II. DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF FLUORIDE ON THE BODY
Considerations
• Heart – Myocardial damage - enzymes and magnesium interference – fibrosis
• Can induce inflammatory responses and interferes with antioxidant response
• Collagen Inhibition - high collagen content in heart valves and chords (Chordae tendineae are approximately 80% collagen)
• Thyroid – Iodine depletion connected to thyroid dysfunction and Afib plus vascular and cancer due to interference with apoptosis
• Damages enzymes systems: Stomach – digestive issues result from enzyme dysfunction; low stomach acid production.
• Bone – fluoride poisons bone cells causing weak bones, osteoporosis and osteofluorosis and spinal deformities and crippling disabilities
• Brain – neurotoxicity – mental impairment and lowered IQ, violence and aggression toward others
• Pineal gland calcifications – insomnia, neurodegenerative disorders
• In healthy adults, the kidneys are able to excrete approximately 50% of an ingested fluoride dose. However, adults with kidney disease may excrete as little as 10 to 20% - thus increasing the body burden of fluoride and increasing an individual's susceptibility to fluoride poisoning (e.g. renal osteodystrophy).
• Fluorinated, appetite-suppressing drug (Fen-Phen) was withdrawn from the market because it caused heart valve damage and cardiac fibrosis among other things.
• Many more reports on conditions caused by fluoride exposure are available by Internet searches.
This begs the question:
If someone is taking flecainide for a very short period of time in low doses, is this highly critical? Most likely, yes. Some individuals are more sensitive than others and without knowing their historical and existing total load from environmental sources, it’s a guess as to how far-reaching the cumulative effects. Why risk it? The science says fluoride is a known poison. Dr. Brownstein observes that those with low iodine stores are likely to be much more sensitive to fluoride exposure, which would mean the fluoride from any source then becomes even more dangerous.
Read this entire report carefully. Study the links provided and ask yourself, “Does it makes sense to knowingly add to your fluoride toxicity bioburden by taking a drug formulated with fluorine?” Key points are documented in the Resource Reference Section V. If you’re doubtful, then read about flecainide/Tambocor in
Deadly Medicine. That convinced me.
Fluoride has been called The Silent Assassin in many pharmaceutical drugs
In order not to dilute the attention from Heart Health, details on Brain Health, Fluoride Toxicity, Brain Function and the Pineal gland calcifications will be addressed in Part 2 of this Flecainide Alert since the associative science is extensive. If we don’t have brain function, not much else matters. Become familiar with this segment. Alert Part 2 will be added in a few weeks.
HEART .
FLUORIDE & MYOCARDIAL DAMAGE
Source: [
www.fluoridealert.org]
Myo = muscle Cardi = heart
Excerpts from the Scientific Literature
Structural damage to the heart resulting from fluoride toxicity has been observed in numerous human and animal studies. The general features of this damage include cloudy swelling, vacuolization or vacuolar degeneration, hemorrhages, interstitial edema, fibrous necrosis, dissolution of nuclei, and thickening of the vessel walls in the heart muscle (Basha and Sujitha, 2011; Cicek et al., 2005; Shashi and thapar, 2001; Pribilla, 1968; Takamori et al., 1956).
Fluoride-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response have been demonstrated in humans and experimental animals (Barbier et al., 2010), and are likely responsible for this myocardial cell damage (Varol and Varol, 2012). In studies of the cardiovascular system, rats treated chronically with high levels of fluoride have reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes in the heart (Basha and Sujitha, 2011; Cicek et al., 2005), and toxic concentrations of fluoride have been shown to increase gene expression of inflammatory-related molecules in rabbit aorta (Ma et al., 2012).
“In conclusion, fluoride and arsenic induce the expression of key molecules involved in cell adhesion molecules, chemokines, and proinflammatory cytokines both at mRNA and protein levels. Our data contribute to the concept that induction of inflammatory responses, but not lipid metabolic disorder, may play an important role in the mechanism of the cardiovascular toxicity of arsenic and fluoride.”
SOURCE: Ma Y, et al. (2012). Inflammatory responses induced by fluoride and arsenic at toxic concentration in rabbit aorta. Arch Toxicol 86:849-56.
“In the present investigation, pathological changes, viz. extensive interstitial oedema, fibrous necrosis, and cloudy swellings were significant in the myocardium of all fluoridated rabbits of each group. The degree of myocardial damage seemed to be directly proportional to the dosage of fluoride administered. Since there are degenerative changes in myocardial fibres in acute poisoning due to massive doses of fluoride, the effect of persistent minute doses of fluoride cannot be ignored.”
SOURCE: Shashi A, Thapar SP. (2001). Histopathology of myocardial damage in experimental fluorosis in rabbits. Fluoride 34(1):43-50.
“The results of histological sections in the present study showed signs of severe cloudy swelling, sarcoplasmic vacuolization, small hemorrhages, interstitial edema, fibrous necrosis, dissolution of nuclei, fibrillolysis, edematous fluid in the interstitial spaces and extensive vacuolization of both auricle and ventricle regions on exposure to chronic fluoride.”
