Food Study: Iodine

[KimS]

http://www.iodinesource.com/ThyroidGland.asp#Iodine

It's a great site so be sure to go and read more. Here are my usual teasers:) :

"...After birth, the thyroid starts putting out a fairly constant supply of thyroid hormone for the rest of the human's life. The reserve of the thyroid gland to stress and its ability to respond appear related to adequate iodine intake before the age of puberty, which is the first real test of the thyroid's reserve abilities. Stress on the thyroid can be detected and the size of the thyroid gland measured accurately by ultrasound. The thyroid enlargement from physiological stress found in areas of borderline low iodine intake, occur during adolescence, pregnancies and menopause. These enlargements are good indicators of borderline iodine supplementation indicating a degree of iodine deficiency, but at the same time this illustrates the increased needs for thyroid hormone during period of physiological stress during life..."

Boosting your body supply:

"...In the 1960s it was established that if the daily dose of iodine was increased to over 2-3 mgs of iodine per day, within two weeks, the thyroid became saturated and no longer took up iodine in significant amounts. So a normal person who raised their daily dose of iodine above, say 3 mgs, within two weeks their thyroid was almost completely stop taking up iodine as it became saturated, but more important to the body, all of the dietary iodine now went to perform other body functions...."

Geographical areas of concern:

"...The average iodine intake of a normal adult on an ordinary diet in a non-goiter region is about 0.03 milligrams, a day. This tiny amount is only about one-seventh of what is needed for daily thyroid hormone production, but the body practices great economy and re-uses much of its iodine store repeatedly in producing hormone secretions. In goiter regions, not even the 0.03 milligram per day is available in the food and water. Goiter regions are to be found all over the world. No continent is free of them. Generally they are the mountainous and inland areas of the globe. A high incidence of goiter is found in the Himalayas in Asia, in the regions of the Alps and the Carpathian and Pyrenees mountains in Europe, and in the high plateaus of the Andes in South America. In North America, the goiter zone is the Great Lakes basin and the area of the St. Lawrence River, extending westward through Minnesota, the Dakotas, and the neighboring Canadian territory as far as the northwest and including Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. This great belt extends an arm southward in the rocky Mountain area and another in the Appalachian area..."

[Leslieand]

Thanks for the post. I'll be checking out my supplement amount today. Do you think those of use who cook from scratch may be getting even less iodine?

[orthomolecular]

Thanks for the post. I'll be checking out my supplement amount today. Do you think those of use who cook from scratch may be getting even less iodine?

If you are really concerned about being low on iodine you can test this yourself. You get some liquid iodine in the drug store. This stuff is what they put on your arm when you give blood to kill the germs. It makes your skin look juandiced or yellow looking.

You apply a 2 inch square of this liquid iodine to your skin and leave it there for 24 hours. (Obviously you really shouldn't shower that area.) If that iodine is absorbed within 24 hours then your body needs more iodine. You can supplement with that stuff if you want.

But eating seafood is a good source. Also sea vegetables like kelp are great too; these are very high in lots of minerals.

But using kosher or sea salt can make some low in iodine if they were basically using the iodized salt before.

[KimS]

I do think that those of us who cook from scratch can be at risk. Unless you use a lot of seaweed in your recipes.

As for the 'fading' of the iodine on the skin, there are mixed reviews as to whether that has any truth to it or not.

I supplement as ortho said though, by just basting some 5% somewhere on my skin. It ALWAYS is gone in about an hour or two... I don't think I'm all that short on it... so it kind of leaves me on the "don't use that technique to tell what your levels are" side. I'd be happy if it was proven otherwise though as it really would make my decision to boost my baste a lot easier. I usually put it on an ankle or the tender part of the children's arms just because it gets covered with sleeves or pants.

I do know that some people mix it with water and 'mist' themselves everyday. I just give us each a quick baste a couple of times a week. I'm considering upping my dose though.

