Thyroid--Can I get too much iodine? Wont too much cause hypothyroidism? or even hyperthyroidism? That depends upon whom you ask. Theres a lot of misinformation floating around out there. The U.S. government has set the RDA for iodine at 150 mcgs/day, supposedly the amount to keep goiter from developing. (By the way, it takes 1,000 mcgs to make 1 mg). 150 mcgs is supposedly the amount of iodine in 1/2 teaspoon of iodized salt. Many medical professionals have been trained to believe that if one consumes more than 200 mcgs/day of iodine, the thyroid gland will shut down. According to Dr. Guy Abraham, MD, such thinking stems from a study done in 1948 that showed if you inject too much iodine into a rat, it slows down its thyroid function. This was called the W-C Effect, named for the two men, Wolff and Chaikof, who conducted the study. Later that same year, further studies showed that this same effect does not happen in humans. It seems that people Wolff and Chaikof continue to influence have not paid much attention to the second study. At the same time, other studies have been conducted that estimate the amount of iodine required in the female body to protect against breast cancer is 20-40 times what has been established as the recommended daily allowance, as much as 3,000-6,000 mcgs or the equivalent of three to six mgs each day. The W-C Effect, combined with medical stupidity, observes Dr. Abraham, may have caused more human misery and death than both world wars combined, by preventing meaningful clinical investigations of optimal levels of iodine on physical and mental health. Today, the optimal requirement of iodine for whole body sufficiency is still unknown. We have attempted to calculate this amount based on a review of the literature and it turns out to be 100 times the RDA. The average citizen of Japan consumes almost 14 mgs per day of iodine (almost 100 times the RDA in the US). Their diet draws heavily upon foods from the ocean. Japan, as a nation, has the lowest incidence of cancer overall, and particularly cancers of the female reproductive organs. Its a well-documented fact that when Japanese women move to Hawaii, leaving behind their national diet high in iodine, and start eating the American diet, their incidence of breast cancer skyrockets. So, can you get too much iodine? The average American isnt getting enough (or any), and needs far more than the RDA--somewhere between 3-14 mgs/day. But cant too much iodine cause hyperthyroidism--over-activity of the thyroid gland? Some in the medical field hold to the misguided notion that too much iodine will shut down thyroid function (hypothyroidism). This is a myth I hope Ive helped to dispel. Others contend just the opposite, that too much iodine will actually make the thyroid gland over-active (hyperthyroidism). Its often a surprise for folks to learn that over-activity of the thyroid gland is actually due to lack of dietary iodine. Iodine is the thyroid balancer. It bring under-active thyroid function back up into balance, and over-active function back down into balance. Folks suffering from hyperactive thyroid always test just as low in iodine. In this regard, Dr. Jim Howenstine, MD observes: When iodine no longer binds to thyroid cell membranes (in other words, lacking in the diet), enzymes called peroxidases are able to damage these membranes and produce autoimmune diseases such as Hashimotos Thyroiditis and Hyperthyroidism (Graves Disease)....For more than 100 years, high doses of iodine have been known to benefit both under-activity (hypothyroidism) of the thyroid gland, and over-activity (hyperthyroidism). Iodine therapy allows the sluggish thyroid gland to resume normal production of thyroid hormone, leading to resolution of hypothyroidism. Provision of iodine stops the peroxidase injury to the thyroid membranes in hyperthyroidism, which permits hyperthyroidism to be resolved. Dr. Bruce West concurs. He says...iodine is the treatment of choice for hypo- and hyperthyroid problems...Doctors could get as high as 90% cure rate with hyperthyroid by using what would be considered high doses of iodine daily. _________________ The above info is taken from my latest book.... The Breast Cancer Pattern (It Starts With Your Starving Thyroid) Dr. Dave Frahm, ND, MH, CNC, CNHP (Currently being revised and updated. Look for it in book stores soon.) If youd like some personalized help with your health, just let me know here on FB via a Personal Message. Id be deeply honored to play a role on your health team. I can put you on my schedule for either an office visit or phone consultation.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 16:30:31 +0000