You probably assume, like me, that if you use iodized salt you are getting sufficient iodine. Sea salt contains iodine naturally. I recently stumbled on the possibility of iodine deficiency in our country through a friend. She had been to her health care practitioner who had tested her for iodine deficiency. Sure enough she was deficient. When I think of iodine deficiency I think of goiters. That is not the whole story.

Our thyroid gland contributes to many functions in our bodies. Dr. David Brownstein M.D. believes the immune system can become compromised and many disease states develop as a result of iodine deficiency. Chronic fatigue, cancers, thyroid disorders, immune system diseases, and fibromyalgia are just a few which Dr. Brownstein has connected to iodine deficiency. When he tested over four thousand patients he made a huge discovery. Ninety five percent of them were deficient in iodine. Why were these people so iodine deficient? Could it be the toxicity of our modern world? It seems iodine absorption may be hindered by toxins in our environment. Bromide, fluoride and halides are toxins which may compete in our bodies because they have a similar structure to iodine. Is it any wonder we may have a deficiency?

The second main storage location for iodine in the body, after the thyroid gland, is the breasts. Knowledge of the connection between iodine deficiency and breast illness has been documented for over one hundred years. One wonders why the powers that be have not addressed this. Concentrations of iodine are stored in the breasts. When compared to normal breast tissue, diseased breast tissue will absorb more iodine. This may show a greater deficiency in the diseased breast tissue over normal breast tissue. Could fibrocystic breast disease be connected to iodine deficiency? Dr. Brownstein has made this connection with his patients as reported in “A Grain of Salt” article.

Many illnesses may improve with iodine therapy. Thyroid conditions, vaginal infections, ovarian cysts, migraine headaches, fatigue, diabetes, breast disease, hemorrhoids, headaches, and infections just to name a few, have responded to iodine therapy. Bacteria, parasites and viruses may be brought under control with iodine therapy. Iodine has therapeutic properties according to Dr. Brownstein, which are antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer and antiparasitic. Iodine has been proven very effective when used in public water supplies instead of chlorine. Since chlorine is known to be carcinogenic why is this still being used by our local governments? Iodine can be used in public swimming pools as well and has been shown to actually work better than chlorine to control bacteria.

Our country has been deficient in iodine in the soil for a long time. A study was done eighty years ago on adolescent girls concerning iodine and goiter. After the conclusions of this study iodine was added to foods. Bread, milk and salt all had iodine added to make sure each person got the needed amounts required to function fully. Iodine is no longer added to milk and bread. The amount added to salt has steadily declined. What can one do to get the needed iodine? Many practitioners recommend taking the herb kelp. It seems most of us need more than the amount of iodine supplied by kelp. There are stronger doses of iodine available through your natural health practitioner. The best way to find out is to be tested. Go to your health care provider and find out if iodine defiency may be a problem for you.

This information is not meant to diagnose, prescribe or treat in any way. Always see your health care professional concerning any health issues. Until next time I am wishing for you, good health. You may reach me at littleherbshoppe@hotmail.com