An Overlooked Contributor To Obesity

An Overlooked Contributor To Obesity?

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 2 billion people worldwide are deficient in iodine.

Thyroid hormones are known to affect obesity and lipid (fat) disorders, and one often-overlooked component in this equation is iodine deficiency.  Obesity and metabolic syndrome (syndrome X) are increasing dramatically worldwide, contributing to cardiovascular morbidity, as well as other obesity-related endocrinopathies.

Dietary iodine is recognized as an essential nutrient, as it is necessary for the synthesis of the thyroid hormones thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), both of which are required for normal thyroid function.  The dietary reference intake for dietary iodine, as dictated by the WHO, is 90 micrograms/day for children 5 years of age or younger, with an increase corresponding to age: 120 micrograms/day for children 6 to 12 years, 150 micrograms/day for adults, and 200 micrograms/day for pregnant or lactating women.

Worldwide Deficiency

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 2 billion people worldwide are deficient in iodine.  Included in this figure are an estimated 285 million school-age children with iodine deficiency.  In the United States, iodine status is considered marginal at best, within the range of 100 to 199 milligrams per liter.  However, in some parts of the world, iodine deficiency remains a significant health problem.  Added to insufficient intake is the recurrent exposure to the halogens chloride, bromine and fluoride, which also contributes to the deficiency.

Of the dietary iodine intake, approximately 80 % is sequestered by the thyroid gland, which uses it for the synthesis of thyroxine, via the sequential addition of four iodine molecules to the amino acid tyrosine.  In addition to the thyroid, other bodily tissues also concentrate iodine, including the salivary glands, the gastric mucosa, choroid plexus, the lactating mammary glands, and the ovaries.  Consequently, as a result of the decreased iodine status or deficiency, thyroxine cannot be made, which may ultimately result in thyroid dysfunction and subsequent weight gain.

Since thyroid hormones affect many bodily functions, including muscle, heart, liver, kidney, and the developing brain, optimal status is crucial for favorable health in all age groups.  In one study with morbidly obese patients, a high degree of sub clinical hypothyroidism (19.5 %) was observed, with subjects having elevated T3, T4, FT3 and TSH.  There is also evidence of a significant correlation between the metabolic syndrome, of which symptoms include abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, and thyroid dysfunction, both of which contribute to cardiovascular disease.

Iodine deficiency manifests as a variety of illnesses, collectively termed iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), which results when iodine intake is less then 20 micrograms per day.  With iodine deficiency, an increase in serum TSH, and a significant decrease in both serum T4 and free T4, have been noted.  These observations have been both correlated with marked thyroid histological alterations, including "cylindrical epithelial cells, diminution or absence of colloid and dilatation of blood capillaries."  In moderate iodine deficiency, the thyroid gland, under the influence of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), hypertrophies to concentrate iodine in itself, resulting in a colloid goiter.  Most of these cases remain euthyroid.

Iodine and the Thyroid

The pattern between thyroid disease and iodine intake is distinctly correlated, despite cretinism and endemic goiter.  Depressed iodine status has been correlated with elevated serum TSH, and it is an indicator of an insufficient T3 receptor saturation.  Additionally, iodine deficiency affects brain development, which is particularly important in young children and adolescents.  Given the increased obesity level in children, iodine status is a crucial consideration.  An elevated serum TSH, along with a normal T4 and T3, is an indication of sub clinical hypothyroidism, while overt hypothyroidism is associated with an elevated TSH and a low T4, along with variable levels of T3.

A 64 % reduction in plasma thyroxine has been confirmed with iodine deficiency.  Despite the consumption of iodized salt, iodine deficiency disorders continue to exist, and goiters are still endemic in many populations.  Sari et al have evidenced a "positive correlation between thyroid volume and body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and weight circumference," along with a positive correlation between TSH and both body weight and body fat.

