Iodine vs. Fluoride: One Secret to Better Health

There is growing evidence that Americans would have better health and a lower incidence of cancer and fibrocystic disease of the breast if they consumed more iodine. A decrease in iodine intake coupled with an increased consumption of competing halogens, fluoride and bromide, has created an epidemic of iodine deficiency in America. - Dr. Donald Miller, Jr.

In our age of increasing radioactivity (Fukushima fallout, CAT scans, mammograms, body scanners at airports, x-rays, etc.) and toxic poisoning specifically with fluoride (water supply, foods made with fluoridated water, toothpaste), chlorine (swimming pools, tap water), bromide (most baked goods, some drinks, flame retardant products) and even mercury (silver fillings, fish supply), iodine has become a necessary and critical mineral.

A Simple Way to See If You Are Iodine Deficient

 

Iodine is extremely important since the human body cells need it to regulate their metabolism.
Without it, people are known to suffer from thyroid diseases (hyper and hypo issues), increased cystic disease (PCOD, ovarian cysts, fibrocystic breast disease), prostate problems, decreased fertility rates, increased infant mortality rates, and (with severe deficiency) mental retardation (cretinism).

It has also been theorized that iodine deficiency is a causal factor in ADHD, autism, learning disabilities in children, especially since it is needed to balance the over-fluoridation from vaccines, most drugs and the water supply. It is important to note that most pregnant women are already iodine-deficient; creating a baseline of deficiency in newborn babies that is only exacerbated by environmental factors throughout childhood. (Read this mother’s story to get a clearer picture. http://gaia-health.com/gaia-blog/2013-02-26/how-i-gave-my-son-autism/ ).

It is well known that the toxic halogens: fluorine, chlorine and bromine, having chemical configurations similar to iodine (since they all have the same electron setup in their outer shell), can competitively inhibit iodine absorption and binding at the cellular level. All the halogens (see Periodic Table below) use the same receptors in the body. Therefore iodine receptor sites will pick up whichever halogen is in highest supply; usually not iodine.

The Periodic Table

 

When iodine levels are adequate, it will immediately displace the bromine, fluorine, and  chlorine from the iodine receptor sites and allow the iodine to be utilized by the body. Bromine, fluorine and chlorine are not easily removed by any other chelator or detoxifying technique.


Here is a short checklist to correct iodine deficiency:
•    Increase iodine consumption through sea vegetables, unrefined sea salt, iodine supplementation.
•    Remove the other halogens (bromine, fluorine, chlorine) from your food supply and environment.

This short list sounds simple enough, but when you realize how rampant the halogen toxicity problem is, and how deep our exposure has been, the detoxing challenge can become overwhelming. Unpleasant side effects are common, so I would suggest joining some online support groups to assist you on this journey, or better yet, work with a knowledgeable physician who is aware of this widespread iodine insufficiency that most of us have. There are a handful of companion nutrients needed when detoxing from the halogens to make this detox as trouble-free as possible.

Try these sites to start:
http://iodineresearch.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/iodine/info
https://www.facebook.com/groups/IodineWorkshop/

I have seen some pretty miraculous improvements in a handful of patients on the iodine protocol. It is worth investigating if you are having chronic health challenges.

If you liked this blog you may also like: The Flaws of Fluoride