How much do you really know about iodine? A few years ago I realized I didn’t know much beyond the information I grew up with as a child…. that it was something that was added to “fortify” table salt and you could also use it on cuts and scraps. But after the disaster at Fukushima a few years ago, iodine was suddenly a hot commodity and I started doing some research. And, boy, was I impressed with how important this essential mineral is for not only protecting the thyroid from radiation, but also providing immune support, encouraging healthy hormone levels, detoxing fluoride, chlorine and bromine, and much more…..
I always assumed I was getting enough iodine from using Himalayan crystal salt, a natural source of iodine, and taking Emerald Sea, a supplement that contains iodine-rich seaweed. But when the tragic situation with Fukushima brought radiation concerns to the forefront, I wanted to be sure I was getting enough iodine because it is well-known for protecting the thyroid from radiation.
So I did some testing and was surprised to find I was iodine deficient. That’s not so unusual either, because apparently a large part (75% or more) of the population is deficient, too. And even if radiation isn’t a concern, when your body is low in iodine your mucosal barrier (in your nose, mouth, lungs and intestines) suffers. This barrier, or protective layer, is what keeps hostile outside germs away from your sterile insides, and when it’s not functioning properly your body is at risk for potentially serious immune-system-mediated conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Epstein-Barr infection, and systemic candidiasis.
So I started searching for and comparing natural iodine supplements and what tested best, at least for me, was Detoxadine from Global Healing Center. I’ve been using it now for a couple of years and I always get a “yes” when I self-test to see if my body wants/needs it. But I never really understood how important iodine is and why the product happened to be called Detoxadine® until I recently watched a fascinating video put together by Dr. Frank Group, creator of the product and the man behind GHC.
Holy cow! I never knew iodine played such a major role in the detoxification process (thus the name of the product!) and that it increases the excretion of lead and mercury and plays a part in so many other body processes. AND it has so many benefits…..it’s helpful with insulin regulation and diabetes, good for breast and ovary health, promotes healthy hormone levels, improves energy and focus, and has anti-microbial and anti-septic properties. In fact, years ago iodine was the main antibiotic used before other options became available. You can also use it externally on the skin for dealing with cuts and burns, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to its uses and benefits!
This video is an hour long, but well worth the time, at least in my opinion. You’ll definitely have a new understanding and appreciation for iodine and the major role it plays in your health if you do. I had only planned on watching a few minutes of it and then got pulled in by all the useful information and insights it was providing.
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Want more on iodine?
Here’s information from NIH.org that you may find helpful regarding recommended dietary allowances and food sources of iodine. I think NIH is often conservative with their RDAs, but it gives you some ballpark figures to use. Everyone is different, so I highly recommend relying on a healthcare professional and/or always testing the supplement you plan to take to see if it’s right for you, and then also testing for dosage. Iodine supplementation is not something to fool around with.
| Age | Male | Female | Pregnancy | Lactation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth to 6 months | 110 mcg* | 110 mcg* | ||
| 7–12 months | 130 mcg* | 130 mcg* | ||
| 1–3 years | 90 mcg | 90 mcg | ||
| 4–8 years | 90 mcg | 90 mcg | ||
| 9–13 years | 120 mcg | 120 mcg | ||
| 14–18 years | 150 mcg | 150 mcg | 220 mcg | 290 mcg |
| 19+ years | 150 mcg | 150 mcg | 220 mcg | 290 mcg |
* Adequate Intake (AI)
The World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (ICCIDD) recommend a slightly higher iodine intake for pregnant women of 250 mcg per day.
Sources of Iodine
Seaweed (such as kelp, nori, kombu, and wakame) is one of the best food sources of iodine, but it is highly variable in its content (see Table 2). Other good sources include seafood, dairy products (partly due to the use of iodine feed supplements and iodophor sanitizing agents in the dairy industry), grain products, and eggs. Dairy products, especially milk, and grain products are the major contributors of iodine to the American diet. Iodine is also present in human breast milk and infant formulas.
