of Sciences. 32:911-947, 1970
21
 Wang, J., Effects of tamoxifen on benign breast disease in women at high risk for breast cancer. J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 95
(4):202-207, 2003
22
 Bartow, S.A., et. al. Fibrocystic disease: A continuing enigma. Pathol. Annu. 1982: 17:93-111
23
 Ghent, W., et al. Iodine Replacement in Fibrocystic Disease of the Breast. Can.J. Surg. 36: 453-460, 1993
24
 Stadel, VV. Dietary iodine and risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer. Lancet. 1976; 1:890-891. 25
 Talamini, R. Selected medical conditions and risk of breast cancer. British J. of Cancer. 1997; 75(11):1699-1703
26
 Venturi, S. Role of iodine in evolution and carcinogenesis of thyroid, breast and stomach. Adv. Clin. Path. 2000; 4:11-17
27
 Flechas, J. Orthoiodosupplementation in a primary care practice. The Original Internist. 12(2):89-96, 2005. 28
 Smyth, P.P.A. Thyroid disease and breast cancer. J. Endocr. Invest. 16:396. 1993
29
 Perry, M. Thyroid function in patients with breast cancer. Ann. Roy. Coll. Surg. Engl. 60, 1978
30
 Chandrakant, C. Breast cancer relationship to thyroid supplements for hypothyroidism. JAMA. Vol. 236, No. 10. 9.6.1976. 31
 JAMA. Vol. 236. N. 10. 1976
32
 IBID. JAMA. 1976
33
 Beatson, G. Adjuvant use of thyroid extract in breast cancer. Lancet 104: no. 2, pg. 162, 1896
34
 Finley, J.W., et all. Breast cancer and thyroid disease. Quart. Rev. Surg. Obstet. and Gyn. 1960 17: 139
35
 Eskin, B.A. Iodine and mammary cancer. Tans. N.Y. Acad. of Sciences. 1970
36
 Lancet. 1976, 2: 807-8
37
 BIol. Tr. Elem. Res. 1995, 49: 9-19
38
 J. Surg. Onc. 1996, 61:209-213
39
 Can. J. Surg. 1993, 36: 453-460
40
 Funaltashi, H. Suppressive effect of iodine on DM AA-induced breast cancer in rat. J. Surg. Oncol. 1996; 61
41
 Brown-Grant, K. The sites of iodide concentration in the oviduct and the uterus of the rat. J. Endocrin. 1972; 53. 42
 Abraham, G.E., et al. Orthoiodosupplementation: Iodine sufficiency of the whole human body. The Original Internist, 9:30-
41, 2002
43
 Stadel, B. Dietary iodine and risk of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer. Lancet. 4.24. 1976
44
 Bogardus, aG. Surgery. 1960, 49, 461. 45
 Finley, J. rev. Obstet. Gynec. 1960, 49, 17. 46
 Eskin, B.A. Iodine and mammary cancer. Tans. N.Y. Acad. of Sciences. 1970
47
 Drouse, T. Age-related changes in iodine-blocked. Proc. Amer. Ass. Ca. res. 18. 197748
 Eskin, B.A. Iodine and mammary cancer. Tans. N.Y. Acad. of Sciences. 1970
49
 Eskin, B.A. Mammary gland dysplasia in iodine deficiency. JAMA. 5.22.1967
50
 Eskin, B.A. IBID. 1967
51
 Eskin, B.A., et al. Human Breast Uptake of Radioactive Iodine. OB-GYN, 44:398-402, 1974
52
 Berson, S.A., et al. Quantitative aspects of iodine metabolism. The exchangeable organic iodine pool and the rates of
thyroidal secretion, peripheral degradation and fecal excretion of endogenously synthesized organically bound iodine. J. Clin. Invest, 33:1533-1552. 1954
53
 Abraham, G., et al. IBID. 2002
54
 Eskin, B., et al. Mammary Gland Dysplasia in Iodine Deficiency, JAMA, 200: 115-119, 1967. 55
 Eskin, B., etal. Iodine metabolism and Breast cancer. Tans. New York. Acad. Of sciences, 32: 911-947, 1970
56
 Abraham, G. IBID. 20025
57
 Koutras, D.A., et al. Effect of small iodine supplement on thyroid function in normal individuals. J. Clin. Endocr. 24:857-
862, 1964
58
 Abraham, G., et al. Orthoiodosupplementation: Iodine sufficiency of the whole human body. Original Internist. December,
2002. 59
 Nolan, L.A., et al. Chronic Iodine deprivation attenuates stress-induced and diurnal variation in corticosterone secretion in
female Wistar rats. J. Neuroend. 2000. Dec; 12(12); 1149-59
60
 Rodzaevskaia, E.B., et al. Age-dependent thymus involution in experimental iodine deficiency. Arkh. Patol. 2002 Mar-
Apr; 64(2):13-6
61
 Rodzaevskaia, E.B. Morphological impairment of oogenesis in experimental iodinedependent thyroid transformation. Arkh. Patol. 2002. Mar-Apr; 64(2):10-3
62
 Nolan, et al. IBID. 2000
63
 Abraham, G. IBID. 2002Chapter 9
The Importance of Iodine Before Pregnancy 
CHAPTER 9: THE IMPORTANCE OF IODINE BEFORE PREGNANCY
For nearly 100 years, it has been known that iodine deficiency is associated with a lowered intelligence quotient (IQ). In fact,
the research has been clear: iodine deficiency can result in mildly to severely lowered IQ levels. Cretinism, the most severe form
of iodine deficiency, was first described in the late 18
th
 century. Cretinism is associated with severe mental deterioration and
significantly lowered IQ levels, swelling of the skin, hair loss, and short stature. Neurological impairment with reduced muscle
tone and slowed reflexes are also present in cretinism. Unfortunately, cretinism is still present in remote areas of the world. With the advent of iodized salt, cretinism has largely been eliminated in the Western world. Although we don’t see cretinism,
iodine deficiency is still occurring throughout the U.S. It is my premise that iodine deficiency is occurring at epidemic rates in the
U.S. and other Western countries. As previously mentioned I, along with my partners, have tested over 6,000 patients and found iodine deficiency present in
over 96% of those tested. You read those numbers correctly–over 96% tested low, with most testing moderately to severely low. This testing was done via urine, blood, and saliva screening. Over the years, urine testing has been the predominant modality
used. The urine testing was done with spot tests as well 24-hour iodine loading tests. The results that I have seen leave no doubt:
Iodine deficiency is still occurring at epidemic rates. In fact, recent reports from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2008) found that nearly 60% of
women of childbearing age are deficient in iodine. 1
 Iodine levels have declined over 50% over the last 40 years. 2
 Although many
health care experts claim that iodine deficiency is a problem of the past, I can assure you of one thing; these health experts are
wrong. Unfortunately, iodine deficiency is not an old story—it is still present in America and many other Western countries today. What are the Consequences of Iodine Deficiency in Pregnancy? 1. Lowered Childhood IQ
As I previously mentioned, one of the main consequences of iodine deficiency in pregnant women is a lowered IQ in their
children. I have been lecturing to doctors for over a decade about how important it is to ensure that women of child-bearing age
are iodine sufficient before they become pregnant. Both the brain and neurological system are formed during the first trimester. The fetus is dependent on the mother supplying
enough iodine to stimulate normal neurological formation. Inadequate maternal iodine can leave the child with permanent
neurological damage and a lowered IQ. It is unclear if iodine supplementation after birth will reverse the neurological problems
obtained from the lack of iodine during pregnancy. In the latest NHANES (2009-2010) data, the median urine iodine levels for U.S. pregnant women are low at 134μg/L. 3
According to the World Health Organization, this median level would supply insufficient iodine to the fetus. 4
 Keep in mind, mild
maternal iodine deficiency can cause thyroid dysfunction and neurological deterioration. A meta-analysis of 18 studies of children
and adolescents found iodine deficiency was associated with a 13.5 point lower IQ score in children and adolescents. 5
The importance of early iodine supplementation in pregnancy was illustrated when researchers studied three groups of
pregnant women. 6
 All three groups were supplemented with potassium iodide (KI) at 200μg/day. Keep in mind, the RDA for
iodine in pregnancy is 220μg/day. In this study the women were divided into three groups:
Group 1: Supplemented with KI 200μg/day at 4-6 weeks of gestation
Group 2: Supplemented with KI 200μg/day at 12-14 weeks of gestation
Group 3: Supplemented with KI 200μg/day after delivery
All of the children born to these mothers were given a neurocognitive evaluation at 18 months of age and reported these
results as the developmental quotient (DQ). The DQ, similar to the IQ measurement, is used to compare a child’s functioning as
compared to a normative group. For both the IQ and the DQ, the average score is 100. The researchers found a significant
difference in the DQ between the three groups. As seen in 
Figure 17
 (next page), the children in group 1, who were
supplemented with iodine in the first trimester had the highest average DQ score of 102. Group 2, supplemented with iodine at
the beginning of the second trimester had a DQ of 92 while Group 3 had a DQ of 87. Figure 17: Iodine Supplementation and IQ
 