In children and adolescents, goiter/hypothyroidism, impaired mental function, retarded physical development, and an increased susceptibility of the thyroid to nuclear radiation are correlated with a dysfunctional thyroid.  Considering the marked increase in childhood obesity, a nutritional deficiency in iodine should be addressed.  Implications of thyroid dysfunction in adults include goiter/hypothyroidism, impaired mental function, spontaneous hyperthyroidism in the elderly, iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, and increased susceptibility of the thyroid to nuclear radiation.  Consequently, the spectrum of IDD includes serious complications.  Of these implications, brain damage and irreversible mental retardation in children are considered the most significant disorders induced by iodine deficiency.

Supplements Available

Although iodine deficiency has been addressed via the widespread application of public iodine supplementation programs, including the iodization of salt, in many regions of the world iodine deficiency remains a public health concern.  Consequently, supplemental iodine represents an optimal approach to deficiency.  Various forms of supplemental iodine are available--including several from Standard Process which we offer through the office.  All of which are whole food concentrates which include potassium iodine or iodine derived from food sources such as kelp. 

The earliest form of potassium supplementation was that of Lugol's solution, first made in 1829 by the French physician JGA Lugol.  Lugol's solution is composed of 5 % iodine along with 10 % potassium iodide, with a final concentration of 130 mg/mL iodine.  Iodine derived from kelp offers a natural alternative to supplementation.  However, concerns with kelp derived iodine should be considered, specifically with the knowledge that they are typically heavily contaminated with heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium and mercury.

Determining iodine status in overweight patients offers a valid therapeutically beneficial approach toward deficiency.  It has been noted that the benefits of iodine therapy far outweigh the risks induced by excess iodine.  Continual monitoring along with the use of an easily regulated source of iodine offers a definitive approach toward the ultimate goal of adequate iodine status.  Additionally, correcting the iodine deficiency plays an important role in optimizing thyroid function, and in turn may be an important factor in weight reduction.

A majority of this article was written by Rachel Oliver, MS, ND, PhD, whom is a physician advisor for Biotics Research Corp.

My Offer To You

If you are suffering from the post Holiday weight gain, and would like to Start The New Year by shedding those unwanted pounds, it may be possible that you have an iodine deficiency.  I will be offering an Iodine Check for any and all who would like it during your next regularly scheduled office visit.  Simply call Jean and ask her to schedule an extra moment of time with Dr. Huntoon and the test will be done for you free of charge.  How can you beat that.  It's FREE!  So call Jean at (845)561-BACK (2225) and tell her you want to be included in the FREE Iodine Check!  This is your way of  Starting The New Year Off Healthy!  This offer is good through the end of January.  As of February 1st, the offer will be gone.  So don't wait!  Call the office TODAY!

For Some Written Guidance

I am also pleased to announce the Pre-Release of my New Book!  It is called When Your Health Matters: Using Your Body's Natural Rhythms To Restore Your Health.  This 272 page volume is a years worth of my Tuesday Evening FREE Health Care Classes delivered in the same order, thus allowing you to take all my classes without coming to the office.  And if you still choose, bring your book and let's make it specific for you for whichever class or classes are on a topic that is a concern for you.  And by following the order the book is written, depending on what time of year you start, within 12 months your health will be dramatically improved.  My thought is you couldn't ask for more.  So if you'd like to Pre-Order this compilation of healthful information, it is my intention to have it here by Christmas, and certainly by the New Year.  The cost is $ 49.95, which is less than the cost of the toll to cross the river for all 50 classes.  That should be a no brainer.  Simply call the office at (845)561-BACK or 561-2225 and tell Jean to put you on the list of those who will get the book.  And when they come in we'll call you to come get your autographed copy;-)

Dr. Huntoon has a single mission:

To support as many people as possible in their quest for health and enable them to improve and maintain their health to the highest level possible, while educating them about the benefits of Chiropractic, Natural Healthcare and Holistic Living, so they in turn can teach others to support us having a healthy community.

Your Choice

• Continue doing the same thing and nothing changes or it may get worse

OR

• Try something different and get a different result that makes you happier and healthier.