Iodine as a game changer

[LucH]

Iodine as a game changer
This article is based on the work of George Robert DeLong, Francis C. Kelly, Broda O. Barnes, Raoul Vergini, and more recently David Brownstein, Gabriel Cousens, Lynne Farrow and Vincent Reliquet.
“What does iodine do for your body” will give you a completely different perspective about normal needs and why RDA advised is foreseen to avoid goiter and cretinism, not to optimize your health. “Keep them medicalized, not cured”, is one mantra we often encounter, particularly in the circle of people supposed to be initiated (Big Pharma). Not to play the paranoid, here. Just to make you aware of and give you the information, so you can understand why Big pharma is not your best friend when trying to get objective info. And as our physicians are not allowed to say sth against the NHA / HAS, you’d better get informed through non-traditional canals.

The complete post on this link. I’ll give a partial report here beneath.
https://mirzoune-ciboulette.forumactif.org/t2093-iodine-as-a-game-changer#30100

First of all, I admit that all excesses and inappropriate supplements are harmful. The question is how and who issued the recommendations, in what context.
Please, don’t tell me it’s dangerous to take excess iodine. All the excesses are “dangerous”. Do not be influenced by recommendations that are not supported by studies, or by recommendations from organizations that simply relay warnings made by stakeholders. Keep your mind open and think by yourself. So, now let’s be confronted to another approach because it could be a game changer for some of you.

What does iodine do for your body? Stop blaming poor environment for your slowing metabolism! (“How to get out of the hole”, in short)
In the last two books I read (1-2) it was set into the light that one person among 5 were deficient in iodine in the world; 1 among 3 persons if we consider an optimal range above 200 mcg. When we ingest less than 200 mcg iodine – the RDA is set to 150 mcg, the reason being not to cause a hypo or hyper-reaction of the thyroid – 150 mcg is set only to avoid goiter – this amount 150 mcg is captured by the thyroid gland (it looks like the chief carburetor). The other tissues are deprived, most of the time. Yet we need iodine elsewhere, in other parts of the body. Iodine plays an important role in all endocrine functions of the body such as thermoregulation (the best known to the general public), the neuromuscular system, the cardio-circulatory system, respiratory, renal and digestive functions and many other functions...
It is very likely that the ideal tissue stock is close to 1500 mg (1 500 000 mcg or 1.5 g of iodine) and that the daily absorption does not exceed a few tenths of one mg per day. It therefore takes months to replenish a low stock. Probably six months according to Dr. David Brownstein. (3)
The thyroid and skin almost only use iodides of the KI type, or potassium iodide, the form of supplementation found for example in iodized table salt, whose at least 50% is already evaporated. But the breast, prostate, ovary and brain need molecular iodine type I2. The kidney, spleen, liver, blood, salivary glands, intestines and muscles all require a joint supply in both forms (4). The fight against cancer, probably also (5). And all these organs are abandoned to their sad un-iodized fate...

The Toxicity of Iodine according to Merck (6)
We are induced to believe that iodine could cause chronic intoxication from daily intakes greater than 1.1 mg/day, or 1,100 mcg/day. This figure would actually correspond to the “tolerable upper intake level”, which the Pharma Lab set therefore at 1,100 mcg for adults.
You can perfectly well wonder from which right a pharmaceutical laboratory could have to interfere in such a micro-nutritional debate... But you should know that, by impregnable tradition since the end of the First World War, Big Pharma interferes in everything. Details below, in sources and references. (6)

We would need 7 mg a day
As I was searching for a study on PubMed, I saw an article written by Gabriel Cousens whom I have appreciated for a long time, even if there are nuances to be made in terms of spirituality (link between the chakras and the body meridians): “The Universal & Holistic Super Mineral by Gabriel Cousens”. He’d take 7 mg iodine a day.
I’m not telling you to do so, abruptly, without staples, and without being informed on counter-indications.
According to G. Cousens, historically, as early as 1911, people normally took between 300,000 – 900,000 micrograms daily without incident. This is over 2,000 times more than Dr. Mercola’s recommendation! How is it that now only 1/5,000th of this dose is now considered safe?!
In 1948 there was a poorly performed and, since then, never replicated study alleging what is known as the Wolff-Chaikoff effect. The Wolff- Chaikoff effect suggested that theoretically hypothyroidism could occur as a result of excess iodine. This study indicated a decreased dosage to 2 milligrams daily would be safer. (7) (This is still an amount 5 times higher than what Dr. Mercola is recommending.)

