Iodine

Iodine is a powerful and often underrated immunity biohack.

This article is mostly going to focus on decoding what the human studies are saying about Iodine and how this squares up with the anecdotal experiences of Biohackers online. For more of my own personal experiences, thoughts, and comparisons please see the written and video reviews in the sidebar.

 Scientific Research

__

 History

__

 Mechanism of Action

__

Dr. Gladden writes in 100 Is The New 30

Everything depends on the thyroid. In fact, it is so essential if you could only optimize a few hormones in your body, thyroid would have to be one of them.

 Experiential

__

Sources

Activation Products' Perfect Iodine

The gold standard of pure molecular Iodine (and one of the highest-rated on Amazon)

Perfect Iodine

Category: Nootropics & Anti-Aging

Sea Moss

It might surprise you to learn that Sea Moss is a powerful respiratory medicine; its documented use dates back to the 1800s, when the Irish used it to prevent and treat respiratory diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia. Why does Sea Moss have this effect? It’s a natural, bioavailable source of Iodine.
Iodine is an outstanding mucolytic agent; this means that it thins the mucus that builds up in our lungs and can impair breathing, resulting, chronically, in disease.
The results of a human clinical trial were published in the European Respiratory Journal in 2011, which points to Iodine deficiency as a significant factor in respiratory conditions

Thus, presence of iodine deficiency diseases in children with [Chronic nonspecific diseases of lungs], has a definite significance during and outcome of chronic bronchopulmonary process, which requires additional and regular introduction of iodine-containing preparation and thyroid hormone.

A collaborative 2015 paper by Singaporean, Taiwanese, and Korean researchers identified Iodine’s antiseptic properties, noting

Furthermore, iodine is a scavenger of free radical oxygen species, contributing to anti‐inflammatory properties.

A recent paper out of King's College London names Iodine as a preventative measure for COPD and pneumonia.

An older Japanese study found that gargling an Iodine solution was an effective preventative against respiratory infections.

Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) is an Iodine-rich seaweed and natural medicine that brings female hormones into balance.

As we’ll learn from the science, Bladderwrack deserves to be in almost every woman’s vitamin cabinet. Women’s bodies are just a bit more complicated, like a beautiful (yet finicky) high performance European sports car, they just need more attention and maintenance. Our hormones underlie our well-being in life and hormones are downstream from Thyroid function. If the Thyroid is not happy and getting what it needs, neither are we. The Thyroid needs Iodine; without sufficient dietary Iodine, our hormones become imbalanced, impacting our energy levels, mood, fertility, and metabolism. Bladderwrack is an outstanding Iodine source.

Treatment of Goiter

This is a swelling of the Thyroid gland caused by Iodine deficiency; treatment of Goiter was one of the original uses of Bladderwrack. Since the 19th century, doctors have recognized it as an excellent Iodine source.

Food Sources

Salt is super! From The Plant Paradox by Dr. Steven Gundry...

Unlike standard table salt, which is mined and processed, sea salt is simply harvested from evaporated seawater. However, most table salt has added iodine, a nutrient essential for proper thyroid function. To get the best of both worlds, opt for iodized sea salt. (p. 308)

Vegetarians are often Iodine deficient, as Ben Greenfield explains in Boundless...

Plant-based diets are particularly lacking in iodine. The best natural and vegetarian sources are sea vegetables, such as nori, kelp, kombu, and dulse. In a pinch, you can also consume a daily dose of liquid iodine such as Lugol’s (aim for 400 to 1,200 mcg). (p.582)

And kids also need it...

Iodine deficiencies are associated with stunted height as well as lower IQ scores. Kids from four to eight years old need 90 mcg per day, while kids from nine to thirteen years old need 120 mcg per day. The best sources are seaweed (kombu, kelp, and nori have the highest content) and milk. For example, my children often strike off to school with sardines, anchovies, mackerel, or herring wrapped in nori. (p.597)

Downloadable Iodine?

You may be interested in taking it as an infoceutical - a non-pharmacological, side-effect-free version of the supplement that takes advantage of the phenomenon of water memory - which is imprinted on water via quantum collocation and electromagnetism using this device...

IC Pad by Infopathy

 

4.3

Category: Mind Hardware

Infocueticals typically have 1/3 or half the effect of the actual medicine being imprinted. If you're skeptical of Infopathy, that's understandable; it's a game-changing application of a little-known scientific phenomenon. But I'd urge you to evaluate the scientific evidence (presented in my biohacker review) that downloadable medicine is no longer science fiction...

 Cofactors

__

Vitamins A, C, E, F, and K, along with B vitamins, magnesium, protein, beta-carotene, pectin, and sulfur, which empower immunity.

 Usage & Dosage

Dave Asprey, the godfather of biohacking, mentions it in his most recent fasting manifesto...

For maximum absorption, take kelp powder or potassium iodide capsules with food. Pass on iodized table salt: common iodized table salt is mixed with anticaking agents and other unwanted compounds and is chemically bleached. Iodine is very helpful for keeping your thyroid working well while you’re fasting. It also enhances immune function, prevents brain damage, and overall helps maintain a healthy metabolism. Iodine deficiency is widespread, so taking a supplement is a good idea. Physically active people are at especially high risk of iodine deficiency because they lose iodine through sweat. Supplement ranges vary widely, from 150 mcg in kelp, all the way up to several milligrams per day. Take it in the morning. (p. 188)

Iodine can be energizing, so it’s not recommended to take it before bed.

 Side Effects

__

 Risk Grade:

__

 Conclusion...

__

My conversation with Ian inspired this song about Iodine...