The authors of this study reported that there was delayed neurobehavioral performance observed in 36% of the children in
group 3, 25% of the children in group 2 and none of the children in group 1. They summarized this study by stating, “A delay in
6-10 weeks of iodine supplementation…at the beginning of pregnancy increases the risk of neurodevelopmental delay in the
progeny.”
2. Decrease in Educational Ability
Scientists hypothesized that, as compared to children born to mothers with adequate iodine levels, children born to mothers
with mild iodine deficiency would have poorer educational outcomes. Nine years later, the children of the mothers who had mild
iodine deficiency–urinary iodine <150μg/L–were compared to the children from mothers without iodine deficiency. As compared
to the children born to mothers with adequate iodine levels, nine years later in grade 3, the children of the iodine-
deficient mothers
had a 10% reduction in writing, 8% reduction in grammar and a 6% reduction in English literacy. 7
IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE ADEQUATE IODINE LEVELS BEFORE PREGNANCY
It is important to ensure adequate iodine levels in young women before they become pregnant. In order for the fetus to
develop normally, adequate amounts of iodine are required by the mother. In-utero iodine deficiency has been associated with a
host of ailments in children including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, cretinism, dwarfism, and mental
retardation. Iodine deficiency has also been associated with poor height and bone maturation of children. 8
 
9
 Furthermore, there is
a decreased neonatal survival rate in iodine-deficient areas. In fact, neonatal mortality has been shown to decline over 50% when
iodine deficiency is rectified. 10
 Unfortunately, in the twenty-first century, iodine levels are continuing to fall for the vast majority of
Americans. Chapter 13
 will provide more information about iodine dosing during pregnancy. IODINE, GROWTH HORMONE, AND THYROID HORMONE
Growth hormone deficiency is a condition in children and adults whereby the pituitary gland fails to produce adequate
amounts of human growth hormone. Growth hormone deficiency 
in children is not uncommon. Estimates are that from 1 in 4,000
to 1 in 10,000 children suffer from human growth hormone deficiency. 11
 The incidence of human growth hormone deficiency in
children appears to be increasing. Why would the incidence of human growth hormone deficiency be so prevalent? Low iodine levels may provide the
explanation for this. Researchers have hypothesized that, “…improved growth in iodine-deficient children receiving iodine is likely
due to improved thyroid function {as} both thyroid hormone and {human} growth hormone are essential for normal growth and
development.”
12
 These same researchers reported on a study of severely iodine-deficient children who were given iodine. The
authors reported that there was a significant increase in thyroid function, human growth hormone, and somatic growth in the
treated group versus the untreated group. Researchers studied three groups of children to determine whether iodine repletion improves growth hormone levels and
somatic growth in iodine-deficient children. The studies were double blinded, prospective studies from three areas of the world–
Morocco, Albania, and South Africa. In all three studies, iodine supplementation increased urinary iodine levels and resulted in
elevated growth hormone levels (increased IGF-1 levels.) In two of the three sites, iodine repletion resulted in increased thyroid
hormone levels as well as weight-for-age scores 
and height-for-age scores. 13
Both thyroid hormone and human growth hormone are essential for normal growth and development. 14
 
15
 In children (or an
individual not fully grown), human growth hormone stimulates growth in length. In adults, human growth hormone does not
stimulate growth in length but has a whole host of beneficial effects in the body including stimulating muscle growth, fat
metabolism, and energy production. For more information on human growth hormone in adults, I refer the reader to my book,
The Miracle of Natural Hormones, 3
rd
 Edition. IODINE LEVELS FALLING IN WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGEResearchers have reported on the falling iodine levels in women of childbearing age and pregnant women for over 40 years. Recall (
Chapter 2
) that the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has found that over the last 40 years
(from 1970-2010), iodine levels have fallen in the United States over 50 percent. In fact, the most recent NHANES data found
that nearly 60% of U.S. women of childbearing age were iodine deficient. 16
 I believe this decline in iodine intake has significantly
contributed to (or perhaps caused) the epidemic of behavioral (ADHD) and emotional (depression) problems affecting 
our
children. Furthermore, it is fueling the epidemic of thyroid problems seen in our young people. Figure 18: Iodine Levels Over Time
 
The World Health Organization has declared that a urinary iodine concentration (spot urine check) of less than 50μg/L is a
sign of moderate to severe iodine deficiency. Urinary iodine concentrations less than 20μg/L are considered severe iodine
deficiency. 17
 The proportion of the United States population with moderate to severe iodine deficiency (less than 50μg/L in urine)
has increased by over 450 percent from 1970-2000; from 2.6% in NHANES I (1970) to 11.7% in NHANES II (2000). 18
Unfortunately, things have only gotten worse. Researchers reported in 2005 that 16.8 percent of women of childbearing age had
moderate to severe iodine deficiency. In 2008, the latest data available, 14.6% 
of women of childbearing age were found to be
moderately to severely iodine deficient. 19
 
Figure 18
 (previous page) shows the increasing prevalence of moderate to severe
iodine deficiency over the last 38 years. A study of 100 healthy, pregnant Bostonians found that 50% were ingesting below the recommended daily allowance of
iodine (220μg/day) and 9% were felt to have moderate to severe iodine deficiency (less than 50μg/day on a urine analysis). 20
FINAL THOUGHTS
Iodine is a crucial item needed by a fetus for normal neurological development. Unfortunately, iodine deficiency is not rare in
the U.S. Keep in mind that iodine levels have fallen over 50% during the last forty years. And, iodine deficiency is occurring at
epidemic rates in women of childbearing age. Unless we correct this public health problem, I do not see U.S. childhood health
improving. The next chapter will expand on this concept. I can’t emphasize this point enough: It is important for every woman to have her iodine levels tested before pregnancy and to
supplement with iodine when needed. How much iodine is that? In an optimal situation, the dose should be individualized for the particular patient. However, many
patients cannot find iodine-knowledgeable health care practitioners. Researchers believe the average Japanese intake of iodine is
approximately 12-13mg/day. I have not found 
problems with this dose for the vast majority of patients that I have treated. One final thought; keep in mind that it is important to ensure adequate iodine intake for all ages—that includes children after
they are born. More information about childhood dosing of iodine can be found in 
Chapter 10
. 1
 Thyroid. Vol. 21 N. 4. 2011
2
 
