My grandmother was from the "Goiter Belt" in Illinois and was given an operation, when she was young for an enlarged goiter, caused by lack of iodine. I bought some Lugols iIodine from Lugols in the past, but the only place to order it now is from Amazon. I came across Bright Natural's who have a product called Thyroid Renew...and I bought it. However, it contains no iodine. Your article cropped up today...and I need to move on it and get the Lugols iodine. In 1968, I used Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar and honey, in order to take off weight. The amount recommended didn't move the needle on my scale, so i went overboard ...and cut my food way down and drank many glasses of water with ACV and honey daily...and dropped 17 pounds in one week. Then, i got to a point, where all i wanted to do was lie on the couch and listen to beautiful music. The ACV, honey and fasting took me to another level. I had just finished reading The Hundredth Monkey about the transfer of consciousness... and thoughts came to me about how to bring about world peace starting with the family.. This was my experience with ACV and honey 58 years ago.
The more I learn, the more it seems to lead me back to the thought that things have been put in place to create a society of physically and mentally weak people, dependent on pharmaceutical treatments in order to keep us controllable and them profitable.
Mistakes were not made. Food stripped of nutrients and replaced with synthetic additives that the body cannot process because it does not recognize; chemical toxins and heavy metals mixed with animal and human DNA touted as "vaccines," more toxic chemicals that are sprayed on food and lawns to prevent pests and weeds; certain plants banned and demonized because they actually cure disease and cannot be patented; toxins sprayed in the air we breath; soils destroyed by modern wind turbines and Big Ag; emf overload causing physical and mental harm; water poisoned with flouride and pharmaceutical drugs; mega data centers being built without full transparency; large corporations pay fines but are allowed to continue the business of poisoning people; etc.
I am sure I am missing many more issues, but the point is, we need to be our own best advocates of our own health and stop trusting others to take care of us. Unfortunately, we have been conditioned (and medicated) to not think critically, so those who are just starting out, this new path is very overwhelming. This is why I find Unbekoming's work (and many others on substack, including the readers who just post their own opinions and/or experiences) so beneficial to all who want to take a stand for themselves and their loved ones.
If iodine is taken with apple cider vinegar and honey, and the latter two flatten glucose spikes, then couldn't the resulting improvements be due to better glycemic control, and nothing to do with iodine? Three substances taken together = confounding variables. You'd have to test them separately to see what's what. Also, high carb diets are problematic in many ways. Switching to fat-burning metabolism and diet centered on meat/fat/organs solves a lot of problems.
I agree. In my experience, fermentation changes everything in the way the body absorbs and utilizes nutrients, especially in a messed up gut. Honey is full of nutrients and here in the US, many don't get iodine rich foods. Those that are deficient, especially from chemicals like fluoride and chlorine, will certainly benefit from a fermented nutrient rich beverage to sip during a nutrient dense meal that also helps you absorb and utilize nutrients from your meal. When the deficiencies are fixed, and gut is primed with microbes and enzymes, glycemic control is not much of an issue.
always use a compounding pharmacy for this kind of substances. for two reasons. quality is one, and keeping those pharmacies alive and well is utterly important.
in my practice, i have found a very good compounding pharmacy that serves my clients for everything i prescribe. homeopathics, bach flowers, crystals, tinctures, salves, anything i do not make myself.
that is very true, sometimes you have to travel a few kilometeres to get what you need, following a phone call to order it. Still I believe it is worth it. Moreover, most compounding pharmacists sell wholesale to other pharmacies, so your local can buy from them and you pay a little extra.
In our case, the nearest compounding pharmacy is 1-2 hours away (or more if weather is bad or wildfires are in the area); many local pharmacies (especially small ones) have rigid protocols and might be unable to buy from compounding pharmacies (we tried, for example, with ivermectin once it became "over the counter" with zero luck). Pharmacy boards also get into the mix, and not in a good way.
Not saying compounding pharmacies are a bad idea -- not at all! Just that accessing them doesn't work for everyone and can be complicated, so a reliable online source for some products can be a good option for many.
