The many uses of Iodine + IODINE AND THE BODY

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The many uses of Iodine.

_http://iodine4health.com/overviews/uses/panam_uses.htm_

(http://iodine4health.com/overviews/uses/panam_uses.htm)

1. Germicide: Elemental iodine is a potent germicide with wide spectrum

and low tissue toxicity. A solution of 50 ppm (eg, 50 mg/L) kills bacteria in

1 min and bacterial spores in 15 min. Topically, Iodine is excellent for

toenail fungus, ringworm, fever blisters, moles and skin tags, warts,

hangnails, etc. Just a few drops on a q-tip is all it takes. Use daily until

the

topical gaffes are gone.

2. Water purification: Iodine has been used to disinfect water for nearly

a century. It has advantages over chlorine in convenience and probably

efficacy; many travellers find the taste less offensive as well. It appears

safe for short and intermediate length use (3-6 months), but questions remain

about its safety in long-term usage. It should not be used for a long term

by persons with allergy to iodine, persons with active thyroid disease, or

pregnant women....

3. Radioactive Fallout: There is no medicine that will effectively prevent

nuclear radiations from damaging the human body cells that they strike.

However, a salt of the elements potassium and iodine, taken orally even in

very small quantities 1/2 hour to 1 day before radioactive iodines are

swallowed or inhaled, prevents about 99% of the damage to the thyroid gland

that

otherwise would result. The thyroid gland readily absorbs both

non-radioactive and radioactive iodine, and normally it retains much of this

element in

either or both forms.

 

When ordinary, non-radioactive iodine is made available in the blood for

absorption by the thyroid gland before any radioactive iodine is made

available, the gland will absorb and retain so much that it becomes saturated

with non-radioactive iodine. When saturated, the thyroid can absorb only about

l% as much additional iodine, including radioactive forms that later may

become available in the blood: then it is said to be blocked. (Excess iodine

in the blood is rapidly eliminated by the action of the kidneys.)

4. Fibrocystic Breasts: Many women develop " fibrocystic breast disease " .

In the 1970s, pioneering trace element researcher Dr. John Myers showed that

iodine would eliminate even the most severe cases of fibrocystic breast

disease. In " medium " to " minor " cases, 6 to 8 drops of SSKI or Lugol's taken

in a few ounces of water daily will frequently reduce fibrocystic breast

disease to insignificance within three to six months. [16]

5. Herpes virus: If the truth be known, there are many chemicals that

destroy or inactivate the herpes simplex virus. Iodine is a very common

antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal agent for topical use. A bit of a water

soluble iodine complex like Povidine Iodine (Betadine iodine) might be added to

the " zinc gluconate " wash to help in the struggle against herpes. Tincture

of iodine is also used, but it is in alcohol, which may sting tender

tissues. Iodine stains the skin and clothing, and it is absorbed into the skin

where it has its activity. An iodine-colored zinc gluconate wash might be

helpful in reminding one to retreat. Iodine disappears into the skin at rates

that are different between people. For example, in a very small 1975 study

patients with vulvovaginal and cervical herpes virus infections were treated

with a regimen of external and intravaginal povidone-iodine preparations.

In all but one case, the expected duration of symptoms and healing time

were shortened.

7. Ophthalmia neonatorum prevention. " Ophthalmia neonatorum " is defined as

conjunctivitis with eye discharge that occurs during the first month of

life. Various bacteria can cause this condition, including gonococcus and

Chlamydia trachomatis . Several agents have been used as drops in the eyes to

prevent this condition in infants, including erythromycin, silver nitrate,

gentamicin, and Povidone-iodine. Tetracycline and penicillin drops have also

been used. Although this condition is now uncommon in industrialized

nations, it remains a problem in the developing world with an incidence as high

as 20-30% and cases of blindness reported in Africa each year.

Povidone-iodine ophthalmic solution appears to have broad spectrum activity

against

bacteria, and is less expensive than many antibiotics. It therefore may be a

cost-effective option in some populations. One drop of 2.5% solution in each

eye has been demonstrated as being effective in multiple studies.

8. Molluscum contagiosum: Iodine has been suggested as a topical treatment

for molluscum.

