copyright notices, etc
| . |
Home
Research
The Iodine Movement
Iodine Supplementation
Resources
About Us
Search Our Site
Research
The Iodine Movement
Iodine Supplementation
Resources
About Us
Search Our Site
The Seaweed Gatherers, Paul Gaugin
| Box to be put at the bottom of every page: copyright, disclaimer, other info about the site. |
| . |
. |
Iodine Research
Resource Network of The Iodine Movement
. |
Orthosupplementation
Orthoiodosupplementation challenges the traditional view on iodine in many fundamental ways, especially (1)
how much iodine is appropriate and necessary, (2) how much is "excess" and potentially toxic, and (3) what
are the criteria to determine what is "excess".
TRADITIONAL VIEW
The traditionalists see the RDA of approximately 150 mcg per day as appropriate and necessary. Amounts above 1 mg (1000 mcg)
would be seen as excessive and potentially toxic. And the primary criterion for determining excess would be thyroid function,
especially increases in TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, a common blood test used to measure thyroid function).
From this point of view, the traditionalists view most Americans as getting sufficient iodine from their daily diets, and the primary
concern is Iodine Toxicity, which requires being careful that people do not consume too much iodine.
ORTHOIODOSUPPLEMENTATION VIEW
In contrast, the Orthoiodosupplementation point of view sees the RDA as too low, with 6.5 - 12.5 mg of iodine seen as necessary for
total body health for most people. Amounts of iodine up to 50 mg (and sometimes more) may be necessary for brief periods of time
to restore iodine sufficiency.
Abraham
Abraham, et al, argue that thyroid measures have been over-emphasized in evaluating what is "excess", resulting in
recommendations that are too low. They refer to the research by Eskin and Ghent on the breast, where larger amounts appear to be
protective against many breast problems. They also refer to the medical history of Lugol's, an iodine supplement used extensively in
the past for many conditions, and to the health history of the Japanese who consume large amounts of seaweed and enjoy good
health.
Abraham, et al, acknowledge that iodine in the amounts they are recommending may result in a TSH increase. However, these
increases in TSH are often within the "normal" range for TSH and are not seen as a major concern.
From the point of view of Orthoiodosupplementation, most Americans are not getting enough iodine from their daily diets, and the
primary concern is making sure people get enough.
The primary proponents of Orthoiodosupplementation are Abraham, Brownstein, and Flechas. Abraham, an endocrinologist, has
challenged the traditional points of view on iodine sufficiency and conducted an extensive literature review to support the
Orthoiodosupplementation perspective. He has also developed an iodine/iodide tablet called Iodoral, designed to be similar to the
iodine content of Lugol's.
Brownstein
Brownstein, a clinician, has been applying the ideas in his clinical practice and conducting research with his patients in partnership
with Abraham. He has lectured on Iodine to thousands of physicians and has also written a book called Iodine that includes
practical advice on how to use iodine in a clinical setting.
Flechas
Flechas, another clinician, has also been testing the ideas in his practice. Together with Abraham, Flechas was instrumental in the
development of the Iodine Loading Test.
Iodine Loading Test
The Iodine Loading Test was developed for measuring whole body sufficiency. It is based on the assumption that the normally
functioning human body has a mechanism to retain ingested iodine until whole body sufficiency for iodine is achieved. As body
iodine increases, a larger percentage of the iodine ingested is excreted. Whole body sufficiency for iodine is arbitrarily defined as
90 per cent or more of the ingested iodine/iodide load of 50 mg being recovered in a 24-hour urine collection.
Organic and Inorganic Iodine
From the perspective of Orthoiodosupplementation, inorganic iodine (e.g., molecular iodine, I2, and the iodides, I-) are quite safe.
The organic forms (e.g., drugs like Amiodarone and radioactive iodine) are not safe. From this perspective, one of the problems with
past research is the confusion of the inorganic and organic forms of iodine, with the problems caused by the drug forms of iodine
inappropriately blamed on "safe" inorganic iodine.
(Note: When they talk about "inorganic" and "organic", they are using the chemistry meaning of organic: An "organic" molecule has
one or more carbon atoms.)
Iodine Debate
There has been a major debate in the Townsend Newsletter between Gaby and Abraham/Brownstein on the major points of
Orthoiodosupplementation. It is very interesting reading and will help in understanding some of the major issues involved.
Some Clinicians Using Iodine
Numerous well-known clinicians have used iodine in their practices in a variety of ways; for example, Hulda Clark, Edgar Cayce,
Max Gerson, James Howenstine, D.C. Jarvis, Michael Schachter, Sherri Tenpenny, David Williams, Bruce West, and Jonathan
Wright.
How Much Iodine?
The Orthoiodosupplementation approach advocated by Abraham, et al, has only been active since the late 1990s. The ideas are
being currently tested in clinical practice, in small scale studies, and by carefully examining past research and historical uses of
iodine. There have not yet been any large-scale, highly controlled studies specifically designed to test the assumptions of this
approach.
