Iodine Is Not Just For Your Thyroid And There's Mass Confusion On This Topic.
Karen Fitzpatrick-Dame, ChhC, AADP
Iodine is used all over your body, in all of your organs especially your breasts and prostate. Trillions of cells have a receptor site for iodine and need it — and, sadly, many people are starving themselves of iodine because they think it is radioactive or they think they are allergic to it because of an allergy to shellfish which is not an iodine allergy, it's an allergy to a protein in shellfish.
Natural iodine is not radioactive! It is as natural (and needed) as other minerals like magnesium, lithium, potassium, selenium, etc.
Natural iodine is not the same as radioactive iodine, which is used in Graves’ disease and also found near nuclear facilities. Your body cannot thrive without natural iodine.
Here are examples of how important natural iodine is:
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Iodine has well-documented research when it comes to healthy breast tissue, and women will often claim iodine alleviated fibrocystic breast pain or breast lumps.
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Iodine helps shrink uterine fibroids. In fact, one of the first conventional treatments for severe fibroids was to paint a woman’s uterus with iodine.
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There’s a strong correlation between reduced iodine and lower mental IQ.
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Iodine deficiency is a risk factor for thyroid cancer. This has been shown in several different papers and trials, most recently discussed in Thyroid Research. The right amount of iodine is crucial; too little or too much will harm your thyroid, which sucks up iodine like a sponge. Low levels of iodine are known to cause or contribute to hypothyroidism, goiters and autoimmune thyroid disorders like Hashimoto’s.
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Iodine supports testicular and prostate health, so it’s important for men to get their levels tested and supplement if needed.
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There is a lot of research done on breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer and natural iodine. In 1976, Lancet concluded, “Increasing dietary iodine intake may reduce the risk of these cancers.”
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A developing fetus is particularly susceptible to brain damage if the pregnant mother is severely iodine deficient, so much so that there are initiatives all over the world to fortify pregnant and lactating mothers with iodine to ensure healthy brain development.
Initiatives to fortify foods with iodine have been ongoing in New Zealand, Denmark, the United Kingdom and other countries where iodine is actually revered instead of feared.
Fortified “iodized” salt contains only iodide. The body needs iodine and iodide, and supplemental forms may be more useful. The American RDA for iodine is 150 mcg (micrograms). That is not enough to support good health. You can test your own levels with a 24 hour urine iodine loading test.
Common drugs that adversely affect iodine include fluoroquinolone antibiotics, cholesterol medicine and some antidepressants. Swimming pools deplete levels too.
Lugol's Iodine is the ONLY form of Iodine that has been studied and, therefore, the ONLY form recommended.
Lugol's Iodine is available in tablets and liquid and are a foundational part of The Iodine Protocol.
Start with testing, then treatment, then re-test again annually. Learn more.
Step #1: Comprehensive Thyroid Panel Test available without a prescription.
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