9. Ovarian cysts: It's very likely that SSKI helps eliminate fibrocystic

breast disease and ovarian cysts at least partly through it's interaction

with estrogens….which brings us to another important use for SSKI (and other

forms of iodine such as " Lugol's solution " and " di-atomic iodine " ). All of

these forms of iodine help your body to metabolize estrone (a slightly

carcinogenic human estrogen) and 16-alpha-hydroxyestrone (a much more dangerous

metabolite of human estrogen) into estriol, an " anti-carcinogenic " or at

worst " neutral " form of human estrogen.

10. Dupuytren's contracture and Peyronie's disease are two " fibrotic "

conditions that can be helped considerably by SSKI or Lugol's solution. In

Dupuytren's contracture, thickening (fibrosis) occurs along one of the tendons

in the palm in the hand, pulling the related finger down towards the palm.

As the problem progresses, the finger often can't be straightened any more.

 

In Peyronie's disease, a very similar thickening occurs along the shaft of

the penis, making erections increasing " curved " and painful. In both

cases, rubbing SSKI into the thickened tissue at least twice daily softens and

lessens the fibrotic area over a period of several months, allowing for more

normal function.

 

For these conditions, it's additionally helpful to take para-aminobenzoic

acid (PABA) 2 grams, three times daily, and to rub a mixture of Vitamin E

and DMSO into the thickened areas, also. However, if " caught early " , SSKI

alone will often " do the job " .

11. Keloids are abnormally thick scars, sometimes as much as an inch

thick, that can form after injury. Although anyone can get a keloid, they're

more common among blacks than other ethnic groups. Rubbing SSKI into a keloid

at least twice daily will ultimately flatten them down to a " normal scar " ,

but it can take many months to a year for particularly bad ones. The

treatment goes faster if SSKI or Lugol's is mixed " 50-50 " with DMSO.

12. Fistulas are literally abnormal tunnels through tissues, " tunnels "

prevented from healing by chronic infection. Two not-unusual types are

" peri-anal fistulas " (a " tunnel " from outside the anus to the inside of the

rectum) and " recto-vaginal " fistulas. Although these fistulas can be treated

successfully by surgery, they can often be healed by frequent swabbing inside

and out with an SSKI-soaked " Q-tip " . Patience is required: Complete healing

often takes several months. The treatment appears to work better if the

SSKI is mixed with DMSO, which enhances penetration.

13. Hemorrhoids. Richard Kunin, M.D. of San Francisco, is a " world class "

expert on the use of SSKI and other forms of iodine. He has found that

hemorrhoids will sometimes disappear literally overnight, when SSKI (20 drops)

mixed with flaxseed oil (1 ounce) is rubbed in them at bedtime. He's also

found that SSKI alone will do the same job, although it " really stings " when

applied to a hemorrhoid by itself.

14. Arteriosclerosis. Over 30 years ago, two ophthalmologists observed

that a combination tablet called " Iodo-niacin " (iodide 120 milligrams, niacin

15 milligrams) taken for several months could actually reverse

atherosclerotic clogging of arteries. They proved this effect by taking

pictures of

clogged arteries in the backs of the eyes (retinal photomicrographs) before

and after treatment. The published photographs showed a significant lessening

of the cholesterol-laden artery clogging in the " after " pictures. [14]

True to cause, no follow-up study has ever been published (probably because

niacin and iodide aren't patentable). Recommended is 1 to 2 drops of SSKI or

Lugol's and niacin-containing B-complex daily (along with essential fatty

acids or fish oil) for anyone with significant cholesterol-related

atherosclerotic clogging. Thyroid function must be monitored!

15. Sebaceous cysts are cysts which contain oily, fatty material. They

usually appear rather suddenly on the face or in the groin or labia. Rubbing

in SSKI mixed 50-50 with DMSO will almost always persuade these cysts to go

away in a week or two; it appears that the iodide " dissolves " the fatty,

oily material contained in the cysts, allowing your body to slowly re-absorb

and dispose of it. The famous chemistry professor Louis Feiser made a point

of demonstrating to all the medical students that iodine and iodide would

make oils, fats, and waxes (cholesterol is actually a wax) more soluble in

water. This known action of iodide might likely explain why it might be

needed in patients with lipomas.

