In animal and human studies molecular iodine supplementation has been shown to exert a suppressive effect on development of both benign and malignant tumours in breast tissue. The protective effects of iodine on breast tissue may in part be through the modulation of oestrogen metabolism pathways and down regulating oestrogen receptor stimulated growth of breast cancer cells and to increase apoptosis. as shown in the following article 'Iodine Alters Gene Expression in the MCF7 Breast Cancer Cell Line: Evidence for an Anti-Estrogen Effect of Iodine'

Frederick R. Stoddard II, Ari D. Brooks, [...], and Gregg J. Johannes, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2452979/

Selenium works synergistically with iodine and both are involved in thyroid hormone regulation. . Too much iodine can be a problem and should never be given in hyperthyroid cases and used with caution in Hashimoto's as it can stimulate TPO.

Thank you, Kathleen. I note the caution of too much iodine, but in light of the vast numbers of those with insufficient iodine and who are taking much more harmful (re long-term effects) synthroid meds today, feel the chances of too much vs too little is small indeed. Also, in light of organic vs synthetic differences in terms of over-use (the body demonstrates the ability to throw off organic but none whatsoever of the synthetic) I believe it is important to stress what we call "ionine". For instance, ascorbic acid in its synthetic form is vastly different in adjunctive components from that in organic form and the body responds much differently as a result. I mention this as Inote that the NIH treatment of these topics is as if all forms of nutrients are equal, when the difference is night and day, an inconvenient truth to vested interests who would like us to not notice these differences. Yours is an excellent overview and is appreciated.

As follow up, because of the prevalence of organic iodine deficiency in cases of breast cancer and the protective effects such affords if used, it is curious that it is almost never mentioned in the literature and funding portfolios of those whose ardent goal is the eradication of breast cancer, which is in near pandemic proportions today. On the other hand, the vast dangers of hormone therapy relative to breast cancer seems to completely elude conventional medical practice today. Makes one wonder if there really is an honest effort in dramatically reducing incidence of cancer in women. Ditto other forms of cancer where the evidence is strong but gone unnoted in practice.

Agreed, I didn't mention sources of iodine natural vs synthetic which of course like any other nutrient is important to consume a natural form for absorption and utilization by the tissue and cells. Seaweed is both a natural source of iodine and selenium and as studies have shown, women in Japan have much lower rates of breast cancer. As not everyone is a regular seaweed consumer, potassium iodide in supplement form may be necessary. Iodine deficiency may also be related to the presence of halogens: fluoride, chloride and bromide that are in our food, water, medicines and the environment. Having a similar structure to iodine these compete with iodide for absorption and uptake in the body. It is therefore vital to have optimum iodine levels to support detoxification of these chemicals. Its about taking a holistic approach, looking at how the environment both external and internal send signals that stimulate gene expression whether this is damage from chemicals, an iodine deficiency or our belief systems..

Excellent observations, Kathleen. Thank you!

For one of our patients with thyroid cancer (re presumably radiation exposure from routine xrays during childhood), taking several self-administered very high and concentrated sources of iodine we found that she was causing symptoms of hypothyrodism. Before we had realized this was happening (we were unaware of the self-administered iodine) we had asked her to cut down the organic iodine we had suggested earlier and her levels of energy started to come back and the swelling of the thyroid diminished markedly. So we are anxious to see if backing off of the self-administered ones will improve her even more. Of course, this is a different topic area from the breast cancer one, but perhaps shares in the sensitivity aspect of too much/too little iodine. Though she is sceduled for surgery to remove the thyroid (for removal of tumors) we are ever hopeful that might be averted now that we have found the self-administered issue and addressed it.

Yes, that is true, and a couple of caveats come to mind: Organic (bioavailable) iodine is actually the only kind I recommend so that the body has some control over assimilation to avoid too much iodine, and 2) change their salt from table salt to either Real Salt (Redmon, my first choice) or Himilayan Salt. We have seen reductions in the progression of cancer with these observations, though not in numbers that could be generalized into the larger population. And you are correct that this is only one factor, for the inflammation factor we have recommended use of Pectasol-C, a modified short chained pectin measured by the Gelactin-3 score (target

Kudos Dr. Max! You've done it again. Another highly relevant discussion. I'm a fly on your "tree of knowledge". Sir Shares-a-lot! This message needs to get out there too!

Stats 1-25-2014 14:00hrs EST - 3 / 0 · 8 Answers · 296 Views

1. I suggest sharing this query with your list of followers.

2. I suggest mixing up the topics up-top add/drop.

3. I suggest targeted "Share" with relevant RG members of high scores and cogent/articulate content.

Thanks to all for freely sharing!

RG Advanced Communication. Lol!

