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Subject: Higher levels of iodine needed 12.5 MG recommended

By Dr. James Howenstine, MD.
November 5, 2005
NewsWithViews.com
Lack of iodine is widespread in the United States today. For many years
iodine was added to bread in generous quantities which prevented iodine
deficiency. Each slice of bread contained 150 mcg. of iodine filling the
whole days RDA of iodine In 1960 the average diet consumed about 1 mg. of
iodine daily with bakery products accounting for about 75 % of the total.
This quantity of iodine was enough to decrease the thyroid glands ability to
absorb radioactive iodine and it was also sufficient to prevent excess
release of thyroid hormone thus preventing many cases of hyperthyroidism
(Grave¹s Disease).

Forty years ago the food industry decided to remove iodine from baked goods
and replace the iodine with bromine. Iodine and bromine appear similar to
the thyroid gland and bromine easily binds to the thyroid gland¹s receptors
for iodine. Bromine, however, is of no value to the thyroid gland unlike
iodine and it inhibits the activity of iodine in the thyroid gland. Bromine
also can cause impaired thinking and memory, drowsiness, dizziness and
irritability. This substitution of bromine for iodine has resulted in nearly
universal deficiency of iodine in the American populace. Iodine therapy
helps the body eliminate fluoride, bromine, lead, cadmium, arsenic, aluminum
and mercury. Could this substitution of bromine for iodine have been carried
out to increase diseases and thus create more need for pharmaceutical drugs?

Among the problems caused by iodine deficiency are:
Underactivity of the thyroid gland produces fatigue. In rodents iodine
deficiency leads to abnormal pituitary-adrenal function. The adrenal gland
provides energy and stamina.
When iodine no longer binds to thyroid cell membranes enzymes called
peroxidases are able to damage these membranes and produce autoimmune
diseases such as Hashimoto¹s thyroiditis and Hyperthroidism (Graves
Disease). Researcher Dr. Guy Abraham has observed several cases of
thyroiditis and hyperthyroidism that have been corrected by the simple
replacement of iodine. For more than 100 years high doses of iodine have
been known to benefit both underactivity (hypothyroidism) of the thyroid
gland and overactivity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Iodine
therapy allows the sluggish thyroid gland to resume normal production of
thyroid hormone leading to resolution of hypothyroidism. Provision of iodine
stops the peroxidase injury to the thyroid membranes in hyperthyroidism
which permits hyperthyroidism to resolve. Thus thyroid surgery for
hyperthyroidism is no longer necessary.
Several human organs need iodine but can not absorb it until blood iodine
levels reach high values (stomach, salivary glands). Most persons exhibit
impaired production of stomach acid as they age. This impaired capability to
produce adequate stomach acid may be a result of iodine deficiency as iodine
promotes stomach acidity.
Resolution of cysts Iodine therapy resolves nearly every case of breast
cysts. This treatment also can heal ovarian cysts and works well on skin
cysts when rubbed over the cyst.
Iodine is found in large quantities in the brain and the ciliary body of the
eye. Lack of iodine may be involved in production of Parkinson¹s disease and
glaucoma.
Lipoprotein (a) This dangerous substance is quite important as it produces
plaques in arteries because it is very sticky and collects platelets,
calcium and fibrin from the blood circulating inside our arteries. Excessive
clotting and vascular disease resulting from high levels of lipoprotein (a)
can be reversed by iodine treatment.
Other Health Problems Iodine has proven value in treating headaches,
keloids, and parotid duct stones.
How Can Iodine Deficiency Be Detected?

An accurate test for diagnosing iodine deficiency exists. Dr. Jay Abrahams
has developed a loading test to settle this issue. The patient takes 4
iodine tablets (12.5 mg each). If there is sufficient iodine in the
individual the excess iodine is excreted in the urine in the next 24 hours.
If iodine is lacking the body retains most of the iodine with little iodine
appearing in the urine. Use of this test has shown that nearly every patient
with any condition known to be associated with iodine deficiency tested
positive for iodine lack. Therefore, it often is sensible to assume iodine
lack and proceed to treat with iodine.

However, when a patient takes iodine for several months and has shown no
improvement this test can be used to exclude a problem with absorption of
iodine. Iodine lack is known to be a factor in the development of breast and
prostate cancer. Sixty patients with a variety of cancers were studied. All
sixty patients were found to have serious iodine deficiency.

To correct iodine deficiency by taking iodized salt is not feasible. You
would need 20 teaspoons of iodized salt daily to get adequate quantities of
iodine. Dr. Abrahams has developed an iodine preparation named Iodoral to
treat iodine deficiency. This is composed of dried Lugol¹s solution
containing 12.5 mg of iodine per tablet. A person with adequate iodine
stores who takes 4 of these tablets (50 mg.) will excrete 90 % of the iodine
in their urine.

Dr. Abrahams thinks that the correct quantity of iodine needed to maintain
sufficient amounts of iodine in the body is 13 mg. daily. This is 100 times
more than the government recognized RDA for iodine. This quantity of daily
iodine would be distributed as follows ­six mg. to thyroid gland, five mg.
for the breasts in females and two mg. for the remainder of the body. Males
appear to usually, but not always, need slightly less than females.