16. Sialoliths, parotid duct stone. These are " stones " which can form in

the saliva-carrying duct(s) from the major salivary glands ( " parotid "

glands, located at the " angle of the jaw " ). 3 to 4 drops of SSKI taken in water

daily reportedly will almost always dissolve parotid duct stones within four

to eight months.

17. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema ( " COPD " ). Lugol's is an invaluable

medicine, it gets into all body secretions, including often thick and hard to

cough up bronchial secretions, which get infected very easily. As a well

known and old time expectoran, it " loosens " secretions remarkably, making

them much easier to expectorate, and it prevents micro-organisms from growing

easily. With regular use, bronchial infection is a much less frequent

problem for these patients. Depending on the severity of COPD, I recommend 3 to

6 drops of lugol's taken in water once daily. As COPD is usually a chronic

condition, use will usually be indefinite, so make sure to monitor thyroid

function!

18. Infected hangnails are perhaps the easiest to clear up this way, as

are nagging bacterial infections around the edges of the toenails. Rub in the

mixture several times daily, and the problem's usually gone in a few days.

Herpes simplex ( " herpes " ) ourbreaks can be " stopped cold " in the same way,

but it often takes longer for the " sore " to heal itself over.

19. Enlarged tonsils. Persistent " swollen glands " in the throat or groin

areas, see a doctor first! These can very rarely be signs of leukemia,

lymphoma, or another cancer, especially in older people. But if all tests and

studies are negative, rub in the SSKI with DMSO. In a large majority of

cases, the " just swollen glands " will gradually fade away.

20. Onychomycosis. Fungus under the toenails is a difficult problem to

treat. Even " conventional " anti-fungal drug treatment takes months to work,

and (for safety) monthly liver function tests are necessary. Lugol's or

Tincture of Iodine and DMSO rubbed on, around, and under the affected toenails

doesn't work any faster, but it's just as effective, and definitely safer.

21. Vaginal infections. 20 to 30 drops in water, used in a small " douche "

once daily for five to ten days will usually resolve the infection in

several days.

22. Bladder Infections. 1-2 drops of lugol's in a glass of water, four

times daily. Since the iodide excretion generally exits the kidney in four

hours, for a severe bladder infection give it every four hours. I have treated

successfully some of the worst bladder infections by this method. Lugol's

works better than antibiotics, and unlike antibiotics, the infection is not

so nearly prone to return.

23. Hypothyroidism. Even though iodine and iodide are absolutely essential

to thyroid hormone formation, in most " developed " countries, hypothyroid

conditions are not usually due to an outright lack of iodine or iodide.

Still, hypothyroidism is occasionally helped by 1 drop of lugol's daily. Make

sure to monitor the thyroid profiles!

24. Vegan gas. reducing the gas from eating beans! Macrobioticists have

know for years that cooking beans with seaweed reduces bean flatus. If you're

soaking beans before cooking them, add 1 or 2 drops of Lugol's, and let

them soak for an hour or more. Pour offf that water before cooking, and add

fresh water. You'll be surprised at the reduction in resulting intestinal

gas! (Technical explanation: There's a naturally occurring enzyme inhibitor

in beans which interferes with starch digestion in the gut, producing gas.

Lugol's inactivates this enzyme inhibitor.)

25. Baldness: In Mexico, some people have used iodine as a means of

preventing baldness. One woman used iodine for years as a preventive measure

against her baldness. She used it as a rinse after washing her hair. Another

woman told me to " cure " a bald spot by dabbing iodine on the bald spot or

area of thinning hair. After a while, a crust will form. Eventually, beneath

the crust fine hairs will start to grow. She said it can take about three

months to see the results.

26. Heavy Metal Detox. The bioavailability of a Lugol's containing 12.5 mg

elemental iodine was evaluated by measuring 24 hr urine levels of iodide

together with the minerals, trace elements and toxic metals before and after

administration of this preparation. The results obtained following iodine

supplementation revealed that in some subjects, the urine levels of

mercury, lead and cadmium increased by several fold after just one day of

supplementation. For aluminum, this increased excretion was not observed

usually

until after one month or more on the iodine supplementation. [15] Preliminary

data so far suggest that orthoiodosupplementation results in

detoxification of the body from the toxic metals aluminum, cadmium, lead and

mercury.

One of the old materia medicas listed using iodine for mercury

detoxification. [Mercurial Poisoning, and other chronic metallic toxaemiae,

—Potassium

Iodide, to promote elimination of the poison.]

