Why You NEED Iodine - Discussion with Dr. David Brownstein About Iodine's Importance

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. David Brownstein, who is a board-certified family physician. Dr. Brownstein has lectured internationally to physicians and others about his success in using natural hormones and nutritional therapies in his practice. Dr. Brownstein has authored 16 books, including one about iodine and its importance to our well-being.

In this discussion we talk about the following in chronological order:

1. Dr. David Brownstein’s story
2. Is there such a thing as too much iodine?
3. How much iodine should we be consuming each day?
4. What’s the deal with bromine?
5. Why do some people have adverse effects to iodine and how companion supplements can help?
6. What about kids? Should they start taking iodine supplements at their young age?
7. Why iodine before pregnancy is important.
8. Can you also release heavy metals like lead and mercury with iodine?

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**DISCLAIMER: I am only here to provide support as a nutritional therapy practitioner and I am not providing medical advice. I always recommend working with a team of holistic practitioners, including your PCP and a certified nutritional therapy practitioner. Do not self-diagnose. Always seek medical guidance when you have a medical condition.
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#iodine #howmuchiodine #optimalhealth #carnivorediet #casestudy #ketotocarnivore #carnivoreketo #carnivoretribe #fatforfuel #zerocarb #ketolifestyle #allmeatdiet #highfatlowcarb #carbfree #ketocarnivore #yes2meat #carnivorelife #worldcarnivoretribe #carbfree #zerocarb #zerocarbs #carnivores #ketoadapted #fatadapted #zc #nutrientdense #eatmeat #guthealing #carnivorehighfat

[terrythompson]

I love this man! My Chiropractor sent me to him almost 20 years ago. I had been placed on synthroid because of high TSA numbers. The MD threw out "probably" hashimotos and gave me a prescription. Still didn't feel well. I read both the Iodine book and Salt book, began taking iodoral and was able to gradually stop the medication. Also eliminated fluoride, raw cruciform veggies, all gluten etc. Totally fixed my thyroid. Recent full Thyroid panel looks great!

[denisemccole]

My journey with Iodine all started with my sister's interest in carnivore and higher fat diets which included Dr. Elizabeth Bright's interviews and Judy Cho's YouTube channel.

Judy Cho's recs and interviews are a big reason for my health successes and further research, esp with Dr. Brownstein! I have not felt this good in 30 years, I'm now 61!

Thank you so much, Judy!

I'd highly recommended reading Dr. Brownstein's Iodine book, before supplementing with Iodine. It also explains a lot about salt too. I've always had low blood pressure and used salt to raise it. Luckily I switched to natural Himalayan salt over 10 years ago, now use that, Redmond or Celtic on a daily basis.

His Iodine book has changed my life! I also read his Thyroid book, eye-opening and have his Salt book to read next.

I was diagnosed with Grave's disease Hyperthyroid autoimmune) in Oct 2020 confirmed by extremely TSI & Trab antibody blood tests, ultrasound showing "hot" nodule and iodine uptake test using a tiny dose of radioactive iodine, still scary to me, but did confirm nodule as functional and Grave's disease at 38% uptake.) The treatments offered to me were barbaric: Anti-Thyroid Meds from 1920's that are really toxic to the liver, thyroidectomy or irradiate (destroy) the Thyroid.

After I read Dr. Brownstein's books, I believe I was probably "Hypo"-Thyroid my entire life, despite "normal" TSH levels. I believe my Grave's disease was the result of 20+ years of being "Hypo"-Thyroid. After watching a Dr. Elizabeth Bright interview where she describes Greave's disease as a result of actually being Hypothyroidism, a light bulb in my head turned on. That info totally resonated with me and my symptoms!

Based on Dr. Brownstein treating patients holistically rather than only the reference range of mainly TSH, I could totally relate. I kept seeking help and trying new docs, but kept getting told my Thyroid was fine, even when they did the full Thyroid panel. I had to leave medical school due to depression and chronic fatigue. Ten years later, I had to leave my promising IT career at Penn due to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) & depression. At that time, CFS was still often dismissed as being a symptom of depression. I kept begging docs to check my Thyroid, but my TSH kept coming back normal. I was referred to Psychiatrists who focused solely on antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds. The first med was Wellbutrin, which sent me straight into high anxiety, a word I had never used in my life, but while describing symptoms, heart palpitations, paranoia, fear of people, etc, I was told it was anxiety the flip side of depression, even to I explained I only felt this way after talking the medication! So for the last 20 years, I have been prescribed so many antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, off- label anti-psychotic drugs, etc etc. Some would help a little but side effects were intolerable or they would help my mood, then stop working. I felt like a guinea pig, have tried 30+ meds. Yet, fatigue never went away. I researched natural supplements, DHEA, Magnesium, Chromium, Melatonin, Iron, Multi-vitamins, etc. I was on the right track, just not the right practitioners. I believe I was also suffering from adrenal fatigue. Dr. Brownstein's books corroborate my research, if only I found him sooner, especially regarding Iodine!

