Iodine Deficiency epidemic

[myrose]

Still researching and preparing I guess.....4 days and counting

 

I did not past the whole thing, the site was very interesting to me

I posted the link at the bottom of the page....what do you all think???

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most feared and misunderstood elements essential for human health is iodine. Currently, iodine deficiency is epidemic. About 1.5 billion people or a third of earth's population lives in areas of iodine deficiency as defined by the World Health Organization.

 

 

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Iodine has been known for a hundred years as essential for thyroid production, but it is rare to see any information about iodine's other effects. Iodine is found in each of the trillions of cells in the body and without it life would not be possible. Even though the highest concentration of iodine is in the thyroid gland, other areas of the body with high iodine concentration include the salivary glands, cerebrospinal fluid and the brain, breasts, ovaries, and the ciliary body in eyes.

 

In addition to thyroid production, proper iodine levels are necessary for immune system function. Iodine contains potent antibacterial, antiparasitic, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Iodine also treats fibrocystic breasts and ovarian cysts. Iodine is essential for the proper growth and development of children. Iodine deficiency can result in mental deficiency, deafness, spontaneous abortion, and delayed physical as well as intellectual development.

 

History

Iodine was first used medically by Jean Francois Coindet (1774-1834) for the treatment of goiter (i.e., swelling of the thyroid). This was the first time a single element (iodine) was used to treat a specific illness (goiter), and is cited by some as the birth of western medicine. Jean-Baptist Boussingault (1802-1887) verified the work of Coindet and showed that goiter did not occur at many silver mining sites where there was iodine in the water.

 

In 1829, Jean Lugol, a French physician, found an effective way to overcome the fact that iodine is not very soluble in water. He did this by using potassium iodide and came up with "Lugol's Iodine Solution."

 

 

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Unfortunately, from the 1960s to the 80s, bromine—a toxic substance that has no therapeutic use in our bodies—replaced iodine in the commercial baking industry.

 

 

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For many years refined iodized salt has been used to treat goiter. However, this iodized salt still leaves us with many diseases and symptoms of low iodine. Unfortunately, from the 1960s to the 80s, bromine—a toxic substance that has no therapeutic use in our bodies—replaced iodine in the commercial baking industry. Some NIH (National Institutes of Health) publications and researchers questioned the safety of iodine and suspected it could cause malfunctions in the thyroid gland.

 

Why Iodine Levels Are So Low

Iodine is quite rare in the earth's crust and ranks 62nd in abundance among the elements on earth. Seaweed is the primary natural source of iodine because seaweed concentrates iodine. Iodine is relatively abundant along the seashore, but inland areas—such as the US Midwest (known as the "Goiter Belt")—have very little iodine in the soil so all the food grown there is also low in iodine.

 

With the introduction of iodized salt, it was assumed that iodine deficiency would go away. The NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) tests (1971-2000) showed that iodine levels in the US for all demographic categories dropped 50%. The percentage of pregnant women with low iodine levels increased 690% over this same time period.

 

 

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Iodine is quite rare in the earth's crust and ranks 62nd in abundance among the elements on earth. . . . inland areas—such as the US Midwest (known as the "Goiter Belt")—have very little iodine in the soil so all the food grown there is also low in iodine.

 

 

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The bioavailability of iodine from iodized salt is very low. Instead of the expected 17.2 g/l serum level, the serum level for the salt group was only 1.7 g/l by a 1969 test.

 

Reasons for the widespread human deficiency in iodine include low salt diets as well as the low bioavailability of iodine from iodized salt. Other causes of iodine deficiency include diets that: (1) lack ocean fish or sea vegetables, (2) are too high in bakery products which contain bromine, and (3) are only vegan and vegetarian.

 

Proper Measurement of Iodine Level—The Iodine Loading Test

Even though the generally accepted measurement for iodine levels is by measuring the amount in the urine, this method is not reliable. A much more accurate method is the iodine loading test. It is based on the assumption that the more iodine deficient an individual is the more iodine their body will retain. Iodine binds to receptors in the body. If the person has enough iodine, a large percentage of ingested iodine will be excreted. However, in an iodine deficient person, much more of the iodine will be retained.

 

The procedure is to take 50mg of an iodine/iodide combination. After twenty-four hours the urine is tested. In an iodine sufficient state, 90% of the iodine/iodide would be excreted (i.e. 45mg). Any levels below 90% excretion indicate an iodine deficient state.

 

Different Forms of Iodine

Iodide is an iodine atom with an additional electron that allows it to form a salt with potassium or sodium to form a full complement of electrons. It was originally thought the intestine could convert iodine to iodide, but research has shown this not to be true. Different tissues in the body respond to different forms of iodine. The thyroid gland mainly uses iodide, so to fight goiter, potassium iodide was added to table salt.

 

 

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With different tissues responding to different forms of iodine, it should make sense to use both iodine and iodide for the greatest therapeutic benefit. One of the best iodine/iodide combinations is "Lugol's Solution," which is . . . currently available in tablet form as Iodoral®.

 

 

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With different tissues responding to different forms of iodine, it should

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.nutrition4health.org/nohanews/NNS07Brownstein.htm