It’s a fact we can’t ignore: we live in a toxic world. In response to this, you have probably also heard about the importance of detoxing your body. You may have even tried cleanses for specific organs such as the gut, liver, or kidneys.
But did you know that there are certain nutrients that can “work their magic” by gently helping the body to detoxify on a daily basis? Iodine is at the top of this list of important minerals which can heal as well as cleanse.
3 Critical Ways that Iodine Can Help You Detox
#1 – Iodine Can Help Your Body Detox from Halides (Fluoride, Bromide & Chlorine)
Let’s get specific when it comes to the toxins that are impacting your health and the health of your loved ones. Many of the dangerous chemicals we take in from the air, water, soil, and food supply are called “endocrine disruptors.”
These endocrine disruptors include bromide, chlorine, fluoride, and their derivatives, such as perchlorate (found in jet fuel), which has a chloride component.
Endocrine disruptors especially affect the thyroid. Along with the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland regulates metabolism hormones. Studies such as a 2001 investigation at Yale University1 also show the devastating effects that endocrine disruptors can have on the reproductive system.
Conditions associated with high amounts of halides in the body include:
- ovarian cysts
- uterine fibroids2
- fibrocystic breast disease
- cancers of the uterus, ovaries, breasts, and prostate3
Endocrine disruptors like bromide4 do their damage by crowding out iodine in cellular receptor sites throughout the entire body. However, these three areas – thyroid, breasts, ovaries – are where concentrations of iodine are stored and utilized the most. Likewise, they are also the places where halides like to “hang out” most.
This is a big reason why getting enough absorbable iodine into your system every day is so important. Dangerous halides are in just about everything from drinking water to pesticides, and are also in the same category as iodine on the periodic table. This means that while halides can crowd out iodine, sufficient amounts of the right kind of iodine can gently and slowly crowd out halides as well.5
Of equal concern in our toxic world are endocrine disruptors that can come in the form of “xenoestrogens” which mimic aggressive forms of natural estrogen. Like halides, xenoestrogens such as Bisphenol A replace milder forms of estrogen in the body and are increasingly connected to breast cancer, according to a 2010 report published in the journal Hormones and Cancer, 6 among others. Iodine, on the other hand, can help flush out chemically-derived xenoestrogens.
#2 – Iodine May Chelate Some Heavy Metals Like Mercury
Iodine supplementation may help you detox from heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and aluminum. Dr. David Brownstein, author of the book Iodine: Why You Need It / Why You Can’t Live Without It and an expert in iodine, states that “Iodine is a chelator of mercury. It will bind with mercury and allow the body to release [it].”7
In a recent live lecture, Dr. Brownstein also stated that he has had much success using iodine to remove this dangerous neurotoxin from his own patients.
Well-known MD and wellness advocate, Dr. Bruce West, stated in his Health Alert newsletter that “[i]t is now proven that iodine…detoxifies the body of halide compounds, such as bromine and fluoride, and the heavy metals mercury, cadmium, and lead.”8
There is also some evidence that high levels of iodine can bind to aluminum, removing it from the body, albeit at a slower rate. Dr. West cites one study where the “results obtained following iodine supplementation revealed that in some subjects, the urine levels of mercury, lead, and cadmium increased by several-fold after just one day of supplementation. For aluminum, this increased excretion was not observed usually until after one month or more on the iodine supplementation.”
To date, studies that have been done on iodine’s chelation abilities are few and far between. It is clear from anecdotal evidence, however, that there is very likely a connection.
#3 – Iodine Boosts Your Liver and Kidneys Naturally
The major detoxification pathways of the body include the liver, the kidneys, the lymph system, and the skin. And guess what? Iodine is a major player in helping each one of these organ systems function at its best. Here’s how:
The Lymph System: Iodine deficiency is a common cause of lymphatic congestion, according to Dr. John Douillard, a global leader in the field of health and Ayurveda.9
The Liver: The thyroid and the liver are intricately connected, and iodine is a key for communication between them. The metabolic thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) is comprised of 4 iodine molecules and is inactive when it is produced by the thyroid. It must travel to the liver to be converted to its active form, triiodothyronine (T3). When any of the components of this delicate process are off, the whole mechanism suffers, and so does your vital energy and overall health!
According to a 2002 British report, “[t]hyroid dysfunction may perturb liver function, liver disease modulates thyroid hormone metabolism, and a variety of systemic diseases affect both organs.”10
The Kidneys: As with the liver, there is a delicate relationship between thyroid function and the kidneys, in large part mediated by iodine. Several studies have established the link between kidney disease and thyroid malfunction.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often characterized by low T3 production. Hypothyroidism is also very common amongst CKD patients, according to a 2012 study published in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism.11
The Skin: Did you know that iodine is a natural antiseptic? In fact, in the 1800s iodine was regularly carried in vials around the neck and used to treat mosquito bites for the prevention of disease. Iodine can be useful in fighting infection and can be used as a wound cleaner. And it’s great for wrinkles on the skin as well!
