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The absence of iodine in the body compromises or disables thyroid function. When the body is deficient in iodine, the thyroid can begin to swell, producing what is commonly known as a "goiter."
Certain geographic regions in the United States where iodine is absent in the soil have been referred to as "the goiter belt". This is because individuals located within this region consumed no iodine through the food they consumed.
Dr. Donsbach, D.C., N.D. Ph.D. states, "50 years ago, when I was studying for my degree, iodine was considered a magic medicine. It was always used for infections, including pneumonia and bronchitis. The lack of iodine was considered to be the cause of mental slowness. Even today, iodine deficiency is considered to be the most common cause of preventable brain damage in the world. But a single paper written by two researchers changed iodine use completely. This poorly documented paper gave the impression that iodine use was not only archaic, but not necessary, and could even be dangerous. The paper cited hyperthyroidism as a side effect from iodine. Almost overnight the use of iodine in medicine was stopped, and in its place we have a fear of one of the most critical nutrients in our diet."
Iodine is also the missing link in fibrocystic breast disease. Several studies found that adequate iodine supplementation reversed this condition within a few months.
Japanese women living the traditional lifestyle, and eating traditional food, will often consume from 15 to 20 mg of iodine a day. The significance, although not documented in double blind, multimillion dollar clinical studies, but recorded through health associations and organizations, is that Japanese women have the lowest rate of breast cancer in the world.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
• Continuous feeling of fatigue
• Aching muscles
• Cold hands and feet
• Weight gain without eating more
• Coarse, dry, thinning hair
• Dry skin
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Forgetfulness
• Loss of libido
• Slow heartbeat |
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