SOURCE: Basha MP, Sujitha NS. (2011). Chronic fluoride toxicity and myocardial damage: antioxidant offered protection in second generation rats. Toxicol Int 18(2):99-104.
“In soft tissues, [fluoride] interferes by inhibiting numerous enzymes, finally leading to the production of free radicals. Its accumulation in soft tissues causes injury by reducing the potential of scavenging free radicals, which critically injure the biological membranes. Intensified free radical production or disturbed antioxidant level leads to oxidative stress, which is known to be a key etiopathological factor in a variety of cardiac diseases such as heart failure and ischemic heart disease.”
SOURCE: Basha MP, Sujitha NS. (2011). Chronic fluoride toxicity and myocardial damage: antioxidant offered protection in second generation rats. Toxicol Int 18(2):99-104.
“The sialic acid/glycosaminoglycan ratio [diagnostic test to assess chronic exposure to fluoride] in patients with coronary artery ectasia [abnormal dilation of arteries surrounding the heart] was significantly lower than in controls…We demonstrated that chronic fluoride exposure has an important role in pathogenesis of coronary artery ectasia.”
SOURCE: Dede O, et al. (2011). Chronic fluoride exposure has a role in etiology of coronary artery ectasia: sialic acid/glycosaminoglycan ratio. Biol Trace Elem Res 143:695-701.
“…prolonged ingestion of fluoride through drinking water, particularly with high doses, induced significant histopathological and biochemical changes leading to myocardial tissue damage. …fluoride probably increases the production of reactive oxygen species. It is believed that fluoride toxicity is brought about by oxidative stress and, thus, the probably interaction between fluoride and the myocardial metabolism can be responsible for histopathological and biochemical changes in myocardial tissue.”
SOURCE: Cicek E, et al. (2005). Effects of chronic ingestion of sodium fluoride on myocardium in a second generation of rats. Human Exper Toxicol 24:79-87.
“In the experiments described here the fluoride concentration required for significant or maximal effect [cAMP accumulation in rat aorta and diaphragm] was near or below the normal plasma fluoride concentrations of 0.5-2.0 µM (Taves,1968). Thus it could be speculated that normal function of both smooth and skeletal muscle might be influenced by small changes in plasma fluoride levels.”
SOURCE: Allmann DW, et al. (1986). Stimulation of cAMP accumulation in rat aorta and diaphragm by fluorine containing compounds. Res Comm Chem Pathol Pharmacol 52(3):275-84.
“Our observations showed that the myocardial damage was proportional to the fluoride content of drinking water and to the extent of mottled enamel [i.e. dental fluorosis].”
SOURCE: Okushi I. (1954a). Changes in the heart muscle due to chronic fluorosis. Part I: Electrocardiogram and cardiac x-rays in inhabitants of a high fluoride zone. (Abstracted from) Shikoku Acta Medica 5:159-165.
“Histologically, regressive degeneration, cellular infiltration, hyperemia, hemorrhages and thickening of vessel wall were noted in the heart muscle [of rabbits given sodium fluoride orally]. The degree of myocardial damage was proportionate to the dosage of sodium fluoride and the length of time of its administration.”
SOURCE: Okushi I. (1954b). Changes in the heart muscle due to chronic fluorosis. Part II: Experimental studies on the effects of sodium fluoride upon the heart muscle of rabbits. (Abstracted from) Shikoku Acta Medica 5:238-45.
THYROID
Thyroid dysfunction is a common finding among those with Atrial Fibrillation.
Any influence that would even remotely interfere with the function of Iodine and therefore, thyroid function, is immediately suspect. Since both hypo-and hyper-thyroidism are found in those with atrial fibrillation, consideration to fluoride interference with iodine is common sense, but most likely, your GP, cardiologist or EP has never asked if you drink fluoridated water or had your iodine levels tested. I know mine did not, (not even the Endocrinologists) but I requested the Iodine/Iodide Loading test to learn more.
• Iodine deficiency alone or as a result of result of fluoride exposure is a known complication in thyroid dysfunction which can promote various heart ailments. The fluoride experts say that hypo- and hyper-thyroidism is endemic in this country from elevated fluoride levels from all sources coupled with wide-spread iodine deficiency…it’s the perfect storm.
• Fluoride displaces iodide in tissue and interferes with thyroid function although because it mimics iodine, thyroid tests look normal.
• Fluoride inhibits the enzyme process (5’ deiodinase) that is responsible for converting T4 to T3 and results in low T3 and elevated Reverse T3.
• Fluoride and bromide block the uptake and utilization of iodide in target cells [Abraham 2004]. As little as 0.2 ppm fluoride stimulates superoxide production in resting white blood cells, virtually abolishing phagocytosis. Even micro-molar amounts of fluoride, below 1 ppm, may seriously depress the ability of white blood cells to destroy pathogenic agents [Curnette]. Fluoride inhibits antibody formation in the blood [Jain].
