Iodine Supplementation Protocol (Salt Loading)

If one runs into problems on iodine, this is good information:

About the Iodine Supplementation Protocol

Physicians Guy Abraham, MD, David Brownstein, MD, and Jorge Flechas, MD,
have treated more than 4,000 patients with iodine supplementation. The
protocol below is suggested by their writings and lectures. We acknowledge
with appreciation their pioneering research and generous contributions to
the field of Iodine Therapy. See references below the protocol.

Iodine and Companion Nutrients

From October 2007 Iodine Conference

50 mg Iodoral minimum for breast cancer (may start with 12.5 mg).

Some practitioners may recommend another form of iodine such as
Lugol's solution. Iodoral is the Lugol's formula in tablet form especially
designed to avoid gastric irritation.

Vitamin C - 3,000 mg per day (more may be necessary to detox bromide).

300-600 mg magnesium oxide or comparable magnesium supplement.

200 mcg selenium.

500 mg niacin (B3) twice a day. (NOT niacinamide) Start lower to avoid
flush. *See update in left margin on the ATP Cofactor as an alternative.

100 mg Vitamin B2 three times a day. *See update in left margin on the
ATP Cofactor as an alternative.

A comprehensive vitamin and nutrition program.

(Feb 2008) Dr. Guy Abraham cautions that "excess calcium
supplementation (2,000-3,000 md/day) has been the most common
cause of poor response to iodine supplementation." Vitamin Research
News Vol. 22. Number 2.

24 Hour Iodine Loading Test Now Essential

The Iodine specialists have recently discovered it is essential to have the 24
Hour Iodine Loading Test before implementing iodine supplementation in
order to investigate the presence of a possible iodine absorption defect. If a
patient has a normal or high Loading Test score in the presence of known
iodine deficiency condition such as breast or thyroid disease, a defect in the
Sodium Iodide Symporter (NIS) mechanism is suspected. The iodine taken
during the loading test may pass into the urine unabsorbed giving a false
normal reading. Follow your physician's iodine dosing carefully to see how
the iodine test result changes.

The doctors find that the most common side effects are usually
resolved with 3 grams of vitamin C and/or the salt loading protocol.

Be aware of iodine-related bromide detox symptoms. Symptoms of
"bromism" may occur in some people. Click here for a list of recorded
bromide symptoms. Patients are usually advised to cut back on iodine,
*pulse-dose (see below) and salt-load more frequently.

Important: The following protocol should be implemented only under your
doctor's supervision and monitored with the appropriate laboratory work and
thyroid studies. Report any side effects to your physician. Do not take iodine
if you are allergic to iodized salt.

Salt Loading Protocol for Possible Bromide Side Effects

Orthoiodosupplementation induced and increased mobilization of bromine from
storage sites, with increased urinary excretion of bromide. --Guy Abraham, MD

Certain iodine-literate doctors feel the bromide excreted by iodine therapy
can be eliminated more efficiently by the chloride present in mineral-rich
unprocessed sea salt. The salt is added to water in a specific way. Eating
salty food is not effective. Table salt is only used in an emergency.

Many iodine takers found the Salt Loading Protocol devised by Dr. William
Shevin (and presented at the February '07 Iodine Conference) to be
effective in eliminating the side effects such as bromide sedation, acne,
brain fog, brassy taste, mouth sores, frontal headache or other symptoms
which occur in a small percentage of patients.

1/4 teaspoon salt dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water. Follow immediately
with 12-16 oz pure water.

Repeat in 30-45 minutes if needed. May repeat again until copious
urination begins.

Observe subjective response (usually within several hours).

Iodine Investigation Project participants have found 1/2 teaspoon salt
dissolved in the recommended amount of water works faster than the
1/4 teaspoon dosage.

* Pulse dosing of iodine has often helped our participants with detox
symptoms: taking a two day break from iodine supplementation as needed
seems to enhance the kidneys' ability to excrete bromide. These are only our
observations as educated patients. Consult your own physician about your
particular iodine regimen.

No consensus exists on how important the salt loading may be to an iodine
therapy strategy if the patient does not have adverse symptoms.

Be sure to ask your doctor before implementing salt loading or any medical
strategy.

References:

1. Brownstein, Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It, (Third Edition) Medical Alternative Press, West
Bloomfield, MI 2006. See drbrownstein.com.

2. Abraham, GE, The Historical Background of the Iodine Project, The Original Internist 2005

3. Abraham, GE, Iodine Supplementation Markedly Increases Urinary Excretion of Fluoride and Bromide,
Townsend Letter 2003

4. Abraham, G.E., Brownstein, D., Evidence that the administration of Vitamin C improves a defective cellular
transport mechanism for iodine: A case report. The Original Internist, 12(3):125-130, 2005
[excerpt] Elevated bromide levels were observed in urine and serum samples, twenty times the levels
reported in the literature in normal subjects(8,9). Mild bromism may have been the cause of the oxidative
damage to the iodine transport system and the side effects to orthoiodosupplementation. Chloride competes
with bromide at the renal level and increases the renal clearance of bromide (10,11). Sodium chloride at 10
gm/day for one week resulted in marked increase in urine bromide levels, and a sharp drop in serum bromide.
While on the chloride load, urinary frequency improves for the first time in 5 years, but fatigue worsened and
she experienced facial and body acne. No significant change in symptomatology was observed while on
Vitamin C. The responses of her symptoms to various treatments modalities by self-assessment are
summarized in Table I. The treatment modalities are cumulative and added sequentially in the patient's
management. Measurements of serum and urine bromide and iodide levels reported in this manuscript were
performed by ion-selective electrode assay, following chromatography on strong anion exchanger cartridges,
as previously described (3,7).

