Iodine Helps With Detoxification

by Carolyn Pierini, CLS (ASCP), CNC

In addition to iodine’s importance in thyroid and immune health, it appears to also play a role in the detoxification of toxic substances in the body. The essential mineral iodine is part of a class of elements on the periodic table called halogens or halides. Ensuring an adequate intake of iodine and attaining iodine sufficiency in the body can help protect against exposure to the other, toxic halides such as bromide, fluoride and chlorinated compounds (chloride is an essential halide like iodine but is toxic as chlorine).

The toxic halides are known to compete with iodine for the iodine receptors in the body. Among the many classes of chemicals that contribute to environmental pollution and threaten our health are the “halogenated” substances. These toxic chemicals are recognizable because they have “bromo, fluoro, or chloro” as part of their names. Chlorinated pesticides, perchlorates (jet fuel), chlorinated and brominated biphenyls (PCB, PBB), dioxins, perfluorochemicals (PFC), brominated flame retardants (PBDE) and fumigants are just a few examples. These chemicals, among others, are found in nearly all Americans tested because they persist in the environment and bio-accumulate in the body. It is perhaps not surprising that their detrimental effects include thyroid toxicity. So how do we combat these toxins? Besides supporting the body’s detoxification processes in general, include adequate iodine supplementation in the form of Iodoral®. According to iodine experts, sufficient iodine will help displace and competitively inhibit toxic halides.