• From
Healing is Voltage by biophysicist Jerry Tennant, MD:
“The problem is that fluoride is a "bully". the thyroid hormone T4 is a protein comprised of tyrosine attached to four iodides. However, when you consume fluoride, it displaces the iodides and you get fake thyroid hormone.
One problem is that our blood tests can't tell the difference between the real and the fake hormone. Another problem is that the fake one doesn't work. Thus your blood tests are normal but your body is really deficient of functional thyroid hormone. This is called Type II hypothyroidism. Because most Americans consume fluoride in water, toothpaste, visits to the dentist, etc., most Americans have Type II hypothyroidism!!!”
• There are 175 references relating to relating to symptoms/conditions of Fluoride Toxicity and related Thyroid Dysfunction resulting from Iodine deficiency in Healing is Voltage [Research Sec. V]
•
What Doctor’s Don’t Tell You – Fluoride: Damning New Evidence by Researcher, Doris Jones who has unearthed startling new evidence demonstrating that fluoride interferes with enzymes systems, damaging many organs systems of the body. If you aren’t yet convinced, read more here [
www.nofluoride.com]
Here’s a start: “ The late fluoride critic George L Waldbott discovered that, besides teeth and bones, fluoride can damage soft tissue. According to his research, the small fluorine ion with a high-charge density can combine with other ions and penetrate every cell in the body. It interferes with the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus and the function of the parathyroid glands. It has a strong affinity to calcium, but will also readily combine with magnesium and manganese ions and so can interfere with many enzyme systems that require these minerals. The interruption of these enzyme systems, in turn, may disturb carbohydrate metabolism, bone formation and nerve-muscle physiology. Indeed, every vital function in the body depends on enzymes; because fluoride easily reaches every organ, many diverse toxic symptoms can result.”
• "Most diseases are results of disturbances of the enzyme systems," says Professor Abderhalden. "Damage due to fluoride could be shown on 24 enzymes." Enzyme systems react to fluoride in different ways; some are activated, others are inhibited. Lipase (essential for the digestion of fat) and phosphatases are very sensitive to fluoride.
• Stomach and bowel disorders are the main features of fluoride intolerance. Even small amounts of fluoride can form hydrofluoric acid in the stomach to produce gastric pains, nausea and vomiting. Young children are particularly at risk. Fluoride tablets can even cause gastric haemorrhages; in one instance, a 9-year-old boy sustained such damage that he required the removal of large parts of his stomach (Fluoride, 1977; 10: 149-51)
• In areas where water is fluoridated, evidence shows that dangerously high fluoride concentrations accumulate in many soft tissues and organs, including the heart, kidney and bladder; the highest level ever recorded-8400 ppm-was found in the aortas of people living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where fluoride was first introduced in America.
• The heart and blood vessels are affected by fluoride. Cardiac irregularities and low blood pressure have been noted in experimental poisoning using large doses (Publ Health Report, 1956;71:459-67). In 1950, five years after experimental introduction of fluoride into drinking water in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the number of deaths from heart disease nearly doubled (The Grand Rapid Herald, July 28, 1955). Death rates due to cancer, intracranial lesions, diabetes and arteriosclerosis were all markedly increased compared to death rates per 100,000 in the entire state.
• Kidney disease markedly increases an individual’s susceptibility to fluoride toxicity. In healthy adults, the kidneys are able to excrete approximately 50% of an ingested dose of fluoride. However, in adults with kidney disease, the kidneys may excrete as little as 10-20%, and young children may only excrete 15% of an ingested dose—thus increasing the body burden of fluoride and increasing an individual’s susceptibility to fluoride poisoning (e.g. renal osteodystrophy). [
www.fluoridealert.org]
Comment: As noted, these are just a few from a large number of detrimental effects noted in the medical literature. Fluoride toxicity has been known for a very long time yet nothing has been done about it nor is it standard procedure to be asked by our physicians when we present with various complaints, if we drink fluoridated water nor do they express any awareness or concern over the harmful effects.
Once the potential for fluoride over-exposure is realized, it makes sense to eliminate pharmaceutical sources of fluoride by choosing safer options and to be mindful of all other sources that may be either hidden or obvious.
III – Sources of Fluoride
As stated in the introduction, some sources of fluoride are obvious; others quite surprising. Note the chicken nuggets comment. Children, love the McDonald’s specialty and other food purveyors have made their own version of McNugget’s. Children are the most vulnerable to toxic bioaccumulation. Following list is by no means complete but gives an idea of how a daily fluoride load might easily be well beyond what anyone has imagined.