Why would one want to go to all that hassle and expense, when 2% is available OTC from Amazon, Walmart, etc? Adding 3 extra drops per day is really, really easy. (5 drops of 2% = 2 drops of 5%)
Concentrated iodine solutions (e.g. Lugol's) kill microbes. Most people are paranoid germaphobes and think this is a good thing. But killing stuff in or on the body is potentially or likely detrimental. High enough concentrations could also damage tissue.
I bet the real problem, like all nutrional deficiencies is because the RDA is insufficient for thriving. I know it is true for Vit D, suspect it is true for Vit C as well. These prevent deficiencies like rickets or scurvy, but if you want to thrive, you have to experiment. Then some substances, like iodine and iron, they built a fear campaign around it to keep you from experimenting with higher doses, like we do for Vit D.
So I conclude that the more fear they build around a gland (like thyroid), or a nutrient (like iodine), they are doing so for a reason whose goal is to make us sick, so we become patients for life.
For things like Vit D, it is as if they want us to take megadoses. Why? I haven't figured this out yet, but if we use the lethal dose of cholecalciferol (rat poison) for rats, then use that for humans based upon size, we do get a number, quite large, but most people I know who megadose on Vit D are near that limit. I calculate that to 40,000 IU a week. If you take 10,000 IU a day, you are already over the limit.
I broke my arm in a fall. After the surgeon implanted a plate, I figured out that this may not have happened if I downgraded my Vit D to perhaps 2000 IU a day. I take that and notice no difference in how I feel. There are tons of information out there and while all may have some truth (true even if the product is a pharmaceutical), very few, if any, are 100% true for you and this is important, even from pharmaceutical companies, none work the way you read about in a blog. You have to experiment: take what your favorite health blogger says, try it and carefully monitor how you feel. And be honest about changes, both positive or negative. Pharmaceuticals work quickly, nutraceuticals do not and botanicals even slower yet. The reason for this isn't always because they are paid off but because we are individuals, and no two people are 100% identical.
I wonder, you mentioned your break possibly being caused by too high of Vitamin D intake ~ do you happen to take K2 with your Vitamin D? They work together to move calcium, with D3 absorbing calcium from the digestive tract then moving it into the bloodstream and K2 directing calcium into the bones. (Not disagreeing on your opinion on dosing…just a thought. 😉)
yes but it's very important that it be vit K2-MK4, not MK7- which is what most supplements use. personally i take neither vit D or K - i get D from sunlight (by regular sun exposure) and vit A and K2-MK4 from kefir plus a little butter & cheese - especially the 100% grass-fed dairy. (aged cheeses also reportedly have higher amounts of vit K2-MK4).
Iodine is also concentrated by the black walnut tree. Black walnut husk tincture is high in iodine, and most likely why it is so helpful for many health conditions.. I don't think there is any way to know how much iodine is in a drop as it will vary depending on the soil the tree grew in. However, in my opinion, plants make the elements usable to the human system. So, that's what I make and use.
In the U.S., it is difficult to find 5% Lugol’s, because our nanny-state government restricts it. “US regulations restrict iodine concentrations to a maximum of 2.2%. Consequently, products labeled as 5% or 10% are not compliant with these federal standards for general sale, limiting their availability as over-the-counter medications.” — Brave AI. You can find 5%, but only in 1 oz (30 mL) bottles
In addition, 2% Lugol’s is becoming more difficult to find because some manufacturers have stopped making it. Gordon Laboratories discontinued its Lugol's solution and closed in November 2024, while Cooper Surgical discontinued its iodine and potassium iodide topical solution in the summer of 2023. This has caused price increases. A year ago I bought 4 oz (120 mL) of Carlyle 2% for $9.98; today it’s $14.49. https://a.co/d/00rPKVGG
I have a racehorse nervous system. Sympathetic dominant. It has been an uncomfortable state my entire life. Insomnia, racing heart, etc. I do take iodine but I am going to try it with ACV and honey.
I see young people all around me who are ADD/ADHD. I thought this was due to vaccines. I would have thought that Unbekoming also assumed it was the vaccines.