CDC.gov
. NHANES data. 3
 Thyroid. Vol. 23. N. 8. 2013 p. 927-937
4
 Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. 2012. 26 (Suppl. 1), 108-117
5
 In Stanbury, JB (ed). The Damaged Brain of Iodine Deficiency. N.Y. 1994pp. 195-2000
6
 Thyroid. Vol. 19. N. 5. 2009. 511-519
7
. Clin. Endocrin. And Metab. 98:1954-62. 2013
8
 Int. J Vit. Nutr. Res. 65:199-205 1995
9
 Ind. J. of Public Health. 40:10-12 1996
10
 Lancet. 1997. Sep. 13; 350(9080):771-3
11
 From 
http://www.lilly.ca/searchable/cons/children.htm
 Accessed 11.15.0812
 J. Clin. Endocrin. Metab. E Pub ahead of print. 11.21.08 as doi:10.1210/jc.2006-1901
13
 J. of Clin. Endocrin. and Metab. Feb. 1, 2007, Vol. 92, N. 2. p. 437-442
14
 Proc. Natl. Acad. Scie. USA 75:45-49 1978
15
 Pediat. Res. 52: 137-47 2002
16
 Thyroid. Vol. 21 N. 4. 2011
17
 WHO/NHD/01.1
18
 
CDC.gov
19
 Thyroid. Vol. 21 N. 4. 2011
20
 Thyroid. 2004; 14:327-8Chapter 10
Children, ADHD, Autism, and Iodine 
CHAPTER 10: CHILDREN, ADHD, AUTISM, AND IODINE
Dawson, at 7 years old, was driving his parents and his teachers crazy. “He is constantly up and down. He can’t pay
attention. He can’t focus. His teachers are always complaining to me,” his mother (Stephanie) commented. When I saw
Dawson, he was found to have a low basal body temperature (95.7 degrees Fahrenheit—normal 97.8-98.2 degrees
Fahrenheit). Low basal body temperatures can be associated with thyroid problems. Stephanie also let me know that
Dawson had been suffering from severe constipation for many years. Constipation is a sign of hypothyroidism. Dawson
also had very slow reflexes on exam. Dawson’s blood tests did not indicate a thyroid problem but a urinary test did
indicate that Dawson was low in 
iodine. Due to his complaints and low temperatures, I placed Dawson on a small dose
of desiccated thyroid hormone (Armour
®
 
thyroid ¼ grain) and iodine (6.25mg of Iodoral
®
). I also gave Stephanie advice
on how to clean up his diet. Within days, Stephanie noticed the positive changes in Dawson. In fact, she sent me an email
that read:
“I thought you would like to see Dawson’s latest report card comments (attached). He used to be
reserved and did not want to interact socially. He has been on Armour
®
 
thyroid for six weeks now and the
teacher has noticed that he has changed in personality and attentiveness. Maybe all the kids being
diagnosed with ADD/ADHD are really hypothyroid. I am so thankful that he had help available to him. My mom commented on Easter that my kids were like two different children. I agree. Dawson could not
sit in his chair at meal time. He was up and down and up and down. It drove us crazy. Now he sits
through the entire meal and eats. I have not heard that his stomach hurts (which used to be every night)
since the first week he was on the thyroid meds.”
Dawson’s case is not unique. Every child with a diagnosis or symptoms of ADHD needs to have a complete nutritional and
hormonal evaluation. The use of psychoactive drug therapies to treat this condition should only be used as a last resort. Many of
these young patients suffering from ADHD will respond positively to a holistic approach which includes cleaning up the diet. More information on how to implement a healthy diet can be found in 
The Guide to Healthy Eating. At every lecture I give, I am invariably asked the question, “Do children need to take iodine?” The quick answer is “yes”. This chapter will give you the explanation behind this answer. The World Health Organization estimates that there are over 285 million school-age children worldwide who are iodine
deficient
1
. Just as adults need iodine, children also need it. Since children’s brains are growing and developing on a daily basis, it
may be more important for children to take adequate amounts of iodine in their diets than adults. This chapter will show you the
importance of supplementing with iodine before pregnancy and the necessity of continuing iodine supplementation in children of all
ages. The World Health Organization has recommended that the daily iodine intake for children should be:
2
90μg for preschool children (0-59 months)
120μg for schoolchildren (6-12 years)
150μg for adults (above 12 years)
200μg for pregnant and lactating women
It is my opinion that these recommendations are not sufficient for ensuring adequate iodine levels in our children (or 
adults). The consequence of iodine deficiency in childhood can be devastating. I will show you how the growing incidence of attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be directly related to iodine deficiency. Children are suffering from epidemic rates of
emotional and mental disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression. Estimates are that from
seven to sixteen percent of school-aged children suffer from ADHD. 3
 ADHD is not a deficiency of a mood-altering drug; it is a
consequence of nutritional and hormonal imbalances. Iodine is one such nutritional item that needs to be optimized in all children,
especially those with ADHD. IODINE AND ADHD
ADHD is being diagnosed at an epidemic rate. Why would ADHD be occurring at such a high rate? There is no question that
if Big Pharma has a drug available to treat an illness, it will promote, through direct-to-consumer advertising, a campaign to
increase the awareness and utilization of the drug in order to maximize profits. I believe ADHD is overdiagnosed and overtreated. Having said that, I do believe that over the last 40 years ADHD behavior is increasing in frequency. Many experienced educators report an increased frequency in student ADHD behavior during their tenure. At the present
time, something is clearly going on in many children that 
is not allowing them to focus properly and causing them to act out with
inappropriate behavior. I do not believe that ADHD is a condition caused by a lack of a mood-altering drug such as Ritalin
®
 or Concerta
®
. I believe
ADHD is a condition caused in large part from nutritional and hormonal imbalances as well as an increased toxic load. I have found good results in treating ADHD children–as well as other children with behavioral and emotional problems–with
nutritional therapies and detoxification.Studies have shown that correcting iodine deficiency in an iodine-deficient population decreases the frequency of ADHD. My
experience has shown iodine deficiency to be present in over 96% of the nearly 6,000 patients that have been tested in my office. This includes the testing of many children. Though I do see more adults than children, I have found iodine deficiency occurs in
children in the exact same frequency that it occurs in adults–over 96%. Italian researchers compared 16 women from an iodine deficient area of Italy to 7 women from a higher iodine area. All the
women were pregnant. The women from the iodine-deficient area had a reduced thyroid hormone (total T4 and free T4) with
elevated TSH as compared to the higher iodine area. The researchers concluded, “It is hypothesized that the imbalance of
maternal thyroid hormone homeostasis during 
pregnancy as a consequence of endemic iodine deficiency may be responsible for
the impaired psychoneurological development observed in children from that area. Appropriate iodine and/or thyroxine
prophylaxis to women in that region may prevent the neurobehavioral, cognitive, and motor compromise of that population.”
4
Further research found higher levels of ADHD in the children of women who lived in an iodine-deficient area as compared to
women who lived in an iodine-sufficient area. After 10 years of follow-up, researchers found that ADHD was diagnosed in 11/16
(69%) in the iodine-deficient area versus none (0/11) in the iodine-sufficient area. Furthermore, there was an 11 point decline in
IQ in those children born in the iodine-deficient area as compared to the children born in the iodine-sufficient area. An 11 point
decline in IQ can mean the difference between a successful child and a troubled child. AUTISM AND IODINE DEFICIENCY
Autism has been increasing at an alarming rate. In 1980, it was estimated that autism was occurring in 1 in 10,000 children. In
1995, the CDC estimated that 1 in 500 children suffered with autism. In 2008, it increased to 1 in 88. The 2008 numbers reflect
a 78% increase in eight years and a staggering 11,400% increase since 1980. The CDC’s autism analyses are shown in 
Table 7
. 5
 
