I get a bit irritated with the amount of misinformation out ‘there’ about iodine.

No wonder so many people are confused about it, and therefore dangerously deficient in this vital, life giving nutrient!

Today I am going to break down how iodine helps with weight loss, and if it is enough by itself to help you shed kilos.

Iodine and your THYROID

This image shows the molecular structure of a thyroid hormone. The red circles point out where iodine needs to sit in this structure – T4 (pictured) needs 4 x molecules of iodine. T3 needs 3.

Our body is amazingly smart and will prioritise creation of thyroid hormone for survival, so if you have low levels, your body will find more iodine wherever it can to make thyroid hormones. This leads to dangerous deficiencies in other parts of the body.

Iodine Deficiency Symptoms…

• Dull and brittle hair
• Balding
• Sallow skin tone
• Low energy levels
• Brain fog or mental decline
• Depression and mood changes
• Low thyroid function
• Extra sensitive to cold temperatures – you’re the one in the room with the jumper on.
• Heart rate changes – weak, erratic or skipping
• Weight gain
• Goiter or appearance of swelling at the throat
• Fibroids
• Cysts in any glands – eg ovary, pituitary, breast tissue
• Nodules – thyroid
• Teeth imprints on side of tongue, or fat puffy tongue.

More then just thyroid hormones

Iodine has many jobs in your body. It is housed in all the endocrine glands and it keeps the tissues healthy, cleansed of bacteria or viruses, and well functioning. When it travels around the blood, it is a fierce cleanser against pathogens and free radicals.

When iodine is sufficient in the body, things like cysts, nodules, and fibrous tissue changes can’t occur – therefor any of these problems point to a severe iodine deficiency.

Brain health

Iodine and thyroid hormones play a crucial role in supporting brain function, including mental wellness and mood. There may even be links between ADHD and autism to low iodine during pregnancy or childhood.

Immune system ally

Iodine can clean up and destroy most types of harmful organisms, including EBV (Epstein Barr virus), bacteria, mold, fungi and many other viruses. Of all antiseptic preparations suitable for the direct use on humans and animals, only iodine can kill all classes of pathogenic microorganisms. Most bacteria die within 15-30 seconds after contact with iodine.

Competitive halides – a big problem

Elemental iodine falls within the halogen group on the periodic table of elements. The halogen group also includes chlorine, fluorine, and bromine. Scientists have linked brominated flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers; PBDEs) to brain and thyroid dysfunction – and we see the same in our clinic. Halogens are taken up by the thyroid, since they are chemically similar, preventing iodine from entering thyroid cells. Saturating the thyroid with iodine promotes detoxification by prompting it to release undesirable halogens. It can also detoxify the system of toxic metals since iodine binds to such elements in the body.

Non-radioactive iodine in the form of potassium iodide can be used at high doses safely for most individuals – but that element alone doesn’t correct an iodine deficiency.

I want to tell you how we correct iodine levels!

Correcting iodine

Getting iodine levels sufficient in the body is not as simple as taking an iodine supplement.

Deficiency leads to a load of toxic halides and metals in the body, so we need to detoxify these – safely. Radical detoxing – especially of toxic metals – leads to reabsorption of these pathogens, and a detox side effect known as a herxheimer’s reaction. This can be largely avoided with a correct detoxification protocol that covers all the 4 phases of detoxification in the body.

This is where it gets tricky.

Thyroid patients usually have a large toxin load, because a sluggish thyroid diminishes the bodies metabolism and natural ability to detoxify.

And everyone is different. Some people have a weaker liver, while for someone else, their weakness may be the lymphatic system. Others have MTHFR issues, or severe deficiency in other nutrients needed to support correct detoxification.

Detoxification needs to be individualised – especially for thyroid patients.

Next factor – getting the iodine INTO the tissues. If there is systemic inflammation, vitamin D deficiency, B vitamin deficiency, vitamin C deficiency and low levels of essential minerals in the body, an iodine supplement won’t be able to go from the blood stream into the target tissues.

Iodine has its own little special door called the sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) and the door must be able to accept the iodine.

NIS – the Door for IODINE

This door allows iodine and sodium into the tissues from the blood stream.

Factors can jam this door, and block any iodine from entering – even when the body desperately needs it.

These are:

• Bromide
• Fluoride
• Thiocyanates -eg Saxa salt, mercury (from filings)
• Goitrogenic substances – plants from the brassica family, soy – particularly when consumed raw.

Luckily, these toxins can be successfully detoxified with the right treatment.

So to answer the question!

Can Iodine help you Lose WEIGHT?

Yes – it can. But only if supplemented in the correct dose with all the other factors covered as well.

Otherwise, you could be wasting your time and money.

Our specialty is working with iodine to support detoxification and thyroid hormone optimisation, resulting in amazing health improvements in many areas of your body.

Most people come to us wanting WEIGHT LOSS and MORE ENERGY.

When we correct iodine levels in the body, using our protocols, then this is achieved.

Check out Part 2 where we explore the different sources of iodine and why they aren’t often useful for optimal health.