eaten being from the water “clean-up crew”, without fins and scales e.g. shellfish). On the other hand, the Western population need the iodine to deal with the now high (but previously uncommon) exposure to halogens (bromine, chlorine, fluorine) in their diet and environment.
Safety record is 6 grams IN-organic (i.e. not organic) iodine /day. Daily amounts of up to 6 g /day of INorganic iodine have been safely taken by large groups of patients for several years. It is important however to emphasize that this safety record only applies to INorganic and non-radioactive iodine/iodide, not to organic iodine-containing drugs and to radioactive iodides (radio iodides). Obtaining high doses of organic iodine from seaweed and organic iodine supplements, have sometimes resulted in toxicity problems. Dr. Abraham contributes this, not to the iodine, but to excess doses of the molecule to which the iodine i is attached.
Sources of iodine
The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones in addition to other important functions. Needed iodine must come from dietary sources or iodine supplements, such as those mentioned here. The form of iodine in supplements depends on the actual supplement.
Supplemental sources of iodine (into the milligram range)
Lugols solution
Iodoral ® (by Optimax). Iodoral® is Dr. Abraham’s high- potency, precisely quantified tablet form of Lugol’s solution. One tablet contains 5 mg iodine and 7.5 mg iodide as the potassium salt. To prevent gastric irritation, the iodine/iodide preparation from 5% Lugol’s solution is absorbed into a colloidal silica carrier, and to eliminate the unpleasant taste of iodine, the tablets are coated with a thin film of pharmaceutical glaze.
1 Iodoral tablet is equivalent to 2 drops of Lugol’s Solution
Super saturated potassium iodide (SSKI)
- 1 drop SSKI contains ~50mg iodide
- SSKI provides a high dose source of consumeable iodide. E.g. to be used to protect the thyroid before radio-active iodines are swallowed, to protect against radiation fallout and for use in other life-threatening situations
- SSKI can be used externally
- SSKI is not normally used as a daily nutritional supplement (which requires much lower amounts)
Nascent Iodine (aka Magnascent, Atomide or Detoxified iodine)
Atomic iodine (iodide, I- ) in liquid form. This negatively “charged” state is held by the atom until diluted in water and consumed, whence it gradually loses energy over a 2- 3-hour time span.;
- Produced by reducing iodine to a 1% concentration in 100% ethyl alcohol, it is then electromagnetically transmuted (while being suspended in a wet bath containing a mild acid solution) into the atomic state;
- Expensive
- Low (microgram) iodine content. Similar content in food sources
Iodine tincture
- Iodine tincture contains elemental iodine dissolved in ~45% alcohol / 55%water. Since elemental iodINE does not dissolve well in water, 2.4% (by volume) sodium or potassium iodide is added to aid dissolution. Tincture is brown in color.
- Elemental iodine is obtained from brines containing iodine. Either natural brines or brines from oil wells
- Usually sold in 2-7% strength
- Sold labeled “FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY”. Used as a first aid antiseptic but be warned – it stings!
Prolamine iodine® (by Standard Process). Organic form of iodine. 1 Tablet contains 3 mg iodine (20 x U.S. RDA). Some studies (at least with fibrocystic breast disease) show Iodoral® to be more effective than Prolamine Iodine®, others find Prolamine Iodine® equally effective with all conditions.
Triiodide® (by Scientific Botanicals). Contains the same dose of iodine and iodide as in Lugol’s solution. However, this supplement combines iodine with the sea vegetable bladderwrack.
Sea-aloe gold®. Special Formula for those with prolonged protein deficiency or GERD. When gut absorption of iodine is low due to prolonged protein deficiency. www.SeaAloeGold.com contains a mix of the Sea Minerals along with organic Aloe Barbadensis Miller (200:1) to soothe and promote a rapid healing of the gut epithelial tissue, plus promoting absorption of iodine up to 7X more than water. Product is also fungicidal, viricidal, and bacteriacidal. It is beneficial in GERD cases where stomach iodine reserves are low and the gastric mucosa inflamed; the aloe proves to be very healing and soothing to the epithelial lining of the stomach while also promoting iodine accumulation.