27. Precancerous skin lesions: From my own clinical experience, repeated

application of Lugol’s to the skin appears to cause regeneration of the skin

from the bottom up, causing eventually sloughing the old version of the

skin off. It is very helpful in granulation of new skin in leg ulcers when

used twice daily as a wound spray. For suspicious spots, if there was a

pre-cancerous lesion on the old skin, it is replaced with new skin minus the

lesion. There does not seem to be any skin lesions which are not helped or

cured by this procedure. In some cases I found clinically obvious low thyroid

conditions also needed to be treated to be more aggressively. Minor

lacerations and healing of surgical wounds respond well. If skin regeneration is

from the bottom, then there is little or no scar formation. It is better than

vitamin E, but that helps too.

28. Cuts and scabs. It is my belief a water solution of iodine (like

Lugol's) is an important therapeutic agent for skin. Because of its

effectiveness and the results, perhaps many skin diseases are related to local

tissue

areas of relative iodine deficiency. Perhaps the most graphic lesions are

the " keloid " (worm) incision scars formed after surgical procedures. If the

iodine intake and tissue levels are adequate, such as in Japan, keloid

formation doesn't happen (17). In addition, iodine's ability to trigger natural

cell death (apoptosis) (18) makes it effective against all pre-cancerous

skin lesions and likely many cancerous lesions. The local site is replaced

with normal skin.

Our older generation tended to put tincture of iodine onto a fresh wound

to prevent infection. This turns out to be helpful. It is much more

effective (and doesn't hurt) to apply iodine repeatedly after a scab has been

formed also. The iodine put onto the scab helps to organize total repair of the

tissue. It is implied a similar approach could be taken to burns of all

depths but at the same time the physiology of burns suggest there is an acute

lack of thyroid hormone.

29. Common cold. The next time you feel that scratchy throat or that first

onset snuffle, reach for a bottle of Lugol's and start snorting from the

open top. You may be surprized to see it rapidly quench a rhinovirus

infection before it sets in.

30. Breast Cancer: Based on an extensive review of breast cancer

epidemiological studies, R.A. Wiseman [25] came to the following conclusions:

92-96%

of breast cancer cases are sporadic; there is a single cause for the

majority of cases; the causative agent is deficiency of a micronutrient that is

depleted by a high-fat diet; and if such an agent is detected, intervention

studies with supplementation should lead to a decline in the incidence of

breast cancer. It is the opinion of several investigators that this

protective micronutrient is the essential element iodine. [26] Demographic

surveys

of Japan and Iceland revealed that both countries have a relatively high

intake of iodine and low incidences of simple endemic goiter and breast

cancer. Whereas in Mexico and Thailand, just the reverse is observed -- a high

incidence of both endemic goiter and breast cancer.... "

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IODINE AND THE BODY

_http://iodine4health.com/body/body.htm_

(http://iodine4health.com/body/body.htm)

Iodine is detected in every organ and tissue in the body. It is found in

high levels in the thyroid, breast, stomach, saliva, ovaries, liver, lung,

heart, and adrenals. It is essential in pregnancy.

_Iodine and the Thyroid._

(http://iodine4health.com/body/thyroid/thyroid.htm)

Often, iodine is treated as if it is important only to the thyroid, and

the effects of iodine on the rest of the body are ignored. However, iodine

seems to impact every organ and system of the body.

Much of the research has been done on the thyroid since iodine is

essential for the formation of thyroid hormones and the thyroid hormones affect

every cell of the body. The primary thyroid hormones are T3 and T4, named for

the number of iodine atoms contained. For example, T3 contains three

iodine atoms and T4 contains four iodine atoms. Recent research indicates that

T2 and T1 are also important hormones.

Many studies have been done on the metabolism of iodine by the thyroid.

The _NIS_

(http://iodine4health.com/special/physiology/transporters/nis/nis.htm)

(Sodium/Iodide Symporter) allows iodide to be taken into the thyroid

cells at levels of concentration much higher than the levels in the blood.

Once the iodide is in the cell, it undergoes a complex metabolic process as

it gets transformed into the thyroid hormones.

_Iodine and the Breast_ (http://iodine4health.com/body/breast/breast.htm) .

