Iodine supplementation/companion nutrients/salt loading

Good overview of the protocol

source:
http://breastcancerchoices.org/iprotocol


About the Iodine Supplementation Protocol

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 great
appreciation their pioneering research and generous contributions to the field of
Iodine Therapy. See references below the protocol.


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.


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.

Iodine Supplementation Protocol with Companion Nutrients


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.



Vitamin C - 3,000 mg per day (more may be necessary to detox bromide).



300-600 mg magnesium oxide or comparable magnesium supplement.



200 mcg selenium.



625 mg inositol hexaniacinate twice a day. (Some patients cannot tolerate
this supplement so it may be best added after a month of iodine therapy to
distinguish niacin side effects from iodine side effects.)



A comprehensive vitamin and nutrition program.


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 Celtic
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.

Some members of the Amazon discussion group have 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 in 1/2 cup warm water and follow with 12-16 oz water.



Repeat in 30-45 minutes X 2 until copious urination begins.



Observe subjective response (usually within several hours).


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, (Second 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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