Fruits and vegetables contain iodine, but the amount varies depending on the iodine content of the soil, fertilizer use and irrigation practices. Iodine concentrations in plant foods can range from as little as 10 mcg/kg to 1 mg/kg dry weight. This variability, in turn, affects the iodine content of meat and animal products because it affects the iodine content of foods that the animals consume. The iodine content of different seaweed species also varies greatly. For these reasons, the values in Table 2 are approximate.
| Food | Approximate Micrograms (mcg) per serving |
Percent *DV |
|---|---|---|
| Seaweed, whole or sheet, 1 g | 16 to 2,984 | 11% to 1,989% |
| Cod, baked, 3 ounces | 99 | 66% |
| Yogurt, plain, low-fat, 1 cup | 75 | 50% |
| **Iodized salt, 1.5 g (approx. 1/4 teaspoon) | 71 | 47% |
| Milk, reduced fat, 1 cup | 56 | 37% |
| Fish sticks, 3 ounces | 54 | 36% |
| Bread, white, enriched, 2 slices | 45 | 30% |
| Fruit cocktail in heavy syrup, canned, 1/2 cup | 42 | 28% |
| Shrimp, 3 ounces | 35 | 23% |
| Ice cream, chocolate, 1/2 cup | 30 | 20% |
| Macaroni, enriched, boiled, 1 cup | 27 | 18% |
| Egg, 1 large | 24 | 16% |
| Tuna, canned in oil, drained, 3 ounces | 17 | 11% |
| Corn, cream style, canned, 1/2 cup | 14 | 9% |
| Prunes, dried, 5 prunes | 13 | 9% |
| Cheese, cheddar, 1 ounce | 12 | 8% |
| Raisin bran cereal, 1 cup | 11 | 7% |
| Lima beans, mature, boiled, 1/2 cup | 8 | 5% |
| Apple juice, 1 cup | 7 | 5% |
| Green peas, frozen, boiled, 1/2 cup | 3 | 2% |
| Banana, 1 medium | 3 | 2% |
*DV = Daily Value. DVs were developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help consumers compare the nutrient contents of products within the context of a total diet. The DV for iodine is 150 mcg for adults and children aged 4 and older. However, the FDA does not require food labels to list iodine content unless a food has been fortified with this nutrient. Foods providing 20% or more of the DV are considered to be high sources of a nutrient.
**I would stay away from commercially iodized/fortified table salt (and any other food that does not come by iodine naturally) and use Himalayan crystal salt or Celtic sea salt, which contain natural iodine.
Source: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/
FYI, you can get iodine supplements at any number of places on-line, but I would certainly at least check out Detoxadine® at GHC, especially since they’re having a great sale on it through tomorrow (12/3/14). It’s actually what prompted me to finally get around to finishing and posting this information on iodine, because I wanted you to be able to take advantage of the sale. A bottle, which is super concentrated and lasts more than several months, is normally $29.95, but until 12/3 is just $19.95, plus shipping is free. Use code ‘Cyber2014’. I just ordered 2 bottles myself. Here’s a little about the product:
Unlike other iodine supplements which source iodine from the ocean, Detoxadine® is created using 300 million year old salt deposits located 7,000 feet below the earth’s surface. The result is an extremely pure and concentrated nascent iodine that is free of additives and toxins and also screened for radiation.
Detoxadine® is nascent iodine in a vegetable glycerin base. Unlike alcohol based formulas, it has an extremely gentle taste and is appropriate for adults and children alike.
Nascent iodine is also the most easily absorbed and utilized form of iodine available.
Why is Detoxadine® better than potassium iodide?
The nascent iodine in Detoxadine® is pure and much easier for your body to absorb and use. In nature, iodine is attached to other elements as a compound, it doesn’t exist pure. In these forms, absorption may only be 20%, making it biologically inefficient. Detoxadine® is different because it provides a bioavailable, non-toxic source of elemental nascent iodine that the body can efficiently use. Detoxadine® rapidly enters the bloodstream and disperses throughout the body.
The GHC website also has lots of testimonials and a 180 day money back guarantee. Also check out the Aqua-Spirit, O2 Zap (no home should be without it!), Oxy-powder and other products while you’re there.
Read Part II on Iodine, which focuses on some of the things that interfere with iodine absorption, symptoms of deficiency, medication interactions, resources for using iodine against radiation, and more. And see this related Self-help Health post about how certain anti-nutrients can block iodine absorption:
https://selfhelphealth.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/1913/
Salud!
Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine
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