Some important iodine functions
From a larger physiological perspective, it is important to realize that the thyroid is only one gland of many glands and tissues that needs iodine. Other glands/organs/systems with high iodine uptake are the breasts, ovaries, cervix, blood, lymph, bones, gastric mucosal, salivary, adrenal, prostate, colon, thymus, lungs, bladder, kidney, and skin. In perspective, the thyroid holds 50 milligrams of iodine, the breasts hold 200 milligrams, the skin holds 400 milligrams of iodine, and the whole body holds at least 1500 milligrams, usually 2000 milligrams (2 000 mcg), and possibly much more. Iodine is found and used in every hormonal receptor in the body.
There are so many important functions of iodine that it is hard to put them into proper order of importance. The implications of iodine sufficiency go far beyond the levels necessary to avoid cretinism, brain damage, and goiter; and based on the previous cited studies, it is possible that the FDA’s recommended dosage may not even give the minimal protection.

1. Iodine helps synthesize thyroid hormones and prevents both hypo- and hyperthyroidism
   There is little awareness that when you feel sluggish, have cold hands & feet, in a wrong mood – and much more – this is to attribute to the lack / the erratic production of thyroid hormones, particularly T3 and T4. Thyroid hormones control metabolism, temperature, heart rate, glucose consumption, and even blood lipids (1-3). Iodine also helps to regulate cortisol. It improves immune function. (4-6)
2. Iodine sufficiency reverses hypo- and hyperthyroidism
   Obesity or emaciation (hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, respectively) both may be caused by thyroid issues, which iodine may treat, prevent and even reverse. The early 1900s study conducted by Dr. Marine proved reversal of goiter, a condition associated with both hypo- and hyperthyroidism.
   Parenthesis: I guess here that some readers will lament for the nonsense / the inanity or protest against the possible danger. It would be like throwing fuel on the fire (exacerbated immune reaction heightened in case of goiter or in the presence of Hashimoto). Wait a little and Keep reading till the end. I’m not giving my advice, on this post. I show case reports from medical practitioners.
   Fibromyalgia is another problem stemming from iodine deficiency, as is chronic fatigue.
   From a systemic holistic perspective, adequate iodine is crucial for our health. It is the universal health mineral. Its role goes far beyond the use to prevent cretinism and goiter.
   When we take into account the polluted environment (perchlorate, fluorate and chlorinate), US bakeries replacing iodine by bromine (which is one of the top twelve most harmful toxins and carcinogens on the planet) – these toxic halogen pollutants have increased over time – and the fact iodine deficiency has become more seriously pronounced in today’s population, we have to consider that iodine is very often used up first to detoxify the system. So there is not enough iodine initially, especially with low doses, to support the thyroid hormone function, unless adequate iodine is added into the system.
   There is the possibility of excess iodine, which may be a transient (26-40 hours) hypothyroidism as described by Dr. Brownstein in his book Iodine: Why You Need It. Why You Can't Live Without It. (7) Whenever we try to speed up the use / burning of iodine – so not leaving the TSH and the brain adjust the carburetor – there may happen a counter-reaction, due to a lack of progressiveness and the fact our NIS symporters (a kind of pump Na/I) are somewhat asleep / feel as if they were in a rut. NIS is a carrier system into all the cells, and when this system becomes deficient or lazy, due to lack of stimulation, the whole body can’t absorb the sudden amount. Deficiency of iodine may also contribute to low stomach acid and decreased ability to absorb B12 and calcium.
   If one is only diagnosing hypothyroidism based on TSH scores (as most allopaths do), one may become confused. We’d better take into account our feeling (…).

