Question: I’m confused about your recommended daily dose for iodine of 6 to 50 mg to keep bromine levels in check. That’s an awfully large dose, isn’t it?

Dr. Brownstein's Answer:

I have carefully reviewed the data on iodine, and I feel that the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iodine is woefully inadequate due to the lowered iodine levels in our food supply and the increasing toxicity of bromine and fluoride.

In fact, our exposure to bromine has increased markedly over the last 30 years. Bromine is used as a fire retardant in many consumer items including computers, iPods, cellphones, mattresses, automobile interiors, clothing, and carpeting. I have tested over 500 patients and each one has tested high for bromine, whether they were healthy or not.

Bromine is a toxic element with no known therapeutic value, and a study published last year in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives demonstrated that bromine was toxic to human nerve cells. Elevated bromine levels cause the body to release iodine. In iodine-deficient states, the toxicity of bromine is elevated.

The use of higher doses of iodine has a dual effect: It replenishes depleted iodine stores and it helps the body release toxic halogens such as bromine and fluoride. In fact, when patients start to take iodine, they start to excrete large amounts of bromine and fluoride in the urine.

Iodine is best used as part of a holistic treatment regimen that includes eating a healthy diet, drinking adequate amounts of water, and using unrefined salt. Before taking iodine supplementation, consult your healthcare provider.