In truth, iodine’s relationship with the detoxification pathways of the body is really a “Catch-22” and now you can see why! Iodine is needed for healthy functioning of these organs. At the same time, these organ systems need to function in a healthy way to utilize iodine in the first place.
Here’s the bottom line: make sure that you are taking action to help your liver, kidneys, and immune system every day. One of the ways you can do this is by getting enough quality iodine for the hundreds of functions it is involved in within your body.
How to Help Your Body Detox With Iodine
One of the best way to get rid of toxins and help your own natural detoxification pathways is to add iodine to your diet every day. Including more iodine-rich foods to your plate is one good way.
Here are some foods that contain fairly high amounts of iodine:
- Seaweeds, such as dulce and kelp
- Berries, such as strawberries and cranberries
- Seafood and fish
- Dark leafy green vegetables
- Dairy products, like eggs and cheese
For some, if not most individuals, getting enough iodine from food alone may not be enough. The World Health Organization states that approximately 2 billion people worldwide have some form of iodine deficiency.12
Always tired? Fuzzy thinking? Weight gain? Then you may have this little-known nutrient deficiency that can contribute to all three problems and more. Discover the best way to fix it now to support high energy levels, sharp thinking, and a healthy weight.
Editor’s Note: This article was initially published in March 2018 and was updated in March 2021.
Article Summary
Iodine is at the top of this list of important minerals which can heal and cleanse.
Iodine can help your body detox from halides.
Iodine supplementation may help you detox from heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, and aluminum..
Iodine boost liver and kidney function.
Adding iodine to your diet can get rid of toxins and help your own natural detoxification pathways.
Thank you so much for all you do to get the truth out. I was just diagnosed with breast cancer. Im reading every thing you have been talking about and I have your book. God bless you. Keep the good fight.
Wishing you all the best on your healing journey Sandra!
How much Iodine should an adult female be taking? What about our pups also, how much?
Thank you for your cancer series it’s been really informative. However, it disturbed me that you are recommending dairy food and seafood to get more iodine into their diet when both these sources of food are very toxic to the body. Clean healthy living is always dairy and meat free and seafood and fish are more toxic than any other meat.
Why don’t u mention the best of the iodine’s,dosage, etc! What do I order?
Here are some foods that contain fairly high amounts of iodine:
•Seaweeds, such as dulce and kelp
•Berries, such as strawberries and cranberries
•Seafood and fish
•Dark leafy green vegetables
•Dairy products, like eggs and cheese
DID YOU READ THE ARTICLE?
The point was if you can’t get it from food, what is the recommended dose… It’s not discussed. Quite important I think.
Hi,
I am so delighted and grateful for all the wonderful help you are providing for all of us.
I was so busy sending all this wonderful inoformation in “The TRUTH About CANCER” to
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Judith
Thank you Agree with TYAC s helpfulness
Pat
I don’t see a link to buy this iodine. Where do I get it?
Where to buy iodine
Its not recommended if you have hashimotos, so stay away if that`s the case. I bought lugols iodine 5%, in a 1 oz bottle. Thats the largest legal size in the states. About $10-$14 on ebay . Brownstein says 18mg daily like the Japanese. Just to be safe I started w 1 drop and increased it.
I’m having 9 drops a day and I’ve heard of people taking 20-40. Taking it slowly it has reduced most of my allergies and sensitivities. I’m slowly getting my life back after 30 years of autoimmune diseases.
This is wonderful news that there is hope for someone with auto-immune disease as it has impacted my life in such a major way and I am trying to find a way for my body to heal without all the pharmaceutical medicines out there.
If you have Hashimoto’s, you can take Iodine, but you must also add Selenium.
Yes, best to make sure your selenium stores are good before taking iodine, or it can push you into Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism… Dr Jeffrey Dach has a great blog post on this, very detailed. Just google his name and iodine and selenium… <3
Look up Nascent iodine on Amazon, you will find plenty.
Dextoxadine from Global healing
https://globalhealing.com/nascent-iodine-detoxadine
You can get it through the Global Healing Center, whose ad is at the top of this article. They have great products!
I want to start supplementing with iodine but I’m breastfeeding my 5 month old daughter. I was not aware of the detoxing that took place as a result of upping the iodine intake. What is your best advice for someone in my position? I’ve heard breastfeeding women should have iodine, yet I’ve also heard they should never detox.
There aren’t any dosage recommendations? If I am taking a supplement, like Kelp, how much daily for flouride detox?
Hi Anna,
We would suggest speaking with a trusted medical professional about this as we cannot give medical advice. Best wishes!
I just looked at another video on YouTube with dr. Group. He said on the video how much he takes. I use a brand called Survival Shield X-2 from infowarsstore.com. Dr. Group is associated with them also.
Greetings, I need Iodine asap. What form should I buy? Specific Type, name and brand?
Hi Juan,
We cannot recommend a specific brand at this time.