Organic iodine (Dr. Donsbach). Contains: 15mg iodine /capsule (from kelp and potassium iodide) + 400mg L-Tyrosine.
Iosol
- Contains iodine extracted from kelp and made into pure iodine crystals, and ammonium iodide synthesized from iodine and ammonium (NH4). Ammonium is different to ammonia (NH3), it is a form with superior bioavailability because it readily dissolves in water.
- Microgram dosages. 1830 mcg (1.83 mg) iodine /drop
Kelp tablets / Powder
- Common iodine supplement
- Kelp usually contains high levels of bromine, a goitrogen. Also many souces are contaminated with arsenic;
- Very low dose iodine. Usually only supplies microgams close to RDA
Pharmaceutical sources (not recommended)
- Iodine-containing Drugs. Amiodarone, Cordarone, Pacerone, Iodoquinol, Yodoxin, Vytone
- Topical Ointments. Povidone and Betadine
Food sources of iodine (in the microgram range)
In nature, iodine is usually found in its iodide (I–) form, rarely in its elemental iodine (I2) form. Iodide is a single, negatively charged iodine atom, usually found bound to an inorganic mineral or bound to the amino acid tyrosine as part of the mammalian thyroxine hormone
Poor iodine food sources (microgram range)
- Land vegetables. There is very little iodine in the soil. Iodine content can be improved by fertilizing with kelp, or irrigation with iodine-rich water; coastal regions have richer iodine content than inland, since iodide ions in seawater are oxidized to elemental iodine, which is volatilized by UV into the atmosphere and returned to the soil by rain. Iodine content in vegetables (High to low) – kidney beans, asparagus, cabbage, garlic, tomatoes, lettuce, potatoes. Also, lima beans, sesame seeds, radishes, rhubarb, peas, mushrooms, bananas, soybeans, spinach, Swiss chard, summer squash, turnip greens, onions.
- Fruit (high to low) – pineapple, strawberries, grapes, and pears.
- Iodized Salt and Sea Salt. Iodized salt is not the wonderful iodine source frequently portrayed. Iodized salt contains only ~74 mcg iodide/gram (typically providing only ~200 mcg/day in the U.S.). The addition of an iodate (in E.U.) or iodide (in U.S. e.g. potassium or sodium iodide) to salt was designed to prevent goiter and cretinism and never intended to supply the whole body’s optimal iodine requirements. To make matters worse, only 10% of sodium iodide in table salt is bio-available, due to competition for intestinal absorption with its chloride content. Abraham, G.E.: The concept of orthoiodosupplementation and its clinical implications. The Original Internist, 2004. Sea-salt is also not a significant source of iodine
- Dairy contains a little iodine if cow consumes it. The breasts of a breast-feeding woman concentrate milk making it a source of iodine, but only if she receives iodine in her diet. Sources include Yogurt, cow’s milk, mozzarella Cheese (part skim)
- Egg YOLKS contain a small amount of iodine. Only If in the chickens’ diet
More concentrated iodine sources come from the sea (but still in the microgram range)
Seaweed located near coral reefs have inherent biologic capacity to concentrate iodine from seawater. The reef fish which thrive on it are also rich in iodine.
Seawater itself is NOT a particularly high source for iodine and contains 1400 times more of the goitrogen / carcinogen bromide. Its weak concentration of 0.05 PPM of iodide contains a negligible amount of iodide, whilst containing 70PPM bromide, not only a goitrogen, bromine is considered a carcinogen with narcoleptic properties; seaweed also concentrates other halides.