I think it should be noted that in every case of breast cancer that we have examined there is a notable absence of iodine in the cells of the breast. In females about 25% of iodine is needed, about 70% in the thyroid (does not need the synthroid, but iodine instead and also attention to the liver, which converts the T1 and T2 into T3 and T4), the remaining 5% for the rest of the body. It is noted also that while physicians everywhere are telling patients not to use salt that they have neglected to notice that iodized salt is practically our nation's lone source of plentiful iodine. So iodine levels go down, iodine receptors are blocked by increased chlorine, flouride, and bromides in water and foods and environment, and we have exploding numbers of breast cancer. Pushing health policy to promote cancer screenings and then aggressive cancer treatments seems odd when we could be putting the horse before the cart by finding ways to get iodine into our population and reducing exposure to offenders chlorine etc. There so much on this topic that I am in awe that it is so little discussed among health professionals.

Dear Max, your question and the whole discussion is very interesting and it seems to me that there are sufficient evidences to demonstrate a relationship between iodine deficiency and breast cancer. I do not have sufficient knowledge to intervene with an important opinion on this subject. However, my recent research interests are focused on the action of the receptors for estrogens in cancer of the colon and rectum. Here there is evidence that phytoestrogens contained in foods of plant origin have a protective effect through an agonist action on beta receptors for estrogen. My question is: is it possible that iodine deficiency may be involved in the overexpression of estrogen receptor alpha that is known to be markers of both the disease as well as of its prognosis?

Ierardi, that is entirely possible (the estrogen overexpression re iodine deficiency). We note that in every case of breast cancer that has come to our clinic that there is either an iodine deficiency OR a low T3-T4 score, the latter sometimes resulting from a liver issue preventing the conversion of T1-T2 into T3-T4. We also note a higher rate of cancer (of all kinds) in females who take estrogen prescriptions. Of course, this is well established in the literature, but I am not sure the estrogen/iodine deficiency connection has been established yet.

I am glad you are getting your iodine from kelp, C, for while the campaign to get our population off the high salt kick has brought us increases in thyroid and cancer issues, we should just as viogorously be advocating food sources that can replace the lost iodine. Thank you for your excellent comments.

Here is a primer on the topic http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/natural-foods-high-in-iodine.php but a for a deeper understanding of the problem with receptors of the body that absorb iodine I've attached my brief monograph. Chlorine and flouride in the dinking water prevents absorption of iodine; hence, the need to filter those out of the drinking water.

Iodine Content of Foods | Whole Food Catalog

wholefoodcatalog.info/nutrient/iodine/foods/g/‎

You can find out about Iodine Content of Foods. In this website, nutritional content included in 1878 kinds of foods are introduced by ... Ginger(dried, ground).

http://wholefoodcatalog.info/nutrient/iodine/foods/g/

Remember, too, the body's ability to accept iodine is the other half of the challenge. Its receptors (that absorb iodine among other substances) today are so bombarded in the US food supply that simply supplementing iodine is not enough for many people.

My take on the iodine question from a review of the literature suggests that the levels of iodine that one can get from natural sources such as salt or seaweed will be considerably less than what would be required to treat an existing cancer. With regards to breast cancer, Mina Bissell has shown that the activation of integrin αvβ3 by the thyroid hormones T3 and T4 - which breaks down the extracellular matrix (ECM) - is an essential step in the migration and metastasis of the cancer. This suggests that a normal functioning thyroid is also essential for this to occur! Yet, there is considerable research that has shown that high level of iodine do have a positive effect by decreasing both cancer incidence and in some cases cancer itself. These effects appear to only come into play when extrathyroidal iodine levels are high and all cells in the body have reasonable levels of iodine. These high levels now appear to promote apoptosis ---http://www.jbc.org/content/281/28/19762 .short ---- and combat the underlying drive of metastasis by T3 and T4.

Comments by Gabriel Cousens, MD, MD(H), DD --http://treeoflifecenterus.com/blog-posts-by-gabriel-cousens-m-d-iodine-96-the-universal-holistic-super-mineral-2/ also takes a strong exception to the low levels of iodine suggested by other doctors. I also note that a 2005 study has shown that the continuous treatment of rats with iodine exhibited a potent protective effect (70%) on breast tumors induced by the carcinogen, MNU and this effect was exerted by iodine, but not by iodide or T4.

In an article by Donald W. Miller, Jr., M.D. titled Extrathyroidal Benefits of Iodine http://www.jpands.org/vol11no4/millerd.pdf he notes that “The Nobel laureate Albert Szent Györgi (1893.1986), the physician who discovered vitamin C, writes: “.When I was a medical student, iodine in the form of KI [potassium iodide] was the universal medicine. Nobody knew what it did, but it did something and did something good.” The standard dose was 1 g, which contains 770mg of iodine.

