Article in Telegraph today "put Iodine in salt or half of pupils will suffer". High numbers of pregnant women across UK suffer from Iodine deficiency which affects the developing foetus. 40-73% of pregnant women are low in Iodine, depends where in the Uk they live. Iodine is added to salt in more than100 countries but not in UK. Dept of Health response is that a balanced diet should provide sufficient Iodine. As we all know, diet does not provide everything we need and thyroidies are often deficient in Vit D and are told to spend more time in the sun!!
I would have thought it was obvious that with increased levels of background radiation (from nuclear testing and power stations) and lower dietary Iodine, women choosing to consume less dairy, kids no longer getting free school milk, there is bound to be a knock on effect somewhere. As usual it seems to be bury your head in the sand time again.
Would love to know what is the increased incidence of thyroid disease over the last 50 years.
Written by
crimple
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Vey interesting what you say bluepettals about T3 levels, I wonder if that is my problem! Also your comment about breast cysts. I remember reading about that in one of the books about Iodine that I read a few years ago.
I am not aware that they took iodine out of bread and foodstuffs in the UK except in one area: teat disinfectant.
A lot of the discussion about iodine being replaced by bromine in dough conditioners is from the USA - bromine-based conditioners are not allowed in the EU.
Whereas iodine-based teat disinfectants were widely used in the dairy industry, there has been a switch to chlorine-based disinfectants. So of that disinfectant ended up in the milk and did increase the overall iodine content.
(Organic milk usually had a lower iodine content that non-organic milk. This was not the result of "taking out" but of the diet of the cattle. At least some organic milk producers have taken steps - and I do not know the details - to raise the iodine content.)
More generally, iodisation of salt continues to be questionable. The impact of a salt iodisation program can result in an increase in diagnosed thyroid disease.
Against a background of government health campaigns to reduce salt intake, it might not be the best approach.
Many commercial products are already manufactured using iodised salt - at least if they are produced in Germany or (it seems) Poland and quite possibly elsewhere. Look at the labels in the German supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl on their own-brand products.
Some programs have looked to using iodised oil. Or even eggs!
Iodised salt, particularly if mandated in commercial products, also affects those with Graves or on a low-iodine diet during thyroid cancer treatment. (I have no idea as to the impact on less well-known disorders such as Riedel's, impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone, etc.) Remember that once you have pressed the button to launch iodisation, it is very difficult to change your mind.
Having written that, yes, iodine intake is generally inadequate.
It sometimes feels as if we should consider iodising chips, fried chicken and pizza. That would have huge reach and yet be avoidable for those who need to.
They are just looking into feeding cattle with some seaweed as apparently that helps reduce the amount of methane gas their digestion releases to the atmosphere!
Pity the sloth! These fascinating creatures are unable to release that trapped gas, which is part of the reason they're such briilant swimmers.
"The reason why they’re so buoyant—which shows how evolution will find a use for something peculiar—is that sloths suffer from an enormous amount of gas. Their diet, mostly leaves, is extremely indigestible. They have an enormous gut fauna, bacteria that helps them break down these leaves, and the byproduct is a lot of methane. [laughs] Sloths can’t fart, as we do. Instead, that trapped wind serves as a built-in buoyancy device."
Homeopathy goes by the principle that likes cure likes , French virologist Luc Montagnier suggested that water would retain eletrochemical properties even if the solution was massively diluted . It was stated by many that the configuration of molecules of water is biologically active. According to Samuel Hannimann a substance which causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy person will cure that if given in minute doses , Homeopathy works at ion level . As stated by G.krishnamurthy truth does not have any paths and it can not be institutionalised and organised . The vital substance is stimulated by the process of dynamisation and dilution . It meets the vital body . If you think that a substance does not contain any traces of the substance after undergoing series of dilutions , there is no harm by taking that homeopathic medicine. If it contains the the vital ingredient in the most subtle way it cures the problem . so why do not you take and see . If you wish youtake that under the supervision of your doctor .
We are, with iodine, dealing with something of which we need a measurable amount. The exact amount may be arguable but let us take 150 micrograms. How does that come from a homoeopathic preparation that contains no measurable iodine?
In the case of iodine we are dealing the the precise REVERSE of what you quote. We are not looking at a substance which causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy person. It is the LACK of that substance.
When we need quantities of substances (proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins) a homoeopathic preparation isn't going to supply what we need.
Otherwise, let us all feast on homoeopathic diets.
The answer is in your statement only . We are using as a medicine and not as food .So massive doses are not needed . The more the substance is diluted the more it becomes dynamic . It works on ion level . Who knows in future a scientific revolution may come where even the food is going to be taken in homeopathic preparation . In fact as per one contension if 12 TISSUE SALTS are taken the energy levels remain the same and we don't need food for energy . But it is not yet experimented and proved . Any way I DON'T advocate that as our gut needs sumptuous feeding .
No , the very principle of Homeopathy makes it potent and effective by the process of dilution , trituration , potentisation and succussion . Why don't you attend some preliminary classes to have an idea of how homeopathy works .
There's an interesting podcast on BBC radio 4 Wales about Iodine. I don't know how to post a link, but if you search for Elementals Iodine you should find it.
The phrase 'essential 'element' is often incorrectly used to describe the nutrients we need, but can aptly be applied to iodine - without it we would suffer severe developmental problems. Iodine is a key component of thyroid hormones, responsible for the regulation of our metabolism. And yet most of us have no idea how much we need, nor where it comes from.
In her research, Margaret Rayman, Professor of Nutritional Medicine at Surrey University, has found pregnant women in particular are at risk of iodine deficiency - and there's a lack of iodine in what many consider healthy diets.
