Interest in iodine was re-awoken in 1993, when Ghent demonstrated that 5mg a day of iodine is highly effective in the treatment of fibrocystic disease of the breast. A study in Japan showed that the average daily intake of iodine was 13.8mg (because of their high intake of seafood) and the Japanese have the lowest incidence of breast cancer in developed nations. Lugol's Iodine (also known as Lugol's Solution) was developed by French physician J. G. A. Lugol, who first made the mixture of iodine and potassium iodide in water as an antiseptic and disinfectant. Since then, it is considered the safest source of the element iodine — important for optimum thyroid function, mental clarity and metabolism. Iodine contributes to the normal production of thyroid hormones and normal thyroid function, is important for visual function and eye moisture and may contribute to preserve healthy hair, nails and skin as well as the normal functioning of the nervous system, cognitive function and metabolism.

For some people, iodine or iodine-containing products may worsen autoimmune thyroid problems such as Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease, and cause enlargement of the thyroid (goitre). 21 On the other hand, some healthcare professionals believe that a high iodine intake, such as seen in Japanese women, can largely prevent breast cancer. 2 Rotkiewicz M, Suchar H, Kamiñski R (14 January 2001). "Chernobyl: the Biggest BLUFF of the 20th Century". Polish weekly Wprost. pp.no 2. Archived from the original on 2 March 2005 . Retrieved 18 June 2008. The Department of Health advises that “you should be able to get all the iodine you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take iodine supplements, don’t take too much as this could be harmful. Taking0.5mg or less a day of iodine supplements is unlikely to cause any harm.”Believe it or not, a teaspoon of iodine will provide us with all the iodine we need for our entire life. It is also essential that you don’t drink an excessive amount of fluids for 24 hours before the test as this may affect the result. 29

These amounts do not reflect the optimum amount of micronutrient for optimum health. The two amounts (i.e. the RDA and the optimum amount) for individual micronutrients may be very different and this is well illustrated by iodine. It is now assumed that iodine is only necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, but actually breast tissue requires just as much and deficiency results in fibrocystic disease of the breast and in breast cancer. It is notable that countries with the highest iodine intake have the lowest risk of breast cancer. Indeed, a tendency to cysts generally, including polycystic ovaries, may well be an iodine problem. See the table below for how the body uses iodine: Until 2007, in the United States, Lugol's solution was unregulated and available over the counter as a general reagent, an antiseptic, a preservative, [31] or as a medicament for human or veterinary application.

Pharmacy product

Lugol's solution is commonly available in different potencies of (nominal) 1%, 2%, 5% or 10%. Iodine concentrations greater than 2.2% are subject to US regulations. [11] [33] [34] If the US regulations are taken literally, their 2.2% maximum iodine concentration limits a Lugol's solution to maximum (nominal) 0.87%. Preoperative administration of Lugol's solution decreases intraoperative blood loss during thyroidectomy in patients with Graves' disease. [12] However, it appears ineffective in patients who are already euthyroid on anti-thyroid drugs and levothyroxine. [13]

Some people get confused about iodine and iodide. Iodide is the state of iodine when it bonds with another element, such as potassium. In this form, iodine can be ingested or applied topically.iodine is a powerful antiseptic and may be used in complete safety – it works even in high dilutions 19 antiseptic components it is a great asset to any first aid kit. It cleans and treat cuts, grazes, burns. Iodine is used for skin disinfection before Lin TJ, Tanaka Y, Aznar R, Lin SC, Yamasaki Y, Hori S, etal. (May 1973). "Contraceptive effect of intrauterine application of Lugol's solution". American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 116 (2): 167–174. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(73)91044-2. PMID 4634105. {{ cite journal}}: CS1 maint: overridden setting ( link) Vegetarians and vegans and people whose diet includes minimal or no dairy products, seafood and eggs - the best food sources of iodine - are at risk of developing a deficiency.