Iodine is a chemical element with symbol I and atomic number 53. The name is from Greek ἰοειδής ioeidēs, meaning violet or purple, due to the color of elemental iodine vapor. ~ definition from Wikipedia
"Iodine, a non-metallic trace element, is required by humans for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency is an important health problem throughout much of the world. Most of the earth's iodine is found in oceans, and iodine content in the soil varies with region. The older an exposed soil surface, the more likely the iodine has been leached away by erosion. Mountainous regions, such as the Himalayas, the Andes, and the Alps, and flooded river valleys, such as the Ganges, are among the most severely iodine-deficient areas in the world (1).
Fetal iodine deficiency is caused by iodine deficiency in the mother. One of the most devastating effects of maternal iodine deficiency is congenital hypothyroidism. A severe form of congenital hypothyroidism may lead to a condition that is sometimes referred to as cretinism and result in irreversible mental retardation. Cretinism occurs in two forms, although there is considerable overlap between them. The neurologic form is characterized by mental and physical retardation and deafness and is the result of maternal iodine deficiency that affects the fetus before its own thyroid is functional. The myxedematous or hypothyroid form is characterized by short stature and mental retardation. In addition to iodine deficiency, the hypothyroid form has been associated with selenium deficiency (see Nutrient Interactions) and with the presence of goitrogens in the diet that interfere with thyroid hormone production (see Goitrogens) (8)." see more about iodine and it’s effect on human health here: http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/
Thyroid hormones are a means to transport essential Iodine to all cells of your body. Thyroid Hormones are made by the thyroid gland and are called: T4, T3, T2, T1, and Calcitonin. T4 contains 4 Iodine atoms, T3 contains 3 Iodine atoms , T2 contains 2 Iodine atoms, and T1 contains 1 Iodine atom. Calcitonin is a naturally occurring hormone, it helps regulate calcium levels in your body and is involved in the process of bone building. The thyroid gland and Liver conversion process also produce Reverse T3 (RT3) to regulate T3 uptake. The ratio of RT3 to T3 is about 60:40. Thyroid hormone T3 is the active hormone in metabolism regulation. The storage hormone T4 (thyroxine) is converted to the usable hormone T3 (triiodothyronine) in the liver. The other hormones--T2, T1 and Calcitonin--help regulate the effects of T3 on the body.
Here is what Dr. Jarvis has to say about the Halogen's, one of which is Bromine, and their effect on displacing Iodine in the body: (In Chemistry) "There is a well-known law of halogen displacement. The halogen group is made up as follows:
Halogen’s Relative Atomic Weight (found primarily in)
Fluorine 19. (drinking water and dental products)
Chlorine 35.5 (drinking water)
Bromine 80. (agricultural pesticides)
Iodine 127. (Kelp and Sea Salt)
The critical activity of any one of these four halogens is in inverse proportion to its atomic weight. This means that any one of the four can displace the element with a higher atomic weight, but cannot displace an element with a lower atomic weight. For example, fluorine can displace chlorine, bromine and iodine because fluorine has a lower atomic weight than the other three. Similarly, chlorine can displace bromine and iodine because they both have a higher atomic weight. Likewise, bromine can displace iodine from the body because iodine has a higher atomic weight. But a reverse order is not possible. A knowledge of this well-known chemical law brings us to a consideration of the addition of chlorine to our drinking water as a purifying agent. We secure a drinking water that is harmful to the body not because of its harmful germ content but because the chlorine content now causes the body to lose the much-needed iodine."
http://www.jcrows.com/hypothyroidism.html
Good health is dependent on Iodine bioavailability. The body is very good at conserving and recycling Iodine. The recent decline in the use of Iodized salt and intake of foods containing Iodine has lead to increased hypothyroidism and resurgence in the development of Goiters, a problem that was once thought solved.
Excessive Iodine use by someone who has already begun developing a Goiter due to Iodine deficiency can cause hyperthyroidism.