I find this article confusing as to what is the actual cause of the spectrum of diseases from ADD to autism as well as Crohn's, exzema, etc...
probably vaccines plus wireless radiation (you know they use it in "medicine" to open the blood-brain barrier for administration of certain drugs), plus mineral insufficiencies like iodine.
From what I've read, not enough. In reality, tho, if you are consuming iodized salt from common table salt, you are missing all the trace minerals provided by celtic (82+ trace minerals), Himalayan, or unrefined sea salt. (Redmonds is a good brand, with 60 trace minerals.) Common table salt is refined, highly processed, and bleached…stripping it of everything except sodium chloride. Then iodine is added in order to be labeled iodized salt, and many brands also add anti-caking ingredients.
Since iodized table salt provides minute amounts of iodine but lacks beneficial minerals, we use celtic salt and eat lots of eggs. (Seaweed is not liked in my household, lol.) I do have Lugol's Iodine and add it to my water once weekly. I am still learning what my body needs, tho.
Follow the chemistry. Salt is really 50% sodium and 50% chloride, with a bit of iodine thrown in "because." As described, the chloride displaces the iodide, so this may (intentionally) be the least useful way to supplement iodine.
I chanced upon Dr. Guy Abraham's work a few years ago. He presents some very insightful assessments of iodine in medicine and health.
Without doing the work myself, it might be interesting to ask your question of your favourite AI. Ask for references to include population level iodine assays, thyroid replacement statistics, and 100 or so years of diagnoses of cretinism.
I stared taking Lugol's years ago. I had developed Renauld's disease. After 2 years of daily dosing, Renauld's disappeared. I still take it, but not daily anymore. I've never given it to the dog. However, most days I give her powdered seaweed.
Kids are not small adults. They have different nutritional needs. Consult with a registered dietitian before throwing out any broad category of food (like carbohydrates) in kids’ diets.
Well, not getting rid of all carbs, just the junk. I've seen kids transformed when the stopped eating bread, pasta, rice, crackers, chips etc.. not talking about whole foods like fruiting veggies and whole fruits.
If you sign up for their Jcrow's email list you receive 25% off your first order. So better price than wallyworld(Walmart). Additionally free shipping and subscribe and save also gives you a 25% discount. Not unsubstantial! I'll be ordering soon.
I did read in 2007 the US limited 5% solutions because of its use in meth making but only fir amounts of more than 1oz. But still not seeing 5% on Amazon even in the 1oz container.
The reason Amazon does not sell 5% is due to the US government’s requirement that only 1 oz may be purchased at a time. Each 1 oz sale would have to be a separate order, with a separate charge, and separate shipping. Amazon is not set up to do that.
My grandmother was from the "Goiter Belt" in Illinois and was given an operation, when she was young for an enlarged goiter, caused by lack of iodine. I bought some Lugols iIodine from Lugols in the past, but the only place to order it now is from Amazon. I came across Bright Natural's who have a product called Thyroid Renew...and I bought it. However, it contains no iodine. Your article cropped up today...and I need to move on it and get the Lugols iodine. In 1968, I used Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar and honey, in order to take off weight. The amount recommended didn't move the needle on my scale, so i went overboard ...and cut my food way down and drank many glasses of water with ACV and honey daily...and dropped 17 pounds in one week. Then, i got to a point, where all i wanted to do was lie on the couch and listen to beautiful music. The ACV, honey and fasting took me to another level. I had just finished reading The Hundredth Monkey about the transfer of consciousness... and thoughts came to me about how to bring about world peace starting with the family.. This was my experience with ACV and honey 58 years ago.
wow. what a story.
The more I learn, the more it seems to lead me back to the thought that things have been put in place to create a society of physically and mentally weak people, dependent on pharmaceutical treatments in order to keep us controllable and them profitable.