Table 7: Autism Rates 2000-2008
 
These numbers are hard to believe. Why has autism increased at such a rapid rate? There are many theories that try to
explain why autism is rising which include toxic exposures to children from vaccines, mercury, and/or pesticides. Furthermore,
some think that the rise in autism is related to overdiagnosing it. However, overdiagnosing autism cannot explain the epidemic
increases seen. One overlooked cause of the epidemic rise in autism could be iodine deficiency. Researchers have reported a pattern of iodine decline in a population and a concomitant increase in autism in the U.S., New
Zealand, Australia, England, and Italy. 6
 
7
 
8
 
9
WHY CHILDREN NEED IODINE
Children (and adults) need iodine for the normal formation and maintenance of their endocrine glands (e.g., thyroid and
ovaries) and for normal brain development. Inadequate iodine levels, as previously mentioned, will set the stage for poor
development and a lifelong history of learning problems. I believe that the iodine requirements for children have increased over the last 30 years, just as they have increased for adults. The main reason the requirements have increased is due to additional exposure to goitrogens such as bromide, fluoride, and
chlorine derivatives. Iodine supplementation can act as the antidote for goitrogen exposure. My clinical and laboratory experience has clearly shown that bromide toxicity is occurring at epidemic proportions. I have
continually found that bromide toxicity is occurring in most individuals. For more information on bromide, I refer the reader toChapter 11
. HOW TO TEST CHILDREN FOR IODINE
Children, like adults, can be tested for iodine sufficiency. The iodine loading test will be discussed in 
Chapter 13
. Children can
also do an iodine loading test, but their dosage of iodine must be lowered. If a child weighs less than 80 pounds (36kg) he can
take 12.5mg of iodine/iodide (1 Iodoral tablet or 2 drops of 
Lugol’s solution) in the morning. Then, 24 hours of urine is collected
and a sample is sent for analysis. It is important to let the laboratory know that it is a child being tested and that the child did not
take the usual adult loading test iodine amount (50mg). Both laboratories (FFP and Hakala) listed in the appendix of the book will
perform an iodine loading test on children. Children can also be spot urine tested. This can be done as a first morning urine sample. The spot urine test is only accurate
for those not taking an iodine supplement. Once the child has started to supplement with iodine, the appropriate test becomes the
24-hour iodine loading test as described above. DOSING A CHILD WITH IODINE
How much iodine do you supplement a child with? It is important to remember that every individual is a unique biochemical
person. No one dose fits all. My experience has shown that iodine (in the form of iodine and iodide) dosed at 0.25mg/kg/day (or
0.11mg/pounds/day) is an approximate amount of iodine to ingest for most children. However, I do not suggest supplementing a
child with iodine without working with an iodine-knowledgeable health care provider who can properly test and follow your
child’s laboratory results. FINAL THOUGHTS
Do children need iodine? Without a doubt, the answer is 
“yes”. Children need adequate amounts of iodine to form the normal
architecture of the glandular tissue as well as for the optimal function of the thyroid gland and the entire endocrine system. Due to the continual and steady exposure to the toxic goitrogens so prevalent in our modern environment, iodine
supplementation is more important than ever, especially in children. I believe that iodine deficiency is one of the main causes (or
the main cause) of ADHD and autism. ADHD and autism are occurring at epidemic rates right now. These illnesses are not due
to a deficiency of a dangerous psychotropic medication. I feel they are both signaling that there is an imbalance in the body,
particularly a sign of a nutritional and hormonal imbalance. The rapidly falling U.S. iodine levels could explain why we are
suffering from an epidemic of both ADHD and autism as well as other childhood behavioral and physical problems. Rectifying iodine deficiency should be considered a national emergency addressed by the highest levels of the U.S.
government. We are experiencing a collapse of the health of our future–our children. However, all is not bleak. Just as illustrated
in Dawson’s case (at the beginning of the chapter), finding the underlying cause of the illness and instituting appropriate 
therapies
can reverse this decline. In both children and adults, iodine deficiency needs to be recognized and treated. 1
 Lancet. 362:1859-60. 2003
2
 
www.emro.who.int/nutrition/PDF/IDD.PDF
 accessed 11.15.08
3
 Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Med. 2002; 156:217-224
4
 Clin. Endocr. 1005 Apr; 42(4)/ 409
5
 
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
. Accessed 7.1.13
6
 Brit. Med. J. 2004:328:227
7
 Arch. Des. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2004. Sep; 89(5):F436-9
8
 Med. J. Aust. 2003; 178(4):159-162
9
 Asia Pac. J. Clin. Nutr. 2003; 12. Suppl. S15Chapter 11
Toxic Halides: Bromide and Fluoride 
CHAPTER 11: TOXIC HALIDES: BROMIDE AND FLUORIDE
Iodine is part of a class of elements known as the halogens. The halogens are a family of elements that form similar salt-like
compounds in combination with sodium and most metals. The halogens are bromine, chlorine, fluorine, iodine, and astatine. The
halogens, for chemistry enthusiasts, are found in group VIIa of the periodic table. BROMINE
Bromine was discovered in 1826. Bromide, (the reduced form of bromine), is rapidly absorbed in the intestinal tract. Bromine lies just above iodine in the periodic table. Because the size and weight of bromine is very close to iodine, these two
items can compete with one another for binding in the body, especially in the thyroid gland. Bromine, being of similar size and
shape to iodine, has the ability to bind to iodine receptors in the body. However, bromine should be considered a toxic element to the body and needs to be avoided. When bromine binds to iodine
receptors in the thyroid gland, it disrupts normal thyroid functioning. Iodine is utilized by the thyroid to make thyroid hormone. When bromine replaces iodine, the thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland can be brominated rather than iodinated. My
experience has clearly shown that bromine toxicity leads to a plethora of thyroid problems, including autoimmune thyroid illnesses
such as Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s disease as well as hypothyroidism. Since iodine and bromine compete with one another
for absorption and receptor binding, the body can only eliminate bromine if there is sufficient iodine available. Bromine intoxication (i.e., bromism) has been shown to cause delirium, psychomotor retardation, schizophrenia, and
hallucination. 1
 Subjects who ingest enough bromide feel dull and apathetic and have difficulty concentrating. 2
 Bromide can also
cause severe depression, headaches, and irritability. It is unclear 
how much bromide must be absorbed before symptoms of
bromism become apparent. The symptoms of bromide toxicity can be present even with low levels of bromide in the diet. 3
 Keep
in mind, that when the body has insufficient iodine, the toxicity of bromine is accelerated. Bromine (or its reduced form—bromide) is used as an antibacterial agent for pools and hot tubs. It is still used as a fumigant
for agriculture. Crops sprayed with bromide have been found to have elevated bromide levels. 4
 Bromide is also used as a
fumigant for termites and other pests. In 1981, 6.3 million pounds of bromide were used in California. By 1991, 18.7 million
pounds were used in California. 5
 Toxicity of bromine has been reported from the ingestion of some carbonated drinks (e.g.,
Mountain Dew, AMP Energy Drink, some Gatorade products), which contain brominated vegetable oils. 6
Bromine used to be present in many common over-the-counter medications. It is still used today in many prescription
medicines. Over 150 years ago, bromine was used extensively in medicine as a sedative as well as a remedy for seizures. Due to
the toxicity of bromine, it has been phased out of many medicines. However, bromine still can be found in some medicines
including those that treat asthma, and bowel and bladder dysfunction (see 
Table 8
 on next page). I believe all medicines, as well as foods, that contain bromide need to be avoided. It is lunacy to use bromine in any 
form
(either bromine or bromide) as a medicine. Animal studies have shown that bromide intake can adversely affect the accumulation
of iodide in the thyroid and the skin. 7
 Research has also shown that a high bromide intake results in iodide being eliminated from
the thyroid gland and being replaced by bromide. 8
 In addition, animal studies have shown that the ingestion of bromide can cause
hypothyroidism. 9
 When there is iodine deficiency present, the toxicity of bromide is accelerated. Therefore, maintaining adequate
iodine levels is essential when you live in an environment that provides exposure to bromide. Table 8: Currently Used Bromide-Containing Medications
 
