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There is probably no greater general interest subject than thyroid function. It has long been known that in the absence of iodine, the thyroid will begin to swell, producing what is called a goiter. In certain areas of the U.S. where there is no iodine in the soil and therefore none in the food consumed, we had what was called the goiter belt, because so many of the residents developed goiters.
At one time (50 years ago when I was studying for my degree) iodine was literally a magic medicine. It was always used for infections, for pneumonia and bronchitis, lack of it considered to be the cause of mental slowness and even today, iodine deficiency is considered to be the most common cause of preventable brain damage in the world. But a single paper written by two researchers changed iodine use completely. This poorly documented paper gave the impression that iodine use was not only archaic but not necessary and could even be dangerous, citing hyperthyroidism as a side effect. Almost overnight the use of iodine in medicine was stopped and in its place we have a fear of one of the most critical nutrients in our diet.
Iodine is also the missing link in fibrocystic breast disease! Several studies found that adequate iodine supplementation reversed this condition within a few months. It is interesting to note that Japanese women living the traditional lifestyle and eating traditional foods will often consume from 50 to 80 mg of iodine daily and a low intake would be in the 15 mg range. These women have the lowest rate of breast cancer in the world!
Here are some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism:
- Continuous feeling of fatigue
- Aching muscles
- Cold hands and feet
- Weight gain without eating more
- Coarse, dry, thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Heavy menstrual periods
- Forgetfulness
- Loss of libido
- Slow heartbeat
- Mental sluggishness
20 percent of all iodine in the body is stored in the skin, specifically in the sweat glands. Lack of iodine in the sweat glands manifests as dry skin with a decreased ability to sweat. Iodine also concentrates in the stomach and a lack of iodine in the stomach manifests as achlorhydria (lack of stomach acid production). Iodine is used by the stomach to concentrate chloride which is necessary to produce hydrochloric acid. Not widely recognized is the fact that low hydrochloric acid in the stomach leads to stomach cancer.
The lachrymal glands of the eye use iodine to help create tears, when iodine is in short supply, dry eyes result. Iodine is also used by the parotid and sub-mandibular glands of the mouth, lack of iodine can result in dry mouth.
Russian studies done some years ago showed a relationship between iodine deficiency and the presence of cysts in the ovaries. The greater the iodine deficiency, the more ovarian cysts a woman produces.
Iodine improves insulin sensitivity thus can be of benefit to diabetics. Nobel Laureate Albert Szent Gyorgyi, the physician who discovered vitamin C in 1928 commented: "When I was a medical student, iodine in the form of potassium iodide was the universal medicine. Nobody knew what it did, but it did something and did something good."
If you feel you are deficient in iodine, you might consider a 2 month supplement program with this powerful, but inexpensive, nutrient. I highly recommend it!
Click to Show/Hide Supplement Facts
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 Capsules
Servings Per Container: 60 |
| Amount per serving |
%DV* |
| Organic Iodine (from Kelp and Potassium Iodine |
30mg |
20,000% |
| L-Tyrosine |
400mg |
* |
*Daily Value (DV) Based on a 2,000 Calorie Diet
**Percent Daily Value Not Established |
Other Ingredients: Magnesium Stearate, Maltodextrin
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fibrocystic breast disease 
