Optimal Levels of Iodine/Iodide for Breast, Ovary and Thyroid Health

Fear Of Iodine Is Unwarranted

After 60 years in the Dark Ages, following the second wave of medical fear of iodine, inaugurated by Wolff-Chaikoff M.D., iodine is now emerging as an important nutrient for protection against breast cancer and the degenerative diseases of the Western World. For the first time, a simple loading test became available to assess whole body sufficiency for iodine. For the first time, a simple test became available to assess the efficiency of cellular iodide uptake system using the saliva/serum stable iodide ration. For the first time, the detoxifying effect of iodine at 50 mg/day on the toxic halides fluoride and bromide was reported. For the first time, evidence for an intestinal & liver circulation of inorganic iodine was presented.

No Need To Worry About Iodine Toxicity & Detoxification Power of Iodine

For the first time, a mechanism used by the human body to prevent iodine overload was reported. In cases of whole-body deficiency, the ingested iodine/iodide is retained by the body in proportion to the degree of deficiency. At sufficiency, the amount of iodine absorbed is quantitatively excreted in the urine as iodide, therefore protecting the body against iodine overload. In the adult, 1,500 mg of iodine was retained at sufficiency, an amount 50 times higher than the amount of total body iodine reported in medical textbooks. Iodine detoxifies the heavy metals lead and mercury.

Co-Factor Nutrients Required To Absorb Iodine Into Cells

For the first time, evidence that the administration of vitamin C improves a defective cellular transport system for iodine was reported. So far, every case of iodine transport inefficiency Dr. Abraham had studied, has responded to a complete nutritional program, including several grams of vitamin C. Iodine alone in daily amounts of 50 mg or more is also effective in cases of iodide absorption inefficiency.  

The iodine/iodide loading test to assess whole body sufficiency for iodine becomes more accurate by implementing a complete nutritional program for one month prior to loading test. This would mean taking a multi-vitamin, multi-mineral, and vitamin C supplement in addition to a great diet. By correcting this inefficiency of iodine transport system through nutritional intervention prior to performing the loading test, this test becomes more accurate. The loading test is not reliable on people taking antithyroid drugs which inhibit oxidation and organification of symported iodide in target cells. This results in a high urinary excretion of iodide, giving a false impression for whole body sufficiency.

The vitamin C that I recommend to ensure you are absorbing your iodine/iodide optimally is BUFFERED C POWDER FRUIT PUNCH FLAVORED. This is a delicious tasting drink. Pour 1 packet into 32 of water and drink 8 oz. 2x per day.

The multi-vitamin I recommend to support optimal absorption of iodine/iodide is called ActivEssentials.

Breast Disease Caused By Deficiency Of Iodine

In 1966, two Russian scientists published their results regarding the effect of oral administration of potassium iodide in daily amounts equivalent to 10-20 mg Iodine, on 200 patients with abnormal hormonally driven increase in the number of cells of the breast tissue with consequent enlargement. They postulated that this form of breast disease was due to excess estrogens from ovarian follicular cysts which were caused by insufficient consumption of Iodine. The duration of Iodine supplementation of their patients varied from six months to three years. Within three months, there was significant reduction of swelling, pain, diffuse hardening, and nodularity of the breast. Out of 167 patients who completed the program, a positive therapeutic effect was observed in 72% of them. In five patients with ovarian follicular cysts, there was a regression of the cystic ovaries following five months to one year of Iodine supplementation. No side effects of Iodine supplementation were reported. 

Can A Ketogenic Diet Cause Deplete Iodine Levels?

The studies done in Russia and Canada showing a beneficial effect of Iodine intake at several milligrams a day on Fibrocystic Breasts both subjectively mastodynia (painful breasts) and objectively (breast cysts, nodularity, and hardening of the breasts). In the present was a significant improvement in the mean score of mastodynia in seven subjects experiencing this symptom following three month of iodine supplementation. Of interest is the observation that three months after ending of Iodine intake, the beneficial effect on mastodynia was still present in those women. Based on an extensive review of breast cancer epidemiological studies, showed 92-96% of breast cancer cases are sporadic; there is a single cause for the majority of cases; the causative agent is deficiency of a micro-nutrient that is depleted by a high fat diet; and if such an agent is detected, intervention studies with supplementation should lead to a decline in the incidence of breast cancer. Several authors have proposed that this protective micro-nutrient in the element iodine.

I have learned that the best results with iodine supplementation come when you combine iodine with iodide. The reason being is that the body makes potassium iodide from iodine in the digestive tract and stores iodide in the thyroid, salivary glands and skin and it stores iodine in the breasts, reproductive organs, and other tissues. Potassium Iodide seems to be what the body prefers to store in reserve to convert into iodine as needed. I've taken many different brands of Iodine, such as Illumodine, Perfect Iodine, Nascent Iodine, Ionic Iodine and others. I've experienced the most effective results come from taking both Iodine and Potassium Iodine in tablet form. This avoids the nasty taste of liquid iodine and ensures that I take the exact same dosage each time. The product that I've gotten the best results with is called LugoTab. I now take 25 to 50 mg per day of LugoTab, with fantastic results!

In conclusion, to achieve whole body sufficiency of iodine any adult should be taking milligram amounts of iodine/iodide not microgram amounts! The following is a general starting dosage recommendation. Anyone of 100 lbs. to 135 lbs. should be taking 12.5 mg per day of iodine/iodide; anyone 136 lbs. to 150 lbs. should consider taking 25 mg per day; anyone 151 to 175 lbs. should consider taking 50 mg per day. I recommend that after taking 1 tablet of the dosage you've chosen, that if you do not feel a significant improvement in mood, focus, energy, strength, and productivity, that you increase by 1/2 tablet the next day, and continue to do this until you feel the benefits described.

As the above article states, the body needs approximately 1500 milligram of iodine stored in the tissues to achieve whole body sufficiency. This will vary according to body size, with more for someone larger and less for someone smaller. Since daily metabolism and high fat intake depletes iodine out of the body, it can take months to years to achieve whole body sufficiency with only conservative daily dosages of iodine/iodide supplementation. The rate at which you achieve whole body sufficiency, is determined by how much iodine/iodide you take daily. For some people they are thriving at taking 100 mg per day. For others it is 25 mg per day or 50 mg per day.

If you are taking 50 mg per day and still feel nothing, then you are dealing with some other factor that needs to be addressed. One of those factors is a damaged thyroid gland. Your gland may have become enlarged with abnormal cells or shrunk due to chronic iodine deficiency. In either instance, rebuilding the thyroid gland is the recipe for fixing this. To do this requires that you take the Bioregulatory Peptide called Thyreogen. Taking 2-4 capsules per day will give you the peptide required to signal the DNA of your thyroid cells, to produce the proteins needed to repair, regenerate, restore and make younger that gland.

I personally have taken Thyreogen for the last 8 months, and I know that it was this product in combination with 25 milligrams per day of Iodine/Iodide, that has restored my Hyperthyroid condition to normal. I struggled with this hyperthyroid condition for 7 years. At last, I have found relief and am grateful.