Benefits of Iodine for Health

Removing Iodine Stains

Posted by Crystal (Hot Springs, AR) on 01/31/2009
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To remove iodine stain make a paste of vitamin c (ascorbate acid) power and water and it will remove the stain on anything.

Where to Buy: USA

Posted by Nichole (Stanton, CA) on 12/23/2008
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Iodine source: I wanted to let you all know I found liqui-dulse by bernard and jensen at Whole Foods and Mothers Market for a little over $3. It works great! I've noticed higher energy levels and weight decrease! A lot of people are deficient, especially if their water is fluoridated so start off with less than the rec. dosage so you dont feel the effects of the "iodine rush" as I call it. With the iodine rush you feel fidgety and have an increased heart rate. I also experienced a sense of fullness in my throat for a few days then it went away when my body regulated itself to the amount of iodine being consumed. This doesnt last long but it may frighten you. Over the course of two weeks slowly increase your dosage.

I'm trying to make sure I get at least 1000mcg a day, Japanese consume between 5000 and 13000 a day! So despite some of the warnings you find on the internet regarding too much iodine I think I'll be just fine and I'll report back and let you know how I feel.

Where to Buy: USA

Posted by Calaska (Lenoir City, Tn) on 06/26/2016

When I first started taking iodine..nascent iodine is much better than Lugols or painting with iodine...do some research on this..I started out 2 drops a day in small amount of water in the morning.. I felt little difference, so I bumped my dose up to 6 drops a day and noticed a big energy increase..but also hurt literally everywhere and was exhausted in evening! It finally subsided and I realized after research that I was detoxing and dumping harmful bromine. So don't stop, just cut back dose if this happens, then increase SLOWLY.

I take 5 drops in a.m. on empty stomach and again in early afternoon and feel fantastic and lost 4 pounds so far. You are right about feeling fidgity and increased heartrate and throat fullness at first. It's the thyroid gland displacing bromine and uptaking iodine..all good..just go slow if discomfort is too much. Iodine is something 80% of us are deficient in. It's like waking up and living when you get levels up!

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Posted by Linda K. (Palm Desert, CA) on 05/27/2008
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WARNING!

It should be clarified that an iodine that is ingested be safe for internal consumption. NOT to be ingested is the iodine that is used for treatment of cuts, etc. on the skin. IOSOL IODINE is safe for internal use.

Skin Ailments

Posted by Bob (Stillwater, mnMN) on 05/21/2008
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I have used Iodine ration to cure common warts and have helped friends to it too. It works I also had a gangliotic cyst on my palm for two years, that a doctor wanted to cut out so I tried Iodine ration for about six months and it went away. Now I can't find the pills yet.

Iodine Interactions

Posted by Fred (Atlanta, Georgia) on 01/23/2008
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WARNING!

Sinus Infection Remedies - Danger!!! A MSDS sheet for Betadine stated the following: "Reactivity - A mixture of equal parts of a 10% povidone iodine solution (Betadine) and hydrogen peroxide 3% exploded about 100 minutes after mixing." Folks, this is the normal Betadine and hydrogen peroxide that you buy in the store! I was actually considering putting a few drops of these in some salt water and using it in an atomizing spray bottle (these are normally called "non-drip."). Not any more! On the other hand, after all of their warninings, I like the few drops of Betadine in a spray bottle of salt water, it works great! Betadine is one of the few things that kills viruses, it is stable in storage and and has a residual effect. To be on the safe side I will be keeping an eye out for possible iodine toxicity.

Another website states "REMEMBER: Betadine and tincture of iodine are not the same thing. Tincture of iodine is NOT safe to use. Tincture of Iodine is poisonous! Never use tincture of iodine when piercing skin. It dangerously inflames mucus membranes and if put on a wound or piercing it can result in a toxic level of iodine absorption." Therefore, I think I'll stick with the Betadine. http://www.phlebotomypages.com/iodine.htm

EC: Sinus Infection Remedies

Iodine Interactions

Posted by Donna (Aspen, CO) on 10/17/2007
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WARNING!