• Water… natural fluoride and municipal water fluoridation
• Flecainide and other pharmaceutical drugs made from fluorine compounds
• Vaccines – some contain perfluorinated compounds (PFCs)
• Some anesthesias - halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, enflurane, and desflurane
• Dental … toothpaste, rinses, Rx fluoride tabs, topical in-office treatments
• Food and beverages made with fluoridated water ie – soup, stew, canned items, beverages such as sodas, beer, wine, coffee, tea. Tea itself is high in fluoride.
• Reconstituted juice made with fluoridated water.
• Restaurant & packaged-- prepared foods can be hidden sources – whenever fluoridated water is used in the prep… breads, baked goods, pickles, endless considerations
• Non-organic dairy products … antibiotics given to dairy cattle contain fluoride that end up in milk and cheese. Same with meat/poultry-treated with fluoride-containing antibiotics.
• Fumigated foods… esp. imported fresh fruit and vegetables - some meat from offshore sources…Pesticide residues on fruits and veggies.
• Lining of microwave popcorn bags
• Tea leaves naturally accumulate calcium fluoride from the soil and have some of the highest food levels of fluoride. Herbal teas do not – except for chamomile which does accumulate fluoride. White tea has much lower levels of fluoride than green or black. Tea made with fluoridated water – ie restaurants- offer seven more exposure. Instant teas should be avoided completely as the concentrating process increases the fluoride content of the powder significantly. Very bad to drink instant tea.
• Flame retardants, Teflon pans and coatings, Scotchguard and GorTex (Scotchguard containing perfluorooctanyl chemistry used as fabric and carpet protectants were reportedly discontinued in 2001, but if you were exposed to it by upholstered furniture, car seats, carpeting or clothing, it contributed to your bioaccumulation)
• Pesticides and herbicides - commercial and home use - wine, from grapes sprayed with pesticides that contain fluoride – also grapes and grape juice unless organic. [
www.organicconsumers.org]
• Air pollution - Fluoride is released into the air in large quantities by aluminum reduction plants, phosphate processors, steel mills, coal burning operations, brick and tile manufacturers, and various less significant source. Extremely detrimental to human and animal health, trees and vegetation. [
www.fluoridealert.org]
• Many pharmaceuticals are fluorinated, meaning they contain a carbon-fluorine bond. fluorine.” Although the carbon-fluoride bond in most drugs is strong enough to resist breaking down into fluoride within the body, this is not always the case as research has found that some fluorinated drugs, including Cipro, do break down into fluoride and can thus be a major source of fluoride exposure for some individuals. [
www.fluoridealert.org]
• Foods made with mechanically separated meat (e.g., chicken fingers, nuggets, etc), contain elevated levels of fluoride due to the contamination from bone particles that occurs during the mechanical deboning processed. Mechanically processed chicken meats have the highest levels, with chicken sticks containing an average of 3.6 ppmhttp://www.fluoridealert.org/issues/sources/
• Natural water sources of fluoride are thought to be not as toxic as they are calcium fluoride rather than the waste byproduct fluoride compounds added which include aluminum to clarify the water.
Sodium fluoride is used only to a minor degree in municipal water fluoridation.
Then, there is the topic of absorption through the skin when bathing in fluoridated water…or in pools or hot tubs using fluoridated water
Pharmaceutical sources of fluoride
Type into a Wikipedia search, the chemical name of the drug you’ve been prescribed to see the molecular structure diagram… look for the capital letter F… that indicates it is a fluorine compounded drug. Check flecainide. You’ll see the 6 atoms of fluoride in the diagram. [
en.wikipedia.org]
Many modern pharmaceuticals (e.g. Prozac, Paxil) contain “organofluorines”. An organofluorine is a chemical compound that contains both carbon and fluorine. The fact, however, that a pharmaceutical is made with an organofluorine does not mean that it will increase your exposure to fluoride. This is because the fluorine in the drug forms a very strong bond with the carbon, and this bond resists metabolizing into fluoride ion. It is generally believed, therefore, that most organofluorine drugs do not contribute to daily fluoride exposure.
There are some organofluorine drugs, however, that do metabolize into fluoride. This is evident by studies finding elevated levels of fluoride showing up in the urine or blood following use of the drug. Because organofluorine drugs contain high quantities of fluorine, any drug that metabolizes into fluoride will likely be a very large source of daily exposure.
Drugs that are known to break down into fluoride ion include: fluorinated anesthetics, Cipro, Niflumic acid, Flecainide, and Voriconazole. It is possible, and indeed likely, that other drugs do so as well, but have not yet been discovered. (evaluated) The following are a list of studies documenting inorganic fluoride exposure from the use of organofluorine drugs: [skip to:] Flecainide: Rimoli CN, et al. (1991). Relationship between serum concentrations of flecainide and fluoride in humans Source:[
www.fluoridealert.org]
A few of many fluorine compounded pharmaceuticals in addition to flecainide/Tambocor:
SSRI’s/antidepressants: Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, Luvox and antipsychotic, Stelazine
Statins: Lipitor, Floxin, Levaquin, Lescol, Crestor, Baycol (recalled)
Antifungal: Diflucan
Decongestant: Flonase, Flovent
Appetite suppressant: Fen-Phen (recalled 1997)
Fluoroquinolone drug family that are fluorine compounds
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Ciiprofloxacin Extended Release Cipro (SR) and Proquin XR
Gemifloxacin (Factive)
Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Moxifoxacin (Abelox)
Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
Ofloxacin ( Floxin and generic ofloacin)
Omniflox, Raxar, Trovan, Zagam, and Tequin have all been banned.