HOW COMMON IS BROMIDE TOXICITY? Unfortunately, bromide toxicity is very common. In fact, every patient (over 1,000) that I have tested for bromide levels has
tested in a high range. My clinical experience has continually shown that that there is a direct correlation between how ill a patient
is and how high their bromide levels are. A small study comparing the bromide levels of breast cancer patients with a 
control
group without breast cancer showed bromide levels were nearly 2x higher in the breast cancer group (see 
page 232
).I checked 32 new patients for their urinary bromide excretion as seen below. These patients were all new to my practice. I
asked them to collect their urine for 24 hours before taking iodine and then repeating the collection the next day after taking a
50mg iodine/iodide load. The figure below shows the average results. Bromide was found to be elevated in every patient tested. Figure 19: Average Bromide Levels Pre/Post Iodine
 
There is no known therapeutic value for bromide. Therefore, any level of bromide could possibly cause problems. You can
see, from 
Figure 19
, even before the patients took iodine, they were excreting too much bromide. After taking 50mg of
iodine/iodide their bromide excretion increased nearly 50% from the baseline. Ingesting iodine caused the body to excrete larger
amounts of bromide. This small study illustrates the detoxifying effects of iodine. Why are bromide levels so high in so many
people? The next sections will answer this question in more detail. BROMINE ADDED TO BAKERY PRODUCTS
Bromine is a toxic element and has no place for ingestion in man. Bromine is considered a goitrogen, which is a chemical that
causes a goiter of the thyroid gland. Bromine interferes with iodide uptake and utilization in the thyroid gland. 10
 
11
 There is no
reason to use bromine in a medication and certainly no reason to use bromine in a common food source. In the early 1960’s, iodine was used in the manufacturing process of bakery products, including bread, as an anti-caking
agent. One slice of bread contained up to 150μg of iodine, which was the RDA for iodine. In 1965, The National Institute of
Health reported that the average iodine intake from bakery products was 726μg of iodine per day. 12
 Some researchers felt that
this amount of iodine could cause problems with the thyroid gland. Due to the erroneous concern of getting too much iodine from
bakery products, iodine was replaced with bromine in the 1980’s. 13
This was a tremendous mistake. As can be seen from previous chapters, the amount of iodine in the bakery products was not
even close to approaching a toxic level. The replacement of iodine by bromine not only increased the incidence of iodine
deficiency, it also increased the levels of bromine in the 
population. This single act of replacing an essential element–iodine–with a
goitrogen–bromine–might be responsible for the rapid decline in iodine levels we have experienced over the last 40 years. The substitution of bromine for iodine in bakery products is certainly a large part of the declining iodine levels in the United
States. From 1971 until 2000, the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) showed iodine levels have declined 50% in
the United States. 14
 The authors of this study claim, “This reduction may be due, in part, to changes in food production.”
15
 No
doubt, these authors must be referring to the substitution of bromine for iodine. The effects of iodine on the body have been reviewed in previous chapters. The thyroid gland, the breasts, the salivary
glands, etc., all have iodine receptor sites. The consequence of bromine binding to the iodine receptors in these tissues is
disastrous. In the case of the thyroid gland, thyroid hormone production will be inhibited. The ingestion of bromine in an iodine-
deficient state will further exacerbate thyroid illness. FLUORIDE
Fluoride, like bromide, is in the family of halogens. For over 50 years, the American Dental Association has advocated the
addition of fluoride to drinking water as a preventative measure against dental caries. However, there is much evidence to suggest that fluoride added to the water supply is ineffective at preventing caries. A study
in New Zealand found that there was no difference in tooth decay rates between the fluoridated and the non-fluoridated areas. 16
This study has been repeated elsewhere. Many European countries have recognized the fallacy of adding fluoride to the water
supply and have stopped the practice. The fluoridation of the water supply has been based on terrible science and is causing
much more harm than good. Fluoridation has been linked to dental fluorosis (discoloration of the teeth), hip fractures, bone cancer, lowered intelligence,
kidney toxicity, and other negative effects. There have been no studies which prove that long-term ingested fluoride has any
positive effect. Fluoride is known to be a toxic agent. Fluoride has been shown to inhibit the ability of the thyroid gland to concentrate iodine. 17
 Fluoride was first reported to cause thyroid problems in 1854 when fluoride was found to be a cause of goiter in dogs. 18Research has shown that fluoride is much more toxic to the body when there is iodine deficiency present. This concept was illustrated in a study of 288 mice where the mice were fed a diet with varying amounts of iodine and
fluoride. The researchers found that the incidence of goiter (swelling of the thyroid) rose with the increasing intake of fluoride in a
low iodine diet. Furthermore, the scientists found that 
fluoride exposure correlated directly to lower iodine uptake by the thyroid
gland in both iodine-sufficient and iodine-deficient diets. 19
 The toxicity of fluoride to the thyroid gland was also illustrated when
researchers studied the Himalayan people in Nepal. They examined 648 subjects in low iodine areas and concluded that the
areas with the highest fluoride levels in water (0.23ppm) had the highest incidence of goiter–nearly 70%. 20
 Keep in mind that in
the U.S. iodine levels have fallen substantially over the last 40 years. During this same time, most of the U.S. water supply has
been fluoridated with fluoride levels averaging about 1ppm—which is substantially higher than the fluoride ingested in the
Himalayan study. Many commonly prescribed medications contain fluoride including the popular SSRI antidepressants such as Paxil and
Prozac. Interestingly, there have been reports of this class of antidepressants increasing the risk of breast cancer. 21
 Many
medications that contain fluoride have been pulled from the market due to serious adverse effects. These include the cholesterol-
lowering drug Baycol, Propulsid (for stomach ulcers), Posicor (anti-arrhythmic), Astemizole (allergies), Omniflox (antibiotic),
Fen-Phen (weight loss) and many others. Fluoride is still used in many medications, as seen in 
Table 9
 on the next page. I believe
that no medication should contain any toxic halogen, fluoride included. Interestingly, many fluoridated 
medications have been
recalled due to an increased incidence of serious adverse effects. Table 9: Currently Used Fluorinated Medications
 