Thanks CS, that's great info for people starting out with Iodine.

This salt thing still puzzles me...

I haven't been able to find reliable information to determine if salt is worth supplementing with. Some people argue that the so called "healthy salt" like Himalayan and Sea salt should be left out because they contains toxic elements like Mercury, Cadmium, Fluoride, etc. and that salt has never been a requirement of the human diet, that's a modern inclusion. The people selling these salts seem to avoid the topic of mercury and other metals as much as possible.

It has been said that Mercury (specially) is not safe at any level. I agree with the statement "the dose is what makes a poison". The bad things is that metals like mercury and iron tend to accumulate, so one should try to limit exposure, chelate them and provide enough antagonist elements like selenium to the body.

So my question after all of this is would be: is there any health benefit to using natural salt (beyond flushing bromide)?

Probably there's the benefit of using salt to supply the body with trace elements, but the key is to use it in MODERATION -AND- use key nutrients like minerals (Selenium, Magnesium, etc) to chelate or antagonize toxic elements.

Let me know what you think.

LittleFighter - Great point, and I totally agree with you, it is much better to avoid the 'healthy' sea salts.

More ideally, using Wright Salt would be better.

More info here: http://www.immortalhair.org/apps/blog/show/2090441-salt-restriction-increases-risk-of-death

CS, can salt loading be done the same time as taking iodine or should you abstain from iodine supplementation on the days that you do the salt loading?

If mercury is nothing to worry about in fish, then mercury should be nothing to worry about in quality himalayan salt and especially celtic salt.

Naturally occurring trace levels of arsenic, lead, mercury in whole foods are healthy in their proper level ratios.

william - If there's bromide toxicity, then salt loading should be done before iodine.

Silverlin - Since fish are loaded with selenium, the mercury comes in contact with it and is more in a neutral state, ready for elimination. This is probably not the case in salt.

Do you guys think there is any reason not to take your 3000mg of C with the iodine at the same time?

Iodine (e.g. Lugol's) should be taken on an empty stomach. The reason why is some substances such as Vitamin C will convert the Iodine content to Iodide.

Regarding bromide, it's said salt on it's own will detox bromide from tissues.

CS - As you know the likes of himalayan/celtic salt has virtually all the minerals and traces elements known under the sun, including iodine and selenium. These quality salts have everything in the right ratios.

The amount of mercury in these salts would be negligible, and with everything else the rest of salt has to offer, one shouldn't have to worry. I would go as far to say that these salts would go toward helping the body rid itself of excess mercury.

What do you make of this?

http://healthwyze.org/index.php/ingesting-iodine.html

Nice find Intellect, made me laugh.

I think I have some death pains in my side right now actually. I'll let you know if I die.

DesperateIntellect - It's poisonous to ingest antiseptic iodine found in most stores. However, Lugol's, Iosol are safe.

jdp710 posted some info earlier how people tried to kill themselves by drinking a gallon of iodine. They did not succeed.

Some of the symptoms listed are actually bromide toxicity.

What would these anti-iodine people think about bromide, that they used to replaced iodine in bread to prevent the splitting of the top.

FWIW, quick glance at the link ... everyone of these is false. Been proven false by Iodine docs. In short, Iodine supplementation is not for the weak-minded, lol.

Iodine poisoning is known to produce the following symptoms.

Abdominal pain
Coughing
Delirium
Diarrhea
Fever
Metallic taste in mouth
Mouth and throat pain
Inability to urinate
Seizures
Shock
Shortness of breath
Stupor
Excessive thirst
Profuse vomiting
Death

hi guys,
i have new zealand natural sea salt.

is this toxic?

RobHealthMan - If the sea salt is sun dried it should be okay, if not--it may not be.

Would anyone be able to tell me if salt loading with this salt is okay?.

http://www.maldonsalt.co.uk/index.html

Anyone?.

Decro435 - You could do a lot worse, that's for sure. It's probably fine, but I can't say 100% for sure.

Cheers!

thanks CS!

how bout this salt?

wright is tough to order for overseas!

http://www.iherb.com/Source-Naturals-Crystal-Balance-Himalayan-Rock-Salt-Fine-Grind-12-oz-340-g/19134?at=0

Is it a bad idea to salt load & then supplement iodine while amalgams are still in the mouth? And if so, how long should I wait post-removal before proceeding?

I still plan to do salt loading (answer to above would be appreciated), but a side issue I found interesting - Potassium Bromate was used in UK bread between 1980-1990, when it was banned. It's also banned in the rest of the EU, Canada and several other countries. California requires a label warning. Brominated Vegetable Oil is also banned from soft drinks in the UK and India. Although I no longer eat bread, the packets I looked at used Ascorbic Acid instead. I don't know why they did not simply resume use of iodine (I guess that would have made too much sense..).

RobHealthMan - Himalayan has potential mercury contamination, and whether this applies to all brands, I am not certain.

diffuse - Yes, you can definitely take iodine with exisiting mercury amalgams

IH,

I've actually had the sides that Decro is also experiencing from time to time in the other thread about chest pains. Never possibly attributed to iodine though until I read this thread. Thought it was stress related as my cardio fitness is a-ok. I'm already using the selenium as it's been part of my regimen for a long time, but about this salt loading -- how long should one do it for before resuming (or starting) with iodine again?

hadrion - Before the salt loading, you can always try the 3,000 mg of vitamin C, then go ahead with the salt loading. How long? About a month or less.