I took one tablet of Iodoral (iodine supplement) a day for a year, my blood calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels rose to above normal. A year later my blood test results were even higher, so the doctor gave me a PTH (parathyroid--which sits right next to the thyroid) blood test, and it was very high. As the only thing that I had changed in my life was taking Iodoral, I quit taking it, and 3 months later all my tests were back to normal. The parathyroid's job is to take calcium out of your bones and give it to the brain, but too much in your blood can mean heart attacks, strokes, and osteoporosis. There really aren't any symptoms of an over active parathyroid until it's very bad...feeling cold all the time, brain fog, are two. If you've been supplementing with Iodoral or iodine I suggest you get your blood calcium level tested, then alkaline phosphatase, then PTH (which is expensive, so save that for last).

Where to Buy: USA

Posted by Jackie (Grand Rapids, Minnesota) on 07/15/2007
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thanks for mentioning the jcrows.com site to purchase lugols soln. i just ordered a small bottle. There will be government regulations starting next month relating to iodine products,posted on their website, because they are used to produce methamphetamine, but we will still be able to buy it in small amounts for health purposes. i am so sensitive to cold. My hands and feet are always cold. I feel really chilled when it's 60 degrees outside when other people aren't bothered. I love this site. In a short time, i've started oil pulling, altho i might try an alternative remedy because i have metal fillings, acv, and molasses. i'm feelng and looking better. i forgot to mention i'm taking MSM and have noticed my carpal tunnel pain almost gone. thanks again

Broad Benefits

Posted by RJ (Marrakech, Morocco) on 05/22/2007
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i have candidiosis and mycoplasms that have caused a number of skin problems among other things. So far I have tested iodine on vaginal warts and they are shrinking! also helped alleviate chronic rashes, itching and sores. also, used it on my cat who had a lung infection that did not respond to antibiotics, and rubbing it on her chest seemed to do the trick. i am very impressed and am looking into recipes and other ways to use it.

Nail Fungus

Posted by Laurie (East Meadow, New York) on 04/25/2007
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decolorized iodine has cured a fungus I Had under my nails. It works wonders, but it is very hard to find

Pregnancy

Posted by Sherry (NA, Pennsylvania) on 03/17/2007
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Iodine and Pregnancy: Hey all, I listen to a show on gcnlive.com called the Power Hour 8am to 11am EST, they have extremely good health shows.. And I have heard two in the past year and a half on Iodine.. This past friday was one, and the doctor on there said that iodine is extremely good for pregnant woman and babies.. He said it will increase their intelligence up to two years old.. My son is 11 and I give him 12.5 mg of Iadorol and I take 50mg a day..He said your body will get rid of what it doesn't use. Also painting it on the skin will only absorb 7% he said.. He said the japanese are the healthiest people in the world and one reason is they get 13.something .5 or .8 a day.. also potassium is very important and magnesium. But he said that the iodine has been proven to make a baby be born more intelligent. And we are extremely deficient in iodine in the States.. You can get the potassium from Black Strap Molasses.. I tried the ACV for weight loss and started gaining so I changed to 1/2 c. ACV 1 TBSP. Black Strap Molasses and 1 TBSP. Cayenne (store bought) Pepper and I weighed 149 when I woke up which is normal then when I ate gained my usual 2lbs.. but then as soon as I started drinking the ACV concoction (it was my second day) I went back to 149. Was really exciting.. Plus it gives me energy.. So I mix it in a one quart jar of water and throughout the day keep pouring it in a 4 oz. glass with a straw and sip it whenever I feel low on energy or just want some.. and I just keep mixing it up when I run out.. I am excited to see if I lose weight tomorrow morning.. Just thought I would pass these along.. Wish I would've known about iodine when I was pregnant with my son.. He has comprehension problems and that may be one cause. (you can get Iosol or Lugol's and it's in liquid form iodine the Iadorol is pill form and easier to take..) I hope this helps !!! Sherry :) P.S. Disclaimer I don't give medical advice this is just for your informational purposes.. As the power hour also disclaims..:)