[JudyLV]

I used to backpack and camp a lot. When we needed more water than we could carry we would collect a bottle of it from a stream and purify it with a drop of iodine. I always wondered if that extra iodine could have not been so good for me (I have hypothyroidism). But I feel better after reading some of the link. It is a good site. Thanks Kim.

My son went on an extended trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe area this summer. He said they drank water from the lakes. I asked how they purified it and he said "with iodine". I feel better about that now.

--Judy

[KimS]

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1497255.htm

This is a good story.

...Narration: Iodine deficiency has re-emerged as a problem in Australia, since the late 1990s. Before that, the dairy industry used iodine to clean milking equipment. We got enough iodine from what's called positive contamination: traces of iodine in our milk. But the iodine has recently been replaced by chlorine.

So Cres and Mu have been trying to find out the extent of the problem in Australia. They have tested thousands of school children, revealing that a staggering 50% suffer from some degree of iodine deficiency.

They do urinary iodine tests...

[KimS]

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/487224

Inadequate Iodine Intake Linked to Low Intelligence Quotient

Studies on iodine supplementation in children ages six to eight years and five to 12 years have shown conflicting results on benefit.

[KimS]

http://thyroid.about.com/library/derry/bl2a.htm

Nyiri and Jannetti also mentioned iodine applied on the skin can be used to shrink swelling of the thyroid gland (goiters). So even small amounts of iodine absorbed through the skin can have good effects on body organs. From my own clinical experience, repeated application of iodine (Lugol’s) to the skin appears to cause regeneration of the skin from the bottom up (Quiescent, stable or stem cell) (3) eventually sloughing the old version of the skin off like a snake molting. If there was a pre-cancerous lesion on the old skin, it is replaced with new skin minus the lesion. There does not seem to be any skin lesions which are not helped or cured by this procedure. In some cases I found clinically obvious low thyroid conditions also needed to be treated to be more effective. Minor lacerations and healing of surgical wounds respond well. If skin regeneration is from the bottom, then there is little or no scar formation.
My parents’ generation tended to put tincture of iodine onto a fresh wound to prevent infection. This turns out to be helpful but not the best way to use it. Besides it stung badly when applied. It is much more effective (and doesn't hurt) to apply iodine repeatedly after a scab has been formed. The iodine put onto the scab helps to organize total repair of the tissue. It is implied a similar approach could be taken to burns of all depths but at the same time the physiology of burns suggest there is an acute lack of thyroid hormone. (3)


Perhaps the most graphic lesions are the "keloid" (worm) incision scars formed after surgical procedures. If the iodine intake and tissue levels are adequate, such as in Japan, keloid formation doesn't happen (7). In addition, iodine's ability to trigger natural cell death (apoptosis) (5) makes it effective against all pre-cancerous skin lesions and likely many cancerous lesions. The local site is replaced with normal skin. However, even lesser doses of topical iodine seem to reverse the ominous appearance of skin lesions.

[KimS]

http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/6-3-27/39770.html

Iodized table salt (sodium chloride) is an ineffective dietary source of iodine, because the much greater amount of chloride in food-grade salt competes with the iodide for intestinal absorption.

The National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES Study), undertaken by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) from 1971 to 2000, showed that iodine levels in the general population have fallen over 50 percent in the last 30 years.

demonstrated to benefit thyroid disorders, including goiter, nodules, cysts and thyroid cancer. It has also helped persons with diabetes mellitus and other endocrine system imbalances; those with heavy metal and halide toxicity; persons with chronic fatigue syndrome; those suffering from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder); fibromyalgia and other myopathic syndromes; fibrocystic breast disease and other mastopathies; ovarian cysts, including polycystic ovary syndrome; sebaceous cysts; Dupuytren's contractures; Peyronie's disease; keloidal scarring; parotid duct stones; acute, subacute and chronic infectious conditions; immune system dysregulation and deficiency syndromes; autoimmune disorders; neoplastic diseases, especially hormonally mediated cancers; cardiovascular dysfunction, such as arrhythmias and hypertension; obesity; protection from nuclear fallout, industrial pollution and reduction of oxidative stress.

