by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
It is not an understatement to say our existence, and the quality of our lives depends on having adequate iodine levels.[1] In spite of this, mainstream medicine generally ignores the importance of this element. The following fifteen facts will reveal not only how important iodine is, but how much better your life can be with balanced levels of this life-giving element.
Without iodine, the thyroid under-produces these hormones leading to hypothyroidism and other metabolic disorders
2. Iodized Salt Is Not a Good Source of Iodine
Most table salt has been iodized to eliminate iodine deficiency. Unfortunately, the process of manufacturing this salt can include adding artificial versions of iodine and other chemicals, making it anything but healthy. Plus, to make it white, most table salt is bleached. Dietary iodine can be found in better sources. As far as salt goes, I recommend going with Himalayan Crystal Salt.
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3. Iodine Deficiency Remains a Concern
Much of the world continues to suffer from iodine deficiency.[3] While many developing countries lack adequate dietary iodine, many western countries suffer iodine deficiency from diets based on processed foods. These foods introduce toxins which disrupt absorption of dietary iodine. This issue afflicts women more often than men.
4. Iodine Deficiency and Breast Cancer Have Been Linked
Although breast cancer has a number of causes and taking an iodine supplement is not a cancer-preventative, studies have shown a correlation between breast cancer and thyroid disorders.[4] Both the thyroid and breast require iodine to function properly. It is noted in countries with a documented consumption of iodine-rich foods that both issues occur less frequently in women.[5]
6. ‘Iodine Allergies’ Are Not Caused by Iodine
While many doctors mistakenly refer to iodine allergies, rest assured no one has exhibited an allergy to this vital nutrient. Most allergies attributed to iodine result from an allergic response to iodine-based radio-contrast media used to sharpen images from x-rays or CT scans.[6] Studies have found the reactions resulted from molecules in the contrast media, not iodine. It is worth noting that while mild symptoms may be the usual response, anaphylactic response and death have occurred. Those ‘iodine allergies’ associated with seafood occur as reactions to proteins in the seafood, not as a reaction to iodine.
7. Iodine Helps Fight Harmful Organisms
Iodine has been used for centuries as a means to address harmful organisms. To this day, it is believed to support the body’s response against most varieties. Many hospitals use gallons of iodine daily to maintain a sterile environment.[7]
8. Iodine Protects the Thyroid from Radiation
During a nuclear event, radiation in the form of Iodine-131 can be released into the air. Exposure to this radioactive iodine can result in thyroid damage and hypothyroidism.[8] The only way to protect the thyroid is to take iodine (atomic iodine is best) to flood the thyroid with a healthy, stable iodine. This prevents absorption of the radioactive iodine by the thyroid.
9. Pregnancy Exacerbates Iodine Deficiency
Women during pregnancy require higher amounts of iodine to meet their need and the need of the developing fetus. Pregnant women suffering from mild iodine deficiency have been shown to develop more severe deficiencies. If not properly addressed, the thyroid imbalance and hypothyroidism can become a chronic concern even post-partum.[9]
10. Adequate Iodine Prevents Goitrogenic Effects
Goitrogens inhibit hormone creation by the thyroid. These compounds can lead to goiter and hypothyroidism. Iodine therapy has been recommended and used to address the complications created by these compounds and help the body speed their removal.[10, 11]
11. Inadequate Iodine Leads to Slowed Development
Health authorities discovered years ago that iodine deficiency, especially during fetal growth, led to mental retardation and cretinism. Dietary supplementation with iodine after birth and during childhood has been shown not to counteract the result of iodine deficiency while in utero.[12]Maintaining appropriate iodine levels during pregnancy (and supplementing when appropriate) is one of the best ways to support proper neural development.
13. Iodine Encourages Detoxification
Healthy levels of iodine prevent toxic chemicals such as fluorine, chlorine, and bromine from interfering with thyroid function.[15] Exposure to these chemicals occurs daily as they can be found in food, water, and household chemicals. According to renowned iodine expert Dr. Brownstein, iodine supplementation does not allow these chemical toxins to accumulate in the body. This allows the body to pass these toxins out of the system.