Mistakes were not made. Food stripped of nutrients and replaced with synthetic additives that the body cannot process because it does not recognize; chemical toxins and heavy metals mixed with animal and human DNA touted as "vaccines," more toxic chemicals that are sprayed on food and lawns to prevent pests and weeds; certain plants banned and demonized because they actually cure disease and cannot be patented; toxins sprayed in the air we breath; soils destroyed by modern wind turbines and Big Ag; emf overload causing physical and mental harm; water poisoned with flouride and pharmaceutical drugs; mega data centers being built without full transparency; large corporations pay fines but are allowed to continue the business of poisoning people; etc.
I am sure I am missing many more issues, but the point is, we need to be our own best advocates of our own health and stop trusting others to take care of us. Unfortunately, we have been conditioned (and medicated) to not think critically, so those who are just starting out, this new path is very overwhelming. This is why I find Unbekoming's work (and many others on substack, including the readers who just post their own opinions and/or experiences) so beneficial to all who want to take a stand for themselves and their loved ones.
yes. we as a people, in fact as the beautiful precious Human Race, have to wake up!
If iodine is taken with apple cider vinegar and honey, and the latter two flatten glucose spikes, then couldn't the resulting improvements be due to better glycemic control, and nothing to do with iodine? Three substances taken together = confounding variables. You'd have to test them separately to see what's what. Also, high carb diets are problematic in many ways. Switching to fat-burning metabolism and diet centered on meat/fat/organs solves a lot of problems.
I agree, but I think its important to find out if you are deficient in iodine.
Yes, and some people do seem to benefit form iodine supplementation, but there are potential downsides or damage. Iodine in food has no such issues.
I agree. In my experience, fermentation changes everything in the way the body absorbs and utilizes nutrients, especially in a messed up gut. Honey is full of nutrients and here in the US, many don't get iodine rich foods. Those that are deficient, especially from chemicals like fluoride and chlorine, will certainly benefit from a fermented nutrient rich beverage to sip during a nutrient dense meal that also helps you absorb and utilize nutrients from your meal. When the deficiencies are fixed, and gut is primed with microbes and enzymes, glycemic control is not much of an issue.
Grok found two sources for 5%, including the one Gabrielle listed from J. Crow:
Direct from the manufacturer (J. Crow’s): https://www.jcrowsllc.com/products/j-crows-lugols-solution-of-iodine-5-1-oz-bottle-free-us-canada-shipping
Walmart.com: https://www.walmart.com/ip/J-CROW-S-Lugol-s-Solution-of-Iodine-5-1-oz-Bottle/149986623
Grok link: https://grok.com/c/4b8c0289-bfbd-4ca1-af5b-feb71ad18339?rid=5dee78a7-860a-4e95-a55d-68b5ca60aacb
always use a compounding pharmacy for this kind of substances. for two reasons. quality is one, and keeping those pharmacies alive and well is utterly important.
in my practice, i have found a very good compounding pharmacy that serves my clients for everything i prescribe. homeopathics, bach flowers, crystals, tinctures, salves, anything i do not make myself.
Compounding pharmacies can be great; unfortunately, many people -- especially in rural locations -- don't have ready access to them.
that is very true, sometimes you have to travel a few kilometeres to get what you need, following a phone call to order it. Still I believe it is worth it. Moreover, most compounding pharmacists sell wholesale to other pharmacies, so your local can buy from them and you pay a little extra.
In our case, the nearest compounding pharmacy is 1-2 hours away (or more if weather is bad or wildfires are in the area); many local pharmacies (especially small ones) have rigid protocols and might be unable to buy from compounding pharmacies (we tried, for example, with ivermectin once it became "over the counter" with zero luck). Pharmacy boards also get into the mix, and not in a good way.
Not saying compounding pharmacies are a bad idea -- not at all! Just that accessing them doesn't work for everyone and can be complicated, so a reliable online source for some products can be a good option for many.
Why would one want to go to all that hassle and expense, when 2% is available OTC from Amazon, Walmart, etc? Adding 3 extra drops per day is really, really easy. (5 drops of 2% = 2 drops of 5%)
And also very expensive
very good point.
Boh of those sources are overpriced. This is better: https://smithspharmacy.ca/products/lugol-solution-iodine-100ml. You get more and at less cost. I also phoned about the percentage to confirm. It is 5% solution.
