Nutrient support for iodine supplementation

If you are iodine-loading (taking high dose iodine) or taking iodine long-term then ensure a complete nutritional program

Magnesium, vitamin C and selenium are commonly deficient - Dr. David Brownstein says it is best to correct magnesium and Vitamin C before beginning iodine supplementation.

If an acidic condition is present, you should correct the pH imbalance -by eating whole foods and eliminating refined foods. Iodine itself is also an alkalinizing agent for the body.

Nutrients that should be in your diet

Vitamin C (2500 -5000 mg/day) -supports sodium/iodide pumps to get Iodine into cells; however, do not take within 2 hours of taking an iodine supplement (or it will neutralize Iodine);

Selenium (200-400 mcg/day) - needed to facilitate the conversion of T4 to T3 thyroid hormones; also major anti-oxidant support.

•   NOTE: If you increase your iodine intake you must also CONCURRENTLY supplement Selenium (and vice versa) - With an iodine deficiency, any attempts to increase iodine intake will magnify any selenium deficiency causing it to become worse. The reverse is also the case.

•  Highest levels of Selenium found in:Brazil nuts (1 nut fresh from shell = ~100 mcg), wheat germ, seafood /shellfish, beef liver and kidney, eggs, sunflower/sesame seeds, mushrooms, garlic, onions, and kelp.

Selenium for Thyroid

Magnesium (400-600mg/day) - needed to minimize detoxification reactions.

Magnesium - The Missing Miracle Mineral

Sufficient protein - in particular the amino acid tyrosine (known as the anti-depressant amino acid) - a co-ingredient with iodine to make thyroid hormones;

-   Can be obtained directly in high protein foods - E.g. chicken, turkey, fish, peanuts, almonds, avocadoes, milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, lima beans, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soy products, also bananas;

-   Can be synthesized in body from the essential amino acid phenylalanine - also found in meat and dairy in highest amounts, and in lower amounts in oats and wheatgerm. To make use of phenylalanine, the body requires vitamins B3, B6, and C, also copper and iron.

Sufficient essential fatty acids - Omega-3 (flax seed /krill oil) and Omega-6; iodine is carried from the intestines into the blood via EFAs. Also the liver needs to produce bile (eat beets) to metabolize fats.

Neptune Krill Oil (1000mg/day)

How to Get the Fats of Life

Adequate manganese (2.5 - 5mg /day) -antioxidant-support in liver (for T4 to T3 conversion);

•  Excellent food sources of manganese: Nuts, seeds, whole-grain cereals and green leafy vegetables -mustard grees,kale, chard, raspberries, pineapple,romaine lettuce, collard/turnip greens, maple syrup, spinach, molasses, garlic, grapes, summer squash, strawberries, oats,spelt, green beans, brown rice, garbanzo beans, ground cloves, cinnamon, thyme, peppermint, turmeric.

Manganese for Thyroid

Vitamin A (25,000 IU/day) - for thyroxin production; helps the thyroid absorb iodine; Individuals with low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) have a reduced ability to convert beta-carotene into vitamin A.

Zinc (50 mgs/day) - improves thyroid function; assists in the conversion of T4 to active T3 form of thyroid hormone. You can use liquid zinc to test for zinc deficiency - if you can taste the zinc then you are not deficient. If you taste nothing then you need to supplement.

-   Zinc supplement should be combined with 2 mg Copper - since they are antagonists and increasing zinc levels will lower copper levels)

Vitamin E (400 IU/day) - assists in the absorption of iodine;

Niacin (B3) (Inositol Hexanicotinate 500 mg 2xdaily) - B3 is needed to increase ATP functionality to help with energy and organification of iodine (thyroid's incorporation of iodine into thyroglobulin to produce thyroid hormones) . If you are taking it. B3 may be in your wholefood green drink supplement () in lesser amounts but more bioavailable.