An iodine loading challenge test may be obtained from Vitamin Research Products at (800) 877-2447 to determine the degree of iodine deficiency (not available in New York or California).

Patients may report increased energy, an enhanced sense of well-being, sought-after weight loss and improved bowel movements within the first three weeks of iodine supplementation.
Clinical iodism (acne, metallic taste in mouth, increased salivation, sneezing, frontal sinus pressure/pain), from alleged iodine overdosing, is infrequent, occurring in less than five percent of patients. The presence of known allergies to fish, shellfish, radioactive iodine or organic, iodinated compounds in x-ray contrast dyes, does not indicate that there is an allergy to inorganic, nonradioactive iodide/iodine. In fact, true allergy to inorganic, nonradioactive iodide/iodine is extremely rare, and if present, usually manifests as urticaria (hives), which is readily manageable.
Medical supervision is recommended for those desiring iodine supplementation.

[KimS]

http://www.lef.org/protocols/metabolic_health/thyroid_regulation_01.htm

Selenium. Selenium is required for appropriate thyroid hormone synthesis, activation, and metabolism. Adequate selenium supports efficient thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism and protects the thyroid gland from damage caused by excessive exposure to iodide (Zimmerman MB 2002). Long-term selenium deficiency in experimental animal models led to thyroid cell death and scarring after high iodide loads (Kohrle J 1999). Selenium deficiency may seriously influence the generation of free radicals, the conversion of thyroxineT4 to T3, and the autoimmune process (Kohrle J 1999).

Dietary Recommendations

Some foods contain goiterogenic substances that prevent the utilization of iodine. These foods include canola oil, Brassica vegetables (e.g., cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower), corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, lima beans, and pearl millet. The actual content of goitrogens in these foods is quite low, however, and cooking destroys it.
Hypothyroid patients should also avoid soy supplements (Bell DS et al 2001; Jabbar MA et al 2001).

[KimS]

Scroll down to the bold for what caught my eye.

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http://www.worldwidewounds.com/News/News2002.html


Antimicrobial preparations for WBP

Cadexomer iodine:
Iodine plays a natural role in the body's immune system and in fighting infection. It serves as a halide, which is needed for neutrophils to exert their action during the inflammatory phase of healing. Cadexomer iodine (cadexomer beads with 0.9% iodine, Iodoflex (http://www.dressings.org/Dressings/iodoflex.html)) is a topical preparation which helps to address all the main barriers to healing. It has a unique mode of action, described by Falanga as a SMART release system [2] (http://www.worldwidewounds.com/News/News2002.html#s-n-ref2), whereby the cadexomer beads actively respond to exudate by releasing iodine in a controlled sustained manner, providing broad spectrum antimicrobial activity for up to three days [3] (http://www.worldwidewounds.com/News/News2002.html#s-n-ref3). The iodine is deactivated by organic matter in the wound, detected by the cadexomer carrier, which in turn releases more iodine. This ensures that there is always a greater concentration of iodine in the dressing than at the wound site, thereby avoiding any cellular toxicity, which has been a problem with traditional antimicrobial preparations.
It has been demonstrated, beyond reasonable doubt, that CI is non-toxic to cells both in vitro and in vivo. In a study by Zhou et al, histological assessment of chronic wound cells following CI treatment revealed no cell necrosis or morphological changes [4] (http://www.worldwidewounds.com/News/News2002.html#s-n-ref4). Falanga states that the propaganda of the 1980s about the toxicity of antiseptics was based on the inappropriate use of traditional antiseptic agents (e.g. povidone iodine), which release their complete load of iodine in one short action resulting in cellular toxicity [2] (http://www.worldwidewounds.com/News/News2002.html#s-n-ref2).
Other advantages of using CI include:

assists in debridement and absorption of high levels of exudate (up to 6 ml/g of dressing), making it a highly versatile agent and an integral part of WBP
reduces problems with dressing removal - cadexomer beads are naturally derived from starch molecules which allow any remnants of the dressing to biodegrade.
Falanga states that 'Judicious use of iodine antiseptics promotes wound bed preparation and accelerates wound healing ... CI is an effective debridement and antiseptic agent for chronic exudative wounds. When used directly over the wound CI removes pus, debris and wound exudate and effectively reduces the bacterial counts' [2] (http://www.worldwidewounds.com/News/News2002.html#s-n-ref2).
Finally, Carita Hansson has shown that if the instructions for correct use are followed, CI is an effective therapy which decreases the microbial burden, cleans the ulcer from slough and exudate and promotes healing [5] (http://www.worldwidewounds.com/News/News2002.html#s-n-ref5).
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[KimS]

I posted this in the baking bread section... but thought the question should probably answered here so as not to take the bread recipe thread so far off course.

Good on you for reducing your sodium intake if you need to also! Be aware that baking soda can adds lots of sodium also... if you're big bakers. I did some research on it a couple of years ago and ended up cutting a lot of that out too.

Lastly, watch your iodine levels. Lots of places in N.A. are known for low iodine levels in the people. This can produce fatigue. The weird thing is, they put iodine in salt... but sodium and iodine compete with eachother. :confused: From my understand, the body will take up sodium before iodine and so lots of NA people remain low... I haven't confirmed my resources yet though...

So if anyone else can explain this, I'd love to learn more.

[myst]

but sodium and iodine compete with each other.

Maybe iodine and sodium compete for the same absorption mechanisms? Like calcium and magnesium do?

[loisba]

Wow, interesting stuff, guys! I think I get enough iodine in my salt and my vitamin. But I remember when I was finally diagnosed in the late 1960's with hyperactive thyroid and a goiter. I had to take iodine for about a month to get the toxins under control enough for an operation. Now that is some foul tasting stuff!! We mixed it in grapefruit juice, and even that wouldn't cut the taste.
I wonder if I would have been able to have put it on me rather than in me. It would sure have been a lot tastier!
Hugs,

[KimS]

I feel that I need to stress a couple of things again because I think some people may have missed some posts.

1) Iodine causes cellular damage. So, if you're going to baste in order to supplement, keep that in mind. Maybe don't baste the same spot all the time? Maybe mix it with water and spray it so it's not so 'strong'? Things to consider.

2) Basting and watching the yellow fade according to time, is not seen to be an accurate way to tell if you are short on iodine. (I'm not saying it doesn't work... I'm just passing on the message and making sure people see it.)

[KimS]

Well, I've been looking some more into iodine today and want to make some notes:

It does not appear that sodium and iodine compete with eachother. I don't know that for sure but I cannot find any confirming information. Therefore, do not assume that they compete or correlate like calcium and magnesium.

In the periodic table, Iodine is a halogen (column 17) and sodium is an alkali metal (column 1). Calcium and Magnesium (both column 2) are alkaline earth metals. So, you see... by the periodic table, it looks like sodium is a good way to get iodine.

It was definitely worth the question though because of the mistake they made with iron and spinach for all those years (And some people still think spinach is a good source of iron!):

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s301760.htm

But it's all wrong. The original German scientists way back in the 1890's did their experiment right, but they wrote the result down wrong. They put the decimal point in the wrong place. They over-estimated the amount of iron in spinach by 10 times. This error was corrected by German scientists in the 1930's, but the information did not cross the Atlantic until a long time after WW II. To get his iron, Popeye would have been better off chewing on the can.

[KimS]

http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/mineralprimer.html

IODINE...Muscle cramps are a sign of deficiency as are cold hands and feet, proneness to weight gain, poor memory, constipation, depression and headaches...