Concentrated iodine solutions (e.g. Lugol's) kill microbes. Most people are paranoid germaphobes and think this is a good thing. But killing stuff in or on the body is potentially or likely detrimental. High enough concentrations could also damage tissue.
I bet the real problem, like all nutrional deficiencies is because the RDA is insufficient for thriving. I know it is true for Vit D, suspect it is true for Vit C as well. These prevent deficiencies like rickets or scurvy, but if you want to thrive, you have to experiment. Then some substances, like iodine and iron, they built a fear campaign around it to keep you from experimenting with higher doses, like we do for Vit D.
So I conclude that the more fear they build around a gland (like thyroid), or a nutrient (like iodine), they are doing so for a reason whose goal is to make us sick, so we become patients for life.
For things like Vit D, it is as if they want us to take megadoses. Why? I haven't figured this out yet, but if we use the lethal dose of cholecalciferol (rat poison) for rats, then use that for humans based upon size, we do get a number, quite large, but most people I know who megadose on Vit D are near that limit. I calculate that to 40,000 IU a week. If you take 10,000 IU a day, you are already over the limit.
I broke my arm in a fall. After the surgeon implanted a plate, I figured out that this may not have happened if I downgraded my Vit D to perhaps 2000 IU a day. I take that and notice no difference in how I feel. There are tons of information out there and while all may have some truth (true even if the product is a pharmaceutical), very few, if any, are 100% true for you and this is important, even from pharmaceutical companies, none work the way you read about in a blog. You have to experiment: take what your favorite health blogger says, try it and carefully monitor how you feel. And be honest about changes, both positive or negative. Pharmaceuticals work quickly, nutraceuticals do not and botanicals even slower yet. The reason for this isn't always because they are paid off but because we are individuals, and no two people are 100% identical.
I wonder, you mentioned your break possibly being caused by too high of Vitamin D intake ~ do you happen to take K2 with your Vitamin D? They work together to move calcium, with D3 absorbing calcium from the digestive tract then moving it into the bloodstream and K2 directing calcium into the bones. (Not disagreeing on your opinion on dosing…just a thought. 😉)
yes but it's very important that it be vit K2-MK4, not MK7- which is what most supplements use. personally i take neither vit D or K - i get D from sunlight (by regular sun exposure) and vit A and K2-MK4 from kefir plus a little butter & cheese - especially the 100% grass-fed dairy. (aged cheeses also reportedly have higher amounts of vit K2-MK4).
Iodine is also concentrated by the black walnut tree. Black walnut husk tincture is high in iodine, and most likely why it is so helpful for many health conditions.. I don't think there is any way to know how much iodine is in a drop as it will vary depending on the soil the tree grew in. However, in my opinion, plants make the elements usable to the human system. So, that's what I make and use.
me too. and i eat lots of seaweed.
In the U.S., it is difficult to find 5% Lugol’s, because our nanny-state government restricts it. “US regulations restrict iodine concentrations to a maximum of 2.2%. Consequently, products labeled as 5% or 10% are not compliant with these federal standards for general sale, limiting their availability as over-the-counter medications.” — Brave AI. You can find 5%, but only in 1 oz (30 mL) bottles
In addition, 2% Lugol’s is becoming more difficult to find because some manufacturers have stopped making it. Gordon Laboratories discontinued its Lugol's solution and closed in November 2024, while Cooper Surgical discontinued its iodine and potassium iodide topical solution in the summer of 2023. This has caused price increases. A year ago I bought 4 oz (120 mL) of Carlyle 2% for $9.98; today it’s $14.49. https://a.co/d/00rPKVGG
I reject the premise that the racehorse kid needs to be harnessed like a farm horse.
How many such racehorse kids are in your stable?
I don't have kids. I was the racehorse.
I have a racehorse nervous system. Sympathetic dominant. It has been an uncomfortable state my entire life. Insomnia, racing heart, etc. I do take iodine but I am going to try it with ACV and honey.
