Iodine and Your Health
Iodine: The Fountain of Youth?
"We placed an 83-year-old woman on orthoiodosupplementation [iodine therapy] for six months at 50 mgs of elemental iodine daily. She experienced a tremendous increase in energy, endurance, well being, and memory. At six months all her skin peeled off and was replaced by new younger-looking skin. She was flabbergasted and amazed at her new appearance." - Guy Abraham, MD Endocrinologist
(If you have an appointment scheduled with me you can request the rest of this Fountain of Youth Article from Health Alert and I'll bring it with me)
WHY ARE IODINE LEVELS SO IMPORTANT?
The Thyroid depends on Iodine for normal function. Low levels of iodine mean your thyroid isn’t functioning properly. The thyroid helps balance hormones, regulates heartbeat, stabilizes cholesterol, maintains weight control, encourages muscle growth, keeps menstrual cycles regular, provides energy, and even helps you keep a positive mental attitude. Not only does the thyroid need Iodine but EVERY cell in your body needs Iodine!
Women are naturally prone to iodine deficiencies. That’s because the thyroid gland in women is twice as large as in men – so under normal circumstances, women need more iodine. However, when women are under stress, the need for iodine can double or triple. Yet the foods we eat contain less and less dietary iodine.
For example, back in 1940, the typical American diet contained about 800 micrograms of iodine.
By 1995, that amount plunged to just 135 micrograms. That’s an 83% decline.
Two thirds of the body’s iodine is found in the thyroid gland. One of the best ways to boost your iodine levels is to add sea vegetables to your diet. Just one teaspoon of sea vegetables a day can help you regain normal iodine levels. Incorporating seafood and fish into your diet can also help.
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The wonderful reasons to have Iodine in our diets:
1. Iodine is the main body surveillance mechanism for abnormal cells.
2. Triggers the death of cells (Apoptosis) in normal and abnormal cells.
3. Detoxifies chemicals. Cleanses Bromine, Fluorine and Chlorine out of the body.
4. Reacts with tyrosine and histidine to inactivate errant enzymes and denature proteins. (Allergies)
5. Antiseptic to bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses and protozoa (one cell amebas) – inside and outside the body.
6. Detoxifies and neutralizes biological toxins such as, food poisoning, snake venoms, etc.
7. Anti Allergic. Makes external proteins non-allergic.
8. Anti autoimmune – by making intracellular proteins spilled into blood non-allergic. (PMG’s)
9. Protection of double bonds in lipids (oils) for delivery to cardiovascular system and synaptic membranes in brain and retina.
10. Fetal source of apoptotic (programmed death of cells) mechanisms during development in fetus and breast-fed children.
11. Protection from apoptotic diseases such as Leukemia.
12. Possible initial source of thyroxin in early fetal development. (To help prevent Down’s Syndrome and Cretinism)
13. Antiseptic activity in stomach against helicobacter pylori bacteria which contributes to ulcers.
14. Iodine is used to make thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland. (T3 & T4)
At Whole Food Balance, we prescribe Why? Because they have a patent on the process of mixing Iodine with Protein, referred to as "protein-bound iodine". "If you get a cut and you put iodine on it, the iodine destroys the bacteria because bacteria are a protein. A lot of doctors give iodine orally, an iodine and water solution. When you put this solution in your mouth, the iodine combines with the protein in your mouth and could cause irritation, not just in your mouth, but in the stomach, or wherever it goes. So that isn't the best way to take iodine. It should be mixed with protein first, then it's not toxic to your system." -John Courtney
Iodine: Why you Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It
By Dr. David Brownstein, M.D.
This is Dr. Brownstein's brand new 3rd Edition:
Go to www.DrBrownstein.com
to purchase it today for $15!
Dr. Brownstein has expanded and updated this book with all the latest information about iodine. The entire book has been updated with new case histories. In addition, there are three NEW chapters which provide information about:
* What iodine does in the body
* Why autoimmune thyroid disorders form from a low iodine state
* Why it is so important to ensure an adequate selenium intake
Dr. Brownstein feels iodine is the most misunderstood nutrient. He feels it is impossible to achieve your optimal health when there is iodine deficiency present. This book provides information on how iodine therapy can help:
* Breast Cancer
* Detoxification
* Fatigue
* Fibrocystic Breasts
* Graves' Disease
* Hashimoto's Disease
* Hypothyroidism
* Improve the Immune System
This book will show you Dr. Brownstein’s latest research about iodine. He feels a large segment of the population is currently suffering from iodine deficiency. Ensuring adequate iodine levels is essential to helping you achieve your optimal health. Dr. Brownstein will provide you with all new information on the importance of iodine.
Breast Cancer and Iodine: Startling ground-breaking new research shows how to prevent and how to survive breast cancer.
By David M. Derry, MD, PhD