- Sea Vegetables / Seaweeds. This high protein-food is a standard component of the Asian diet and their highest dietary source of iodine; coastal populations have an especially high iodine intake. Finding toxin-free sea vegetables can be a problem
- Brown seaweeds (Highest in iodine): include all forms of kelp (~1986mcg/Tbsp) – Types of edible kelp include Kombu (1454mcg /1-inch piece) and Wakame (~210 mcg /Tbsp); supplies ionic trace minerals and plant processed vitamins; Kelp is high in the essential sugars, which are integral to our immune proteins (gamma globulins), important in intercellular communication and are involved in red blood cell metabolism. Focus (aka. Bladderwrack) is considered the best for underactive thyroids because it contains the most iodine. Kelp has been found to contain toxic arsenic and halides. Other forms of brown seaweeds are Hijiki/Hiziki (786mcg /Tbsp), and Sargassum, Arame (732mcg /Tbsp)
- Red seaweeds: include dulse, nori (40mcg /sheet), Irish moss, and Gracilaria.
- Shellfish, white deep-water fish, cod liver oil. However, one would have to eat 4 – 6 pounds of fish to get 3 mg of iodine;
How to take iodine
General
Iodine should be taken with food. Minimizes any discomfort for those with sensitive stomachs
Take iodine earlier in the day. May be energizing for some and keep them awake at night if taken later
Support nutrients needed for iodine supplementation
Commonly deficient magnesium, vitamin C and selenium are especially important. Dr. David Brownstein says it is best to correct magnesium and Vitamin C before beginning iodine supplementation.
Required nutrient support for iodine supplementaton
Also, if an acidic condition is present, you should correct the pH imbalance. Achieved by eating whole foods and eliminating refined foods. Iodine itself is also an alkalizing agent for the body.
Iodine can be administered via a nebulizer
This method is particularly useful for lung infections.
Possible side effects of iodine supplementation
Body warms up. Iodine speeds up metabolism, which can produce extra heat.
Iodism. Dose-related; symptoms are unpleasant brassy taste, increased salivation, head cold, sneezing, and headache originating in the frontal sinuses. Dr. Guy Abraham and Dr. Jorge Flechas maintain that there has been no iodism observed at the 12.5mg/day dosage. Symptoms disappear spontaneously within a few days after stopping iodine supplementation.
Bromine detoxification. If bromine is eliminated quickly there will be symptoms such as cloudy, sediment-filled urine, body odor, rashes and extreme fatigue.1/2 tsp. of sea salt /day in water is recommended, as the bromine will follow the sodium out of the body, relieving symptoms more quickly. Also taking about 5g Vitamin C / day aids detoxification. (but don’t take within 2 hours of taking iodine, or effects of iodine will be neutralized)
Iodine Induced Hyperthyroidism (IHH) occurs predominately in iodine-deficient persons during the early period of iodine supplementation. The use of iodine in a previously iodine-deficient population may result in a TRANSIENT INCREASE in thyroid hormones…Studies have shown that the increase in thyroid hormones, which could lead to hyperthyroid symptoms (palpitations, nervousness), will gradually decrease. The possible reason is identified in the 8th edition of Werner and Ingbar’s The Thyroid, published in 2000: “. . . iodine deficiency increases thyrocyte proliferation and mutation rates. Possible consequences are the development of hyperfunctioning autonomous nodules in the thyroid … and hyperthyroidism after iodine supplementation. Therefore, IIH is an IDD (Iodine Deficiency Disorder).”
Iodine-induced goiter (IIG) / hypothyroidism. When animals or humans that are iodine deficient are given large doses of iodine, there is a TRANSIENT DECREASE in thyroid hormone production (approx. 26-40 hrs.) until the body reestablishes it’s equilibrium with iodine. After that, thyroid levels adjust to normal and signs of hypothyroid do not develop.
