The Nuclear Crisis in Japan, Your Health, Vitamin C, Iodine, the Thyroid Effect … and Weight Loss?
Do WHAT, now?? What‘s all this?
OK, the reason Iodine came to the forefront in connection with the nuclear crisis in Japan and way back when in Tschernobyl is this:
When Iodine Deficient, You‘re at a Much Greater Risk for Radioactive Damage!
As I understand it, the radioactive iodine in the fallout gets absorbed especially by an iodine-deficient body, but not if your levels are up to par.
So if your body is well filled up with the good, healthy form, it will not absorb the radioactive kind.
Not only that, an iodine deficiency increases your susceptibility to all kinds of diseases, too:
The glands need this nutrient for the production of hormones, and a lack of this substance causes breast, ovarian, uterus and prostate cysts and cancers.
Other medical conditions associated with too little iodine are goiters, grave‘s disease, fatigue (low energy levels) and an impaired immune system.
The WHO maintains low iodine levels are the major cause for mental retardation. Adequate thyroid hormone is essential for brain development.
In short, really, REALLY important stuff!
So iodine is crucial as a prophylactic agent (to prevent illness), but wait, there’s more! 
It also detoxifies the body by removing mercury, fluorides, chlorides, and bromides.
And if that wasn’t enough, it’s the Main Man of the Immune System. The “Microbe Assassin.”
Sounds like something no one can afford to miss out on …
But why would any of this concern you?
According to Dr.Brownstein, THE expert in the matter, up to 95% of the population are severely deficient in this super important trace element, it’s similar to the Vitamin D3 problem.
That –unless you‘re supplementing with iodine already– PROBABLY includes you!
Now where does weight loss come into the picture? What does that have to do with it?
Actually, quite a lot. Indirectly as well as very specifically, too little iodine will cause low energy levels and weight gain – obesity!
Thyroid and Metabolism
“Hormones control body weight. Malfunctioning glandular systems due to iodine deficiency may be a major cause of the overweight problem in the US.”
“The Thyroid Effect”
Iodine is necessary for the production of thyroid hormone.
This hormone is the over-regulator to the whole metabolism.
The term “hypothyroid weight gain” means body fat accumulation because of an underactive thyroid gland.
In English, if iodine is low, active thyroid hormone, or T3, is low.
That in turn will decrease energy levels –you’ll feel sluggish, fatigued—and slow down the metabolism: fewer calories burned, more stored. Simple.
Enough iodine? More energy, faster metabolism, easier weight loss. Presto.
Iodine is ALSO essential for both male and female sex hormone production, both of which are not only important for fertility but also for body composition and performance!
Location of Thyroid
For those of you who want to check it out, the thyroid lies below the Adam’s apple, along the front of the windpipe.
Any swellings or bulges, you might want to have your doc take a look at it, just in case.
And finally, Vitamin C helps transport and retain iodine in your body, so it’s good practice to ensure adequate levels of C as well as iodine.
This will help protect you from radioactive fallout blowing over from Japan, keep you nice and healthy AND increase your leanness and energy levels.
In my opinion, if there ever was a miracle drug, this is it: Good Ol’ Iodine!
Who would have thought it?
Note: But be careful you guys, it seems that not all iodine is created equal. Some forms might even be harmful.
According to experts, safe and effective forms are Lugol’s Solution, 2-6 drops in a little water and Lodoral, 1-4 tabs per day (same difference as lugol’s, just in tablet form), as well as Kelp tablets.
Kelp: this yummy seaweed is not only good for fish but totally great for humans as well. It’s loaded with important macro and micro nutrients, amongst them … you guessed it! High doses of iodine.
I personally take 6 drops of Lugol’s in a little water on an empty stomach every morning, and I never felt better in my life.
So there is a Silver Lining to the Japan Crisis:
At the very least it has increased our awareness of this essential, near-miraculous substance.
Disclaimer: you know I’m not a Doctor, so none of the above is meant to be a recommendation, and you should always check back with your MD or health care practitioner before using anything, to be sure.
*If you want to find out more about Iodine, check this out … but Beware! Prepare to be AMAZED !;-)
4 Comments
Leave a Reply
Very interesting article. I didn’t know Iodine played a role in thyroid regulation. The only time I hear about it is in conjunction with radiation talk.
-Sam
Hey, cool !;-)
Hey Sam !;-)
I was just gonna let you know, I’m really excited about this one !;-)
Really really good, even if I say so …
and quite significant, right?
Thanks man,
talk soon!
Mark
Good post Mark, and one that needs to be re-said again and again.
My nutrition trainer estimates low level hypothyroidism is much more prevalent than the medical community would have us believe (not that they’re trying to hide it from us, but they simply don’t recognise it).
Following the direction of Ray Peat (raypeat.com) she made her way to Broda Barnes, who many consider to be a leading authority on Hypothyroidism to find a very simple test for low level hypothyroidism; a body temperature test first thing in the morning. This test is not conclusive, but a valuable piece of evidence, and the use of a thyroid gland supplement is both safe and (when there is a genuine need) frequently effective.
Keep up the good work,
George
Hey George,
thanks for the comment man!
Yeah there’s so much really important stuff out there, need to know basis, i.e. you NEED to know this stuff!
Iodine is considered THE mother of all supplements, and rightfully so.
Mark