Dr. Mark Starr (M.D. – Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine):

– "Adequate supplementation of iodine... are necessary for proper thyroid and steroid hormone function." (source: Hypothyrodism Type 2, by Mark Starr, M.D. publ. Mark Starr Trust. ©2005, 2007 by Mark Starr Trust)

Dr. David Brownstein (M.D.):

– "In a state of iodine deficiency, the thyroid gland (or any endocrine gland) will not function properly." "The RDA for iodine is insufficient to meet the thyroid gland's needs as well as the body's need for iodine. Iodine levels should be measured and appropriate supplementation begun in a deficient state. Recent research has found that approximately 12.5mg per day of iodine/day... will adequately supply the body's needs." (source: Overcoming Thyroid Disorders, by David Brownstein, M.D. publ. Medical Alternative Press. ©2002, 2004 by David Brownstein, M.D.)

Dr. James K. Rone (M.D. – Board-certified Endocrinologist):

– "How important is the thyroid? ...the thyroid is the largest pure endocrine gland, ...its hormone acts directly on DNA, ... it is the first endocrine organ to form in the human embryo, starting a mere twenty-four days after conception ...in adulats, the thyroid receives, gram for gram, 50 percent more blood flow than the kidneys." "The dietary nutrient iodine is needed to make thyroid hormone. Follicular cells trap it from the blood, making the thyroid, en effect, a powerful iodine sponge." (source: The Thyroid Paradox, by James K. Rone, M.D. publ. Basic Health Publications, Inc. ©2007 by James K. Rone, M.D.)

Dr. Broda O. Barnes (M.D., Ph.D.):

– "The average iodine intake of a normal adult on an ordinary diet in a nongoiter region is about 0.03 milligrams, or 0.0000001 ounce, a day. This tiny amount is only about one-seventh of what is needed for daily thyroid hormone production,..." "In goiter regions, not even the 0.03 milligram per day is available in the food and water. Goiter regions are to be found all over the world. No continet is free of them ." (source: Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness by Broda O. Barnes, M.D. and Lawrence Galton, publ. Harper & Rowe Publishers. ©1976 by Broda O. Barnes and Lawrence Galton)

Dr. Ken Blanchard (M.D., Ph.D. – Board-certified Endocrinologist):

– "Insufficient iodine leads to a decrease in thyroid hormones. The manifestations of low iodine levels are grouped together under the name Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD). These disorders include goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), hypothyroidism, mental retardation, reproductive problems, and a wide range of neurological and physical disorders. The body does not produce iodine; it must be consumed in the diet. IDD arises when there is not enough iodine in the soil, which impacts the water we drink (groundwater leaches iodine), the crops we eat (food grown in iodine-poor soil), and meats we consume (from animals grazing on the land)." "Soy is known as a phytoestrogen and goitrogen (an iodine blocking agent). ..., soy can contribute to hypothroidism." (source: What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypothyroidism by Ken Blanchard, M.D., Ph.D. with Marietta Abrams Brill. publ. Werner Wellness. ©2004 by Ken Blanchard, M.D. and Marietta Abrams Brill)

Dr. Stephen E. Langer (M.D. – president of the American Nutritional Medical Association):

– "The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of iodine is 100 micrograms (mcg) for women and 120 mcg for men, although up to ten times that amount has not produced toxic effects in persons with a normal thyroid. Residents of Japan thrive on nearly four thousand times as much iodine as Americans, all from large amounts of seafood, kelp, dulse, and sea lettuce." "Iodine deficiency has also been known to reduce the capacity to learn adn remember. Now, we find that an iodine deficient can undermine the desire to succeed, as demonstrated in a study conducted in India." "Numerous studies show that the low-sodium diet does little to prevent heart disease." (but heavily contributes to lowered daily iodine intake) "In a number of studies, sulfa drugs and antidiabetic agents interfered with the formation of thyroid hormones by inhibiting iodine uptake." (source: Solved - The Riddle of Illness, by Stephen E. Langer, M.D. and James F. Scheer. publ. McGraw-Hill. ©2006 by the McGraw-Hill Companies)

Dr. Jorge Flechas (M.D.):

– "We first need to note that the body produces no iodine, and there is no organ other than the thyroid that can store large quantities of iodine. In some areas of the US, including mountain regions, the Mississippi River Valley, the Ohio River Valley, and the Great Lakes regions, the soil has always had a very low iodine content. But even in other areas of once iodine-rich soil, over farming has frequently depleted this iodine content. Hence, we no longer get adequate iodine via the plants we consume. To compensate for this, iodine was added to salt, bread, and milk. Today iodine is no longer added to bread or to milk, and the amount of iodine added to salt has steadily declined over the years. All of these factors contribute to the current prevalence of iodine deficiency in the United States." "Another misconception that is out on the market is that high consumption of iodized salt helps prevent iodine deficiency. The fact is that iodized salt contains 74meg of iodine per gram of salt. The purpose of iodization of salt was to prevent goiter and cretinism and was never meant for optimal iodine requirements by the human body." (source: posted at: www.helpmythyroid.com. by Jorge Flechas, M.D. publ. Fleshas Family Practice. ©2004-2005 Flechas Family Practice)