Iodine supplementation would have saved me years of suffering from depression, low BP, extreme fatigue, anemia, endometriosis, fertility issues to name a few.

Within 3 weeks of starting very low doses of Lugol's iodine, my antibodies were not just lowered, but Gone! My Thyroid Endocrinologist at Penn was shocked. I'm now off the anti-Thyroid meds (gained 35 lbs in 3 mos when I began them, liver enzymes, antibodies and Thyroid hormones kept going up and down, while on the meds, horrible metabolic roller coaster.) Retested 1 month after my antibodies were gone: Thyroid levels still good, antibodies still gone, TSH high, but Dr. Brownstein explains why this happens in his book, so I wasn't worried, just increased my B, particularly Riboflavin and Niacine & C Vitamins. I'll be retesting again in a month, but I'm certain my Thyroid levels will be fine because of Iodine, not the meds.

My doc was not open to me taking iodine after I asked her about latest research on Iodine, she gasped, "You're not taking iodine?" But then offered me Radioactive iodine then I gasped, "NO!" I'm sending her a copy of Dr. Brownstein's book after my next lab results.

For iodine testing, I'd recommend Hakala labs, 24 hour urine testing which tests Iodine, Bromine, Chlorine & Fluorine. They'll send you everything you need to test at home. My results showed I was low for Iodine, even after using J.Crow's Lugol's iodine for 3 months from 256 micrograms to 50 mg per day. I also tested high for Fluorine (my water is fluoridated, another fallacy that fluoridation helps teeth, had 10 cavities filled before I was 10 years old, sigh. I've used water filters for about 20 years but knew they cannot remove Fluorine because it is too small. I am switching to a reverse osmosis filter this month.) I tested normal for Chlorine & Bromine. (I believe my Chlorine levels were not high because I did a salt flush before I started Iodine, my water filters do block Chlorine, stopped using bleach and had not been swimming in chloinated pools this year. I think my bromine levels were not high because, I haven't reassurance bread in about 3 months, I do salt flushes when I feel tired, only symptom due to release of toxins NOT Iodine or Salt, also haven't had new carpets or Corinthians in a long time nor luckily do any of the drugs I take contain Bromine. I did also test at ZRT labs for heavy metals. I'm on the higher range for Mercury (Replaced my 10 mercury amalagams in my teeth about 15 years ago and always ask for Themierisol-free flu shots (mercury preservative somehow allowed in US to preserve vaccines, even though most doctors, like my physician sister believe it's not used anymore. It is still used even while banned in most other countries. Like I said I kept trying to feel better!) I'm way high for Cadmium, so I've increase my Zinc, Vitamin C and other recs from Dr. Brownstein to rid my body of these toxic chemicals too.

I'm just recommending these companies referenced in many books I've read that helped me, like Hakala labs for testing or J. Crow's Lugol's Iodine, which has a wealth of info from real people mentioning their health successes in the comments section!

My journey all started with my sister's interest in carnivore and higher fat diets which included Dr. Elizabeth Bright's interviews.

Judy Cho's recs and interviews are a big reason for my health successes and further research, esp Dr. Brownstein! I have not felt this good in 30 years, I'm now 61!

Thank you so much, Judy!

[ahavahyisrael]

As an RN working in hospitals, I saw so many people on synthroid, synthetic thyroid supplement. I always wondered why their symptoms didn't go away. It is an epidemic problem. Now I see why they aren't getting better.

[bppdisi]

All the issues I had with PCOS, suffered til 57 with that and the solution was simple.😮😢

[brett]

It's so strange that many practitioners have a problem with intelligent iodine supplementation but don't spare a thought about mercury filings in people's mouths... or bromide in flour, soft drinks, flame retardants... or fluoride in tap water... We need iodine. It's a physiological requirement. The Japanese famously consume over 10 mg of iodine in their diet. No problem.