Hi Juan. If it is any help, I take a nascent iodine called Detoxadine. It is produced by a Dr Group and is very safe and effective. Start really slowly with one drop a day for a couple of weeks and increase to one drop twice a day. After that you can increase it by one drop each week. It is brilliant if you have hypothyroidism as I do. Other effects are thicker, faster growing hair, smother supple skin, more energy and the list goes on. Hope this helps.
Thank you Ruth and Juan. Here’s a direct link where you can find Dr. Group’s nascent iodine: https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/nascent-iodine-detoxadine.html?a_aid=55b24bbc1cb9d&a_bid=623feafa
Hope this helps! Blessings and love to you both. 🙂
https://jeffreydachmd.com/hashimotos-selenium-and-iodine-part-two/
“Selenium supplementation is a prerequisite in all patients with elevated anti-thyroid antibody levels and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Iodine deficiency is a health risk and Iodine supplementation is beneficial. However, Selenium supplementation is required before giving Iodine to the Hashimoto’s patient. Selenium is inexpensive and readily available as a supplement in tablet or capsule form. The usual dosage is 200-400 mcg/day of seleno-methionine. Selenium can be toxic at excessive dosage, so it is best to measure selenium blood levels, and work closely with a knowledgeable physician.
For Iodine supplementation in autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimotos) patients we follow a protocol described here, which starts off with selenium supplementation (200-400 mcg/d) for 2-4 weeks. After which, low dose (225mcg/d) iodine supplementation may be started.
For all other without autoimmune thyroid disease and normal antibody levels, we use Iodoral from Optimox available without a prescription on the internet. Again it is best to monitor iodine levels with spot urine iodine testing, and work with a knowledgeable physician for starting dosage.”
What is the best iodine supplement that i can buy? Where can i buy it? Is it available in canada? I’m 79 yrs. old. I have thyroid nodules for almost a decade now, although it’s non active, so i dont religiously take thyroid medicines ( L thyroxine) for one as prescribed by my doctor Knowing its negative side effects. But am forced to take it when i feel very weak. Am into fish and vegetable diet but i know they’re not sufficient to meet my iodine needs.
Infowars store carries 2 products of which I prefer Survival 2! Great product on sale right now
I was diagnosed with hashimoto thyroiditis about 4 years ago and I was also told that taking iodine in any form is like adding fuel to the fire with hashimoto, and that it will make the condition worse, so I started avoiding anything that has iodine like the plague. Is there any truth to that at all in your opinion and can you point me in the right direction with any scientific information? Much appreciated.
From Dr Jeffrey Dach
“Selenium supplementation is a prerequisite in all patients with elevated anti-thyroid antibody levels and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Iodine deficiency is a health risk and Iodine supplementation is beneficial. However, Selenium supplementation is required before giving Iodine to the Hashimoto’s patient. Selenium is inexpensive and readily available as a supplement in tablet or capsule form. The usual dosage is 200-400 mcg/day of seleno-methionine. Selenium can be toxic at excessive dosage, so it is best to measure selenium blood levels, and work closely with a knowledgeable physician.
For Iodine supplementation in autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimotos) patients we follow a protocol described here, which starts off with selenium supplementation (200-400 mcg/d) for 2-4 weeks. After which, low dose (225mcg/d) iodine supplementation may be started.
For all other without autoimmune thyroid disease and normal antibody levels, we use Iodoral from Optimox available without a prescription on the internet. Again it is best to monitor iodine levels with spot urine iodine testing, and work with a knowledgeable physician for starting dosage.”
https://jeffreydachmd.com/hashimotos-selenium-and-iodine-part-two/
You do not need to take it internally, you can put it on your skin. At least a silver dollar sized amt. Read minister as it gets absorbed. If it is absorbed quickly you keep going as it stays longer you take a break and do it again at a later time.
Good post. In the liver section, i believe you have your t3 and t4 mixed up as far as active/inactive. The correction should be that Thyroxine is considered as t4 (tetraiodothyronine) and is the inactive form, while triiodothyronine (t3) is the active form. Thank you for your contribution.
Hi JW,
Thanks for letting us know. I will pass this on to the team.
Look up Nascent iodine on Amazon, there are quite a few. Nascent is one of my favorites for healing. Hope this helps all searching for it.
And can you take nascent iodine supplementation if you still have mercury fillings? Any other chelation says not to chelate until all mercury fillings are removed. Will iodine draw mercury out of teeth and cause body to be toxic?
Hi Tracey –
Thanks for reaching out to us about this.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to give medical advice. However, we have a great article on our website that provides an overview of holistic dental care. At the end of the article, there are several resources to assist you:
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/reversing-tooth-decay/
To find a holistic dentist in your area you can use this link:
https://iabdm.org
Hope these resources are helpful to you!
Blessings and love!
I tried nascent iodine for another reason but found it helped with my food intolerances! I use Lugol’s brand…2-3 drops a day. The one I get is at 10%.