14. Rejuvenates Skin From the Inside Out!
Iodine promotes healthy skin, nails, and hair.[16] It stimulates cellular function resulting in the regeneration of the lower layers of these cells. By rejuvenating the skin from the inside out—so to speak—iodine encourages smooth skin, hair color, and strong nails.
to break it down into its components (which requires energy
and by-products) before it can be used. Atomic iodine delivers the body a serving of iodine in the atomic form – the same form the thyroid uses for hormone creation. This highly bioavailable form of iodine allows the body to maximize the iodine supplement.
Have you noticed a change in your health since starting iodine
supplementation? Please share your experiences with us and leave a comment below!
References (16)
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By Dr. Edward F. Group, III, DC, PhD, ND, DACBN
Most companies claiming to produce oxygen based colon cleansers fail! These companies do not employ a scientific method for attaching and stabilizing oxygen correctly. Moreover, many of these companies merely use or mix combinations of magnesium oxides with magnesium peroxide and sell their products as oxygen releasing compounds, but this is not accurate! Magnesium oxide holds oxygen but does not release oxygen very well unless properly assisted. You must pick the proper combination of vectors to hold and deliver oxygen effectively. The magnesium acts as a carrier of the oxygen to transport it through the intestinal lining, kidneys, bladder and out through the intestines. You do not want a form of magnesium that can be completely assimilated; that is not the purpose.
strains mostly anaerobic (without oxygen) but will also flourish in an aerobic condition. The friendly bacteria in the bowel secrete hydrogen peroxide as a by-product and can live in a high spectrum of oxygen exposure. They will also fight for the receptor sites of the bad bacteria or the bad organisms concentrating themselves in the bowel.
Each bug or harmful organism picks its own environmental pH to live in. What the body wants is a good colony of Probiotics thriving from the stomach all they way down through the colon. Ideally, the friendly bacteria should fight the unfriendly bacteria and secrete hydrogen peroxide as a by-product within the bowel.
By taking oxygen based colon cleansers every other evening before bed, we will feed the friendly bacteria with the oxygen needed to create a stable bowel environment. Oxygen will also oxidize and clean the entire bowel, relieving constipation and compaction. When you take oxygen based colon cleansers, you raise the level of ORS (Oxygen Reactive Species), which causes a stimulation of lymphocytes to produce T-cells. This process promotes a strengthened immune system. You shouldn’t take oxygen based colon cleansers every day but you should take a good Probiotic and enzyme formula to enhance the effectiveness of the cleanser you are using. Increasing your antioxidant intake is also recommended. Women and men are starting to develop a condition called progressive constipation. Progressive constipation is developed when you don’t go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge. This reduces the contraction of the muscles in the bowel, resulting in progressive constipation and a lazy bowel. Make sure you pay attention to the urge to go to the bathroom. As soon as you feel an urge, get up and go! Waiting can cause the bowel muscles to lose their effectiveness over time.
When looking at oxygen based colon cleansers one must determine the following:
Is oxygen really being released? This is determined using a titration test. Titration will show if oxygen is being released and for how long it is released. Oxy-Powder® released oxygen over 18 hours in testing. How aggressively is the oxygen being released? This is measured with electromotive force. The majority of the products claiming oxygen delivery have an electromotive force of 1.23 or below, which is not good. Oxy-Powder® is the leader, and has an aggressive, fast electromotive power of 2.4 or above. Be aware of so-called oxygen based colon cleansers containing the ingredient ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is a strong antioxidant, which will neutralize any benefits of oxygen release. On the other hand it must be kept in mind that ascorbic acid can also act as a pro-oxidant, especially in the presence of iron and copper. 1. Weakens Skeletal Health 6. Harmful to Male and Female Fertility 2. Causes Arthritis 7. Bad For Kidney Health 3. Toxic to the Thyroid 8. Harmful to the Cardiovascular System 4. Accelerates Female Puberty 9. Negative Cognitive Effects 5. Calcifies the Ultra-Important Pineal Gland Reducing Your Exposure to Fluoride Using non-fluoride toothpaste can immediately reduce your fluoride exposure. Maintaining healthy iodine levels can help protect the thyroid from fluoride. Fluoridated water is the largest concern and most water filters are not adequate for removing fluoride; instead look to a reverse osmosis water purification systems.
