Iodine health - Functions in body
Iodine at work in the body
Distribution of Body's Iodine
A typical body can retain ~1500mg of
iodine. Contrary to popular belief,
Dr. Abraham's studies indicate that given a sufficient amount the body will retain
1,500 mg of iodine (30 times more than the presumed
50 mg), with only 3% of that 1.5 g amount residing in the thyroid gland, and the
rest of the body's iodine concentrated in extra-thyroidal
tissues (70% in muscle/fat cells, 7% in skin) where its roles are only now being
understood.
Iodine functions
Iodine is used by almost every cell in the body, but
some cells have higher needs than others to enable their normal healthy function
Thyroid
Hormone production
The thyroid combines
iodine with the amino acid tyrosine to make
thyroid hormones T3 and T4. This well-known need for
iodine is critical for cellular metabolism rate, and protein synthesis and
growth, however, iodine has many other functions
in the body . . .
Hormone Balancing
The receptors for almost every major hormone and
neurotransmitter need iodine
in order to function efficiently .
E.g. thyroid hormones,
Testosterone ,
CORTISOL ,
INSULIN
Iodine increases the sensitivity
of a receptor
to the hormone for which it is designed:
•
INSULIN receptors. Helps with diabetes;
• Neurotransmitters
(e.g., SEROTONIN,
DOPAMINE, GABA) in the
brain . Helps reverse depression;
•
Testosterone ,
estrogen , FSH
(Follicle Stimulating Hormone), LH (Luteinizing
Hormone). In the reproductive organs.
Iodine
balances estrogen
levels. Iodine/iodide
is especially necessary for optimal function of the
breasts, ovaries, endometrium , and prostate ;
Antimicrobial
Elemental iodine
taken into body organs and tissues has an oxidant
effect against microbes. In an
aqueous environment, iodine converts to hypoiodous
acid, with double the oxidizing potential of
iodine
Anti-Cancer
Iodine prevents cancer
by a process that induces apoptosis (programmed cell death).
Iodine against
Cancer
Iodine pumps concentrate iodine into body's cells
Cells which require a higher
iodine concentration express
(produce) more
iodine "pumps" in their cell membranes.
Enables more iodine to be transported
into the cell.
Iodine concentration
is highest in the thyroid, ovaries and breast tissues. However,
this is only when iodine is ingested in milligram amounts (as opposed
to the RDA micrograms );
- The thyroid
gland. Accomplishes the major feat of concentrating
iodide to 20-40 times higher than blood levels (determined by Baumann back
in 1896). The mechanism used for concentrating
iodine in cells is the
iodine pump, which is highly expressed in thyroid
epithelial cells. The thyroid's iodine concentration
is influenced by Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) under negative feedback control.
- Ovaries.
Only the thyoid gland contains a larger concentration of
iodine than the ovaries. (Slebodzinski
AB, 2005)
- Mammary glands.
These glands contain iodine pumps,
which during lactation, enable iodide transfer
to breast milk for the nursing newborn's thyroid function; Evidence is presented
that iodine is essential for breast normality
and protection against fibrocystic breasts and breast cancer. Interestingly,
Eskins et al found that the mammary glands prefer iodine
and the thyroid prefers iodide.
(Eskin et al, 1995)
Salivary glands, stomach cells (gastric
mucosa) and colon have the ability to concentrate almost
as much iodine / iodide
as the thyroid
Iodide uptake in non-thyroidal tissues
does not appear to be influenced by TSH. However, a
number of other hormones are known to maintain a dynamic
iodide balance in tissues.
(Cann et al, 1999)
• Thyroid gland
• Mammary gland
•Stomach cells (gastric mucosa)
•Fat
•Muscles
•Mucosa of small and large intestine
•Ovaries
•Uterus
•Placenta
•Prostate
•White blood cells
•Liver
•Lung
•Heart
•Adrenal cortex
•Renal cortex
•Thymus (master of adaptive immune system)
•Pituitary gland
•Pineal gland
•Skin
•Joints
•Arteries
•Bones
•Nasopharynx
•Ciliary body of eye deals w/aqueous fluid and intraocular pressure
•Choroid plexus in brain, makes cerebrospinal fluid
•Specific brain cells (related to Parkinson's)
References Abraham GE. "The concept of orthoiodosupplementation and
its clinical implications." The Original Internist, 2004;http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-07/IOD_07.htm#8
Abraham GE (2005) "The historical background of the Iodine
Project." The Original Internist;
Abraham GE (2004) The safe and effective implementation of orthoiodosupplementation
in medical practice. The Original Internist:11:17-36. Available at:
www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-05/IOD_05.html
Brown-Grant K (1961) Extrathyroidal iodide concentrating
mechanisms. Physiol Rev;
Cann SA (1999) Johannes P. van Netten, David W. Glover, Iodide
Accumulation in Extrathyroidal Tissues, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &
Metabolism, Volume 84, Issue 2, Page 821;
Link
Carrasco N (1993) Iodide transport in the thyroid gland.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta;
Eskin B et al (1995) Different Tissue Responses for Iodine
and Iodide in Rat Thyroid and Mammary Glands. Biological Trace Element Research;
Siebodzinski AB (2005) Ovarian iodide uptake and triiodothyronine
generation in follicular fluid. The enigma of the thyroid ovary interaction. Domest
Anim Endocrinol;
Spitzweg C et al (1999) Analysis of human sodium iodide symporter
immunoreactivity in human exocrine glands. J Clin Endocrinol & Metab;
Spitzweg et al (1998) Analysis of human sodium iodide symporter
gene expression in extrathyroidal tissues, J Clin Endocrinol & Metab;