As well as looking at contemporary issues with iodine, Margaret explores the legacy of past iodine deficiency - the word cretin, was coined to describe someone living in the Alps with such a condition. We learn why you might find iodine in British milk - but not necessarily elsewhere in the world, and we discuss the consequences of exposure to radioactive iodine isotopes - both good and bad.
Because, as I said in my earlier reply, it is very much a USA thing to go on about iodine compounds in bread dough. (It wasn't a "where in the UK?" question - apologies I didn't make that clear.)
Although I do not always agree with Mark Vanderpump, in this case I think he is right:
That the dairy industry made a wholesale change to their product, one which has well known effects, without anyone questioning the impact or doing anything about it is terrible. The Department of Health and Ag and Fish should have been discussing this and resolved an iodine-replete future many years ago.
(Ironically, erythrosine, a red colour allowed exclusively for cherries, which contains a considerable amount of iodine, seems to be losing favour with the producers. A lot now are either not coloured, or they use beetroot, etc.)
A tree known as Agele Marmolass , has properties setting right the disorders of thyroid . One can take some 10 leaves if small or two or three leaves if big daily and soak them in water over night .The next morning the water after removing the residual leaves can be taken . It is given in shiva temples in INDIA after offering to God as holy water to be taken inside .This is very safe and can be taken for 40 days , Under the supervision & regular monitoring of a doctor it would not give any problem as it can be with drawn at any time if any discomfort is felt .Since it does not contain any chemicals it is absolutely safe and time tested . Discretion is the best part of valour ----- thus goes the adage .
Coffeeday, you wrote "Since it does not contain any chemicals it is absolutely safe and time tested ."
You might find this enlightening:
Is Everything a Chemical?
Why Everything Is Chemistry
"Chemicals aren't just exotic substances found in a chemistry lab. Here's a look at what makes something a chemical and the answer to whether everything is a chemical.
Everything is a chemical because everything is made of matter. Your body is made of chemicals. So is your pet, your desk, the grass, the air, your phone, and your lunch."
When I said chemicals I mean synthetic ones. But a thing from nature and used safely for hundreds of years in medicinal preparations is relatively safe if used judiciously .I used it and found to be safe . So I said with conviction and perception of truth Any way it can be tried only if one is convinced of its safety .
I'd warn anyone considering following that suggestion of this potentially very serious effect:
Aegle marmelos L., commonly known as bael (or bili[3] or bhel[4]), also Bengal quince,[2] golden apple,[2] Japanese bitter orange,[5] stone apple[6][7] or wood apple,[5] is a species of tree native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.[2] It is present in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malesia as a naturalized species.[2][8] The tree is considered to be sacred by Hindus. An extract from the plant, aegeline, used in manufacturing a weight loss dietary supplement (OxyElite) which has been associated with liver damage upon oral consumption, was at the origin of federal lawsuits in the United States beginning in 2015, resulting in the arrest of numerous people involved in the manufacturing and marketing of OxyElite.[9]
Thank you for the link . Any thing consumed in excess causes irrepairable damage to the body , whether it is food , medicines ,herbs or supplements literally any thing . That's why I always say '' with the doctor's consultation , under his supervision '' not more than 40 days , a small amount of two or three leaves . When leaves are added to the water after offering to LORDSHIVA and given as holy water , we never heard that it caused liver damage . Some leaves like mint , thulasi , coriander , curry leaves , drumsticks can be taken in bigger quantity and are relatively safe . Any way it is an information posted and if it is dangerous it need not be taken .Any information becomes authentic scientific discovery only after it gets stamped by the scientific fraternity as per the belief of many .
when the leaves are small one can take 10 leaves & if they are big two or three . Any way I also told not to take for long and take under the supervision of a doctor since some people have some apprehension . I took like that some 10 years back and I did not go for modern medicine because I got nausea with modern medication after taking for two days . Every year I go for total body check up and no thyroid issues .
Can't see that salt would help as they keep telling us to eat less salt as well. Is the low IQ not just the product of environmental pollution and junk food diets?
I take iodine. I think it's great. Gets rid of my cellulite leaving my skin smooth like a baby. And my face looks softer like I have been photo shopped. Salt is not iodized and you would need to drink half pint of milk just to get the minimum amount , non organic milk. Many hypos are dairy free anyway. I don't see where most people here in UK are getting the iodine they need unless eating sea food or seaweed regularly.
I'm very confused about iodine. I always thought that iodine deficiencies were rare in developed countries. I remember asking my GP what caused it, when my hypothyroidism was first diagnosed - he said most cases are autoimmune because iodine deficiency is rare in the UK. Mind you, that's about twenty years ago now. Would it help my hypothyroidism if I supplemented with iodine?
Iodine deficiencies are not rare in developed countries.
Iodine deficiencies were far from top of the list of causes of hypothyroidism in the UK and the USA. However Germany, for example, still has widespread inadequate iodine intake.
We always need to take into account the 65% (approximately) iodine content of levothyroxine.
I always suggest a test is appropriate.
Then, there are the issues about which form of iodine to take. Kelp is often deprecated because of its variable iodine content and the pollutants that it can contain.
You are absolutely right. There used to be a condition called Derbyshire neck which was actually goitre (underactive thyroid, I seem to remember also in Switzerland) caused by lack of iodine as Derbyshire is far from the sea. Not a problem now as diets improved and varied. All this talk of the minutiae of diet detracts from the main research around auto-immune disease and why this has increased. Background radiation, environmental factors, genetics.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Should I be giving Iodine Supplements to my children to prevent Thyroidism?
Dr Alan Christianson - Iodine Controlled Diet
Iodine: Friend or Foe for Hypo? 