 

There is an extensive body of research and theory on iodine and the

breast. The breast contains _NIS_

(http://iodine4health.com/special/physiology/transporters/nis/nis.htm)

receptors and is known to concentrate iodine in

the excreted milk. Iodine is considered important for proper breast

structure and health. The specific form of molecular iodine (I2) (versus

iodide,

I-) is considered to be essential for a healthy breast.

Research on iodine and the breast focuses on (1) fibrocystic breast

disease, (2) breast cancer, (3) iodine metabolism and (4) relationships between

thyroid issues and the breast.

_Iodine and the Brain (CNS)_

(http://iodine4health.com/body/brain/brain.htm) .

Iodine is known to be essential for the development of the brain.

Cretinism, a severe form of mental retardation with physical difficulties as

well,

is caused by severe iodine deficiency in the mother during pregnancy. It

is the best known of the Iodine Deficiency Diseases and is still a problem

in much of the world. Many suspect that lesser forms of mental retardation

are also caused by iodine deficiency.

_Iodine and the Heart_ (http://iodine4health.com/body/heart/heart.htm) .

 

Iodine is essential for the heart. The thyroid hormones (which are

molecules containing iodine) have major effects on the heart and circulatory

system.

_Iodine and the Immune System_

(http://iodine4health.com/body/immune/immune.htm) .

Iodine is accumulated by the immune system, especially by neutrophils

during phagocytosis (engulfing of bacteria and other foreign bodies). A potent

antimicrobial system is created with a peroxidase, hydrogen peroxide, and

a halide. This system is highly effective against bacteria, viruses,

fungi, and other micro-organisms. During this process, iodoproteins such as

monoiodotyrosine (T1) are created.

_Iodine and the Gastrointestinal System._

(http://iodine4health.com/body/gastro/gastro.htm)

Iodine is concentrated in the stomach and is being studied in relationship

to stomach cancer. Iodine is also important in the production of stomach

acidity, bowel movements, and candida.

_Iodine and the Skin_ (http://iodine4health.com/body/skin/skin.htm) .

Much of the body's iodine is found in the skin. Moreover, iodine can be

absorbed through the skin. Exactly what the iodine is doing in the skin and

the various factors that affect transdermal absorption are not yet clear.

_Iodine and Hormones._

(http://iodine4health.com/body/hormones/hormones.htm)

In addition to thyroid hormones, iodine also affects other hormones.

Iodine affects estrogen metabolism, reported to transform estrone and estradiol

to estriol. Iodine affects the ovarian production of estrogen and also

affects estrogen receptors (at least in the breast).

_Iodine and the Ovaries._

(http://iodine4health.com/body/ovaries/ovaries.htm)

Ovaries concentrate iodine and have _NIS_

(http://iodine4health.com/special/physiology/transporters/nis/nis.htm)

symporters. Ovarian iodide uptake

varies with sexual activities and is enhanced by estrogens. Iodine

deficiency is related to ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer.

_Iodine and the Lungs_ (http://iodine4health.com/body/lungs/lungs.htm) .

There is a long history of the therapeutic use of iodine for lung issues.

It has been used in asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. It is presently

being studied in lung cancer.

_Iodine and the Eyes._ (http://iodine4health.com/body/eyes/eyes.htm)

Iodine occurs in large quantities in the ciliary body and lachrymal glands

of the eye. It has been related to cataract formation and glaucoma, and

is seen as useful in treating eye infections. Iodide has been found to be

protective against UVB radiation.

_Iodine and the Mouth._ (http://iodine4health.com/body/mouth/mouth.htm)

The salivary gland concentrate iodine 20 to 100 times serum levels. The

function of the iodine in the saliva is not yet clear. Povidone-iodine is

used as a disinfectant in dentistry for periodontal issues.

_Iodine and Bones._ (http://iodine4health.com/body/bones/bones.htm)

Several studies have now shown a relationship between iodine and bones.

_Iodine and the Blood._ (http://iodine4health.com/body/blood/blood.htm)

Iodine has been studied as an antioxidant in human blood and has been

found to be as powerful as Vitamin C.

_Iodine in Evolution_

(http://iodine4health.com/special/evolution/evolution.htm) .

Some of the most fascinating work on iodine has been in the field of

evolution, where scientists have been researching how iodine came to be

concentrated by certain parts of the body

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