If you encounter some bad reaction, though you were very progressive, keep in mind two things:

• We are exceptionally allergic – not to say never – not to iodine but possibly to the protein-bound iodine found in seafood or in the medicine (provolone iodine), or to the fillers of the tablets, capsules and even alcohol found in the liquid form. Actually, iodine can help eliminate food allergies, according to Dr. Derry (p. 15 from Breast Cancer and Iodine, by David M. Derry, MD, PhD).
• Your body tries to get rid of excess halogens and killed LPS (healing crisis). Your liver is then overloaded. Need for assistance is required (…)

3. Iodine supports apoptosis (…)
4. Iodine enhances ATP production (…)
5. Iodine prevents fibrocystic breast disease (…)
6. Iodine decreases insulin needs in diabetics (…)
7. Iodine helps support protein synthesis (…)
8. Iodine deficiency is a global health threat (…)
   Percentage hypothyroidism in USA by geographic region from 2012 to 2019.
   NE: 9.4 => 12.5
   S: 9.3 => 12.6
   MW: 8.2 => 10.7
   W: 11.1 => 11.9
9. Iodine destroys pathogens, molds, fungi, parasites, and malaria (…)
10. Iodine supports immune function (…)
11. Iodine eliminates toxic halogens (including radioactive I-131)
    Due to its chelating powers it is strongly advised / suggested one start taking iodine at a slower rate because of this detox effect. It is important to start with a low dose and build up, while checking / monitoring the urine for discharged toxins. These healing detox symptoms should not be confused with iodine toxicity.
    A pause is advisable to reload energy. Cofactors are needed to assist Herxheimer’s crisis (healing crisis) when discharging much toxin. The liver is then overloaded. (…)
12. Iodine regulates estrogen production in the ovaries (…)
13. Iodine is anti-mucolytic (meaning it reduces mucus catarrh) (…)
14. Iodine neutralizes hydroxyl ions and hydrates the cells (…)
15. Iodine makes us smarter (…)
16. Iodine prevents heart disease (…)
17. Iodine is needed with the use of cordless phones, cell phones and now smart meters to prevent hypothyroidism (…)
18. Iodine supports pregnancy (…)
19. High doses of iodine may be used to reverse certain diseases (…)
20. High doses of iodine may be used for wounds, bedsores, inflammatory and traumatic pain, and restoration of hair growth when applied topically (…)
21. Iodine helps in the diminishing of tissue scarring, cheloid formations, and Dupuytren’s and Peyronie’s contractures, which are hyper-scarring conditions (…)
22. Iodine supports spiritual development – Gabriel Cousens speaking (…)

What then is a reasonable and safe dose in a holistic context?
It is safe to suggest that at least the guidelines given by Drs. Abraham and Brownstein for the use of 12-50 milligrams of iodine daily, for overall iodine sufficiency and wellbeing. (…)
My prudent suggestion is that as we follow these ideas, it is important to move forward carefully, progressively (with staples). The NIS symporters – a kind of pump to exchange Na/I – are somewhat asleep / feel as if they were in a rut… So progressivity, moderation (with staples) and capacity to listen to one’s sensation / to decode if we feel overburdened by liver (saturation of the emunctories; often called “healing crisis”).

[NNight]

@LucH
Been there, done that. Iodine supplementation can feel good at first but it doesn't last long, at least for me.

I doubt that high doses are needed (except for some pharmacological uses, e.g. breast cancer) while our historical consumption as europeans/americans was quite low. I'm not sure the reasoning about our consumption of other halogens competing with iodine is really compelling either, especially for us health nuts.

Low dose supplements seem more appropriate.

[Corngold]

Isn't Iodine all throughout the food supply? Most salts are iodized now. Not sure about the salt used in processed foods. One can read online:

An eight-ounce serving of nonfat cow’s milk contains 85 mcg of iodine, more than half of what you need daily.

In other words, daily amount is 140 mcg. Two glasses of non-fat milk should in theory supply this.

Is there something I'm missing? Is iodine content actually lower in milk and dairy products? Isn't the issue iodine-excess?

[Insr]

@Corngold For the record, this is because the cows' diet is supplemented with more iodine than they would usually get in nature. Milk has around 14 mcg per cup when the cows aren't supplemented.