Obviously, there is a world of difference between 770 mg of iodine and the 440 micro gms that are recommended today. My analysis of the literature suggests that a safe dose of iodine for individuals who do not have thyroid related problems appears to be in the order of 1mg /kg of body weight but this has yet to be tested.

We need also to recognize that iodine does not work alone, its conversion requires selenium as noted above and undoubtedly vitamin D and other cofactors. Aside from fluoride, bromine, and heavy metals, another confounding factor is the negative affect of nitrates on thyroid function along with the unknown effects of these same nitrates in iodine cell interactions. It could well be that the high nitrate levels found in kale, spinach and many cruciferous vegetables, which impact thyroid function, is one of the key factors through which diets rich in these vegetables slow down the cancer process.

It is obvious to me that considerable research needs to be undertaken before we have any reliable answers regarding useful iodine supplementation. In the meantime, work with a medical practitioner that has looked at more than just the thyroid to help resolve your iodine needs.

Excellent observations and information, Flemming. These are the kinds of discussions that need to be happening among cancer researchers everywhere, and among clinicians. Nutrition affects cellular growth, yet it seems to be lopped aside in the rush to annihilate the abnormal cells, which damages the healthy cells and leaves underlying causes undisturbed. Thank you for your fine comments.

iodine also used to be used in veterinary Medicine. In rural practice I used i/v sodium iodide 70 mgm/Kg in a 10-20% solution for actinomycosis and actinobacillosis. One treatment gave a lasting cure. I also used a weak solution of Lugols Iodine ( 2 litres the colour of weak tea ! ) to irrigate infected bovine uteri. This was very common and always resulted in conception about 3-4 weeks later. Pathogens involved were trichomonas and vibrio foetus.

Iodine in a large dose was also used in human medicine to cure polio.

I am convinced that especially with viruses we should be looking at iodine and Vit C and selenium. . eg In 1960 I used deficient trace elements ,selenium copper cobalt, and iodine to cure an outbreak of viral encephalitis in a herd of cattle after a loss of 30 cows in a herd of 100.

It seems to me that medicine has been lad astray by the drug firms with money and medical propaganda.

There is a Dr Guy Abraham and Dr Brownstein in USA who use Iodine and have produced many papers and books on the subject.

Peter M Couttie

Yes, Peter, I recall these uses and thought that they were still being used. But it appears that many basic practices in both human medicine and veterinary medicine have been lopped by the wayside. And while the data exhibits overwhelming evidence that chronic disease, including diabetes mellitus and cancer, and developmental delays have dramatically increased in humans (at least in the US) I can only suppose the same is occurring in animals. The reasons for adding iodine to the nation's salt supply (it wasn't just goiters) seems to have been lopped aside in favor of adding syntehtic thyroxine that actually does harm to many of those given it. Thank you for your astute observations and conclusions.

Ali, thank you for a most insightful comment. Yes, the bromide dominance in the food and (now) water supply seems to confuse the matter a great deal. Our ability to absorb and assimilate iodine today is at least as serious as the presence or absence of iodine in one's diet. In fact, the quality of iodine becomes another matter entirely. The more discussion we can raise on this among researchers and clinicians and, by extension, the public and policy makers, the sooner we will begin making substantive progress in this societal problem. Thank you again.

Caution with Iodine!  Please review: Potential Risks of Excess Iodine Ingestion and Exposure: Statement by the American Thyroid Association Public Health Committee

Excess iodine has been linked with possible trigger with autoimmune Hashimoto's (additional causes of course may include infection, certain meds, pregnancy, usual autoimmune culprits, etc) Excess iodine EVEN in the form of Kelp etc has been implicated. Hashimoto's in turn has increased incidence thyroid cancer. Thus Iodine excess can be implicated potentially in INCREASE breast cancer may be a worrying equation. At least read this recurrent theme which again has been reviewed again by American Thyroid Society as--what is stated above--does not sum with what is stated (and has good evidence too) in the cited piece. (full citation below) Everyone just wants to make all data mesh toward the truth--whatever that ends up being in the end.

Potential Risks of Excess Iodine Ingestion and Exposure: Statement by the American Thyroid Association Public Health Committee

Leung Angela M., Avram Anca M., Brenner Alina V., Duntas Leonidas H., Ehrenkranz Joel, Hennessey James V., Lee Stephanie L., Pearce Elizabeth N., Roman Sanziana A., Stagnaro-Green Alex, Sturgis Erich M., Sundaram Krishnamurthi, Thomas Michael J., Wexler Jason A., and for the American Thyroid Association Public Health Committee

Thyroid. February 2015, Vol. 25, No. 2: 145-146

I agree totally, Mary. It is such a tightrope and few practical ways in this day and age of assembly line/reimbursement code driven healthcare of measuring over/under--the sensitivity window for too much and too little is just too narrow. On the one hand we have the public health implications of having the population cut out added iodized salt to their food (inciting iodine deficiency for many) and then suggesting added iodine as if such is an easily gauged task (the difference between one drop and two drops can mean Hashimotos or not from our observations!). Each case will be different. Hashimoto's can attack even the best of efforts. We see the titration problem with Armour vs Synthroid, as well. That is why my stance has always been get what we need through our diet and use supplementation only for well defined therapeutic purposes, often temporarily even then. Antioxidants might be the exception to that, but nutrients such as iodine are dangerous to play with. Thank you for bringing this up. 