Two patient adverse drug reaction reports out of many:
• A male patient, age 36, in previously good health, received Cipro for possible urinary tract infection. For the five years since, he has had chronic, debilitating multi-focal neuropathy, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, a heart arrhythmia requiring a pacemaker, carpal tunnel, and chronic multiple joint pains. He is completely disabled.
• Another man, age 35, previously in good health, took Levaquin for a prostate infection. After just one dose, his symptoms began with ringing in the ears and peripheral nerve symptoms lasting two weeks. Tendonitis quickly followed in his shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands and Achilles tendons. After two months, he was still unable to walk more than a short distance.
Todd R. Plumb, M.D, is a physician and Levaquin victim who is trying to help others in similar circumstances. He states that fluoroquinolone toxicity seems to be functional, not structural, since structural abnormalities are not usually seen on the radiological studies of patients with fluoroquinolone toxicity. Dr. Plumb cites the following four possible mechanisms for the damage, based on the research thus far:
1. Inhibition or disruption of the central nervous system GABA receptors
2. Depletion of magnesium and disruption of cellular enzyme function
3. Disruption of mitochondrial function and energy production
4. Oxidative injury and cellular death
Source: Antibiotics to Avoid like the Plague Due to FDA's Oversight Failure [
articles.mercola.com] (note that this fits the fluoride toxicity description).
Deadly Cures? - Many Medications Pack a Potentially Lethal Dose of Fluoride [
www.rense.com]
Fluoride in grapes, grape juice, wine, soils from fluorinated pesticides [
www.naturalnews.com]
List of fluoride containing foods [
poisonfluoride.com]
Salt fluoridation [
poisonfluoride.com] [
poisonfluoride.com]
Joseph Mercola, DO offers a very readable informational warning guide about fluoride including that from the FAN people… which includes detailed sources of fluoride [
articles.mercola.com]
IV. REMEDY CONSIDERATIONS
The #1 Rule in Toxicology - Separate Self from the Toxic Source
1. Eliminate fluoride exposure from all sources whenever possible.
2. Afibbers should consider changing from flecainide to propafenone (Rythmol). I just changed my PIP emergency supply. My EP, Robert Schweikert, had no problem changing and commented he didn’t know why they tended to prescribe flecanide more than propafenone since they both work equally well.
3. After eliminating fluorine-compounded drugs, assess your drinking water source. Stop drinking fluoridated water. .
4. Supplement with Iodine. Initially, I tested somewhat low and began to supplement very conservatively which wasn’t adequate. I was nervous about revving up a thyroid problem which didn’t happen. As I increased the dosing, I noted improvement in many hypothyroid symptoms even though my Thyroid Profile Tests were all within range except for Reverse T3 which is a complication from fluoride competition although no endocrinologist I’ve seen had any comment or suggestions; nor did they want to know my iodine level. I did need to reduce my Armour Thyroid hormone dosing somewhat. . My dry eyes and dry mouth are now normal.
My iodine repletion program resulted in eliminating two thyroid nodules and shrinking another as indicated by annual thyroid ultrasound monitoring because nodules tend to turn malignant with time. I was elated; the endocrinologist didn’t understand the iodine supplement connection.
Optimizing iodine has additional benefits from the anti-microbial aspect as mentioned in the Iodine - Bring Back the Universal Nutrient Report [Research Resources].
5. One report notes Vitamin D helps reverse fluoride toxicity Chinoy and Sharma found that both vitamin D and D3 reversed the toxic effect of fluoride on male reproductive organs and that a combination of the two antioxidants completely reversed toxicity. Ref. 38 in the Blaylock Excitotoxicity report [References Part 2]
6. Other reports suggest various nutrients can help protect against the harmful effects of fluoride and include vitamin C, magnesium malate, calcium citrate, Vitamin E as mixed tocopherols, 200 micrograms of Selenium and Curcumin – C3 to protect the brain from neurotoxins. Selenium and iodine is known to help prevent cancer.