More info in the article I wrote about it: https://endocrinefriendly.com/excess-iodine-milk/

[Corngold]

@Insr

Right and anyone eating Peaty is essentially required to eat calcium and dairy. Why would anyone supplement iodine when we're already eating too much of it?

[LucH]

@Corngold said in Iodine as a game changer:

Is there something I'm missing?

*) Iodine in salt
Table salt is NaCl (sodium chlorine), 60 % of which is chloride. As chlorine is a halogen, it’s not a part of the solution: You add a layer to the problem.

*) iodine in milk is coming mostly through a disinfectant applied to the cow's udder after milking. It is probably betadine (povidone iodine). The solution contains 10% povidone, yielding 0.5-1 % available iodine (I2)
Although Betadine contains iodine, it does not provide iodine supplementation necessary for thyroid function (IK). The povidone-iodine solution is a mixture containing povidone, hydrogen iodide and elemental iodine.

*) Remind: We need I2 and IK
See the video below for a more comprehensive model: Iodine vs Iodide vs Molecular (+ the instability of this ion)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D87dxtsjHPI Iodine (Video 6’)
When we say Molecular Iodine we are referring to I2. => About the molecular structure of an atom and electron prevalence (valence layer = last peripheral layer of electrons).
NB: This short video is fine to perceive how I- links to I2 to form I3- and why halogens are not very stable.

*) Which kind iodine is used and where?
The thyroid and skin use almost only KI type iodides, or potassium iodide, the form of supplementation found for example in iodized table salt. But the breast, prostate, ovary and brain need molecular iodine type I2. The kidney, spleen, liver, blood, salivary glands, intestines and muscles necessarily all have a joint contribution in both forms (56). The fight against cancer, probably also (57). And all these organs are abandoned to their sad deiodized fate...
Woman breast needs more than what is allowed through food, even when eating fish twice a week and drinking half a liter milk. And by the way – for men aged > 65, prostate requires I2 too. Breast and prostate need I2. But the average iodine intake will not be high enough to reach another organ than the thyroid…
References
56. The kidney, spleen, liver, blood, salivary glands, intestines and muscles all require a joint supply in both forms: I2 and IK.
R. Vergini, Hypothyroïdie, https://www.fao.org/3/y2809e/y2809e0i.htm
57. The fight against cancer, probably also, requires both forms: I2 and IK.
H. Rösner, W. Möller, S. Groebener et al. Antiproliferative / cytotoxic effects of molecular iodine, providone-iodine and Lugol’s solution in different human carcinoma cell lines, Oncology Letters, 2016.

*) Amount of iodine in food
Let’s be now interested in presenting the most concentrated products, in descending order, and per 100 g of fresh products (87).
Food / Iodine (mcg/100g) / Extent range (mcg/100g)
Mollusks, crustaceans 183 28-313
Sea fish 111 17-330
Egg *1 48 9-52
Cheese 26 19-50
Fresh diaries 18 8-21
Milk *2 15 2.8-25.8
Cold cuts & deli 13.8 1-32
Cereals 7 5-10
Bread 7 2.4-19
Meat 5 2-9
River fish 4 1,7-9
Legumes 4 1-13
Fats 2.9 2.7-4.4
Dried fruit 2.7 1-4
Poultry 2.5 2-5
Potato 2 0.2-3
Mineral waters 1.5 0.5-6.5
Green vegetables 1.4 0.5-15
Fruit 1.3 0.1-4
Source 87: E. Kalonji, M. Touvier, Evaluation de l’impact nutritionnel de l’introduction de composés iodés dans les produits agroalimentaires, AFSS, 2005.
*1 I eat free range chicken eggs twice a week. Most laying hens are today fed with food supplements enriched with iodine, hence the final concentration found in the eggs. Which is not the case, obviously, for eggs from organic chickens who manage their diet alone on soil poor in iodine, and for whom no dietary supplement will possibly be offered... Their eggs will then be as deficient in iodine as their diet.
*2 The amount of iodine in milk can vary by a factor of 1 to 10 depending on the quantity of food supplements offered to the cows by their breeders... Add to this an unexpected source of iodine: antiseptics (iodized) used to prevent mammary infections in cows, to maintain and clean the udders when milking the animals. Result: these types of “Betadine” also leak into the milk but it not a problem since it’s to lower the dose of antibiotics.
Indeed in large farmers the livestock is fed partly on flour, grass and hay, depending on the seasons and production needs.
Margaret Rayman (94) measured the iodine content of 47 plant-based drinks available in the United Kingdom (soy, almond, most milk substitutes were naturally low in iodine, their concentration representing 2% of that of cow's milk. Only 3 of the 47 drinks were fortified with iodine (95).
According to the results of the latest Inca Study (individual study of food consumption) (96), “Products based on meat, fish, eggs (MFE) contribute to 22% of iodine intake in adults (including 9.2% for fish), followed by dairy products (excluding hot drinks) at 20%. Other important carriers of iodine are fruits and vegetables and fruit and vegetable products (12%, including 6.9% for soups and broths), cereal products (12%, including 6.4% for breads and dry bread products), hot drinks (7.7%) and condiments, herbs, spices and sauces (6.8%). In this study, algae are considered vegetables, in accordance with European nomenclature”. (97)
References
94. S.C. Bath, S. Hill, H. Goenaga Infante, et al., “Iodine concentration of milk-alternative drinks available in the UK in comparison with cows’ milk”, British Journal of Nutrition, 2017.
95. S. Bath, M. Raylan, “Most milk substitutes are low in iodine – here’s why it matters”, Theconversation.com, 26 septembre 2017.
96. Inca, Anses, 2017
97. Avis d’Anses, relative au risque d’excès d’apport en iode lié à la consommation d’algues dans les denrées alimentaires, saisine n° 2017-SA-0086, 25 juin 2018.