Significant decrease in serum thyroxine (T4) with the absence of significant changes in the mean values for TSH, FT3 and FT4 (following supplementation at 12.5 mg/day),could be due to either: (1) a decreased secretion of T4 by the thyroid gland Or (2) lower levels of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). The synthesis of TBG occurs in the liver and this synthesis is stimulated by estrogens  Robbins et al, 1978 In the female rat, iodine / iodide deficiency increases the sensitivity of mammary tissue to estrogens. Eskin et al, 1967 Iodine / iodide supplementation to these female rats in amounts equivalent, based on body weight, to amounts of iodine/iodide required in women with fibrocystic breasts for subjective and objective improvement of fibrocystic breasts, (Ghent et al, 1993) had an attenuating effect on estrogen stimulation of the mammary tissue in those female rats, decreasing their response to estrogens. Therefore, the decreased T4 levels following iodine supplementation could be due to a similar mechanism on hepatic synthesis of TBG, by decreasing the sensitivity of hepatic receptors to estrogens, resulting in decreased synthesis and release of TBG by the liver and decreased T4 levels. |
Iodine and Vitamin D Connection. There seems to be a connection between bringing sufficient iodine to a bromine-plugged thyroid, and the vitamin D metabolism of the body. The calcitonin / parathyroid hormone / Vitamin D / calcium balance in the body changes as people on iodine-loading programs often register as vitamin D deficient when they did not previously. When people are given calcitonin as part of an osteoporosis program one of the side effects mentioned is a “flushing sensation of the skin”. Dr. Brice Vickery relates, “I have had two iodine-loading , high bromine patients who during the lowering of their bromine levels registered as iodine deficient and mentioned “a sunburn flushed feeling on the skin of their faces, arms and back”. This flushing disappeared with vitamin D3 supplementation at 2000 IU daily for a limited period of time”.
Iodine Allergy. Includes a rash, fatigue, congestion, headache and a fever. One person reported online that he was “violently allergic to iodine taken internally (rashes, swelling and, finally, hemorrhaging) but, so far, after using it on the skin for upwards of two years, no reactions whatsoever have appeared“. Dr Brownstein reports that an allergy to inorganic iodine / iodide (Lugol’s or Iodoral) is rare. Dr. Brownstein’s book – Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without it.Dr. Jorge Flechas reports that < ½% of the population is iodine sensitive
Thyroid cancer is NOT a likely side-effect of iodine supplementation. Dr. David Brownstein states, “There have been some reports in the literature that iodine supplementation can be associated with an increased incidence of thyroid papillary cancer. If iodine usage were the cause of thyroid cancer, then falling iodine levels would be expected to lead to lowered thyroid cancer levels. However, this has not been the case. During the last several decades, when iodine levels have DECLINED, the incidence of thyroid cancer has markedly INCREASED”. (Dr. Brownstein’s book – Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without it).
Iodine supplementation for animals
Iodine helped mares to breed. Iodine used successfully for mares that would not breed or had cystic ovaries. Dose was just a few drops of Lugol’s solution in their water buckets over 2 to 3 months. Folk Medicine, Jarvis
References
Abraham et al (2002) Orig. Int., 9:30-41;
Eskin B., Bartuska D., Dunn M., Jacob G., Dratman M. (1967) Mammary Gland Dysplasia in Iodine Deficiency, JAMA, 200:115-119.
Ghent, W., Eskin, B., Low, D., Hill, L.(1993) Iodine Replacement in Fibrocystic Disease of the Breast, Can. J. Surg., 36:453-460.
Robbins J et al (1978) Thyroxine transport proteins of plasma: molecular properties and biosynthesis, Recent Prog Horm Res.
Thrall K and Bull LU (1990) Differences in the distribution of iodine and iodide in the Sprague-Dawley rat, Fundamental and Applied Toxicology PubMed
The Safe and Effective Implementation of Orthoiodosupplementation In Medical Practice
https://www.advance-health.com/HypoThyroid.html
https://www.altcancer.com/lugols.htm
“Folk Medicine”, by J.C. Jarvis, M.D. Henry Holt & Co., 1958
