Safe Uses of Iodine

This may be the most important message you will read this week, this month or possibly this year because it has the potential to improve your life and to prevent years of ill-health and disease.  The subject is obviously iodine and the use of iodine supplements but here’s what most people don’t realize about this incredible trace mineral.

Too little iodine and especially too much iodine can lead to severe health problems which in their earlier stages will go undetected by most physicians.  Why is this?

Most physicians don’t think about the effects of iodine deficiency or iodine toxicity.  Seldom is there a thought about what I call the Optimal Dose Requirement (ODR) for iodine and iodide.

The problem is this.  Every vitamin and mineral (vitamins A, E and the B’s, calcium, magnesium, zinc, etc.) can be found in nutrient laden foods but with iodine and iodide it’s different.  It’s just not there anymore.  Our soils are iodine depleted and the quality of seafood and sea vegetation has become overly polluted.

The question then is, is iodine important enough to supplement and what’s the best source?

In this blog I continually review the medical research on the many health benefits of iodine and iodide yet I know your time is valuable and that right now learning about the benefits of iodine is not on your urgent ‘to-do’ list for today.

BUT if you are searching for a good iodine supplement you must know the dangers of taking too much iodine and iodide.  Therefore the first thing I suggest you do is to read the blog, the Dangers of Too Much Iodine.

But if you are one of fortunate few who is not in a hurry then read on.

Everyone not supplementing with iodine and iodide is experiencing symptoms of deficiency.  Half the world’s population is suffering the effects of inadequate iodine and iodide intake.  Weight gain, lack of motivation, apathy, negative thinking, poor concentration and memory, and fatigue all have to do in part with low levels of these all important trace minerals.  Then how much do we need?

The  body requires every single nutrient.  But if we take too little we become deficient.  If we take too much we become toxic.  The goal then is to provide our bodies with all the nutrients in the right amounts.

Every nutrient then, including iodine and iodide, has a safe and effective dose.  I underline safe because safety is the first concern when selecting an iodine supplement.

Editorials

This blog also includes editorials and inspirational stories from my experience as a physician.  I share what I call clinical pearls.  These help to expand our awareness of the many ways and means we have of improving our health.  Although drugs may be necessary at times they do not promote health.  It’s all about a healthy diet and lifestyle.  I’ll pass along many clues, many simple ways you can improve your health.

I also cover some of the other supplements yet the word supplement is just what the word implies, to supplement or to make up for what we don’t get from our food.  I’ve haven’t met a healthy person yet who relied solely on supplements to support their health.

As a physician my primary role is to provide you with information.  In the end it is up to you and you alone to care for your most precious gift, the health of your body and mind.  No one else but you can take this initiative.

One thing you can trust and rely on, I share knowledge with you which is honest and truthful, which is generated from scientific investigation and from my personal experience as a physician.

I look forward to communicating with you again on a regular basis.

Dr. Alexander Haskell, N.D.