More information about the toxicity of fluoride can be found in the book, 
The Devil’s Poison
 by Dean Murphy, DDS. This
book is an excellent resource which chronicles the hazards of fluoride exposure. CHLORIDE
Chloride, like iodide, fluoride, and bromide is from the family of halogens. Chloride is an important element in the extracellular
fluid. There is a large amount of chloride found in the body—approximately 100gm. Chlorine (the oxidized form of chloride) is
added to many products including the municipal water supply as well as to swimming pools and hot tubs as a disinfectant. It is
also used as a whitener. However, chlorine is a toxic element. A byproduct of chlorine use is the production of dioxin. Dioxin is one of the most toxic carcinogens known to mankind. It
does not readily break down in the environment. Chlorine and its byproducts have been linked to birth defects, cancer
22
,
reproductive disorders including stillbirth,
23
 and immune system breakdown. Americans are exposed to a high level of chlorine and chlorine byproducts that are toxic to their health. This includes being
exposed to the steam of the dishwasher when the door is opened after cleaning (chlorine superheated and combined with
detergent). In addition, the widely used sugar-substitute Sucralose (Splenda
®
) contains chlorinated table sugar. No one denies the importance of having clean drinking and swimming pool water that is free of bacteria. However, there are
many safer alternatives to disinfecting water including the use of iodine, hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet light, and ozone that could
be substituted for chlorine. PERCHLORATE
Perchlorate consists of one atom of chlorine surrounded by four atoms of oxygen. It is found naturally in the environment and
also can be man-made. Perchlorate can displace iodine binding in the body. It can damage the iodine transport mechanism
(NIS). 24
 Perchlorate, at low levels, has been found to cause thyroid cancer, goiter, hypothyroidism, and disruption of 
the normal
menstrual cycle, as well as a weakening of the immune system. 25
Perchlorate is used in a variety of products including car air bags, leather tanning, and fireworks. Today, one of the main
manufacturing uses of perchlorate is for rocket fuel. Sixty years ago, perchlorate was used as a medical treatment for hyperthyroidism as it can inhibit the thyroid gland’s ability toconcentrate iodine. Without iodine, the thyroid gland will become inactive. In the 1960’s, due to safety concerns, perchlorate use
in medicine was discontinued. Perchlorate exposure has been associated with many serious health conditions (
Table 10
). These conditions all relate to
lowered iodine levels when there is excess perchlorate in the body. Table 10: Consequences of Perchlorate
Breast disease
Hypothyroidism
Immune System Problems
Mental retardation in newborns
Neurologic Problems
Poor fetal development
Poor neonatal development
Thyroid cancer
Today, perchlorate still continues to cause significant health problems. Ground water is contaminated throughout much of the
United States from manufactured perchlorate. Ninety percent of the perchlorate manufactured each year is used for rocket fuel
for NASA, defense contractors and the Air Force. 26
 Most perchlorate has been disposed directly into the ground or into
abandoned mines. 27
 
28
The entire lower Colorado River is contaminated with perchlorate. The lower Colorado River irrigates more than 1.8 million
acres of land which encompasses over 15% of the nation’s crops and 13% of the nation’s livestock. Approximately 20 million
Americans drink water from the Colorado River which is contaminated with perchlorate. In fact, at least 43 states have
contaminated water from perchlorate. 29
 When perchlorate is released into the water supply, it can persist for long periods of time. Researchers compared thyroid function in newborns that live in an area (Yuma, Arizona) with perchlorate-contaminated
drinking water supplied from the lower Colorado River versus newborns from an area (Flagstaff, Arizona) with non-contaminated
drinking water. Rocket and missile facilities were thought to be the source of perchlorate that contaminated the water. Fifteen
hundred infants were studied. The results showed that infants in Yuma were found to have significantly depressed thyroid function
as compared to infants from Flagstaff. 30
 Perchlorate levels were found to be elevated (above EPA limits) in the water supply in
Yuma and undetectable in the water supply in Flagstaff. 31
 Perchlorate is known to cross the placenta and can 
cause in-utero
thyroid abnormalities. 32
 Thyroid abnormalities in-utero or at birth are the leading cause of preventable mental retardation. 33
Drinking water is not the only problem with perchlorate. Lettuce grown in the fall and winter months in the southwestern
United States contains very high amounts of perchlorate. Up to 70% of the nation’s fall and winter lettuce supply is irrigated with
perchlorate-contaminated water from the lower Colorado River. Over 130 samples of commercial lettuce were tested for perchlorate. This included head lettuce as well as adult and baby
greens grown both organically and conventionally. Significant amounts of perchlorate were found in 83% of the lettuce samples
tested. There was virtually no difference between organically or conventionally grown lettuce. It is estimated that by eating lettuce
during the winter months, 1.6 million American women of childbearing age are exposed to more perchlorate than the EPA’s
recommended safe dose. 34
Perchlorate has also been found in dairy and human milk. Forty-seven dairy milk samples from 11 states were examined for
perchlorate. Significant amounts of perchlorate were found in 98% of the samples (46/47). Thirty-six human milk samples from
18 states were examined for perchlorate. All of the human milk samples–
100%
–were found to contain measurable amounts of
perchlorate. The mean perchlorate level of human milk was 500% higher than dairy milk. In fact, there was an inverse correlation
of 
perchlorate and iodide in breast milk; the higher the perchlorate level, the lower the iodide level. Breast milk is the only source
of iodide in a breast-fed infant. The high perchlorate levels found in this study prompted the authors to conclude, “Recommended
iodine intake by pregnant and lactating women may need to be revised upward.”
35
Perchlorate has also been shown to cause neurological problems in rats. The offspring of female pregnant rats exposed to
perchlorate were found to have an irreversible decline in brain function. 36
Remember, iodine levels have fallen over 50% in the United States over the last 40 years. Perchlorate is a more toxic
substance when iodine deficiency is present. In fact, all the toxic halides are more toxic when iodine deficiency is present. ARE THE TOXIC HALOGENS FLUORIDE AND BROMINE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EPIDEMIC RISE IN
BREAST CANCER? The research is clear that bromine and fluoride are toxic items for the body. In an iodine-deficient state, the toxicity of
bromide and fluoride are exacerbated. I undertook a study in my office to look at the difference in iodide, bromine, and fluoride levels in eight women with breastcancer versus ten women without breast cancer. Urinary levels of bromine and fluoride were measured at baseline, one day after
taking 50mg of iodine/iodide (Iodoral
®
) and 30 days after taking 50mg/day of iodine/iodide (Iodoral
®
). The results (seen above,
Figure 20
) shocked me. Figure 20: Average Bromide Excretion in 8 Breast Cancer and 10 Non-Breast Cancer Subjects
 
Iodine levels were low in all of the women tested. This is not surprising because, as previously described in this book, iodine
deficiency is occurring at an epidemic rate. What shocked me was the difference in the levels of the toxic halogens bromide and fluoride. Bromide levels were found to
be significantly elevated in the breast cancer versus the non-breast cancer subjects. The fluoride testing (
Figure 21
, next page) showed similar results, with the breast cancer subjects exhibiting higher fluoride
levels as compared to the non-breast cancer subjects. Although the difference in the fluoride levels were not as dramatic as the
bromide levels, this data shows that breast cancer patients are absorbing and retaining larger amounts of toxic halides as
compared to non-breast cancer subjects. As previously mentioned, fluoride is a toxic halide that should be avoided. Its anti-
cavity promotion is a seriously flawed idea that much of the Western world has rejected by removing fluoride from the water
supply. Topical fluoride may have some practical applications when applied to the growing tooth—approximately from the age of
3-13. For adults, ingesting fluoride in our water supply in order to prevent caries is a fallacious concept. Fluoride does not
prevent cavities and it interferes with hundreds of enzymes in the body and also causes thyroid dysfunction. The way to reduce the body’s burden of toxic halides is to increase the body’s iodine levels. Remember, the toxicity of
fluoride and bromine will be exacerbated in an iodine-deficient state. Figure 21: Fluoride Excretion in 8 Breast Cancer and 10 Non-Breast Cancer Subjects
 