Your kidneys provide a vital service to your body—they filter waste from your blood and send it to your bladder. They also regulate blood pressure, manage water reabsorption, control the acidity in the body, and balance electrolyte levels. Considering their importance, eating a diet to promote kidney health could be one of the best things you can do.
Read the full report here: 7 Best Foods To Support Kidney Function
Although I'm sure you love to go to the dentist, you might see plaque and tartar building up before your next visit and here is a healthy way to keep the nasty stuff from growing so fast.
What You Need To Know About Plaque and Tartar
Plaque contains bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. As plaque forms and is not removed by proper brushing and flossing, it can harden into tartar — sometimes called calculus — which is calcified (or hardened) plaque that attaches to the enamel on your teeth, as well as below the gum line. Bigger problems arise, however, if plaque stays on your teeth and hardens into tartar. Tartar, also called calculus, forms below and above the gum line. It is rough and porous and can lead to receding gums and gum disease. This Practice Can Help Oil Pulling This is a practice that has been getting more recognition in recent years but it has been around for hundreds of years. Oil Pulling supports oral health and helps remove plaque from teeth. Extra-virgin coconut oil is great for oil pulling because it is high in lauric acid that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
Baking soda, is a great home remedy for removing plaque. It neutralizes acids in the mouth, thereby reducing the amount of harmful bacteria. It also helps whiten and brighten your teeth.
Clove oil has been found to do the job that fluoride is promoted for but without the health risk. The Indian Department of Public Health Dentistry recently conducted a study that evaluated clove’s ability to slow tooth decalcification (“dental erosion”) compared to eugenol, eugenyl-acetate, fluoride and a control group. Not only did clove oil lead by “significantly” decreasing decalcification, it was observed that it actually remineralized teeth. This study highlights, yet again, that the so-called benefits of fluoridating our water supply and mainstream dental products is not worth the risk. All this may be more of an ordeal than you are used to doing with your teeth but don't find out the hard way that it is worth it. I wish I had known the importance of doing more than just brushing before I lost some really important molars so all I can say is, be wise about taking good care of your teeth. ~~Karen
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The Importance of a Kidney Cleansing Diet These foods are easy to incorporate into your daily diet if you haven't already. Please watch the video above to learn how important our liver is to our health and survival. I hope this is helpful to you! ~Karen
1. Garlic
Selenium is a mineral in garlic that increases the antioxidant action assisting the liver to detox. Arginine is an amino acid in garlic that plays an important role in relaxing the blood vessels, easing the blood pressure in the liver. Garlic also contains Vitamin B6, which acts as an anti-inflammatory in the liver, and Vitamin C. 2. Grapefruit Grapefruit is high in Vitamin C as well as glutathione, which is produced naturally by the liver. Glutathione is involved in several processes in the body, including tissue building and repair, production of chemicals and proteins that are needed in the body, and strengthening of the immune system. 3. Vegetables Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and other cruciferous veggies help the liver produce enzymes to aid in the removal of toxins.Leafy green vegetables are known to protect the liver by neutralizing metals, chemicals and pesticides from both foods and the environment. Arugula, spinach and chicory are believed to increase bile flow to help rid the body of waste products. Beets naturally cleanse and purify the blood to boost liver function and the production of nutrients in the body.
4. Avocados
Avocados are superfood for the liver. They contain glutathione as well as Vitamin C and E which act as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals and protect liver cells from damage. The Vitamin E and Vitamin K in avocados act as an anti-inflammatory to protect the liver from harmful inflammation. The healthy fats in avocados can also improve cholesterol levels. 5. Walnuts Walnuts contain the amino acid arginine, which is vital for helping the liver detoxify ammonia. They’re also high in glutathione and Omega-3 fatty acids, which help support liver detoxification. Walnuts are full of antioxidants that help to neutralize free radicals, and healthy, unsaturated fats that protect against fat accumulation in the liver. These healthy fats are also essential to building strong cell membranes around liver cells. 6. Turmeric The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Curcumin is believed to help protect the bile duct to improve the flow of bile, acting as a liver cleanser. It rejuvenates liver cells by preventing toxins and alcohol from being converted into harmful compounds that can damage the liver. Sprinkling some turmeric on your food is a great way to add a little flavor and reap the health benefits. |