Thyroid Issues

Posted by Hisjewel (America, New York) on 04/03/2017

Hi Bill or Someone in the know,

I have thyroid and iodine questions. What are Anti thyroid antibodies? and is it okay to take iodine if you are hypothyroid? can you take iodine if you are hyperthyroid? What does thyroid antibodies have to do with taking iodine.

I successfully use a few drops of 5% Lugol's Iodine in water several days a week. I also rub it on my throat if I feel a sore throat coming on and it chases the soreness away. I have been doing these for at least two years now and have had no known problems.

I do not want to overdo a good thing so I was checking Spirulina's iodine content, and one site said iodine should not be taken if you have anti-thyroid antibodies.

The plan is to get well and stay well without making myself sick.

Thank you in advance,

HisJewel

General Feedback

Posted by Dan (Largo, FL) on 09/16/2006
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For a really insightful viewpoint on iodine, check out this lecture by Dr. David Brownstein (http://www.internetwks.com/clips/bsBCancer.rm) about iodine and its deficiency relationship to Breast Cancer. Note he also suspects an unproven relationship between an iodine deficiency and Prostate Cancer.

He mentions that the Japanese diet includes 14mg per day of iodine on the average (coastal Japanese ingest even more.) The US RDA is 150 ugs (micro grams) per day -- about 100 times less than the Japanese eat -- and the recommended upper level for iodine is no more than 1.1 mg/day, and they estimate the average requirement to be 95 micrograms per day or about 150 times less than the Japanese consume.

The 125mg Kelp tablets that I have from Vitamin Shoppe, have 225 ugs of iodine in them. Thus, to get to the Japanese level of Iodine (14 mg/day), I would have to take 62 of these tablets a day! Dr. Brownstein also states that iodine is stored in the thyroid which requires 6 mg/day and is also stored in a women's breasts and required for proper breast development. The breasts require 5 mg/day for a 110 lb woman.

And catch this... Breast cancer researchers have to starve test animals of iodine in order to be able to induce breast cancer in any significant number of them. Hmmm...

Another 2 mg/day of iodine is required by the adrenals, hypothalamus, pituitary, and other organs. Therefore, the total required iodine for a woman is 5 6 2 = 13 mg/day. The RDA is 150 ugs per day, so a woman would have to take 86 times as much as this to achieve the 13 mg/day needed by her body, and even more if she had a larger body or bigger breasts. A man has smaller breasts and his prostate requires somewhat less iodine than a woman's breasts. However, a man's body is generally larger than 110 lbs, so this would have to be factored into the total requirements for a man.

Dr. Brownstein states, "Over the last 30 years, iodine levels have fallen over 50% in the United States. Breast cancer rates have risen dramatically. Thyroid illness from hypothyroidism, autoimmune including Grave's and Hashimoto's, as well as thyroid cancer has risen dramatically."

Since the Japanese have so much iodine in their bodies (they're ingesting 100X our 150 ug RDA of iodine), and iodine is essential for dealing with radiation exposure, it makes me wonder what might happen happen if there were a mishap involving massive radiation exposure in a country such as ours where the iodine level is so pathetically low.

And this may well be an important consideration, as cancer rates have been shown to rise after radiation has been released into the atmosphere, which apparently happened quite a bit with the use of depleted uranium (DU) weapons in Iraq in 2003. Background radiation levels were measured at many times normal in England (click this link - http://www.llrc.org/aldermastrept.pdf - and check the graphs) just a few days after the fighting started in Iraq. Cancer rates in Iraq in 2001 were about 10X what they were before Desert Storm where much less DU was used than in 2003. The big problem is that the effects are global (see: http://www.mindfully.org/Nucs/2006/DU-Europe-Moret26feb06.htm). So, the problem for us is that the DU rounds burn up or pulverize and tend to stay in the atmosphere, allowing the "aerosol of sub micron" size to enter the slip-stream and come back to America to bite us all.

