Iodine supplementation markedly increases urinary excretion of fluoride and bromide - Letters to the Editor

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2003

The last national nutritional survey revealed that 15% of the US adult female population are iodine-deficient by the WHO standard, that is less than 0.05 mg/L urine. (16) Over the last 20 years, iodine was replaced with bromine in the bread making process. (13) The risk ratio for breast cancer 40 years ago was one in twenty and now one in eight. (17) It is of interest to note that breast tissue contains lactoperoxydase which is capable of oxydation and organification of iodide and bromide. The breast needs iodine for normal function and protection against breast cancer. (13) High bromide levels in breast tissue would compete with iodine, interfering with the cancer-protecting role of iodine in the breast.

The RDA for iodine is based on the amount of iodine/iodide needed to prevent goiter, cretinism and hypothyroidism. The optimal requirement of the whole human body for iodine has never been studied. Based on a review of published data, we previously proposed that an amount of iodine 100 times the RDA would be required for iodine sufficient of the whole human body. (13) This amount is equivalent to 2 drops of Lugol solution. We are pursuing further research on the use of the orthoiodo supplementation as a means of detoxification of fluoride and bromide; and for prevention and control of fibrocystic disease of the breast and breast cancer.

Reprint of the manuscripts describing the orthoiodo-supplementation, the iodine/iodide loading test and the technique for measuring urinary halide levels are available at no charge, upon request.

Guy. E. Abraham, MD

c/o Optimox Corporation

P.O. Box 3378

Torrance, California 90510-3378

USA

800-223-1601

Fax:310-618-8748

optimox@iname.com