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| Iodine |
Last updated: May 12, 2008 |
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Plants do not need iodine, but humans require it for the production of thyroid hormones which regulate the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of the body. Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter) develops when there is not enough iodine to manufacture the thyroid hormones. The gland enlarges in an attempt to trap more iodine. Supplemental iodine in small quantities usually resolves this problem, but thyroid hormone supplementation may be needed.
Even though commercial table salt has had iodine added to deal with this once common deficiency, iodine deficiency is still a problem, and many people in the United States have goiter. Cretinism occurs when iodine deficiency occurs early in life and is characterized by irreversible mental retardation and other problems. It may be present in iodine-deficient babies or children born to women who are lacking iodine.
The body contains only about 25mg of iodine. Since iodine is not conserved by the body as with many other minerals, it must be obtained regularly from the diet. Iodine is well absorbed from the stomach into the blood and excessive iodine is eliminated rapidly through the kidneys.
Fish, shellfish, and seaweed are dependably rich sources of iodine. Kelp is an especially concentrated source of iodine. It is also rich in other minerals and thus is a good seasoning substitute for salt. Sea salt is a natural source of iodine, although it is not nearly as high in this mineral as "iodized" salt. Iodized salt contains about 75mcg of iodine per gram of salt. The average person consumes at least 3 grams of salt daily, thus exceeding the RDA for iodine of 150mcg. More iodine is needed during pregnancy and lactation and those on low-salt diets may need supplemental iodine.
The iodine content of a particular food may vary widely depending on the iodine content in the soil in which it grows. Plants grown or animals grazed on iodine-rich soil will contain substantial amounts of iodine. Foods that may contain iodine, especially when the soil is good, are onions, mushrooms, lettuce, spinach, green peppers, pineapple, peanuts, cheddar cheese, and whole wheat bread.
Even though getting the RDA for iodine, some people seem to have more energy consuming more than the minimal amount needed to prevent goiter. Iodine has also been used to help increase energy level and utilization in cases of fatigue, mental sluggishness, and weight gain caused by hypothyroidism. Iodine itself will not help with weight loss if there is normal thyroid function.
Potassium iodide has been used medicinally for problems of the skin and as an expectorant for bronchial congestion. Iodine supplements are also used to help prevent the uptake of radioactive iodine if it is present in the environment. When the thyroid is saturated with iodine, there is less radioactive iodine uptake and greater elimination of it from the body.
There is no significant danger of toxicity of iodine from a natural diet, though some care must be taken when supplementing iodine or using it in large doses. A regular elevated intake of iodine is needed to produce toxicity. Some people have allergic reactions, mainly as skin rashes, to iodine products. Iodine supplementation is known to worsen some acne cases. Taking large doses (50-100mg) regularly can cause a thyroid storm (hyperthyroidism) in some individuals.
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 Iodine can help with the following: | | | | | | Autoimmune | Not recommended for:
 Hyperthyroidism | Iodine use is often contraindicated in hyperthyroidism. However, very high doses of Iodine for short periods (about thirty drops daily of SSKI for three weeks) have sometimes produced favorable results in Graves' disease. Because of the possibility of causing a 'thyroid storm' (an acute hyperthyroid state), this therapy should only be attempted under close supervision by a doctor experienced in its use. |
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Hormones |
 Hypothyroidism| | Sometimes a low functioning thyroid gland will improve with the addition of iodine in some form. Seaweeds and kelp have been found helpful. See link between Hypothyroidism and Selenium, and the link to Fluoride Avoidance. |
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Infections |
Fungal Skin / Nail Infection| | Sometimes applying an iodine solution, like Betadyne, once or more per day to the affected cuticla area of the nail will result in healthy nail growth - the damaged portion slowly moving outward as new nail is generated. |
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Metabolic |
 Bruxism (Clenching/Grinding Teeth)| | People who clench and/or grind their teeth in their sleep can reduce this by taking up to 8 drops of Lugol's (potassium iodide) daily or periodically. |
Blood Type O
Not recommended for:
 Metabolic Diet Type |
Nutrients |
Iodine Requirement |
Skin-Hair-Nails |
Not recommended for:
Adult Acne| | According to James E. Fulton Jr., M.D., head of the Acne Research Institute in Newport Beach, California, "In some who are acne-prone, ... one milligram of iodine a day could be a problem." Foods high in iodine should be eliminated on a trial basis. |
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Uro-Genital |
Fibrocystic Breast Disease| | For reasons that are not known, supplemental iodine appears to help with cyclic mastalgia also known as cyclic mastitis or fibrocystic breast disease. In animals, iodine deficiency can cause the equivalent of fibrocystic disease. What appears to be the most effective form - diatomic iodine - is not readily available. Because some people are sensitive to iodine and high amounts can alter thyroid function, it should not be taken without a doctor’s involvement.
One hundred-eight women with fibrocystic breast disease were treated with a preparation containing molecular (diatomic elemental) iodine at a dose of 0.08 mg per kg of body weight per day orally for nine months. Ninety-eight percent of the women were pain-free by the end of the study and objective improvement was seen in 71.8% of cases. Sixty-five percent of the women had a reduction in breast size coincident with clinical improvement. In a larger series of women (n = 1,365) treated with molecular iodine, side effects (usually minor) occurred in 10.9% of cases; these included acne, nausea, diarrhea, hair thinning, hyperthyroidism (0.1% incidence), hypothyroidism (0.3% incidence), skin rash, headache, or transient increase in breast pain (5.7% incidence).
Two other groups of women were treated with Lugol's solution (a preparation containing 95% sodium iodide and 5% free iodine) and iodized casein, respectively. The response rate with Lugol's solution was 70%, and with iodized casein was 40%. Molecular iodine was associated with a lower incidence of thyroid dysfunction than the other preparations. [Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Nov, 2004 by Alan R. Gaby] |
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KEY | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended | | | May have adverse consequences | | | Reasonably likely to cause problems |
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