Prominent thyroid researcher, Dr. Benjamin Eskin, has shown that the thyroid
gland and skin prefer to concentrate the iodide form of iodine while the
breasts concentrate iodine. His research suggested that the body needs both
the iodide and iodine form of iodine. This is easy to accomplish with
Lugol¹s solution developed by French physician Dr. Jean Lugol in the 1820s.
His solution mixed iodine (5 %) with potassium iodide (10 %) and 85 % water.
Dr. Lugol¹s solution killed germs and was used with success in treating
infections and many other conditions. This solution in the recommended 2
drop dosage contains 5 mg. of iodine and 7.5 mg. of iodine which is exactly
the quantity of iodine recommended for daily intake by Dr. Abraham. Lugol¹s
solution tastes metallic unless greatly diluted and stains clothing and
skin.

A third solution that works well in correcting iodine deficiency is Triodide
made by Scientific Botanicals of Seattle, Washington. This has the same
dosage of iodine and iodide combined with a sea vegetable called
bladderwrack. This can be obtained from natural food stores, Tahoma Clinic
Dispensary and compounding pharmacies. This contains 12.5 mg of iodine in
the same 2 drop dosage.

Dr. Abrahams recommends taking 50 mg of Iodoral (four 12.5 mg. tablets),
Lugol¹s solution (8 drops)or Triodide (8 drops) daily for 3 months as a
loading dose. Then this dose should be gradually reduced to the 12.5 mg.
maintenance dosage under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care
professional. Dr.Abraham feels that 14 to 15 mg. of iodine/iodide daily is
the upper maximum of safety. This is close to the recommended dose of 12.5
mg daily so caution is necessary in managing iodine repletion. Japanese
researchers have discovered patients with hypothyroidism who were taking 20
mg. of iodine or more daily.

Another valuable iodine preparation is saturated solution of potassium
iodide. This does not have the correct ratio of iodine iodide recommended by
Dr.Abrahams for correcting iodine deficiency but it does have a multitude of
valuable healing properties. It can help open up blocked arteries, disinfect
water, cure bladder infections, reduce or eliminate ovarian cysts, diminish
unsightly keloids, loosen thick bronchial secretions, reduce or eliminate
Peyronie¹s Disease and Dupuytron¹s contracture.

Endocrine Cancers and Iodine Stores
Iodine deficiency is a recognized risk factor in the development of cancer
of the breast, prostate, and probably the ovary and endometrium. Breast
cancer is twice as common (12.1 %) in women taking natural thyroid hormone
or synthetic thyroid hormone as in women not taking thyroid hormones (6.2
%). The risk for breast cancer in women taking thyroid hormones increases
with time. Women who had taken thyroid hormone for 15 years had a 19.5 %
incidence of breast cancer while women who had been on thyroid hormone
therapy for five years had only a 10 % incidence of breast cancer. This
increase in breast cancer with time suggests that correction of a iodine
deficiency might well eliminate the need for thyroid hormone and would also
lower the incidence of breast cancer.

Japanese women, who are eating lots of seaweed, have the highest iodine
intake (13.8 mg. daily) of women anywhere in the world. They also have the
lowest incidence of breast cancer in the world. Japan has one of the lowest
worldwide rates of every type of cancer with the exception of stomach
cancer. In addition Japan has one of the lowest incidences of iodine
deficiency, goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), and hypothyroidism. Iceland,
another high iodine intake country, has low rates of goiter and breast
cancer. Two countries with low iodine intakes (Thailand, Mexico) have high
rates of breast cancer and goiter.

Patient Studies.With Iodine Therapy
A patient of Dr. Rowen named Betty had severely painful breast cysts. She
took 5 mg. of iodine daily with complete disappearance of painful breast
cysts.

Veronica, another patient of Dr. Rowen, had advanced breast cancer with
severe hip pain from a bone metastasis. Iodine loading test showed severe
deficiency of iodine. After three months of Iodoral she still has not
restored her iodine levels but her excretion of bromine has increased 10
fold. Her cancer therapy with IPT and artemisin has been stable with only an
occasional IPT and she continues with 25 mg. of Iodoral three times daily.
Dr. Abrahams relates that he has seen two remissions of breast cancer in
persons taking 75 mg of Iodorol daily. Iodine deficiency plays a role in
allowing breast cancer and prostate cancer to develop.

Another physician has seen a case of prostate cancer go into remission after
taking Iodoral and supplements.

George Flechas MD relates that many of his diabetic patients need lowering
of insulin dosage and diabetic drugs after repletion of iodine deficiency.
Dr. Rowen has observed the same thing.

Food Sources Of Iodine
Iodine from fish must be limited because of mercury problems. However,
sardines have such a short life span they do not get contaminated with
mercury. My suggestion would be to buy tins of sardines packed in tomato
sauce so you can avoid the transfats used in oil packed sardines.

Brown and red seaweeds contain the most iodine (kombu, focus, etc.).of sea
vegetables. You may still need supplemental iodine to get an adequate
quantity for repletion of iodine deficiency, unless you are eating lots of
seaweeds.

Iodoral can be purchased from Optimox 310-618-9870 if you are willing to buy
a case. Otherwise you can probably find this in health food stores. Lugol¹s
solution is a satisfactory way to obtain iodine but you will need a
prescription. The dose is 2 drops daily. Be careful in measuring as 3 drops
daily can lead to toxic symptoms.

The evidence presented here proves that iodine is vital to human health.
Many persons will experience improved health when their iodine deficiency is
corrected.

Note: Our testing has demonstrated the Vickery Sea Plant MInerals and Glyconutrients to be consistantly superior to the products mentioned in this article. For more information call 803-644-0607.

blocked arteries, bladder infections, eliminate ovarian cysts, Peyronies Disease,, Dupuytrons' conctracture, Japanese, Icelanders lowest breast cancer and goter, Hashimoto's Disease, Dr. James Howenstine, M.D.

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