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Scrutinizing the evidence for breast
cancer procedures and treatments
Iodine Protocol
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    About the Iodine Supplementation Protocol
                --- Not Just For Breast Cancer Patients

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

                             Iodine and Companion Nutrients

    From October 2007 Iodine Conference

  • 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 especially designed to avoid gastric irritation.

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

  • 300-600 mg magnesium oxide (Iodine Investigation Project participants prefer
    magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate.)

  • 200 mcg selenium. The selenomethionine version is preferred by many. Also see link.

  • 500 mg niacin (B3) twice a day (NOT niacinamide). Start lower to avoid flush. *See update
    in left margin on the ATP Cofactors as an alternative.

  • 100 mg Vitamin B2 three times a day. *See update in left margin on the ATP Cofactor as
    an alternative.

  • A comprehensive vitamin and nutrition program.

  • (Feb 2008) Dr. Guy Abraham cautions that "excess calcium supplementation (2,000-
    3,000 md/day) has been the most common cause of poor response to iodine
    supplementation." Vitamin Research News Vol. 22. Number 2.

                      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.

  • Be aware of iodine-related bromide detox symptoms. Symptoms of "bromism" may
    occur in some people. Click here for a list of recorded bromide symptoms. Patients are
    usually advised to cut back on iodine, *pulse-dose (see below) and salt-load more
    frequently.

    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.


    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 unprocessed sea 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.

    Many iodine takers 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 dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water.  Follow immediately with 12-16 oz
    pure water.

  • Repeat in 30-45 minutes if needed. May repeat again until copious urination begins.

  • Observe subjective response (usually within several hours).

  • Iodine Investigation Project participants have found 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in the
    recommended amount of water works faster than the 1/4 teaspoon dosage.

    * Pulse dosing of iodine has often helped our participants with detox symptoms:  taking a 48
    hour break from iodine supplementation as needed seems to enhance the kidneys' ability to
    excrete bromide. These are only our observations as educated patients. Consult your own
    physician about your particular iodine regimen.

    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, (Third 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).

                          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The statements above have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.  The supplements
    discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Do not take iodine without
    the supervision of an Iodine-Literate Doctor who is qualified to interpret lab work in the context of
    supplementation. This website is intended as information only. The editors of this site are not medically-
    trained. Please consult your licensed health care practitioner before implementing any health strategy.
    The information provided on this site is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between
    a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician. This site accepts no advertising. The contents of this site
    are copyrighted 2004-2013 by Breast Cancer Choices, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Organization.

    Contact us with comments or for reprint permission at admin@breastcancerchoices.org

    Web page updated March, 2013.
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2009 UPDATE:  
Iodine Investigation
Project participants using
the ATP CoFactors  
Formula report they are
absorbing iodine faster.

Optimox now
manufacturers ATP
Cofactors which seems to
be helping some people
who were not absorbing
iodine efficiently.

• Combination of Vitamins
B2 and B3 in sustained-
release form
• Improves ATP (cell
energy) production
• Enhances transport and
liberation of iodine in
target tissues
• May help improve
muscle soreness
associated with
fibromyalgia, when used
with Iodoral.


Breast Cancer
Choices
Detox Tip

"Pulse Dosing" Iodine
when detox symptoms
occur helps the
organs clear toxins.

Participants in the Iodine
Investigation Project
report  taking a
48 hour
break from iodine
supplementation
as
needed seems to
enhance the kidneys'
ability to excrete bromide
and other toxins that get
"stuck."

These are only our
observations as educated
patients. Consult your
own physician about your
particular iodine regimen
.



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  • DETOX bromide
    with salt water loading.

  • HEAL damaged
    iodine absorption
    mechanism with anti-
    oxidants.

  • FEED tissues with
    iodine and companion
    nutrients.
Breast Cancer Choices'
3 Part Iodine Strategy

Join our email list for
special to anyone.
.
5 days on, 2 days off
Breast Cancer ChoicesTM
.

2012 UPDATE
Suggested by the
moderators of the Yahoo
Iodine Group

1/2 teaspoon unprocessed
sea salt has been added
to the Iodine Protocol by
Yahoo Iodine Group with
consensus of Breast
Cancer Choices.
We agree that the
properties of salt for
adrenal support and
general detox are
essential.
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