8. Boron is reported to help detox fluoride…( food sources).
9. A report indicates vitamin C improves defective cellular transport mechanism for iodine… Abraham, G, Brownstein, D. The Original Internist, 1005:12(3):125.-30. [
www.optimox.com]
10. If you live in a non-fluoridated water community, consider having your water tested to learn if you have naturally high fluoride content. Check this map to see if your state is indicated for high fluoride areas and then check your specific location. I live in NE Ohio which is on the map but my recent (well) water test listed fluoride as “Not detected in the sample above the minimum detection level.” Parts of Colorado, Kansas and Texas have historically been known to have high natural fluoride in the water. ttp://www.fluoridealert.org/pesticides/levels/index.htm
11. Most water filters do not remove fluoride. Reverse Osmosis removes only 90 -95%. Aluminum filters do remove fluoride but you trade off aluminum residue which is also toxic. See suggestions at this link: 10 Top ways to reduce fluoride exposure. [
www.fluoridealert.org]
IODINE SUPPLEMENTATION
Former poster, William, had it right. Iodine deficiency is rampant and supplementing does help reverse atrial fibrillation. Last I heard, he was doing well and totally free of his debilitating arrhythmia.
A great book just packed with info on Iodine’s role in maintaining health is
The Iodine Crisis – What You Don’t Know About Iodine Can Wreck Your Life by Lynn Farrow. There is dosing information and anecdotals from patient successes. Two are on atrial fibrillation improvements – one using Lugols and one using Iodoral. She acknowledges the fluoride toxicity connection but focuses more on bromide toxicity and detoxing which is also not only relevant but a huge contributor to blocking iodine.
Many great Iodine Deficiency reports. Life Extension offers
The Silent Epidemic of Iodine Deficiency with 75 references… October 2011
[
www.lef.org]
FORMS OF IODINE SUPPLEMENT
Lugol's iodine (solution) [
en.wikipedia.org]
Iodoral (tableted Lugol's) [
www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com]
Magnascent (nascent iodine solution) [
www.magnascent.com]
Atomidine (nascent iodine solution) [
en.wikipedia.org]
IODIZED SALT
Iodized salt initially contains iodine, but much evaporates after packaging. Commercial salt used for food preparation typically does not contain iodine. Afibbers need to reduce sodium/salt intake in order not to knock out potassium, so their iodized salt intake is often reduced. Most everyone benefits from iodine supplements.
Guy Abraham, MD and expert iodine researcher, notes that in numerous research papers on iodine added to salt, while enough to eliminate goiters, is not nearly enough to compensate for total body deficiency and requirements. The small amount added to salt does not protect against hypothyroidism or thyroid and breast cancer (and for this report…or guard against the blocking interferences of fluoride ingestion.)
If you live in an area of known iodine-deficient soil, such as the Goiter Belt states, make sure you supplement with iodine and also avoid adding to your fluoride burden. States above the 37th parallel are considered to be Goiter Belt states with concentrated areas in the Great Lakes region. Soil in areas near oceans is typically not iodine poor, but as maps show, most areas do not have adequate soil iodine which supports the observations. (One example map) [
www4.uwsp.edu] )
Some European countries fluoridate salt. Check the labels. Some is naturally occurring – such as the pink Himalayan salt that has become so popular although suspected as a scam since the pink salt is mined in Pakistan that contains large amounts of fluoride and bromide.…. Avoid those types of salt. [
www.rense.com] [
www.davidicke.com]
Celtic sea salt and others such as Sel de Mer have only trace amounts of iodine.
Kelp is typically dosed in micrograms which is too little for therapeutic value; plus kelp is a source of free glutamate which is excitatory so afibbers need to avoid kelp.
IODINE LITERATE PRACTITIONERS
Just as there are Lyme Literate MDs, there are Iodine Literate Practitioners that have been treating with iodine and noting great success.
David Brownstein, MD, writes in his book, Iodine – Why You Need It and Why You Can’t Live Without It. (2008) … the RDA for iodine intake is woefully insufficient and that higher amounts are needed to provide apoptotic (anti-cancer) effects throughout the body. Exposure to toxic halide ions – bromide, fluoride and chloride derivatives are increasing with time. These not only cause iodine deficiency but can poison the enzymes responsible for organifying iodine. (p 161)
Guy Abraham MD stands out as the leader of the “Iodine Movement” with his extensive published research along with his colleagues who are using the research in practice…including Drs. Flechas, Hakala, and Brownstein.
Nikolas Hedberg, DC, DABIC, offers natural alternatives to thyroid treatment in his book,
The Thyroid Alternative – Renew Your Thyroid Naturally - [
drhedberg.com] You can sign up for a free e-course to learn what your doctor isn’t telling you about your thyroid problems and treatment options.
Dr. Mark Sircus, Ac.OMD, DM(P) offers the following from segments his website and the fluoride section – see Reference section
Sircus: “Americans and Brazilians, who are more exposed to fluoride than other populations, have a desperate need for more iodine. Taking iodine in its nascent form is not only the best way to increase iodine levels in the safest and most effective way possible for adults and children whose thyroids are already compromised, but it will also greatly aid in ridding the body of dangerous fluoride, bromide, chlorine, perchlorates and heavy metals.
In our age of increasing radioactivity and toxic poisoning, specifically with fluoride,[1] chlorine, bromide, and even mercury, iodine is a necessary mineral.