Dr. Kenezy Gyula Korhaz (M.D.):

–  [Iodine deficiency in cardiovascular diseases] Molnár I, Magyari M, Stief L.Kenézy Gyula Kórház, Debrecen, III. Belgyógyászat. The thyroid hormone deficiency on cardiovascular function can be characterized with decreased myocardial contractility and increased peripheral vascular resistance as well as with the changes in lipid metabolism. 42 patients with cardiovascular disease (mean age 65 +/- 13 yr, 16 males) were investigated if iodine insufficiency can play a role as a risk factor for the cardiovascular diseases. The patients were divided in 5 subgroups on the ground of the presence of hypertension, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, coronary disfunction and arrhythmia. Urine iodine concentration (5.29 +/- 4.52 micrograms/dl) was detected with Sandell-Kolthoff colorimetric reaction. The most decreased urine iodine concentration was detected in the subgroups with arrhythmia and congestive heart failure (4.7 +/- 4.94 micrograms/dl and 4.9 +/- 4.81 micrograms/dl, respectively). An elevated TSH level was found by 3 patients (5.3 +/- 1.4 mlU/l). An elevation in lipid metabolism (cholesterol, triglyceride) associated with all subgroups without arrhythmia. In conclusion, the occurrence of iodine deficiency in cardiovascular disease is frequent. Iodine supplementation might prevent the worsing effect of iodine deficiency on cardiovascular disease. (Dr. Kenezy Gyula Korhaz also has stated that iodine chelates heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and aluminum and halogens such as fluoride and bromide, thus decreasing their iodine inhibiting effects[vii] especially of the halogens. Iodine has the highest atomic weight of all the common halogens (126.9). Iodine is the only option when it comes to removing these toxic haloids from the thyroid and even the pineal gland where fluoride concentrates, especially when there is a deficiency in iodine in the body. In an age of increasing radioactivity and toxic poisoning specifically with fluoride, chlorine and bromide, and even mercury, iodine is a necessary mineral to protect us from harm for immediately these toxic substances will increasingly flow out of the body in the urine.) (source: PMID: 9755626 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE])

Dr. M. Knobel (M.D.):

– [Disorders associated to chronic iodine deficiency] Knobel M, Medeiros-Neto G. Unidade de Tiróide, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP. The thyroid gland promotes its adaptation to iodine deficiency inducing an increase in the iodine uptake followed by a substantial increase in the thyroid gland mass (goiter). Simultaneously, there is a preferential T3 secretion by the follicular cell and a persistently elevated serum TSH. Laboratory tests, isotopic methods and imaging are routinely used to verify the altered thyroid pathophysiology. In certain populations the presence of goitrogenic natural substances, present in the locally consumed staple food, were found and may add to the pathogenic process. (source: PMID: 15611818 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE])

JT Dunn (M.D.):

– [Iodine should be routinely added to complementary foods] Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System and International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. jtd@virginia.edu. Iodine deficiency has major health consequences for the fetus and infant. Most individuals can tolerate fairly high intakes of iodine without problems. The Western Hemisphere has made great progress towards correcting its iodine deficiency, but pockets of deficiency remain and fragile monitoring systems endanger sustainability. Because the consequences of iodine deficiency are severe and the risks of excess treatment with modest supplements are minimal, we recommend the regular addition of 90 microg of iodine daily to complementary foods for children and 150 micro g for pregnant or lactating women, accompanied by effective monitoring of urinary iodine concentration in the population. (source: PMID: 12949401 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE])

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J. Borak (M.D.)

– [Adequacy of iodine nutrition in the United States] Borak J. Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. jborak@jborak.com. Concerns have been raised about the adequacy of iodine nutrition in the United States despite recent NHANES III data indicating that iodine intake remains generally adequate. Such concerns probably reflect misunderstanding of definitions of iodine deficiency. We review current criteria for iodine deficiency, the reasons for variability of urine iodine determinations, and their relation to interpretations of NHANES data. Although NHANES data indicate that iodine nutrition in the United States is adequate, the possibility remains that those who adhere to restricted diets may have reduced intake of iodine. Because of such possibilities, patients' diets and use of dietary supplements should be explicitly considered as a part of routine medical care. (source: PMID: 15779603 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLIN])