The use of iodine supplementation, as part of a holistic nutritional program which facilitates the detoxification 
capabilities of
the body, will allow the body to decrease its levels of toxic halides. FINAL THOUGHTS
We are in the midst of a cancer epidemic. At the present time, one in three Americans will get cancer. Cancer is not caused
by chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery deficiency. Cancer is a multifactorial illness that will only be conquered when the
underlying causes of cancer are properly thought out and thoroughly dealt with. There is no doubt that our exposure to toxic chemicals is increasing at the same time our nutrient status is declining. Is it any
wonder that cancer rates are reaching epidemic proportions? Currently one in seven women (14%) has breast cancer and one in
three men (33%) has prostate cancer. Iodine deficiency coupled with the increasing toxic load in our bodies could explain a great
deal about why these cancer numbers are so high. Iodine supplementation has multiple positive effects on the body. These positive effects are found in many different illnesses
from fatigue states to autoimmune disorders and cancer. It is important not only to ensure adequate levels of nutrients in the body,
but also to help the body utilize these nutrients by enhancing the detoxification mechanisms. Iodine supplementation will not only
provide a valuable nutrient for the body, it will also aid in the detoxification process of the body. The next chapter will give you
information about detoxification. I 
believe ensuring an adequate iodine level is a crucial factor to helping you achieve your optimal
health. 1
 Levin, M. Bromide psychosis: four varieties. Am. J. Psych. 104:798-804, 1948
2
 Clark. G. Applied Pharmacology. Churchill, London. 1938
3
 Sangster, B., et al. The influence of sodium bromide in man: A study in human volunteers with special emphasis on the
endocrine and the central nervous system. Fd. Chem. Toxic., 21: 409-419, 1983
4
 Van Leeuwen, FX. The toxicology of bromide ion. Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 1987; 18:189-213
5
 CAS Registry number: 74:83:9
6
 Horowitz, B. Bromism from excessive cola consumption. Clinical Toxicology, 35 (3), 315-320. 1997
7
 Pavelka, S. High bromide intake affects the accumulation of iodide in the rat thyroid and skin. Biol. Trace elem. Res. 2001.
summer; 82(1-3):133
8
 Pavalka, S. Effect of high bromide levels in the organism on the biological half-life of iodine in the rat. Biol. Trace elem. Res. 2001. summer; 82(1-3):133
9
 Buchberger, W. Effects of sodium bromide on the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones and brominated/iodinated thyronines. J. Trace Elem. Elec. Health Dis. Vol.4. 1990, p. 25-3010
 Vobecky, M. Effect of enhanced bromide intake on the-concentration ratio I/Br in the rat thyroid gland. Bio. Trace
Element Research, 43:509-513, 1994
11
 Abraham, G. IBID. 9.09.03
12
 London, W.T. Bread-a dietary source of large quantities of iodine. New. Engl. J. Med. 273:381, 1965
13
 Abraham, G. The effect of ingestion of inorganic nonradioactive iodine/iodide in patients with simple goiter and in Graves’
disease: A review of published studies compared with current trends. Optimox Research. 9.09.03
14
 CDC. National Center for Health Statistics. Cdc.gov
15
 Hollowell, Je. Iodine nutrition in the United States. Trends and public health implications: Iodine excretion data from
National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys I and III. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 83:3401-3408, 1998
16
 Colquhoun, G. New Evidence on fluoridation. Social Science and Medicine. 19. 1239-46. 1984. 17
 Galletti, P. Effect of fluorine on thyroidal iodine metabolism in hyperthyroidism
18
 Maumene, e. Experience pour determiner l’action des fluores sur l’econimie animale. Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci (Paris)
39:538-539. 1854
19
 Endocrine Regulations. Vol. 32. p. 63-70. 1998
20
 Lancet. May 27, 1972. Vol. 1. 1135-38
21
 35
th
 Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research, Seattle, WA. June 2000. 22
 Epidemiology. 1998; 9(1): 21-28, 29-35. 23
 Epidemiology. May 1999. 10:233-237
24
 Tonacchera, M. Relative potencies and additivity of perchlorate, thiocyanate, nitrate and iodide on the inhibition of
radioactive iodide uptake by the human sodium iodide symporter. Thyroid. 2004. 14. 1012-19
25
 EPA. Perchlorate environmental contamination: toxicological review and risk characterization based on emerging
information. 1998
26
 EPA. 1998. IBID. 27
 Journal of the Am. Water Works Ass. 1957. 49(10):1334-1342
28
 Environmental Working Group, 2005. From 
www.ewg.com
. 29
 Environmental Working Group, 2005. From 
www.ewg.com
. 30
 Ross, B. Ammonium perchlorate contamination of Colorado River drinking water is associated with abnormal thyroid
function in newborns in Arizona. J. of Occup. And Env. Medicine. Vol 42(8). August, 2000. p. 777-782
31
 U.S. EPA. Regional Agency 9 Lab. USEPA; August 16, 1999
32
 Fisher, D. Maternal-fetal thyroid function in pregnancy. Clin. Perinat. 1983; 10:615026
33
 WHO. 34
 Envirnonmental Working Group. IBID. 2005. 35
 Kirk, Andrea. Perchlorate and iodide in dairy and breast milk. Environ. Sci and Technol. 2000. 36
 Env. Health Persp. Vol. 116. N.6. June 2008Chapter 12
Detoxification Questions and Answers 
CHAPTER 12: DETOXIFICATION QUESTION AND ANSWERS
I have lectured extensively about iodine for over 12 years. After hearing my iodine lecture, the three most frequently asked
questions are:
1
. Why do I need to take so much iodine? 2
. Why do I need more iodine now than people needed 100 years ago? 3
. How do I detoxify from the toxic halides, bromine and fluoride? This chapter will provide you with the answers to these questions. WHY DO WE NEED TO TAKE SO MUCH IODINE? This is the most common question I am asked by both physicians and laypeople. The main reason we need to ingest more
iodine is that the majority of people are iodine deficient, many of them severely iodine deficient. My experience has clearly shown
that over 96% of my patients are low in iodine with most of them severely low. How can that be? Over the last 40 years, iodine levels have fallen over 50%. There are a number of reasons this has occurred including the
declining use of iodized salt. If a lowered iodine intake was the only problem, it would be simple to rectify iodine deficiency with iodine supplementation. However, there is more to the story. Currently, our exposure to the toxic halides–fluoride, bromide, and perchlorate–are occurring at levels that humans have
never been exposed to. The consequence of this is a worsening of the already present iodine-deficiency problem. We discussed the toxic halides in the previous chapter. These include bromine, fluoride, and chlorine derivatives. I have
presently tested over 1,000 patients for their bromine levels. I have found that 100% of them have tested for high bromine levels. Fluoride in our water supply also adds to this problem. Only through iodine supplementation and detoxification can you reverse
this problem. Detoxification will be covered at the end of this chapter. WHY DO WE NEED MORE IODINE NOW THAN PEOPLE DID 100 YEARS AGO? Invariably, I am asked, “Why do we need more iodine than our predecessors took?” There are a number of factors that have
led to the ‘perfect storm’ of iodine deficiency including:
1
. Our food supply is remarkably deficient in iodine due, in part, to low salt intake. 2
. The ingestion of brominated (instead of iodinated) bakery products leads to toxic levels of bromine
in the vast majority of our population. Furthermore, brominated flour worsens an iodine-deficient
condition. 3
. Our continued exposure to brominated flame retardants in computers, furniture, clothing, bedding,
and other common consumer materials. 4
. Fluoridation of our water supply. Fluoridation is bound to worsen an iodine deficient problem by
supplying a toxic halide on a continual basis. 5
. The use of pesticides and insecticides for lawn care which contain toxic halides such as bromine
and chlorine derivatives. 6
. The use of many medications that contain bromine or fluorine as part of their chemical structure. A