...Sources include most sea foods, unrefined sea salt, kelp and other sea weeds, fish broth, butter, pineapple, artichokes, asparagus and dark green vegetables. Certain vegetables, such as cabbage and spinach, can block iodine absorption when eaten raw or unfermented...

...In excess, iodine can be toxic. Consumption of high amounts of inorganic iodine (as in iodized salt or iodine-fortified bread) as well as of organic iodine (as in kelp) can cause thyroid problems similar to those of iodine deficiency, including goiter...Okay... so maybe iodized salt IS the second choice????.... think, think, think....

Maybe the fish broth would be another (better?) option for people who eat a high salt diet? Perhaps using fish broth in things like taco meat or spaghetti sauce, etc (rather than water).... maybe more artichokes in the spinach salad?... Instead of putting salt on pizza, make an anchovy sauce?...

I'm hungry now and have some anchovies in the fridge... going to make a pizza... see everyone later. :p:)

[KimS]

I think I forgot this one:

http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele053.html

Care should be taken in handling and using iodine. It can burn the skin and damage the eyes and mucous membranes. Pure iodine is poisonous if ingested.

[darlindeb25]

Kim,
Thank you for all the links. I only did the iodine test the one time and I promise, I am not going to do it again or use it to increase my iodine. I just wanted some more proof for the doctor to at least listen to me.

This week, not only did I find out that my son Joe's thyroid has shut down, I also found out that my dad in on thyroid meds too. Starting to sound like a family thing, huh?:eek:

[canoe]

Deb,

Sorry to hear about your dad and son and the thyroid issues, and yes, it does run in families.

I don't know if you are aware that there are certain parts of the country that are more prone to thyroid problems because of the deficiency of iodine in the soils in those areas. Mostly in the Mid-west, including MI.

Dr. David Brownstein, MD who has a practice in MI, has written a couple of books that might be helpful: Overcoming Thyroid Disorders, and Iodine, Why you Need It and Why you can't live without it.

Hope that your son will be on replacement hormone (thyroid), and be feeling better in the near future.

Marilyn

[darlindeb25]

I remember having constant charlie horses in my legs one week and the doctor told me it was caused by there not being enough something in the soil in Michigan, but I don't recall it being iodine. I do recall the pain, everytime it would let up, if I moved, it came right back. I lived on Flexeril that week, sort of lived in the clouds:rolleyes: .

My son is on Synthyroid for a week now and seeing a heart specialist today. I told him it is possible his heart is racing because of the thyroid problems, yet still, seeing the specialist is a good thing, just to rule out any heart problems. My ex was nearly on a heart donor list a year ago, now has a defibrilator and doing well. My son is suffering from heart palpatations, was up to 150 per minute, now staying at 130. He has gained a lot of weight in the last year, he thought because of prozac, which he stopped taking and his breathing is very labored--doc mentioned asthma. I want him to be tested for celiac disease, but his doctor doesn't feel it's necessary. I will be in Michigan in 2 weeks and that doc may have to change his mind--Joe wants me to go with him to visit the doc. By the way, this doc didn't catch the thyroid problem, an ER doc did. Time for a new doc huh?

[KimS]

his breathing is very labored--doc mentioned asthma. ...tested for celiac disease, but his doctor doesn't feel it's necessary. ... By the way, this doc didn't catch the thyroid problem, an ER doc did. Time for a new doc huh?


Geez! GeEZ! GEEZ!... Yup. :rolleyes:

[darlindeb25]

Geez! GeEZ! GEEZ!...

My sentaments, EXACTLY!!!!!

[darlindeb25]

Today, I got my antiboides test results back, with a recommendation for an endocrinologist! The range is <35 and mine was 69.9. So now, I have an appt on May 17th with Dr. Gioia. I guess we will see what happens!

[canoe]

Hey Deb,

It looks like you have been on the right track. I am glad that you have somewhat of an answer. Hopefully, you will get a good Endo.

Marilyn