*) The assimilation of iodine is supposed to be very low and progressive.
It is very likely that the ideal tissue stock is close to 1500 mg (1 500 000 mcg or 1.5 g of iodine) and that the daily absorption does not exceed a few tenths of one mg per day. It therefore takes months to replenish a low stock. Probably six months according to Dr. David Brownstein. (1)

1. David Brownstein, Iodine: Why you need it, why you can’t live without it. Medical Alternative Press. 2014

*) Ray PEAT on iodine
RP has not written directly on iodine. We didn’t talk about iodine elsewhere than in the thyroid in the years before 2000.
Peat has been interviewed – by Rita Lee, I think, for the blog “To Your Health” – July 2008. But again, he was then pulling the worms out of his nose.
https://www.functionalps.com/blog/2011/10/12/the-myth-of-iodine-deficiency-an-interview-with-dr-ray-peat/

• For Rita Lee, a lack of iodine is a myth: She titled her post: “The Myth of Iodine Deficiency”
  For R. Lee, what is higher than RDA is excess iodine and consuming excess iodine in supplemental form (more than 150 micrograms daily) can inhibit thyroid function. Same problem with goitrogens like cruciferous vegetables or estrogen-like inducers (unsaturated oils, soy products, lack of glycine in cysteine-rich meat, etc.).
  Decoder lucH: All what is in excess is counterproductive. She makes an over-simplification + amalgam. Not pertinent when we only refer to RDA for Iodine as being the right target.
• For Ray Peat (paraphrasing what Ray was saying, albeit not in those exact words of course). Note RP didn’t extensively write on iodine but only on thyroid extracts and implications when thyroid didn’t do the right job.
• A dosage of 150 mcg iodine is safe.
• It’s easy to recognize a chronic iodine deficiency, since the thyroid gland will enlarge.
• "People taking iodine feel good/euphoric but it's cause iodine attacks the gland and causes a rush of thyroid hormones»
• “People who don't live in the Andes usually get enough iodine"
• "Iodine improves mitochondrial health along with vitamin E and co-Q10"

*) One statement from bigdoobydoo on reddit.com:
I believe Peat's negative attitude on iodine supplementation would have come from him, experimenting with it and noticing acne / viral symptoms etc. all of which would have probably been from bromine or fluoride being displaced rather than the iodine itself.

*) Momentary conclusion from LucH
I haven’t read anything pertinent from RP on appropriate dosage of iodine, elsewhere than in thyroid to avoid goiter. So, I don’t expect RP to be a specialist on this subject.