Understanding the Importance of Iodine
Understanding the Importance of Iodine by Doctor Kathy Veon, an expert in Oriental Medicine and a board certified doctor. Iodine is a vital yet misunderstood nutrient which has been coming to the forefront of medical research in recent years. Necessary for basic biological function in humans, iodine plays an important role in thyroid and adrenal health, immune function, memory and cognition, preventing autoimmune diseases, as well as breast and prostate cancer, just to name a few. According to studies conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, iodine levels of the general population have fallen 50% in the last 30 years. What does this mean to us?
Iodine Supplementation and Iodine Importance reviewed by Dr Kathy Veon
Because iodine is found in every cell of our bodies, any deficiency over time could lead to increased chances of disease. The most widely known is thyroid dysfunction. The thyroid will not function properly without adequate iodine. In fact, there are other elements in our environment that block iodine from reaching the thyroid gland. Iodine is part of a group of elements called ‘halogens’. Flash back to 7th grade science class for just a moment… This group of nonmetal elements on the periodic table includes: iodine, which is necessary for health, and chlorine, fluorine, bromine and astatine, which are all toxic. Because they are all of very similar molecular weight, chlorine, bromine, and fluoride will adhere to the iodine receptor on the thyroid gland, blocking iodine absorption. This is important because of the abundance of toxic halides found in our swimming pools and hot tubs, our drinking water, bakery products, and prescription asthma medications.
Testing iodine levels is easy, painless, inexpensive, and can determine if supplementation is needed. Iodized salt was thought to guard against deficiency, but recent studies show that is not always the case. In fact, the Recommended Daily Allowance of iodine has been vastly underestimated. New research shows that up to 100 times the current RDA may be necessary to effectively prevent disease. If iodine levels are too low, supplementing with natural and inorganic sources is very safe. The Japanese are legendary for their longevity and low rates of degenerative disease, most notably breast and prostate cancer. Interestingly, their diet is very high in iodine rich fish and sea vegetables.
Understanding the Importance of Iodine by Dr Kathy Veon | Central Florida Preventive Medicine
Organic / radioactive sources of iodine are toxic to the body and should never be used as treatment as they may cause unwanted side effects, including thyroid suppression. Inorganic / non-radioactive sources of iodine / iodide are safe for therapeutic use. Examples of safe iodine / iodide supplements would include Lugol’s solution or Iodoral. Dosages between 6.25 mg and 50 mg per day are commonly recommended and the coinciding use of antioxidants such as selenium and vitamin C as well as B vitamins can assist in any detoxification process that may occur with the supplementation of inorganic iodine.
The uses for therapeutic iodine are vast, and we are understanding more about this vital nutrient every day. Some of the current uses include: heavy metal detoxification, removing excess estrogens, treating thyroid dysfunction, reproductive and breast cancers, lowered immune function, chronic fatigue, attention deficit disorder, memory impairment, depression, and headaches.
Always use iodine supplementation under the supervision of a physician. They will be able to test levels by administering an Iodine Loading Test, and determine how much supplementation may be needed.
Preventive measures now will keep you healthy for years to come. It is far easier and less expensive to prevent disease, than to treat it once it has occurred.
Dr. Kathy Veon, DAOM, AP, CCN is a graduate of Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine in Santa Monica, California, and Florida College of Integrative Medicine in Orlando, Florida. She is a board certified Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Clinical Nutritionist and Doctor of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine.
Dr. Veon is currently serving as Chair of the Florida Board of Acupuncture, and Committee Chair of Continuing Education for the International and American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists (IAACN).
She holds a private practice in Lake Mary, Florida at Central Florida Preventive Medicine where she specializes in holistic medicine therapies such as: Functional Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, Quantum Reflex Analysis (QRA), Acupuncture, Pelotherapy, NAET (allergy elimination technique), Western and Chinese Herbology, Nutrigenomic Testing and Nutritional Therapies, EVOX Perception Reframing, Environmental Medicine and helping her patients overcome chronic and debilitating illnesses through finding and correcting the root causes of disease.
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