Iodine - The Misunderstood Nutrient
Did you know that iodine is historically considered the Universal Medicine because this nutrient acts as a natural “antibiotic”?
Unlike an antibiotic however, it will not destroy healthy bacteria and in fact supports and benefits your entire microbiome. Also of key importance is how essential it is to our brain! If you want to stay sharp and smart take your Nascent Iodine drops daily.
“Iodine is the most misunderstood nutrient. After 12 years of practicing medicine, I can say that it is impossible to achieve your optimal health if you do not have adequate iodine levels. I have yet to see any item that is more important for promoting health than iodine.”- Dr. David Brownstein
Iodine Deficiency – A Worldwide Epidemic
Normally iodine is found as 2 molecules of iodine paired (stuck) together and this is called “I2”. This form of iodine is difficult for the body to process and use correctly. As a result doctors in that past have used potassium iodide in combination with I2 to supplement iodine with some success.
In fact iodized salt is table salt in which potassium iodide is added in small amounts.
The problem with potassium iodide is that it can cause an inflammation in the thyroid known as thyroiditis.
Many doctors are reluctant to supplement with iodine due to this risk. It is however clear to all doctors that there is an epidemic of iodine deficiency throughout the world and infact iodine deficiency is the leading cause of mental retardation in the world.
America is no exception regarding iodine deficiency. Many Americans avoid salt or are using natural salts that do not contain extra iodine. The soils in which plants are grown are deficient in iodine leaving our foods depleted in this essential nutrient.
What is Iodine?
Not all Iodine is the same, throughout this article we will be referring to Nascent Iodine
Iodine is a trace element that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Thyroid hormones regulate many important biochemical reactions, including protein synthesis and enzymatic activity, and are critical determinants of metabolic activity. They are also required for proper skeletal and central nervous system development in fetuses and infants. Because the body does not make this mineral, it can benefit from the iodine effects that come with taking Miracle Products Nascent Iodine.
Iodine deficiency prevention begins with ensuring you take the proper amount of iodine each day. The thyroid gland needs iodine to make hormones. If the thyroid doesn’t have enough iodine to do its job, feedback systems in the body cause the thyroid to work harder. This can cause an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), which becomes evident as a swollen neck. Other consequences of not having enough iodine (iodine deficiency) are also serious. Iodine deficiency and the resulting low levels of thyroid hormone can cause women to stop ovulating, leading to infertility.
Iodine deficiency can also lead to an autoimmune disease of the thyroid and may increase the risk of getting thyroid cancer.
Some researchers think that iodine deficiency might also increase the risk of other cancers such as prostate, breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer.
What is Iodide?
Iodide is the ion form of iodine, occurring when iodine bonds with another element, such as potassium. Dietary iodine also occurs naturally as an iodide, such as potassium iodide or sodium iodide, (the kind typically placed into salt).
According to Dr. David Brownstein, author of Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It, iodide, as a salt, is not a very efficient way of getting iodine into the body. Brownstein referenced a study in which he stated that consuming milk and bread (with iodide in it) was a far superior way of getting iodine into the body, than iodide in salt.
- Iodine is the element found on the periodic chart. However, the molecular form, which consists of two atoms of iodine stuck together, is not found in nature.
- Iodide is the salt, which could for example, be iodine combined with calcium or potassium, and can be found in seaweed sources and mineral deposits.
Current information regarding the nutritional facts about iodine can be found in the National Institute of Health Iodine Fact Sheet, online at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-Consumer.
Or you may access information for health professionals at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional.
Lack of iodine causes a spectrum of disorders:
- Goitre
- Hypothyroidism
- Various auto-immune diseases
- Diabetes
- Bronchial asthma
- Lung disease
- Dermatological problems
- Candida and other microbes
- Irritable bowel
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Hyperactive disorder
- Attention deficit disorder
- Mental retardation
- Cretinism
- Fibrocystic breast disease
Iodine deficiency can cause breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, and lung cancer.
Lack of iodine could also affect your I.Q. as much as 15 points!
“Iodine deficiency we get is partly a result of toxicity from Fluoride and Bromine.
Bread has ten times more Bromine in it than it used to and the sources of Fluorine are nearly ubiquitous today. So who does not need Iodine? I find that nearly everyone needs more than they are getting.” – Dr. Garry F. Gordon
"Iodine is utilized by every hormone receptor in the body. The absence of iodine causes a hormonal dysfunction that can be seen with practically every hormone inside the body." - Jorge Flechas, M.D
"If there is enough inorganic, non-radioactive iodine in our bodies, the radioactive fallout has nowhere to bind in our bodies. It will pass through us, leaving our bodies unharmed. It is important to ensure that we have adequate iodine levels BEFORE this fallout hits.”
-Dr. David Brownstein.
The Health Benefits of Iodine:
- Preventing Iodine deficiency
- Preventing Radiation exposure
- Preventing & supporting the Thyroid
- Regulates hormones
- Increases metabolism
- Boosts energy levels
- Supports and maintains detoxification
- Supports immune system function
- Fights infections (natural antiseptic)
- Protects cells and tissues
- Supports brain function and increases IQ
- And MANY more healthy benefits!