Iodine - Why do we need it?

Iodine is an essential element of the body. It is used by the thyroid to create thyroid hormones, the breast - concentrating in the milk for the nursing infant, the prostate, adrenals, ovaries, salivary gland and more. Every gland and mucosal lining uses iodine.

It is antibacterial, antimicrobial and induces apoptosis (programmed death) in the cells.
Iodine is also important in the development of the fetus and infant. In the womb lack of iodine to the fetus can result in cretinism which results in stunted growth and inadequate mental development. After birth Iodine is critical to the infant as the IQ is developing up to age 2. Children with low iodine levels have been shown to have up to a 10 point lower IQ than those with iodine.

Studies by Eskin & Ghentshowed that a lack of iodine was a key contributing factor to breast cancer. With the epidemic of iodine deficiency it is no wonder we are seeing increases in breast cancer rates.

Lack of Iodine in the thyroid is one of the reasons for goiter (enlargement of the gland). If left deficient the possibility of thyroid cancer increases as the peroxide reaction increases the burning inside of the cells. This condition may also result inan autoimmune thyroid condition such as Graves (hyper) and Hashimotos (hypo).
When adequate amounts of iodine are supplied to the thyroid, iodolipids are created which control the oxidation process in the cell and stop the cell from over producing and "burning" out.

Check out Iodine & the Thyroid for more detailed research information on this
topic.

Common forms of Iodine are:

Lugols Liquid (Iodine & Iodide)
Iodoral (Lugol's in tablet form)
Nascent Iodine
Detoxified Iodine
Kelp (may contain high levels of arsenic or toxic halides)