At this point, there is significant disagreement on how much iodine is ideal and what the consequences are of various levels of
iodine.
Orthoiodosupplementation challenges the traditional view on iodine in many fundamental ways, especially (1)
how much iodine is appropriate and necessary, (2) how much is "excess" and potentially toxic, and (3) what
are the criteria to determine what is "excess".
TRADITIONAL VIEW
The traditionalists see the RDA of approximately 150 mcg per day as appropriate and necessary. Amounts above 1 mg (1000 mcg)
would be seen as excessive and potentially toxic. And the primary criterion for determining excess would be thyroid function,
especially increases in TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, a common blood test used to measure thyroid function).
From this point of view, the traditionalists view most Americans as getting sufficient iodine from their daily diets, and the primary
concern is Iodine Toxicity, which requires being careful that people do not consume too much iodine.
ORTHOIODOSUPPLEMENTATION VIEW
In contrast, the Orthoiodosupplementation point of view sees the RDA as too low, with 6.5 - 12.5 mg of iodine seen as necessary for
total body health for most people. Amounts of iodine up to 50 mg (and sometimes more) may be necessary for brief periods of time
to restore iodine sufficiency.
Abraham
Abraham, et al, argue that thyroid measures have been over-emphasized in evaluating what is "excess", resulting in
recommendations that are too low. They refer to the research by Eskin and Ghent on the breast, where larger amounts appear to be
protective against many breast problems. They also refer to the medical history of Lugol's, an iodine supplement used extensively in
the past for many conditions, and to the health history of the Japanese who consume large amounts of seaweed and enjoy good
health.
Abraham, et al, acknowledge that iodine in the amounts they are recommending may result in a TSH increase. However, these
increases in TSH are often within the "normal" range for TSH and are not seen as a major concern.
From the point of view of Orthoiodosupplementation, most Americans are not getting enough iodine from their daily diets, and the
primary concern is making sure people get enough.
The primary proponents of Orthoiodosupplementation are Abraham, Brownstein, and Flechas. Abraham, an endocrinologist, has
challenged the traditional points of view on iodine sufficiency and conducted an extensive literature review to support the
Orthoiodosupplementation perspective. He has also developed an iodine/iodide tablet called Iodoral, designed to be similar to the
iodine content of Lugol's.
Brownstein
Brownstein, a clinician, has been applying the ideas in his clinical practice and conducting research with his patients in partnership
with Abraham. He has lectured on Iodine to thousands of physicians and has also written a book called Iodine that includes
practical advice on how to use iodine in a clinical setting.
Flechas
Flechas, another clinician, has also been testing the ideas in his practice. Together with Abraham, Flechas was instrumental in the
development of the Iodine Loading Test.
Iodine Loading Test
The Iodine Loading Test was developed for measuring whole body sufficiency. It is based on the assumption that the normally
functioning human body has a mechanism to retain ingested iodine until whole body sufficiency for iodine is achieved. As body
iodine increases, a larger percentage of the iodine ingested is excreted. Whole body sufficiency for iodine is arbitrarily defined as
90 per cent or more of the ingested iodine/iodide load of 50 mg being recovered in a 24-hour urine collection.
Organic and Inorganic Iodine
From the perspective of Orthoiodosupplementation, inorganic iodine (e.g., molecular iodine, I2, and the iodides, I-) are quite safe.
The organic forms (e.g., drugs like Amiodarone and radioactive iodine) are not safe. From this perspective, one of the problems with
past research is the confusion of the inorganic and organic forms of iodine, with the problems caused by the drug forms of iodine
inappropriately blamed on "safe" inorganic iodine.
(Note: When they talk about "inorganic" and "organic", they are using the chemistry meaning of organic: An "organic" molecule has
one or more carbon atoms.)
Iodine Debate
There has been a major debate in the Townsend Newsletter between Gaby and Abraham/Brownstein on the major points of
Orthoiodosupplementation. It is very interesting reading and will help in understanding some of the major issues involved.
Some Clinicians Using Iodine
Numerous well-known clinicians have used iodine in their practices in a variety of ways; for example, Hulda Clark, Edgar Cayce,
Max Gerson, James Howenstine, D.C. Jarvis, Michael Schachter, Sherri Tenpenny, David Williams, Bruce West, and Jonathan
Wright.
How Much Iodine?
The Orthoiodosupplementation approach advocated by Abraham, et al, has only been active since the late 1990s. The ideas are
being currently tested in clinical practice, in small scale studies, and by carefully examining past research and historical uses of
iodine. There have not yet been any large-scale, highly controlled studies specifically designed to test the assumptions of this
approach.
At this point, there is significant disagreement on how much iodine is ideal and what the consequences are of various levels of
iodine.