Therefore, we all need to be aware of any nutritional and purification techniques which will handle radiation.

I've just upped my iodine intake to 1.35 mg/day (6 kelp tablets of 225 ug each) and I feel warmer already (maybe this will help me burn off my excess fat even faster.)

Thyroid Issues

Posted by Lynda (Brisbane QLD Aust.) on 01/19/2006
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I have been taking iodine, Lugol's 6 drops a day for a few months now, my problem being hypothyroidism. My general health has improved, but going by my urine test i am only half way there. I'm sure by the time i have my next test i will feel great!

Dewormer

Posted by Kim tindol (Godley, TX) on 02/01/2022

Does anyone know what the other remedy might be?

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Posted by Jean (London, England) on 01/11/2006
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I can confirm that iodine in the form of kelp is a cure for fibroystic breast disease. I have been taking it for about 10 years and it works so well that if I don't take it for a few days, say if I run out of tablets or forget to take them on holiday, my symptoms return within days. I have read that taking iodine can be dangerous if you have thyroid problems, but I don't see how the dose I take (1 tablet a day or 150mg) can be a problem. The side effects caused by conventional medicine e.g. diuretics, can be much worse, so I was determined to find a natural remedy. I think this use of iodine/kelp should be more widely known, but there seems to be a curious silence about it. Maybe it is too cheap and readily available as you suggest in your article! Keep up the good work.

Iodine Interactions

Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) 392 posts
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Sometimes kelp is often improperly processed and has high heavy metals and/or contaminants. This is a well known fact that supplements also have fillers added. In that case, your next best choice is just use iodine foot painting or eat some seaweed. I never seem to have problems with eating seaweeds often sold in supermarkets. I guess they have better manufacturing standards as the market is much larger than those that take kelp supplements.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Maria (Usa) on 02/28/2016

Please could you write down some more specifics about the use the of iodine with children. Oral, painted, what kind, etc. thanks

Menstrual Issues

Posted by Donna (USA) on 11/24/2005

I am encouraging people to get their doctor to test their thyroid these days, as I have found so many people in dangerous levels. Turns out that doctors do not just test it automatically, you have to ask. And, they aren't up to date with reading the results, anything over 2. for the TSH is going bad. 1.5 is perfect. Old rules were 3. was okay.

Iodine Deficiency

Posted by Susan (USA)

The classic sign of iodine deficiency is an enlarged thyroid gland. Some people with hypothyroidism develop an extremely large thyroid, known as goiter. Today, iodine deficiencies in the United States and other developed countries are rare because table salt is supplemented with iodine and crops in developed countries are generally grown in iodine-rich soil. In developing countries, however, where soil is often low in iodine, more than one billion people are estimated to be at risk for disorders caused by iodine deficiencies.

Uses
Iodine offers a variety of potential therapeutic uses, primarily in the prevention of hypothyroidism. A health care provider may also recommend iodine supplements for the following conditions:

Fibrocystic Breast Changes

There is some evidence to suggest that hypothyroidism and/or iodine deficiencies may contribute to the development of fibrocystic breast tissue. People with fibrocystic breasts experience tenderness, particularly just before menstruation. Certain foods may worsen breast tenderness such as caffeine (including from chocolate) and high fat foods. During a physical exam, the doctor can feel cysts and fibrous (hardened) tissue. A review of clinical studies found that iodine replacement therapy (particularly for those with low levels of iodine) may improve the tenderness associated with fibrocystic breast tissue. The women taking iodine experienced very few side effects.