Comments on Dr. Borak's statements: The NHANES iodine nutrition studies (done under the auspicies of the NIH and CDC) are performed using only one protocol... testing for the iodine 'spilled' from the urine of the population group(s) studied... nothing else! These iodine nutrition studies do not take into consideration that though the urine levels of iodine spillage may be within 'current' normal ranges, these tests do not ascertain if iodine is being 'loaded' into and 'utilized' by the body's tissues, only that the iodine was ingested with a portion of that ingested amount being spilled out the urine. No symptomology feedback, tissue iodine level tests, etc., are part of these studies. The assumption that if iodine spillage is found within currently accepted normal ranges in the urine, then the person is considered 'healthy' or 'normal' as far as any further dietary/supplemental iodine issues are concerned. Such is not the case. These particular NHANES iodine nutrition studies do not take goitrogen factors into account, especially the ubiquitous presence of the goitrogenic agents bromine, chlorine and flourine (as flouride) being in the drinking water supplies, common foods (especially bakery products) and beverage products that are all so freely available to and consumed by the population at large. In fact, bromine is the most common of the goitrogenic halogens used in foods and beverage products. Goitrogens block the absorption/utilization of iodine, and the NHANES iodine nutrition studies don't take into account that the normal levels of urine spillage may actually be goitrogenically-driven blocked iodine spillage of the urine. Also, it is a well discussed and agreed to premise in many sectors of the scientific and medical fields that the RDA levels for iodine are actually precipitously low for maintaining 'normal' let alone optimal health, since the RDA was originally established only to recommend just barely enough daily iodine intake to stave off IDD (Iodine Deficiency Disorder) – 'serious' iodine deficient caused conditions (that included goiter and cretinism), not to prevent sub-clinical iodine deficiency or take care of all the body's other needs for iodine. This last point alone renders the 'normal' urine spillage interpretation standard questionable, since many times more daily iodine intake is required before a truly 'normal' state of health ('health' defined as adequate thyroid and systemic tissue levels of iodine) can be considered adequate relative to iodine-related health and defficiency issues. Even so, the 2000 NHANES iodine nutrition study compared against the same study of 1970 showed a whopping 50% less overall iodine spillage in the urine over that 30 year period. In the face of ever increasing iodine deficiency related symptoms and conditions among the population at large, the question begs to be asked, "Has the standard for 'normal' or 'adequate' nutritional-source iodine levels, by NHANES "definitions of iodine deficiency," actually been lowered over that 30 year period for Dr. Borak to actually claim that 'iodine nutrition in the United States is adequate,'..."? (source: Comments on Dr. Borak's statements by LoR. Caarl Robinson, MH,TT,CCHt. October 05, 2008. ©2008 Eclectic Community Impact Group/CBN-Labs™/LoR. Caarl Robinson)

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FOR CLINICIANS: Determining how much iodine a person should take on a daily basis is based on a two-fold combination of a person's health history relative to hyperthyroid/hypothyroid issues and related cardiovascular related issue (including medical procedures history, medications history, etc.), and, that if a person is able to take a daily dose of supplemental iodine then how much is taken being determined through an 'Iodine Loading Test.'  Dr. David Brownstein (MD) recommends the following Iodine Loading Test protocol: A - first morning urine is discarded; B - 50 mg of Iodine/Iodide is taken (which would equate to XX ml of XODINE™ being taken); C - 24 hour urine is collected; D - Iodine excretion is measured.  Dr. Brownstein states that once an iodine sufficient state is attained, there is 90% excretion of iodine (45 mg (which would be XX ml of XODINE™), of which 90% excretion provides the best clinical response for ascertaining daily intake level of iodine for an individual.  

[Even so, clinicians should be aware that the iodine loading urine spillage test is only ascertining iodine loading (i.e. 'saturation') on the fluid systems of the body – not iodine loading of the tissues of (i.e. 'assimilating' into) the body. It is assimilation of iodine into the body's tissue's (not saturation of the body's fluid systems with iodine) that is key to normalizing and optimizing iodine related health factors. The fact that an Iodine Loading Test does not ascertain tissue absorption levels of iodine, only systemic fluid saturation of iodine, is not too dissimilar in its highly specific (and limited) use/interpretation to how a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test can test for TSH levels to specifically ascertain Type 1 Hypolthryoid, but cannot ascertain Type 2 Hypothyroid, also referred to as TSH resistant hypothyroid, a condition that will be completely missed if relying only on a THS test to ascertain all aspects of hypothyroid activity – just like relying only on a standard urine spillage 'Iodine Loading Tests' to arbitrarily determine daily iodine intake levels while missing potential tissue 'iodine resistance' issues requiring other dietary, supplemental and clinical considerations for dealing with iodine resistant issues. These shared observations are excellent examples of where a clinician (and patient/client) is best served by not becoming over dependent on a lab test to make singularly arbitrarily assessments/determinations concerning daily levels of supplemental iodine intake but instead incorporating more 'differentially' based inputs and considerations into making important, and for many individuals, essential life enhancing (or prolonging) assessments/determinations concerning levels of daily supplemental iodine intake.]

WARNING: Individuals who have thyroid and/or cardiovascular problems or are on any medications should consult with a physician before using XODINE™ transformative nanocolloidal iodine matrix. Side effects and/or contraindications, if any, would generally be the same as that listed for any other supplemental use and/or topical use based iodine matrix preparation.