I've read that about 20% of the population can be described as "highly sensitive," which I interpret as the racehorse nervous system.
makes sense.
I see young people all around me who are ADD/ADHD. I thought this was due to vaccines. I would have thought that Unbekoming also assumed it was the vaccines.
I find this article confusing as to what is the actual cause of the spectrum of diseases from ADD to autism as well as Crohn's, exzema, etc...
probably vaccines plus wireless radiation (you know they use it in "medicine" to open the blood-brain barrier for administration of certain drugs), plus mineral insufficiencies like iodine.
Does iodized salt have any impact on raising iodine levels?
From what I've read, not enough. In reality, tho, if you are consuming iodized salt from common table salt, you are missing all the trace minerals provided by celtic (82+ trace minerals), Himalayan, or unrefined sea salt. (Redmonds is a good brand, with 60 trace minerals.) Common table salt is refined, highly processed, and bleached…stripping it of everything except sodium chloride. Then iodine is added in order to be labeled iodized salt, and many brands also add anti-caking ingredients.
Since iodized table salt provides minute amounts of iodine but lacks beneficial minerals, we use celtic salt and eat lots of eggs. (Seaweed is not liked in my household, lol.) I do have Lugol's Iodine and add it to my water once weekly. I am still learning what my body needs, tho.
Follow the chemistry. Salt is really 50% sodium and 50% chloride, with a bit of iodine thrown in "because." As described, the chloride displaces the iodide, so this may (intentionally) be the least useful way to supplement iodine.
I chanced upon Dr. Guy Abraham's work a few years ago. He presents some very insightful assessments of iodine in medicine and health.
Without doing the work myself, it might be interesting to ask your question of your favourite AI. Ask for references to include population level iodine assays, thyroid replacement statistics, and 100 or so years of diagnoses of cretinism.
Thanks so much for your work! Looking forward to my books arriving 👍
Enjoying your articles regarding Dr. Jarvis. I have one of his books. It's good to be reminded of these simple things every once in a while. Thanks
I stared taking Lugol's years ago. I had developed Renauld's disease. After 2 years of daily dosing, Renauld's disappeared. I still take it, but not daily anymore. I've never given it to the dog. However, most days I give her powdered seaweed.
My husband and I both had thyroid cancer and had our thyroids removed. Both take Levothyroxine. Never sure how natural remedies will work for us.
Question, why not just change the diet of a child with ADHD hyper activity to low carb or keto?
Kids are not small adults. They have different nutritional needs. Consult with a registered dietitian before throwing out any broad category of food (like carbohydrates) in kids’ diets.
Well, not getting rid of all carbs, just the junk. I've seen kids transformed when the stopped eating bread, pasta, rice, crackers, chips etc.. not talking about whole foods like fruiting veggies and whole fruits.
I have ADHD, the lack of focus type, not hyper type. I already take iodine 4 days a week and I feel no difference. Bummer
Make sure you’re taking at least 200 mcg of selenium each day. Selenium is needed to utilize the iodine. Three Brazil nuts will do the trick.
Ahh, I eat 2. I will increase to 3. Thank you
I eat brazil nuts with my iodine solution
I eat brazil nuts with my iodine solution
Where's the 5% I don't seem to find anything except 2%. What would be the dosing for 2%?
https://www.jcrowsllc.com/products/j-crows-lugols-solution-of-iodine-5-1-oz-bottle-free-us-canada-shipping
Seems like major sites like Amazon do not stock the 2%. This company has 2% on Amazon but 5% through their own site.
If you sign up for their Jcrow's email list you receive 25% off your first order. So better price than wallyworld(Walmart). Additionally free shipping and subscribe and save also gives you a 25% discount. Not unsubstantial! I'll be ordering soon.
I did read in 2007 the US limited 5% solutions because of its use in meth making but only fir amounts of more than 1oz. But still not seeing 5% on Amazon even in the 1oz container.
The reason Amazon does not sell 5% is due to the US government’s requirement that only 1 oz may be purchased at a time. Each 1 oz sale would have to be a separate order, with a separate charge, and separate shipping. Amazon is not set up to do that.