Iodine is extremely important since the cells need it to regulate their metabolism. Without it, people are known to suffer from swollen glands in the throat, thyroid diseases, increased fluoride toxicity, decreased fertility rates, increased infant mortality rates, and (with severe deficiency) mental retardation. It has been theorized that iodine deficiency is a causal factor of ADHD in babies of iodine-deficient mothers.
Iodine intake immediately increases the excretion of bromide, fluoride, and some heavy metals including mercury and lead. Bromide and fluoride are not removed by any other chelator or detoxifying technique.
Dr. Kenezy Gyula Korhaz states that iodine chelates heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and halogens such as fluoride and bromide, thus decreasing their iodine-inhibiting effects,[2] especially of the halogens. Iodine has the highest atomic weight of all the common halogens (126.9). Iodine is the only option when it comes to removing these toxic haloids from the thyroid and even the pineal gland where fluoride concentrates, especially when there is a deficiency of iodine in the body.
The regular use of iodine will go a very long way toward mitigating the damages done in our bodies by the fluoride that we are exposed to. The Nascent form is the easiest way of increasing iodine levels for adults and children whose thyroids are already compromised by fluoride. Nascent Iodine is the atomic form and it is special. Nascent has the advantage of being in the I¹ atomic (as opposed to I² or I³ molecular forms) form meaning that there is no digestion, no breaking down of molecules of iodine. It is already broken down through an electromagnetic process.
For 'heavy lifting' when needing iodine in large quantities for transdermal application (painting the breasts daily with iodine for breast cancer is one example) I recommend the age old Lugol’s formula. Liquid forms of minerals always seem better than solid pill forms because the body has an easier time digesting and absorbing liquid forms (with the nascent form ready to be utilized instantly in any way the body needs). Some tissues utilize iodide and others iodine and the thyroid always needs atomic (nacent) iodine to make T3 and T4 metabolic thyroid hormones.”
More benefits of iodine optimization:
• Iodide also reduces the amount of insulin necessary during Type I and Type II diabetes
• Iodine protects against stomach cancer
Article: Urinary iodine is associated with insulin resistance in subjects with diabetes mellitus type 2. [
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Article review: Iodine Concentration Studied in Type 2 Diabetes [
www.wholehealthinsider.com]
Neurosurgeon, Russell Blaylock, MD, devoted the September 2004 issue of Blaylock Wellness Report to Fluoride Toxicity….If you would like a copy by pdf file, send me a Private Message.
V. Research & Reference URLs...
Continuing segment after the Introduction References
IODINE
Evidence that the administration of Vitamin C improves a defective cellular transport mechanism for iodine: A Case Report by Guy E. Abraham, MD and David Brownstein MD. [
www.optimox.com]
Iodine supplementation markedly increases urinary excretion of fluoride and bromide – by Guy E. Abraham, MD – Published in Townsend Letter May, 2003. Letter to the Editor [
www.wachters.com]
Orthoiodosupplementation should be part of a complete nutritional program,
emphasizing magnesium instead of calcium. Dr. Guy Abraham
Fluoride and bromide block the uptake and utilization of iodide in target cells [Abraham 2004] [
www.optimox.com]
The Iodine/Iodide Loading Test [
www.optimox.com]
Iodine – Bring Back the Universal Nutrient - Medical textbooks contain several vital pieces of misinformation about the essential element Iodine, which may have caused more human misery and death than both world wars combined. Dr. Guy Abraham [
www.alkalizeforhealth.net] (note comments on cancer connection)
Iodine Protects against Fluoride Toxicity Dr. Mark Sircus, Ac., OMD, DM(P) [
drsircus.com]
175 references relating to relating to symptoms/conditions Fluoride Toxicity and related Thyroid Dysfunction resulting from Iodine deficiency. Source: Healing is Voltage (2011) by biophysicist Jerry Tennant, MD, MD (H), MD(P) The Reference chart from section on Hypothyroidism starting on p 181 and is identified at this website: [
poisonfluoride.com] that lists the 175 references
Iodine Nutrition in North America (2007), Angela M. Leung, MD, Elizabeth N. Pearce, MD
MSc. [
www.hotthyroidology.com]
The Thyroid Alternative, Renew Your Thyroid Naturally Nikolas R. Hedberg, D.C., D.A.B.C.I. [
drhedberg.com]
Hypothyroidism Type 2 –The Epidemic by Mark Starr MD [
www.amazon.com]
The Iodine Crisis: What You Don't Know About Iodine Can Wreck Your Li
fe (2013) Lynn Farrow [
lynnefarrow.net] [
www.amazon.com]
Iodine – Why You Need It – Why You Can’t Live Without It…David Brownstein, MD. (2008) Medical Alternative Press.
Number of American Atrial Fibrillation Patients Could Double By 2030
July 29, 2013
Over 12 million people in the US could experience a common yet dangerous form of irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation by the year 2030, according to new research appearing in the American Journal of Cardiology.
