Health News (Week 15 – 2017)
By Robert Redfern
Just reading the stats that thyroid cancer rates are increasing at a crazy rate has really concerned me. I have been involved in natural health for the past 27 years and in that time thyroid cancer has tripled in western countries.
To be clear, three times more lives are blighted by this condition, which is easily prevented. It is another indication of the failure of the medical business to care for the health of the population.
This is really Iodine Part 2, following on from last week but with a more serious message and it is an important opportunity to focus on the importance of the thyroid…
The thyroid gland is a very critical gland that controls a large number of vital bodily functions. It is situated around the windpipe just below the Adam’s apple in the neck.
The thyroid receives signals from the pituitary gland, located between the eyes in the front of the brain. The pituitary instructs the thyroid how much of the various hormones are needed for the rest of the body.
The hormones produced by the thyroid control: heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, the rate food is converted into energy, weight and the absorption of calcium which is vital in the growth and development of children and especially intelligence.
The thyroid utilizes iodine and selenium as two of the main ingredients in some of the important hormones, both of which are missing from the average diet.
Many people suffer from low thyroid production (Hypothyroid), which in most cases makes the person tired and overweight. A smaller group who suffer from Hyperthyroid lose too much weight.
Readers of my many articles in www.NaturallyHealthyNews.com on thyroid and iodine know my research shows that an unnatural diet is the prime cause of all thyroid issues. There are also other factors to consider such as chemicals and toxins in the environment, cosmetics, and unnatural foods such as soybeans.
There are two things that are so critical to prevent or reverse all thyroid problems. I want to remind you of these forever:
Nascent Iodine and Selenium
I have always thought the problems were caused by something we ate but it looks like it was caused by something we did not eat or at least food that was deficient in this critical mineral.
Critical Mineral
If you read my newsletters and books you will know that I recommend Nascent Iodine as a critical supplement, which we all need, male and female and at any age. You will also know that I maintain that it’s partnered with another critical element: Selenium. You can find out why further down in this mail. They are essential partners!
I trust you know about Selenium because even the FDA (USA Food and Drug Administration) allows a cancer prevention claim for it. Yes, you read that right, the only supplement that carries an allowable cancer health claim. It is so important for making bodily processes work correctly.
Within the EU, as taken from their directive on Health & Nutrition claims, it has been confirmed that:
- Selenium contributes to the normal function of the immune system
- Selenium contributes to normal thyroid function
- Selenium contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress
- Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal hair
- Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails
- Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis
On its own it is very powerful but when used with Iodine it’s even better!
Why Iodine and Selenium work together…(technical jargon)… Selenium is a chief component of the molecules, called seleno-proteins, which are necessary for the body to be able to create and use thyroid hormones.
Seleno-proteins:
- Regulate thyroid hormone production
- Support the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3).
- Protect the thyroid tissues
- Help balance thyroid hormone production
Enzymes arranged around selenium, called seleno-de-iodinases help to keep T3 at an appropriate level in liver, kidney, thyroid and brain cells. Glutathione peroxidase is another enzyme, which helps to limit T4 when its levels go on the high side.
The problems that selenium deficiency can cause are made more serious when Iodine is also deficient. Selenium is crucial in aiding the body to recycle Iodine. Selenium deficiency coupled with an Iodine deficiency is likely to lead to thyroid imbalance.
Many people who are diagnosed with a thyroid dysfunction have a deficiency of Iodine, but research has shown that some may have a significant selenium deficiency as well. It’s vital to treat both deficits in order to re-establish thyroid stability.
I have always included Selenium in many of my formulations including: Daily Immune Protection, MaxiFocus and Active Life but never had a Selenium product alone.
I can announce that Ionic Selenium is now available through Good Health Naturally.
This liquid Ionic Selenium is a rich, yeast-free, highly concentrated form of Selenium which is most ‘recognised’ by the body (required for best absorption). Each serving will deliver 300mcg Selenium and there are x48 servings per bottle – so each bottle should last around 6 weeks if you just take one serving per day. It is gluten-free and suitable for vegans.
Shop here for Ionic Selenium, Buy 3 Get 1 Ionic Selenium FREE available
As Selenium is considered critical, to ‘activate the Iodine’, if you wish to shop for Iodine and Selenium together, there is a special pack within the Good Health Naturally store.
Buy 1 Nascent Iodine & Buy 1 Ionic Selenium – Get 1 Ionic Selenium for FREE
Upon taking the recommended amounts for daily maintenance (x6 drops Iodine, x1.25ml Selenium) this pack will last approximately 3 months. The Iodine bottle will last 3 months and the Selenium bottles around 6 weeks each – unless of course you require a higher dose, depending on your health status.
As a quick recap, Nascent Iodine:
- Contributes to normal cognitive function
- Contributes to normal energy
- Contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system
- Contributes to normal thyroid function
- Contributes to the maintenance of normal skin
These are just the allowable health claims and as we all know, Iodine does so much more!
With all the total proven benefits available which become even more powerful when combined together, I can’t think of a better way to help protect your body from a whole host of diseases than with Iodine & Selenium. At the very least they should be the starting block from which to build around.
The World Health Organisation recommends all females of child bearing age supplement with Iodine (in case they get pregnant to ensure intelligent children).
I started taking 6 drops of iodine in water about eight months ago as per your recommendation. My Dr called me six weeks ago after my latest thyroid test wondering what I was doing. One of my markers was at 13 when it should have been at 2 or 3. I told her I had started iodine and selenium. She acknowledged that iodine and selenium can be useful for goiter but recommended that I stop. I did and my latest test is closer to normal but I am fatigued and dragging myself around. I really want to take the supplements but am confused about my thyroid test. Have you heard about this happening before? (I also take thyroxin and have been for several years). Thanks in advance for anything you can suggest.
Hello Jackie, without knowing the full picture it is difficult to comment fully, as it would be better to have a full thyroid panel test done, and to monitor both antibodies, Free T3, Free T4 and not just the TSH, as this gives little indication as to what is really going on. It is possible that some individuals who are deficient in iodine may experience an increase in thyroid activity, but this is often where low selenium levels are also found, which is why we recommend the two alongside each other. Furthermore, iodine is transported into the cell by a transport molecule known as sodium-iodide symporter (NIS). NIS is stimulated by TSH. Therefore, when iodine supplementation is begun, one of the first effects seen is a slight elevation of TSH as the body is trying to produce transport molecules (NIS) to move iodine into the cell. After iodine supplementation begins, it is normal and expected for TSH to elevate slightly. Again this is why we recommend a very gradual introduction to the Nascent Iodine. We would recommend to cut back on the iodine and to monitor your results. You can even work on taking the selenium for a few weeks and then introduce the iodine at a low dose, 1-2 drops per day, building to around 3 drops 2-3 x per day.
Thanks so much for all the information. I will try a lowered dosage as you suggest.
I wish I had known all these things when I was diagnosed with papilliary thyroid cancer 17 years ago and had to have my thyroid gland removed. I have been taking levothyroxine since and possibly because I initially was prescibed rather high doses
I subsequently have had two hip replacements and have had various other problems, carpal tunnel, arthritic joints etc from time to time and so on. Doctors in UK will not prescribe a natural thyroid replacement such as Armour or another porcine derived natural supplement which contains T1& T2 which ofcourse synthetic levo does not contain, because there is no money in it whereas there is loads of money in synthetic levo. Can you suggest supplements which might be beneficial to me. I am well and swim, walk and practice yoga and want to stay fit and well. We are about the same age! Thanks very much for all the great information.