[cfoster]

My pediatrician told me to give my kids a drop of iodine a day. He sells Dr. Brownstein's books in his office.😀

[amandagibson]

God bless Dr Brownstein! I was depleted post pregnancy/ nursing and his information about iodine and salt gave me my life back when I felt like I was dying. This man is a true HEALTH CARE provider.

[carolinemarie]

Ive been taking iodine since Dr. Berry suggested it. I feel like I can tell tell if I miss a couple days. Lugals, just 2 drops in my coffee daily. And I dont use regular salt, just Redmond's.

[vanity]

My legs were swelling terribly and I was very salt sensitive. I started iodorol for ovarian cysts but what happened was the leg swelling went away. I didn’t expect it but that was the problem. I was low in iodine. Crazy. Since I’ve been on it I haven’t had any more swelling and my cysts are going away.

[skibumphilosopher]

Very interesting. I started taking 12 mg of 2% Lugol’s a couple months ago (listened to Dr. Ken Berry) and happened to tell my doctor who said that I shouldn’t be doing that. She then proceeded to send me a number of NIH documentation (which I honestly could care less about ). I’m continuing to take the iodine and it has really helped with my mid-day fatigue. I’m hypothyroid and have Hashimoto’s and feel like it is helping. Maybe I should send her this video!

[intelligenthumanhealth]

Gratitude for the wonderful interview with Dr. David Brownstein,

Judy keep up the good work, A very valuable asset for humanity, which lives dying without living

[susans]

What is the best test for Iodine levels? Starts at 17:14. My nutritionist in MI had told me to take Iodyzyme. Then my endocrinologist tested my Iodine and was alarmed and told me to quit taking it! But she definitely didn't use the 24 hour test. I am 77 and have been listening to Dr Ken Berry and am now taking 3 drops a day of 5% Lugols. plus vit C, Magnesium and Potassium and upped my salt. I haven't been able to find a Dr that understands any of this so am just doing my best on my own. I have also been carnivore for almost 9 months.

[SeaSaltPop]

From the J Crows website: Calculating Number of MG's of Iodine and Iodide per Drop of Lugol's Solution 5%: Each VERTICAL "metric" drop (= 1/20 ml) is approximately 2.5 mg of iodine and 5 mg of potassium iodide. The Iodide portion of Potassium Iodide is about 75% so that is 3.75 mg. Therefore the total Iodine plus Iodide is 2.5 + 3.75 = 6.25 mg and 2 drops is about 12.50 mg's of iodine/iodide (5.0 mg iodine, 7.50 mg iodide). Compared to iodine and potassium iodide tablets, J.CROW'S® Lugol's Solution offers big savings.

[naomiklahn]

Judy, I would love a Part 2 with Dr Brownstein - specifically talking about illnesses relieved by iodine supplementation. I have Meniere's Disease *and* I am hypothyroid. Hoping iodine supplementation protocol will help both 😀

[tangiesolow]

Really happy to see this conversation. I'm working with a wonderful naturopath, Elizabeth Bright, and through her guidance am on Lugol's 5%. I always had fibrocystic breasts and 3 years ago had a bilateral mastectomy. I'm getting my daughters to take Lugol's as a breast cancer preventative. Looking forward to Part 2. Thank you, Judy.

[YouthfulHahaha]

I think when you start something that detoxifies, you generally feel worse before getting better and that’s just how it works out. Thank you for great videos!

[marikehaulani]

This doctor and his book saved me years ago. I hope this helps someone: Sea Kelp and bladderwrack capsules contain iodine. Wakame is delicious in chicken ginger seaweed soup. Organic Nori and rice - yum! Be sure to consider the source of your seaweed choices. Himalayan salt is my daily healthy salt.

[nledelnr]

Enjoying learning about iodine. I bought Lugols some time ago after watching a Ken Berry, but I haven't used it consistently. Still working through whole body cramping issues and overall inflammation problems but carnivore diet has fixed other problems so I'll keep working on it. Thanks Judy for following your bliss and including us in that journey to so many experts.

[Stuart.Branson.]

I use Lugol 5% - 3 drops per day in lemon water. Also good on dry skin conditions

[sdickerson]

I LOVE Dr. Brownstein!! I found him on Youtube and he is the reason my husband and I got through covid without any fear or serious issues, plus I was able to help several other families. Yay! Thank you for bringing him on with you.
I took Lugol's for a while, but it turned my teeth dark, so I go with Iodoral- taken it on and off for a decade or more.