According to Reuters Health reporter Kathryn Doyle, approximately five million American adults had been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) in 2010. However, the new study projects the number of AF patients could more than double to 12 million within the next 16 years – though it could range from seven million to 17 million.
“By any estimate, there are going to be lots of (predominantly older) Americans with AF in 2030,” study co-author and Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Daniel Singer told Doyle. His colleague, Dr. Jonathan Piccini of the Duke University Medical Center, added the research highlights “a very big problem.” [
www.redorbit.com]
[
www.afibbers.org]
--July 1, 2007
Hydrate safely - What's in your water? [
www.afibbers.org]
-- June 19, 2008
Fluoridation: A Horror Story [
www.afibbers.org]
[
www.ahealedplanet.net]
-- Feb 9, 2009
Fluoride [
www.afibbers.org]
-- Jan 1, 2011
Fluoride risks? [
www.afibbers.org]
-- June 9, 2011
Fluoride: a statement of concern [
www.afibbers.org]
-- Dec 12, 2012
Fluoride / fluoridation [
www.afibbers.org]
-- January 21, 2011 Erling A few quotes from notable researchers in the section titled
Compulsory Fluoridation: An Industrial Tale [www.ahealedplanet.net]
- "Fluorides are general protoplasmic poisons, probably because of their capacity to modify the metabolism of cells by changing the permeability of the cell membrane and by inhibiting certain enzyme systems. The exact mechanism of such actions is obscure." - Journal of the American Medical Association, Sept 18, 1943. (before the propaganda steamroller really got going in 1947)
- "The fluoride ion exerts its toxic effect by inhibiting the action of many enzyme systems." Hugo Theorell, M.D., Nobel Prize winner for his research in the field of enzyme chemistry.
- "We ought to go slowly. Everybody knows that fluorine and fluorides are very poisonous substances and we use them in enzyme chemistry to poison enzymes, those vital agents in the body. That is the reason things are poisoned; because enzymes are poisoned, and that is why animals and plants die." - James B. Sumner, Director of Enzyme Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Cornell University, and a Nobel Prize winner for his work in the field of enzyme chemistry.
- "The data indicated that drinking fluoridated water with as little as 1 PPM shortened the life span of mice an average of nine per cent. This was true whether death was due to cancer or non-cancerous diseases. The only notice proponents of fluoridation gave to this work was to discredit it as much as possible. ... In experiments where the drug was added directly to suspensions of cancer tissue before inoculation into eggs or mice, sodium fluoride stimulated the growth of cancer tissue in concentrations of one part in more than 20 million. Scientists at Cambridge University (British Medical Journal, Oct 26, 1963)
discovered that concentrations of sodium fluoride as low as one part in ten million inhibited the growth of a culture of human tissue. ... the growing weight of scientific evidence that water-borne fluorides, even at 1 PPM, have toxic possibilities must finally be recognized." Alfred Taylor, Ph.D., Clayton Foundation, Biochemical Institute, University of Texas, Austin Texas, 1965.
- "The terrifying conclusion of the studies was that fluorine greatly induced a cancer tumors growth. If doctors and the public can be made aware of this catastrophe, fluoridation shall end quickly. It will someday be recognized as the most lethal and stupid "Health Program" ever conceived by the mind of man, witch doctors and blood-letters not excepted.
"In 1969 the country of Sweden intended to fluoridate their water supply due to the strong advice of Professor Yngve Ericsson, a Swedish dentist who was also the senior representative on the World Health Organization's Expert Committee on Fluoridation. However, it was then found that Professor Ericsson coincidentally was the holder of two highly-profitable patents on fluoride toothpaste!" Alfred Taylor, June 13, 1970 the Gothenburg Post (Sweden); August 5, 1970 the News Register (Sweden); and May 1, 1970 Norsk Folkehelselag (Norway).
- "In 1978, the West German Association of Water and Gas Experts rejected fluoridation for legal reasons, and because the so-called optimal fluoride concentration of 1 mg/liter is close to the dose at which long-term damage to the human body is to be expected." Chemical and Engineering News, August 1, 1988
The Fluoride Deception: How a Nuclear Waste Byproduct Made Its Way Into the Nation’s Drinking Water by Christopher Bryson [
www.democracynow.org] and [
www.macquirelatory.com] – 398 pages
What’s Really being added to your water? [
articles.mercola.com]
Index to High Levels of Fluoride in US drinking water (35 states on the list). [
fluoridealert.org]
Fluorine in pharmaceuticals… note that flecainide is missing from the list [
gaia-health.com]
The most reliable and accurate science based website on Fluoride is by
FAN – Fluoride Action Network www.fluoridealert.org - use the search feature.
Note:
Part 2 of the Flecainide Alert will be posted in a few weeks and will focus on fluoride’s neurotoxic and neurodegenerative effects on the brain and body.