In the United States alone, almost 13 million people suffer from some type of thyroid imbalance and are usually completely unaware of it. Iodine is a necessary nutrient, not only for the proper functioning of the thyroid, but also for the normal functioning of the cells of the body, the nervous system, the muscles, the development of the brain, the use of oxygen, the metabolism , a strong immune system and much more. Understanding the importance of an essential trace mineral, like this, to your overall health is well worth the time spent learning more.
Many people who are iodine deficient have seen incredibly positive results from supplementation. Although commonly recognized in the mainstream medical community, in how this mineral plays an important role in helping the production of hormones in the thyroid gland. Common symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are; fatigue, unexplained weight loss or gain, muscle weakness, hair loss, problems concentrating, increased allergies, water retention and irritability.
According to Dr. Guy Abraham, MD, a former professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and endocrinology at UCLA School of Medicine, and a leading authority on iodine, the limits of sufficient levels of iodine in the human body go well beyond that, other possible bodily healing functions of iodine include:
1. Regulates Moods
2. Prevents cancer (especially in the breasts, ovaries, uterus, prostate and thyroid gland)
3. Prevents and Treats Fibrocystic Breasts in Women
4. Regulates Blood Pressure
5. Helps Regulate Blood Sugar and Prevents and Treats Diabetes
6. Helps Prevent Abnormal Heart Rhythms
Dr. Abraham noticed that Japanese women have one of the lowest incidences of breast cancer in the world. They usually eat more than 13 mg of iodine per day, in the form of algae, without suffering any harmful side effects. It is also important to mention here that most doctors consider doses above 2 mg per day to be potentially toxic.
When Dr. Abraham began his iodine research in 1998, he discovered many other positive benefits of treating iodine deficiency in patients on doses well above the recommended daily dose of 2 mg.
He noted that in 1820, a French doctor named Jean Lugol also used doses above 2 mg to treat a wide variety of health conditions. Dr. Lugol successfully treated many different infectious diseases with his own specially designed solution, which is still available today by prescription, known as “Lugols’ solution”.
Iodine tends to have antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic and antifungal qualities, it also improves immune function.
Suboptimal iodine intake levels contribute to various thyroid abnormalities, in addition to the obvious condition of thyroid goiter (swelling of the throat). Common problems are still seen today, such as hypothyroidism (underactivity), hyperthyroidism (overactivity), and autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid (Hashimoto’s disease).
Most people get enough iodine in their diets from seafood and iodized salt. But, only about 50% of Americans use iodized salt. Due to their battle with high blood pressure, they have been bombarded with the standard hype and media attention that cutting back on salt is a smart move. However, high blood pressure is more directly caused by the body’s adaptation to severe dehydration. Learn more about the many health benefits of salt and water by visiting the website of Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, author of “Your Body’s Many Cries For Water”, called watercure.
One gram of refined iodized table salt, which is high in chloride, contains 77 mcg of iodine. Some experts estimate that only about 10% of this iodine can be absorbed by the body. Therefore, a higher form of salt is needed by your body. A better source of iodine and several other trace minerals, naturally found in unrefined sea salt, is a smarter choice. It will cost a lot more, but the health benefits are worth it. You can find this type of salt at most health food stores.
Other sources of iodine in our diet come from dairy products, meat and eggs. The level of iodine can however have varying amounts, depending on the content of the animal feed. About 40 years ago, iodate was used as a bread stabilizer in commercially produced baked goods, further increasing our iodine intake. Recently this practice has declined, over the past 30 years, with iodate being replaced by bromide as it was considered safer. Other dietary sources are certain multivitamins and the ingestion of so-called health foods like kelp. They are, however, largely unregulated and unrecognized.
If you think you might be deficient in this necessary trace mineral, you can perform a simple self-test, although it may not be completely accurate. Paint a two-inch spot on an area of soft skin tissue, such as your inner arm or upper thigh, with tincture of iodine. If it takes longer than 18 hours for the stain to disappear, that’s a good indicator that you have enough iodine. If it absorbs faster, say 2-3 hours, you may need to take a supplement. You may then want to perform a more accurate, thorough, and simpler saliva or urine test.
Iodine utilization problems can be further limited by ingesting goitrogens (substances that can cause an enlarged thyroid gland) such as fluoride, bromine and bromides, and chlorine. The good thing about being sufficient in this mineral is that Dr. Abraham’s work has shown that sufficient levels of iodine help promote the excretion of toxic minerals such as lead, mercury and cadmium. outside the body, as well as the halogens fluoride and bromide.
Water is the primary liquid choice that will help you flush out these harmful substances faster and more effectively than any other drink. It’s something you’ll be able to see and feel, because water is the foundation of all nutritional success.