Although I agree that over-consumption of iodine can have a number of adverse effects on health, it is important that we remain open to research examining the potential public health benefits of iodine supplementation.  In Europe where there is inconsistent availability of iodized salt, iodine deficiency has become a growing area of concern, however in the U.S. the availability of iodized salt has traditionally shifted the interest to questions of iodine excess.  

Nonetheless, the emphasis on the reduction of salt intake in order to reduce risk of hypertension along with the increased consumption of processed foods in the U.S., which do not contain iodized salt , may have contributed to a significant drop (a drop of ~50% between 1971 & 1994) in daily urinary iodine to levels indicating widespread moderate to severe iodine deficiency. The implications of this drop in iodine consumption have not been well studied in the U.S., however there is an increasing evidence linking iodine deficiency in pregnant women to poor neurocognitive development in their offspring.  Thus, in 2014 the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended iodine supplementation and use of iodized table salt in breastfeeding mothers in light of the fact that 1/3 of women of childbearing age in the U.S. are marginally deficient in iodine.   Thus in my opinion, the potential risks to the public health of iodine deficiency is an area worthy of our attention as researchers.   

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/133/6/1163.long

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3637998/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2957951/#b4-ehp-118-a438

Breast cancer is a kind of cancer that develops from breast cells.

Breast cancer usually starts off in the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply them with milk. A malignant tumor can spread to other parts of the body. A breast cancer that started off in the lobules is known as lobular carcinoma, while one that developed from the ducts is called ductal carcinoma.

The vast majority of breast cancer cases occur in females. This article focuses on breast cancer in women. We also have an article about male breast cancer.

I personally used extremely high levels of iodine to eliminate a large nodule on my thyroid. I was being pushed by an oncology surgeon to have my entire thyroid removed. I decided against it because 16 needle biopsies had come back negative so I researched the subject thoroughly and went to an endocrinologist who was open to alternative medicine. i went in fully armed with my folder of research on the subject and was shocked when I explained that I believed that I had hypothyroidism because of my symptoms and I found it ridiculous that the original range for normal thyroid activity had expanded over time after the poorly done study by Wolff and Chaikoff made everyone afraid of iodine. They actually lowered the RDA for iodine to 153 micrograms per day and as a result over time people were going outside the original range for hypo and hyperthyroidism. As a result they expanded the range. This doesn't appear to be good science to me.

The doctor looked at me and said, "I agree with you." He took me into his examination room and tested my reflexes. They were very delayed and he looked at me and said yes you do have hypothyroidism. He agreed that I needed to take more iodine, but I also took all of the cofactors with it.

I ended up taking 50 mg of iodoral a day starting with 6.25 mg of Iodoral, (1/2 tablet) per day and gradually increasing it to 4 tablets. In a year not only was my nodule gone but I also had suffered from fibrocystic breasts and this was also eliminated. When I had my iodine levels tested after a year much to my surprise I was still low in iodine. I continued to take a high dose for another year and again when tested I was still low.

So much for the fear of taking too much iodine causing thyroid problems. There is cancer in my family, my paternal grandmother died at 58 of breast cancer that metastasized into her bones, my dad died of cancer at 60 from colon cancer that metastasized to his liver. Three of his first cousins all died of cancer around the same age. I have outlived all of them and I feel that iodine has protected me. I also heard other people present their stories at seminars of treating their Hodgkin's lymphoma using high levels of iodine and the cofactors needed to make thyroid hormones and eliminated their cancer. They had been diagnosed as being terminal.

Iodine was used by physicians since 1811 when it was discovered by a French biochemist. It is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic and was used by physicians to treat all of these problems. Isn't it suspicious that Wolff and Chaikoff came out with their poorly done study in 1948 at UC Berkeley when drug companies were competing to be able to successfully produce large quantities of penicillin to distribute to the public? Wolff worked at NIH later and right before they released penicillin in the 1950s he wrote another negative paper on the dangers of iodine to make everyone more afraid of iodine again. From what I have read, no one has been able to reproduce their original study and get the same results. This on top of the fact that peer reviewed studies did not occur in this country until 1973. How can we refer to studies and be swayed by them when they were performed before 1973? Especially ones that have not been successfully reproduced?

Iodine also does not compromise our microbiomes another important factor to maintain health and to support out immune function.