Severe iodine deficiency remains a significant public health issue, especially with pregnant women. Severe iodine deficiency is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss and infant mortality, neonatal hypothyroidism,cretinism,and neuropsychomotor retardation. In 2007,the suggested iodine intake for childbearing women by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, was 200-300ug/day for pregnant and lactating women. More recently, the American Thyroid Association, suggested approximately 250ug iodine/day for all pregnant women, and 150ug iodine/day for women of childbearing age.Some guidelines included a single annual dose of 400mg of iodized oil as a temporary measure. Due to the significance of the irreversible and detrimental maternal-fetal and offspring effects, recommendations by researchers have been made to increase the iodine intake for preconception, in addition to pregnant and lactating women.
Iodine is in a class of elements known as halogens. The other halogens are bromine,chlorine and astatine. In the United States,iodine was added to bakery products, but was replaced with bromine in the 1980’s. The presence of bromine and fluoride (both are toxins) have to found to decrease or block the uptake of iodine. Iodine is utilized by every cell in the body, but it is mostly concentrated in the thyroid gland, as well as breasts, ovaries,the brain and the eyes. Seaweed is one of the major sources of iodine, as the actions of the waves can create iodine gas. Historically,iodine was added to refined commercial table salt to treat and prevent goiters of the thyroid gland. According to Dr. David Brownstein, iodine deficiency is occurring at epidemic levels, and is associated with conditions such as ADHD, atherosclerosis,breast diseases, fibrocystic breasts, vaginal infections, ovarian disorders and goiters, among many other medical conditions. The therapeutic actions of iodine are antibacterial, anti-cancer, anti-parasitic, anti-viral, mucolytic as well as alkalizing to the human body.
Iodine alters gene expression in the breasts, and researchers such as Dr Bernard Eskin, found that iodine has the ability to block cancer progression in breast tissue. Iodine deficiency causes an increase in estrogen production, resulting in an increased sensitivity of breast tissue to estrogen. Adding xenoestrogens in plastic and pesticides, and meat and dairy products, hormone sensitive cancers are on the rise. Fibrocystic breasts and breast cancer have been thought to be a result of increased estrogens circulating in the body. Dietary factors such as caffeine and trans-fats can cause further exacerbation of fibrocystic breast disorder. Eliminating caffeine, adding essential fatty acids, vitamins E and A, in addition to iodine have been shown to be extremely effective in treating and preventing fibrocystic breasts. Jorge Flechas,MD, reports a definite increase in cancers of the breast,stomach, ovaries and thyroid with the presence of iodine deficiency.
Iodine appears to resolve hypothyroidism and breast cancer. Using iodine to treat breast cancer dates back to 1896 in the medical literature. A link has been established between breast cancer and goiter, in respect to iodine deficiency. At sufficiency, the thyroid gland holds approximately 50 mg of iodine. The thyroid gland needs approximately 6 mg/day and breasts need at least 5 mg of iodine/day. The current RDA of 150ug/day is inadequate for cancer prevention and optimal health.
Selenium is a trace element that is essential for health, and is necessary for regulating iodine metabolism and thyroid function. Selenium dose of 100-200 ug/day is safe to avoid toxic levels. The higher our toxic load from pesticides, mercury, aluminum, chlorine and bromine, the more glutathione peroxidase is needed to detoxify these agents. Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium.
Consider checking labels to avoid intake of bromide-containing foods and medicines. Avoid baked products that contain bromine. Unrefined salt such as celtic sea salt can lower bromine levels.
Strategies to improve your health:
1. Ensure adequate hydration: divide your weight in pounds by 2 and that is the
amount of water you should drink in ounces per day.
2. Vitamin C 3-6 g/ day as tolerated.
3. Unrefined salt: 1-1.5 tsp/day
4. Iodine: 12.5 mg-25 mg/day Iodoral or Lugol’s solution 2 drops per day =12.5 mg
(10% Potassium Iodide and 5% Iodine in 85% distilled water.
It is recommended for clients to be under the care of a Functional Medicine
Practitioner- for testing baseline levels and to monitor for allergic
reactions) Seaweed is a great dietary source of iodine.
5. Selenium: 100-200 ug/day (brazil nuts)
6. Magnesium, vitamins B2 and B3
7. Green leafy vegetables and organic fruits and vegetables – eat the rainbow.
Additional recommendations:
Avoid fluoride in toothpaste and water, not only is it a toxin, but also becomes
more toxic if iodine is deficient.
Avoid bromine,chlorine, toxic household cleaners, cosmetics and nail polish.
Additional chemicals to avoid, include perchlorate and chlorine, especially when
pregnant and breastfeeding.
Some consequences of perchlorate exposure are: Breast disease, thyroid cancer,
hypothyroidism, immune disorders, newborn mental retardation, neurological
problems, poor fetal and neonatal development.
Sources: “Iodine: Why you need it, Why You Can’t Live Without it”. 4th Edition. Author: David Brownstein,MD
Consequences of Severe Iodine Deficiency in Pregnancy: Evidence in Humans. Toloza, FJK,Motahari,H, and Maraka,S. Published June 19,2020, Frontiers in Endocrinology
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