Page 46 - Summer2009

LQ UDWV IURP WKH : & H[SHULPHQWV LV ,RGLGH VXI¿FLHQF\ RI WKH WK\URLG by iodine is not the result of an acute sustained
gland was achieved when serum inorganic iodide levels reached 10-6M LQKLELWLRQ RI 7 V\QWKHVLV WKH :ROII &KDLNRII
. . . . These law-abiding rats refused to become hypothyroid and instead effect), but rather results from an abrupt decrease
followed their normal physiological response to the iodide load. They LQ WKH IUDFWLRQDO UDWH RI WK\URLG 7 UHOHDVH ´
were unjustly accused of escaping from the W-C effect. Labeling these Abraham thus argues that in hyperthyroid-
innocent rats as fugitives from the W-C effect was a great injustice against ism, iodine/iodide in Lugol’s at a daily dose of
these rodents. 90 mg induced a physiological trend toward
“To the disgrace and stupidity of the medical profession, U.S. physi- QRUPDOL]DWLRQ RI WK\URLG IXQFWLRQ ³D EHQH¿FLDO
cians swallowed the W-C forgery uncritically, which resulted in a mora- HIIHFW QRW WKH ¿FWLWLRXV : & HIIHFW DV SURSRVHG
torium on the clinical use of inorganic, non-radioactive iodine in effective by Wolff and Chaikoff. It is amazing that the W-
amounts. However, this moratorium did not include toxic organic iodine- C effect, which is still mentioned in iodophobic
containing drugs and radioiodide. The iodophobic mentality prevented SXEOLFDWLRQV KDV QHYHU EHHQ FRQ¿UPHG LQ UDWV
further research on the requirement for inorganic, non-radioactive iodine by other investigators and has never been dem-
E\ WKH ZKROH KXPDQ ERG\ ZKLFK WXUQV RXW WR EH WLPHV WKH YHU\ onstrated in any animal species.
recently established RDA. . . Prior to World War II and the W-C publica- ³,Q WKHUH ZDV DOUHDG\ HYLGHQFH WKDW
tion, U.S. physicians used Lugol solution safely, effectively and extensively the W-C effect, if it was for real in rats (and it
in both hypo- and hyperthyroidism.” 23 was not), did not occur in humans. The Lugol’s
Abraham cites a 1970 paper which evaluated the effect of Lugol’s solution and saturated solution of potassium
VROXWLRQ DGPLQLVWHUHG DW ¿YH GURSV PJ LRGLQH LRGLGH WKUHH WLPHV D iodide (SSKI) were used extensively in medical
GD\ LQ ¿YH WK\URWR[LF SDWLHQWV )ROORZLQJ D ZHOO GHVLJQHG SURWRFRO WKH\ practice for patients with asthma. The recom-
UHSRUWHG ³,W LV FRQFOXGHG WKDW WKH UDSLG GHFUHDVH LQ 7 VHFUHWLRQ LQGXFHG mended daily amount was 1,000-2,000 mg.

IODINE LOADING PROTOCOL

Developed by Drs. Guy Abraham and David Brownstein, the protocol involves giving 50 mg iodine/iodide per day
as Iodorol and monitoring the excretion of iodine in the urine. The high levels of iodine/iodide are necessary to replace
®
bromine and fluorine (and also chlorine) that have built up in the tissues, due to years of toxic exposure.
The iodine/iodide loading test is based on the concept that the normally functioning human body has a mechanism
to retain ingested iodine until whole body sufficiency for iodine is achieved. During supplementation with iodine, the
body progressively adjusts the excretion of iodine to balance the intake. As the iodine content in the body increases, the
percentage of the iodine retained decreases, showing up as an increased amount of iodide excreted in the 24-hour urine
collection. When whole body sufficiency for iodine is achieved, the absorbed iodine/iodide is excreted as iodide in the
urine.
In the U.S. population, the percent of iodine load excreted in the 24-hour urine collection prior to supplementation
with iodorol averages 40 percent. After three months of supplementation with 50 mg iodine/iodide per day, (four tablets
of Iodoral ) most non-obese subjects not exposed to excess goitrogens achieve whole body iodine sufficiency, arbitrarily

defined as 90 percent or more of the iodine load excreted in the 24-hour urine collections.
In addition to monitoring iodine excretion, Brownstein and colleagues also monitor urinary excretion of bromide
and fluoride, goitrogenic halogens that the iodide gradually replaces over the course of supplementation. To facilitate the
excretion of bromine, Dr. Brownstein recommends a combination of vitamin C, unrefined salt and magnesium, including
baths of Epsom salts and sea salt. The patient is advised to avoid all sources of bromine, including fire retardant in carpet,
clothing and mattresses, and bromide-treated breads, baked goods and grains. Bromine and chlorine are used extensively
in materials in automobiles of recent vintage—in the seats, armrests, door trim, shift knobs—so avoidance of riding in cars
with the windows closed is important.
Dr. Brownstein reports numerous benefits from the protocol including reduced need for thyroid medications, reduced
allergies, increased energy, reduced fibromyalgia, weight loss, clearing of ovarian cysts and reduction of hypothyroid symp-
toms such as brain fog. In his experience, side effects including metallic taste in mouth, sneezing, excess saliva and frontal
sinus pressure occur in less than 5 percent of patients.
For ongoing thyroid protection, it is important to avoid sources of bromide, fluoride and chloride (including environmental
perchlorates, often found in drinking water). That means drinking purified or filtered water instead of tap water, consuming
organic food (conventional produce and grains are treated with bromide-, chloride- or fluoride-containing pesticides and
fumigants), avoiding bromated breads and consuming plenty of unrefined sea salt along with an iodine-rich diet.
Sources: http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/loadTest.htm#6; http://iodine4health.com; http://iodine4health.com/ortho/brown-
stein_ortho.htm.
44 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2009