At my office,
my partners and I have found that iodine deficiency is occurring
at epidemic rates. We have tested over 6,000 patients and found
the vast majority significantly low in iodine. Iodine is an essential
nutrient; we cannot live without it. Iodine concentrates in the
glandular tissue. It helps to ensure that the glandular tissue is
healthy and maintains a normal architecture. A deficiency in iodine
sets the stage for problems with the glandular tissue.

Which tissues comprise the glandular tissue? The breast, ovaries,
uterus, prostate, and thyroid gland all are part of the glandular
tissue. A deficiency in iodine can cause a disrupted architecture
of the glandular tissue. This can ultimately lead to problems such
as cysts, nodules, dysplasia and cancer of these tissues. Unfortunately,
we are in the midst of an epidemic rise in cancer of the breasts,
ovaries, uterus, thyroid and prostate. I believe iodine deficiency
is (in part) responsible for this epidemic rise in cancer and other
diseases of these tissues.

However, it
is not just cancer that is a consequence of iodine deficiency. If
a pregnant woman is deficient in iodine, the fetus will also suffer
complications. An article in Nutrients (2011;3:265-273) describes
the fetal consequences of iodine deficiency. During the first trimester,
the fetus is dependent on the thyroid hormone produced by the mother.
If the mother is deficient in thyroid hormone, the fetusÂ’ thyroid
will not develop normally and the fetus may be subjected to neurological
problems.

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the rest of the article

June
8, 2012

David
Brownstein, M.D. is a Board-Certified family physician and is one
of the foremost practitioners of holistic medicine. He is the Medical
Director of the Center for Holistic Medicine in West Bloomfield,
MI. Dr. Brownstein has lectured internationally to physicians and
others about his success in using natural hormones and nutritional
therapies in his practice.

Copyright
© 2012 Dr. David Brownstein