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| Scrutinizing the evidence for breast cancer procedures and treatments |
| Iodine Protocol |
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- About the Iodine Supplementation Protocol
--- Not Just For Breast Cancer Patients
- 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 (Iodine Investigation Project participants prefer
magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate.)
- 500 mg niacin (B3) twice a day (NOT niacinamide). Start lower to avoid flush. *See update
in left margin on the ATP Cofactors 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 48
hour 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).
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- The statements above have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. The supplements
discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not take iodine without
the supervision of an Iodine-Literate Doctor who is qualified to interpret lab work in the context of
supplementation. This website is intended as information only. The editors of this site are not medically-
trained. Please consult your licensed health care practitioner before implementing any health strategy.
The information provided on this site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between
a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician. This site accepts no advertising. The contents of this site
are copyrighted 2004-2012 by Breast Cancer Choices, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Organization.
Contact us with comments or for reprint permission at admin@breastcancerchoices.org
Web page updated January 1, 2012.
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| **** UPDATE: Iodine Investigation Project participants using the ATP CoFactors Formula report they are absorbing iodine faster. Optimox now manufacturers ATP Cofactors which seems to be helping some people who were not absorbing iodine efficiently. • Combination of Vitamins B2 and B3 in sustained- release form • Improves ATP (cell energy) production • Enhances transport and liberation of iodine in target tissues • May help improve muscle soreness associated with fibromyalgia, when used with Iodoral. |
Breast Cancer Choices Detox Tip "Pulse Dosing" Iodine when detox symptoms occur helps the organs clear toxins. Participants in the Iodine Investigation Project report taking a 48 hour break from iodine supplementation as needed seems to enhance the kidneys' ability to excrete bromide and other toxins that get "stuck." These are only our observations as educated patients. Consult your own physician about your particular iodine regimen. |
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- DETOX bromide
with salt water loading.
- HEAL damaged
iodine absorption
mechanism with anti-
oxidants.
- FEED tissues with
iodine and companion
nutrients.
| Breast Cancer Choices' 3 Part Iodine Strategy |
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