Iodine deficiency has also been associated with ovarian cysts, breast cancer, thyroid goiter and hypothyroidism. Recent work in the field of iodine deficiency has shown that replacement therapy decreases the risk of breast cancer and promotes the reversal of fibrocystic breast disease.

Vaginitis

Many women with chronic vaginal symptoms use over-the-counter preparations such as iodine to relieve symptoms. Iodine, used as a douche, may reduce vaginal inflammation as well as the itching and discharge that go along with this health condition. Povidone-iodine has the advantage of iodine without the disadvantages of stinging and staining.

Douch for vaginitis: generally two tablespoons of an iodine solution to one quart of warm water once per day. Douching should not be done without first consulting your healthcare provider.

Wounds

Iodine is commonly used as a topical treatment for wounds. Ointments containing iodine are frequently used on burns to lower the risk of infection.

Dietary Sources

Iodized salt is the primary dietary source of iodine. Plant and animal sea life, such as shellfish, white deep-water fish, and brown seaweed kelp, absorb iodine from the water and are great sources of iodine. Garlic, lima beans, sesame seeds, soybeans, spinach, Swiss chard, summer squash, and turnip greens are also good sources of this mineral. Bakeries may also add iodine to dough as a stabilizing agent, making bread another source of iodine.

FOODS THAT PREVENT THE BODY FROM UTILIZING IODINE

Foods that prevent the body from using iodine are: turnip, cabbage, mustard greens, cassava root, soybeans, peanuts, pinenuts and millet. These foods are called goitrogens and excessive consumption can cause goiters. However, cooking usually inactivates goitrogens.

Available Forms of Iodine

Sodium iodide (iodine) is available as part of a multivitamin/mineral combination or as a topical treatment for wounds.

Precautions

Sudden, large doses of iodine may impair the production of thyroid hormones, causing hypothyroidism temporarily in someone with otherwise normal thyroid function. Excessive iodine intake can also increase the risk for other thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto's, Graves', certain thyroid cancers, and thyrotoxicosis (a dangerous condition due to an excessive amount of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream). For these reasons, iodine supplementation is not recommended for people who live in areas where iodine levels are sufficient.

SEAWEED DOSAGES

11/24/2006: Our Bangkok contributor Ted writes, "Iodine is taken when you suspect you have a deficiency. But it is not taken everyday at all and often it is taken once or twice a week. Only when you know you need it. Seaweed contains both iodine and bromine, which generally means you can't overdose on iodine. The reason is simple: bromine displaces iodine. But when bromine and iodine are present together, it makes for iodine bioavailability, while bakery products high in bromine will displace the iodine. The interesting thing is when bromine and iodine (found in nature) as in seaweed are found together, once the body doesn't need iodine it can easily be removed due to the presence of bromine. I have not seen any case of excess iodine consumption from taking of seaweed, but I have seen quite often excess consumption of iodine when they are added in the salt and taken too much. The reason is nature presents us with many minerals in their respective ratios and their antagonism preventing such an overdose and allowing the body to achieve greater equilibrium. This issue appears to be consuming foods from natural rather than chemical if you fear of any possible overdose. Ted"

Vitamin C to Dissolve Iodine Stain

Posted by HisJewel (New York) on 04/09/2024

Cindy, That's Wonderful.

Detox Bromides

Posted by Leah (Ireland) on 09/02/2023

Hi Cindy, just wondering how have you been? Are you still doing the detox? Did you take the recommended supplements with Iodine? Also, salt loading can apparently help with detox.
I have just increased my LI dosage slowly to 15mg, and now I have throat pain and feeling like something is stuck there. Feeling like I'm getting a flu, and so tired.. Not sure if this is detox or am I harming my thyroid. I have normal levels of thyroid hormones, but I do have high antibodies. Scared to continue, and is so hard to find a doctor to help me guide through this. My GP is useless, she told me I shouldn't worry because all of my hormones are normal, even though I have these high antibodies, and my iodine urine levels also came back really low. Any thoughts much appreciated. Cheers, Leah