Here at Fix Your Gut we have discussed many different mineral deficiencies in our modern diet. One mineral we have not discussed is the lack of iodine in our modern diet and the rise of thyroid issues. Our metabolism and the amount of energy that we have on any given day is bottoming out. People suffering from thyroid issues are on the rise. Our digestive health is worsening, and breast cancer cases are increasing every year. Do most of these issues stem from a lack of proper iodine intake or are there other issues in why we have an increasing epidemic of thyroid problems?^{1 2}

Iodine Consumption, Not Good Enough, America

We do not get enough iodine currently in our diet. Granted, most people still get some iodine from additive filled iodized salt. Then again, we are told to decrease our salt intake falsely for years, so maybe this has to lead to decrease iodine intake in the United States. But what about other sources of iodine? Seafood consumption is declining in the United States. Egg consumption is high, but half of what it was in the 1940’s. Though I do not agree with consistent dairy consumption as a source of iodine, it has also somewhat decreased. We are taking in less iodine and are coming into contact with our modern environment that lowers the amount we properly absorb.^{3 4 5}

In addition, the average American ingests many different substances in their diet that interferes with proper thyroid function. Other halogens like chlorine, bromide, and fluoride interfere with proper iodine intake by the thyroid and cause issues with proper thyroid hormone production. What about the nuclear power world of tomorrow that we live in? Do radioactive materials from leaking improperly stored radioactive waste into our drinking water cause issues? What about the continuation meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant releasing radioactive iodine-131 into the global ecosystem (yes, this is still occurring in Japan)? Eat any seafood caught in the Pacific Ocean lately? If so you may have gotten a dose of iodine-131, which is not good for you or your thyroid.^{6 7 8 9 10}

We Need a Hero, Enter Iodine!

So the answer for most people is to simply increase their iodine intake to improve thyroid function. In a perfect world, increased consumption of pastured eggs, clean seafood, clean salt, and occasional pastured dairy consumption. For most, this cannot be done and is maybe too costly. So where should we get our iodine from? We have a choice of different supplements to increase our iodine intake.

Most forms of supplemental iodine can be broken down into four different categories. These categories include:

• Iodine from kelp – the only positive this form of iodine has going for it is that it is cheap. It has differing amounts of bioavailability depending on the species of kelp; it can also be contaminated with heavy metals (arsenic) and radioactivity depending on where it is sourced. I do not recommend that you get your iodine from kelp supplements. Occasional ingestion of Atlantic grown seaweed food products maybe an average way to increase your iodine intake, which being said it may have similar issues to kelp.^{11 12 13}
• Potassium iodide – potassium iodide is an iodine-potassium salt. The body utilizes this form fairly well; it has about a 96% absorption rating. Potassium iodide is what is used in iodized table salt. It is, however, volatile and when exposed to air will slowly evaporate. It will detoxify other halides from the thyroid gland, be used to make thyroid hormones, and helps other tissues that require iodine including our intestinal tract. Potassium iodide is useful if taken in large doses to prevent thyroid damage from nuclear catastrophe. Potassium iodide is colorless.^{14 15 16 17}
• Lugol’s iodine – Lugol’s iodine is a mixture of one part elemental iodine and two parts potassium iodide in a liquid suspension. It contains both of the benefits of potassium iodide and nascent iodine.^{18 19}
• Nascent iodine – nascent iodine is pure elemental iodine which is a dark brown color. Nascent iodine is easily absorbed into the thyroid gland, and elemental iodine appears to be the form of iodine that healthy breast tissue prefers.^{20 21 22 23}

Proper iodine intake is important for health. It facilitates proper thyroid health and thyroid hormone production. It is important for proper metabolism and weight maintenance. Proper iodine ingestion prevents hypothyroidism. Iodine has minor anti-inflammatory properties, which may occur by reducing bacterial overgrowth (it is an antimicrobial agent). Iodine’s anti-microbial properties are why the medical community uses it as an antiseptic. I put a little nascent iodine on my family’s cuts, to facilitate healing. Finally, its intake may help prevent against developing breast cancer.^{24 25 26}

There are issues with its supplementation, however. Some people may get detox reactions from iodine replacing other halides (fluoride, bromide, and chlorine) within the body. Large doses of iodine can also cause hyperthyroidism to develop in some people. The possibility of developing autoimmune thyroid issues with iodine supplementation can be corrected by taking selenium with the iodine to facility proper thyroid hormone metabolism pathways (proper conversion of T4 to T3, thyroid hormones) and by slowly titrating your dose of iodine upwards to the tune of how your body feels when supplementing with it.^{27 28 29 30 31}

What Form of Iodine I Recommend and Protocol

People depending on their need will supplement with different forms of iodine, but I do have one way that I recommend as a general recommendation to improve your health and that is, nascent iodine.

The brand that I recommend of nascent iodine is Detoxadine. The nascent iodine used in Detoxadine is sourced from clean salt deposits well within the Earth’s surface. It is suspended in glycerin, not alcohol, for better absorption and fewer issues (alcohol can be harsh on the stomach and liver, not suitable for children). Detoxadine is manufactured in a state-licensed manufacturing plant that meets federal standards, is cGMP/HACCP-compliant, and is USP-grade iodine. The supplement is not subjected to direct heat, harsh chemicals (hexane), alcohol, or is loaded down with unnecessary, harmful additives.

Iodine Protocol

I recommend the following protocol if you are beginning your journey in supplementing iodine. Start with three drops of nascent iodine under your tongue daily and take 200 mcg of selenium every other day to support proper thyroid function. Increase your intake by one drop daily weekly until you get to twenty drops daily. So for the first week, you take three drops daily underneath your tongue. The next week you will do four drops under your tongue and so on until you get to twenty drops daily. Once you reach twenty drops, decrease your dosage by a drop a week until you get down to a maintenance dose of three drops daily. My nascent iodine protocol is general advice; you may need to take more or less depending on your thyroid tests and how you feel. Make sure your healthcare professional knows you are supplementing with iodine and selenium and that they monitor your thyroid hormones at least every three months. Discontinue the protocol and see your doctor if you have any worsening symptoms of hypo or hyperthyroidism or develop symptoms.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism: ^{32 33 34 35}

• Feeling cold
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Brittle hair and nails
• Weight gain
• Brain fog
• Constipation
• Dyspepsia (trouble swallowing, GERD)
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Dry skin
• Goiter
• Lack of sweating

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism: ^{36 37 38 39}

• Feeling hot
• Diarrhea
• Inappropriate sweating
• Anxiety
• Tachycardia (elevated heart rate)
• Weight loss
• Brain fog
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Excessive urination
• Excessive thirst
• Tremors
• Elevated blood sugar
• Bulging eyes

Detox reactions may occur from iodine replacing other halides (fluoride, bromide, and chlorine) within the body. Click on the links listed for each element to see if you are going through any detox during iodine supplementation and what to do if you are detoxing.

We are not getting enough iodine in our modern life and we are exposed to other environmental elements that are reducing our iodine intake and thyroid function. Contact me if you are having any issues with your thyroid and let us improve your health.