list of some of the brominated and fluoridated drugs is shown In 
Chapter 11
. When you take into account these six items, it is no wonder that we need larger iodine doses than past generations of
Americans. Unless our exposure to toxic halogens is decreased, we will continue to need and require larger amounts of iodine as
compared to our predecessors. We need the larger iodine doses to help the body detoxify from the toxic halogens. HOW TO DETOXIFY FROM THE TOXIC HALIDES
Now that we have established that there is no use in our body for the toxic halides, I will show you four safe and simple steps
to help you detoxify from these toxic substances. Step 1: Ensure Adequate Hydration
It is impossible to detoxify from any substance without maintaining adequate hydration. Water can not only bring nutrients to
the tissues of the body, it can help flush out toxins. My experience has shown that maintaining adequate hydration is the single
most important health factor in any detoxification program. How much water should you drink? A rough estimate is to take your
weight in pounds, divide by 2 and the resultant number is the amount of water you should drink in ounces per day. It is important
to drink clean water, free of fluoride and 
chlorine derivatives. Reverse osmosis water is one such example. It is important toensure that you have adequate mineral intake when drinking reverse osmosis water. How can you ensure adequate mineral intake
when drinking reverse osmosis water? Simply add unrefined salt to the water—see Step 2. Step 2: Ingest Unrefined Salt
As previously mentioned, unrefined salt helps to rid the body of the toxic halide bromine. How is this accomplished? Chloride
and bromide, part of the halogen family, are next to each other on the periodic table. Chloride is an effective competitive inhibiter
of bromide. I have found it impossible to lower bromine levels in my patients if they do not ingest unrefined salt. I suggest taking
approximately 1-1.5tsp/day of unrefined salt. For more information about unrefined salt, I refer the reader to my book, 
Salt
Your Way To Health. Step 3: Take Antioxidants
Vitamin C can act as a potent antioxidant for both the fat and water-soluble tissues. Vitamin C can also help stimulate the
detoxification pathways of the body. I suggest taking 3000-6,000mg of vitamin C/day. If you get diarrhea, lower the dose. Selenium is a potent antioxidant. Our food supply is very deficient in selenium. Taking 100-200μg/day of selenium can help
the antioxidant status of the body and may improve thyroid functioning. Step 4: Supplement With Iodine
Iodine will help the body release the toxic halides. My experience has shown that this effect only occurs with larger (mg)
doses of iodine. Generally, a dose from 12-50mg/day is effective for most people. Those with serious illnesses such as breast or
prostate cancer may need more. As the toxic halides are released, you may experience a detoxification reaction. This can include
headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and palpitations. To minimize detoxification reactions, you can do Steps 1-3 for two weeks
before instituting iodine therapy. Remember, the best results are achieved when you work with a health care practitioner knowledgeable about iodine and the
detoxification pathways. If you experience problems, please seek advice. FINAL THOUGHTS
This chapter was written to answer the most common questions I am asked by both doctors and laypeople. The vast majority
of our population is being exposed to ever-increasing amounts of toxic halides and decreasing amounts of iodine. Is it any wonder
that iodine-deficient illnesses such as endocrine-related cancers (thyroid, breast, prostate, uterus, and ovary) as well as thyroid
problems (hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, and Graves’ disease) are increasing at near epidemic rates? I believe the only solution to
these common problems is to ensure 
adequate iodine intake in order to enable the body to competitively inhibit and detoxify the
toxic halides. However, keep in mind, iodine is best used as part of a holistic treatment regimen that includes the use of unrefined salt and
antioxidants such as vitamin C.Chapter 13
Iodine Dosage Guidelines 
CHAPTER 13: IODINE DOSAGE GUIDELINES
Now that we have established that the RDA for iodine (approximately 150μg/day) is inadequate, how much iodine should
you take? There is some concern in the conventional literature that too much iodine can harm the thyroid gland and cause other
problems in the body. This chapter will explore how to safely use iodine to achieve your optimal health. The question of dosage cannot be answered without reviewing the iodine intake of the Japanese. It has been estimated that
the mainland Japanese ingest approximately 13.8mg of iodine per day, which is approximately 100 times the RDA. 1
 The
Japanese receive most of their iodine from seaweed, which is known to concentrate iodine. What is the effect of ingesting this larger amount of iodine? The Japanese who consume these large amounts (by U.S. RDA
standards) of iodine have remarkably lower levels of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. In addition, as compared to
American women, there is a significantly lower amount of fibrocystic breast disease in Japanese women. Mainland Japanese 
men
have a significantly lower rate of prostate cancer as compared to the U.S. male population including Japanese males who have
migrated to the United States. The medical literature has pointed out a possible relationship between all of these cancers and
iodine deficiency. SEVEN CONCERNS WITH USING HIGH LEVELS OF IODINE
There is some concern that the ingestion of iodine in excess of the RDA–150μg/day–will cause adverse effects. I will show
you that with the proper monitoring and dosing, iodine in milligram doses is safe and effective. There are seven major concerns
with using iodine in excess of the RDA. Many iodophobic individuals feel that milligram doses of iodine may cause:
1
. Iodine allergy
2
. Autoimmune thyroid disease
3
. Detoxification reactions
4
. Iodine-induced hypothyroidism and goiter
5
. Iodine-induced hyperthyroidism
6
. Iodism
7
. Thyroid cancer
ALLERGY TO IODINE
In my experience, an allergy to inorganic iodine/iodide is a rare occurrence. An allergy to radioactive iodine dye, commonly
used in many medical imaging procedures, does not guarantee that there is an allergy to inorganic iodine/iodide–such as in Lugol’s
or tableted Lugol’s. In fact, my experience has shown that it is a rare occurrence to have an allergy to inorganic iodine/iodide. During twenty years of practice, I have seen three patients with an allergy to inorganic, non-radioactive iodine. An allergy can take any form, including a rash, fatigue, congestion, headache, and fever. NAET, an acupressure technique,
has been useful in some of my patients to help them overcome an allergy to iodine. More information on NAET can be found in
the Appendix. Joan, age 62, suffered from hypothyroidism for 20 years. Although Joan’s symptoms improved on a holistic treatment
plan (detoxification, vitamins and minerals, and dietary changes), she still was not feeling like she wanted to feel.
Iodine_-_Why_You_Need_It_Why_You_Cant-Live_Without_It.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        of Sciences. 32:911-947, 1970
21
 Wang, J. , Effects of tamoxifen on benign breast disease in women at high risk for breast cancer. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. , 95
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Over 96% of the patients tested have tested low in iodine levels.
What is the estimated prevalence of iodine deficiency in the US population?
200μg/day
What is the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iodine intake during pregnancy?
Inadequate maternal iodine can cause permanent neurological damage and a lowered IQ in the child.
What is the consequence of iodine deficiency during pregnancy?
The World Health Organization has reported a 78% increase in autism cases over the past 40 years.
What is the estimated increase in ADHD and autism cases in the US over the past 40 years?
The World Health Organization recommends 2-150μg/day based on the child's age.
What is the recommended iodine intake for children?