Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I've been really caught up recently. If you put something on your skin, it avoids the digestive system and goes straight to the bloodstream. That can be a terrible thing with such things as make-up and cosmetics, but a benefit with iodine. This is especially because when you place iodine on your skin - you only absorb what your body needs. While I have agreed with you that iodine is found naturally in foods, there is a difference between that, and the iodine that we find bottled and for sale over the counter.
For your interest, this iodine is 2% iodine, 2.4% Potassium iodide, and 47% ethyl alcohol (non-toxic).
This really reminds me of the case with MSG. You see, back in Japan, seaweed was added to the food to enhance the flavor. It worked wonderfully. It was because it contained glutamic acid. MSG was not isolated until 1907, and then patented in 1909. While it caused no harm in the natural state, when taken away from other minerals (like L-Taurine, which was also present, which counteracts ill-effects) it has a LOT of health problems. It's the same way with iodine.
For your reference, there are many minerals that can be neutralized. If we lived on a diet of raw vegetables from nutrient-rich soil, which would get plenty of iodine, and we would feel better for it. Many of our health problems would go away. It's the same way with copper, but copper can also be toxic when taken in quantity.
I think it is safer and more sensible to place it on the skin, because it is absorbed at the rate of the body. It will be just as effective, with minimal side-effects when compared with oral ingestion. While natural iodine in foods is great for the body, adding synthetic is not.
Thanks for the very interesting discussions! It's good to know Iodine from different perspectives.
In China, salt sold on the market must add Iodine since many years ago, the rule has been changed a few times according to several statistics, the latest regulation is （35�15）mg/KG.
Also, people tend to think that if you put something on your skin that you can avoid toxic issues with it, as though the skin wasn't really a part of them.
It is clearly evident with more and more medications going to topical application that topical enters the system just as effectively as orally and the body will be subject to similar toxicity issues.
Arrowwind, can Logol's be just as effective by using a transdermal application, as opposed to internally? It sounds like that can be an option if desired, is that correct?
Some people do it transdermally I guess, but I have a hard time believing that it will significantly nourish your thyroid this way. Doctors say take it orally. Its cheap, no rx needed and you need to be able to control the amount that gets into your system. You should also get your thyroid checked a few times the first year to be sure all is going well.
Some people do it transdermally I guess, but I have a hard time believing that it will significantly nourish your thyroid this way. Doctors say take it orally. Its cheap, no rx needed and you need to be able to control the amount that gets into your system. You should also get your thyroid checked a few times the first year to be sure all is going well.
I'm curious to know which is better, oral iodine or transdermal. When I was hypothyroid I did the iodine transdermally and felt better right away, like, amazingly better, like right away. The iodine only stayed on my skin for 3 hours so I guess I was bad off, if that is a true indicator.
You really need to read the studies and watch the videos. All the doctors give it orally. It takes months to fully saturate your depleted tissues with daily dosing. Your absorption rate is a fairly accurate indicator and is generally used to prove to people that they need it, otherwise you have to do more expensive urine tests.
Hey everyone I am new here. Thanks so much Arrowwind09. I have been looking into Iodine supplementation recently. Mostly from natural sources like Kelp. Though I am still confused on a "healthy" or "optimal" dosage. I see 12.5 to ~ 13mg as a healthy dosage. Though if one is eating a high protein diet with fish oils, kelp, sea salt can one add in the iodine as Lugol's agent as well? Still unsure about the dosage. I plan to do the test next week.
Edit: Just finished watching a David Brownstein clip and he recommends 50mg I believe for 6 months to saturate the body. What do you guys think?
Lastly he recommends both iodine and iodide together. Also if one decides to take it in the morning on a empty stomach but has a protein shake for breakfast with vitamin c in it, how long before the iodine is absorbed? If the drops are absorbed under the tongue isn't super fast? How long should one wait. Thanks
Last edited by ss4vegeta1; 07-21-2009 at 11:15 AM.
WOW, you ask questions that I just don't know the answer to.
I use the Lugol's type of iodine as it seems to be more effective and has a long history of use, and it is common knowledge that potassium iodide (lugols) protects against radioactivity in the thyroid. I know we don't think too much about radiation exposure but in you live near where nuclear testing has gone on over the last 50 years you should. That stuff blows around and it probably had moved to more states than we realize. Also if you work in the military, have gone to Iraq, the Gulf War, etc, it is essential, although perhaps maybe too late, but never too late to educate yourself and those coming up in the ranks.
I couldn't take drops under the tongue.
I really don't make any diet considerations when taking iodine. I put it in what ever I happen to be drinking. I take 3 to 4 drops a day, sometimes divided up, in juice, tea, wine, water, whatever. Thats what I do. It seems to work but if it is the best advice I am not sure. For me just getting all the supplements down is a challenge.
I did do the 50 mg for a couple of months, but not for 6. That was required to get rid of my thyroid cysts. Personally, I take for truth everything that Brownstein says.
I do recommend that you have your thyroid checked about 6 weeks into the 50mg phase. For a very few people, and I mean very few, thyroid levels can get out of whack. I don't know if they understand why this happens. It didn't happen to me.
I do think that as a culture and population that the Japanese have done fairly well after the nuclear bombs, from one generation to the next is due to their high iodine diet.
In the for what it's worth dept, the federal government recommends 4-5 drops tincture of iodine per quart/liter disinfection of suspect water. This has never bothered me, even drinking 2 or 3 quarts a day during strenuous mountain hiking treks. I much prefer the iodine to the 2-3 drops chlorine bleach per quart/liter of water also recommended by the feds. I definately think chlorine is murderous to your health.
A couple of things. For radiozctive fallout. If you take sodium iodide, basically you saturate your thyroid with iodine and it cannot absorb anymore (like the radioactive iodine from fallout).
As for idoine dosage, many japanese get much more than americans due to seaweed in their diet. I suggest everyone on this board goes out for some sushi and a seaweed salad (and saki of course). On a side note, I do not know what it is, but a good saki buzz is really relaxing!
Transdermal application Lugol's
Linear Mode
