Iodine Book Review

Healing with Iodine: your missing link to better health (2018) by Dr. Mark Sircus, OMD, DM.One of the most startling facts that can be found in this book is that ninety percent (90%) of the population in the United States are deficient in iodine. When it comes to the world population, seventy-two percent (72%) are thought to be deficient in iodine. (Other deficiencies include: Selenium, Vitamin A, magnesium, bicarbonates and Iron. Iodine needs L-tyrosine (amino acid) to create thyroid hormones.)As it turns out, thirty percent of the US population have thyroid issues. When we consider these statistics, it is apparent that our collective iodine levels have declined in the past forty years. This should concern and alarm all of us not only as why this represents a major public health issue, this also represents a nutritional medicine issue. It is extremely important for pregnant women to have proper iodine levels as it affects the health of their babies while in the womb and after birth. This overall decline in iodine levels is playing a role in the increased occurrence of:

• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Uterine cancer (uterus)

Healthy levels of iodine can also help with skin cancer and liver cancer, both as a preventive measure and treatment protocol. Iodine is needed in all stages of life with selenium.

Two factors play a role in the decline of iodine in our bodies.

One, it has to do with the reduced dietary intake of iodine. Iodized salt is not a good way to absorb iodine as most of the iodine over time evaporates from the salt. Two, iodine is a member of a group of elements called the halogen family in the periodic table of elements. The other members are fluoride, bromide, and chlorine. The body cannot easily tell these other three chemicals apart from iodine and this compromises iodine sufficiency. So, when fluoride is added to municipal water systems, this affects our iodine levels. Other sources of exposure to mercury and candida (yeast) can affect the body’s iodine levels. Radioactive iodine is harmful and the author explains how. (Note: The Fukushima meltdown harms all of us including sea life, releasing radioactive iodine.) The history of iodine as a medicine is covered by Dr. Sircus in this book; and apparently, it has a long history. It has therapeutic benefits especially when used in conjunction with magnesium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and selenium. It was used before the onset of vaccines, psychiatric medicines, Statin drugs, and antibiotics. Dr. Sircus discusses the positive use of iodine in place of antibiotics, as iodine will not harm the bacterial flora (or create antibiotic resistant bacterial strains) in the body whereas antibiotics do. He also recommends the use of iodine instead of vaccines that have harmful adjuvants/additives. Iodine can counteract bacteria, molds, yeasts, protozoa and a number of viruses. Iodine is able to penetrate the cellular walls of micro-organisms including bio-films (which can resist antibiotics or antibiotics are not able to penetrate). Before anti-fungal drugs, iodine was the standard treatment for yeasts conditions. In this informative book, iodine has a number of functions in our bodies. They are: One, iodine is needed for oxygen based metabolism. When the oxygen levels in the cells drops below 60%, the respiration process of making energy changes into fermentation and this leads to developing cancer cells (besides exposure to toxins). Two, iodine plays a role in producing red blood cells. Three, five levels of the thyroid hormone pathways are covered, affecting the thyroid, liver, bloodstream, cell receptors, and metabolism. Four, pH (acid/alkaline) levels need to be in the right range for iodine absorption. When the pH is off, the author explains what happens in our bodies. Both oxygen and iodine are needed to fight cancer. Cancer does not thrive in the presence of oxygen. Yeasts, mold, and fungus live in an anaerobic (no oxygen) environment. Five, iodine goes after the free radicals in human blood cells. Iodine as a medicine plays a number of roles in the body. Below is a listing: It is used for wound healing, bedsores, inflammatory and traumatic pain High dosages of iodine can reverse certain diseases, including heart disease Iodine decreases insulin needs in diabetics Iodine can destroy pathogens, molds, fungi, parasites, and malaria Iodine can make all of us smarter There are other benefits What are some of the symptoms of an underfunctioning thyroid?

• anemia
• constipation
• depression
• infertility
• memory loss
• migraines
• poor vision
• repeated infections
• rheumatic pain
• skin problems

How do we test our thyroid function? Dr. Sircus indicates that today’s tests do not detect low thyroid function. Taking one’s base temperature in the morning several days in a row is one method. It needs to be ideally 98.6 Fahrenheit or range from 97.7 to 99.5 Fahrenheit and not lower. As for iodine, a simple iodine test that people can do is to place a few drops of nascent iodine on the skin and if it disappears (absorbed by the skin) within 24 hours, you are deficient. Dr. Sircus lists symptoms of iodine deficiency. Below is a partial listing:

• cold hands and feet
• constipation
• depression
• edema
• headaches
• muscle cramps
• myalgia (muscle pain)
• poor memory
• weight gain
• others

Environmental toxins in our air, water, personal care and cosmetic products, cleaning products, and food are causing a number of health problems. Toxins that affect our body’s ability to absorb iodine are listed. Dr. Sircus lists some of the symptoms. Below is a partial listing:

• aching joints
• bloating
• fluid retention
• high cholesterol
• high homocysteine levels (factor in heart disease)
• sensitivity to cold
• weight gain
• other symptoms are listed
• Other interesting points that the author makes includes:
• autism issues
• birth control issues
• breast cancer and mammogram testing issues
• heavy metals’ impact on our cellular enzymes
• help with ovarian cysts
• mercury can increase the excretion of magnesium and calcium from the kidneys as well as poisons the digestive tract and the nervous system
• mercury in vaccines and the harm it causes in children
• MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Stephylococcus Aureas)
• presence of mercury in cancer cells
• role of antibiotics in autism and other health conditions/diseases
• role of the environment on our health
• role of fungi in type 1 diabetes
• presence of pollutants in our newborn babies (Report from ERG-Environmental Working Group)
• selenium deficiency role on the estrogen/progesterone balance
• use of antibiotics for ear infections in children
• use of iodine for syphilis
• using iodine to treat pertussis and herpes virus
• women with low levels of thyroid hormones have an increased risk of having children developing autism

What forms of iodine can we take? The author talks about nascent iodine and Lugol’s solution. Lugol’s is 2% iodine and it used to be 5% iodine. The dosage information is given including the amount of iodine. It is noted that the Japanese have a much higher intake of iodine and they have a longer life span. Providone iodine is for surface use, on the skin. Healing with Iodine is a resource that every physician, every legislator, every educator, and anyone else interested in health issues, would benefit from by having it in their professional or personal library. It addresses iodine as a substance that plays a role in a vast number of health issues. and is closely connected to thyroid gland function. It is written in plain language with some helpful medical and technical terms. It includes references and an index. (Added 05/28/2019, Revised 05/30/2019) SEE MORE about Iodine Medicine Iodine, Why you need it, Why you can’t live without it (2009) by David Brownstein, MD (4th edition) (Publisher: Medical Alternatives Press) (Dr. David Brownstein has written other books related to health, e.g. Gluten-free diets, etc.) Dr. Mark Sircus who was trained in acupuncture and Asian medicine at the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Santa Fe and the School of Traditional Medicne of New England in Boston, he has written an informative book covering the issues surrounding iodine and its importance in our health. Sircus is also a doctor of Pastoral Medicine.

Iodine: Bringing Back the Universal Medicine

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