Iodine and Breast Health: 6 Things You Need to Know

9th December 2013

By  Dr. Edward F. Group

Guest Writer for  Wake Up World

The necessity of Iodine isn’t exclusive to the thyroid, the entire body needs it. You might say that your body requires iodine the way a car requires oil — it’s simply necessary for the entire system to function properly. Many people don’t realize that female breast tissue has a greater concentration of iodine and has a special need for iodine. When breast tissue has low iodine levels, health problems can follow. Let’s take a look at the top six things you need to know regarding iodine and its impact on breast health.

1. Iodine Deficiency is a Problem

Iodine deficiency is a problem that affects up to 40% of the world’s population, including people in America. One of the primary causes is inadequate iodine intake. Food has been a source of iodine but this has been in decline for decades. Bread is a perfect example. Until 1980, iodine was used to condition dough, it was then substituted with bromide, a toxic halogen that offers no benefits and competes with iodine for absorption. Fluoride is another example, it’s a common, toxic halogen that’s present in many water supplies and negatively affects iodine absorption. The decline in iodine consumption has coincided with an increase in breast diseases, certain cancers, thyroid impairment and developmental problems in children.

2. Healthy Breasts Need Iodine

Every cell, organ, and system in the human body needs iodine, and this is doubly true for female breast tissue. Breast tissue has a greater concentration of iodine than the thyroid and the same iodine-transporting proteins used by the thyroid gland. [1][2] In healthy breast tissue, iodine offers antioxidant benefits. [3] Conversely, iodine deficient breast tissue is susceptible to lipid oxidation, a contributor to many diseases including cancer. [4][5][6][7]

3. What is Fibrocystic Breast Disease?

Fibrocystic breast disease is an extremely common and underreported condition in which hormonally influenced cysts develop in the breast tissue. [1] The cysts, which can cause breast pain and tenderness, especially before menstruation, are fairly easy to detect. In fact, they’re most often detected during at-home examinations and are often a source of immediate anxiety for the women who discover them and fear the worst — breast cancer. Although fibrocystic breast disease itself is often benign, the New England Journal of Medicine has reported that it is a risk factor for breast cancer. [8]

4. Fibrocystic Breast Disease is Linked to Iodine Deficiency

Without adequate iodine, breast tissue is susceptible to estrogenic stimulation. That can lead to the production of microcysts, and those can lead to fibrocystic breast disease. [8] Animal studies have shown, directly, that depriving breast tissue of iodine is an immediate catalyst for fibrocystic breast disease. [9][10][11]

5. Iodine Promotes Breast Health

Although birth control is sometimes used to shrink cysts, many women prefer to avoid its associated health risks and instead opt for iodine supplementation. Not only is iodine safe, but it promotes breast health. ^[12] A 1993 study reported that iodine supplementation had reduced indications of fibrocystic breast disease. [13] 2004 research found that 50% of women who experienced breast tenderness due to fibrocystic disease had an improvement in their situation after iodine supplementation. [14]

6. Iodine is Even More Important When Breast Feeding

A nursing mother needs enough nutrition to support her own needs and to produce milk for her developing child. Iodine is important for breast health and equally important for normal brain development in children. Iodine deficiency is, in fact, the number one cause of developmental problems. Iodine is crucial for a newborn brain and breast milk is the perfect means for supplying iodine to a nursing infant. [15]

Are You Getting Enough Iodine?

Getting enough iodine is a product of eating foods that contain iodine and, for many people, also taking supplemental iodine. There are several forms of iodine, some are more beneficial than others. There are tests that can determine if you need iodine and if you do, it’s best to compare iodine supplements to make an educated decision as to which is the best for you.

• Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

Article References:

1. Patrick L. Iodine: deficiency and therapeutic considerations. Altern Med Rev. 2008 Jun;13(2):116-27.
2. Kilbane MT, Ajjan RA, Weetman AP, Dwyer R, McDermott EW, O’Higgins NJ, Smyth PP. Tissue iodine content and serum-mediated 125I uptake-blocking activity in breast cancer. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000 Mar;85(3):1245-50.
3. Smyth PP. Role of iodine in antioxidant defence in thyroid and breast disease. Biofactors. 2003;19(3-4):121-30.
4. Venturi S, Donati FM, Venturi A, Venturi M, Grossi L, Guidi A. Role of iodine in evolution and carcinogenesis of thyroid, breast and stomach. Adv Clin Path. 2000 Jan;4(1):11-7.
5. Venturi S. Is there a role for iodine in breast diseases? Breast. 2001 Oct;10(5):379-82.
6. Stadel BV. Dietary iodine and risk of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. Lancet. 1976 Apr 24;1(7965):890-1.
7. Many MC, Papadopolos C, Martin I,. Iodine induced cell damage in mouse hyperplastic thyroid is associated with lipid peroxidation. Progress in Thyroid Research. New York, NY: Routledge; 1991:213-5.
8. Lynn C. Hartmann, M.D., Thomas A. Sellers, Ph.D., Marlene H. Frost, Ph.D., Wilma L. Lingle, Ph.D., Amy C. Degnim, M.D., Karthik Ghosh, M.D., Robert A. Vierkant, M.A.S., Shaun D. Maloney, B.A., V. Shane Pankratz, Ph.D., David W. Hillman, M.S., Vera J. Suman, Ph.D., Jo Johnson, R.N., Cassann Blake, M.D., Thea Tlsty, Ph.D., Celine M. Vachon, Ph.D., L. Joseph Melton, III, M.D., and Daniel W. Visscher, M.D. Benign Breast Disease and the Risk of Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med 2005; 353:229-237July 21, 2005DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa044383.
9. Triggiani V, Tafaro E, Giagulli VA, et al. Role of iodine, selenium and other micronutrients in thyroid function and disorders. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2009 Sep;9(3):277-94.
10. Eskin BA. Iodine and mammary cancer. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1977;91:293-304.
11. Krouse TB, Eskin BA, Mobini J. Age-related changes resembling fibrocystic disease in iodine-blocked rat breasts. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1979 Nov;103(12):631-4.
12. MedlinePlus. Iodine. (Last accessed 2013-11-26)
13. Ghent WR, Eskin BA, Low DA, Hill LP. Iodine replacement in fibrocystic disease of the breast. Can J Surg. 1993 Oct;36(5):453-60.
14. Kessler JH. The effect of supraphysiologic levels of iodine on patients with cyclic mastalgia. Breast J. 2004 Jul-Aug;10(4):328-36.
15. Topper YJ, Freeman CS. Multiple hormone interactions in the developmental biology of the mammary gland. Physiol Rev 1980 Oct;60(4):1049-106.

Previous articles by Dr. Group:

• The Health Benefits of Blue Green Algae
• The 9 Best Herbs for Lung Cleansing and Respiratory Support
• The Benefits of Himalayan Salt
• Lung Cleansing With Peppermint Oil
• How to Flush the Liver

• Natural Remedies For Bad Breath

• 10 Foods That Detox the Body
• The Benefits of Organic Hemp Milk + How to Make Your Own

About the author:

Dr. Edward F. Group  founded  Global Healing Center  in 1998 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Heading up the research and development team, Dr. Group assumes a hands-on approach in producing new and advanced degenerative disease products and information.

Dr. Group has studied natural healing methods for over 20 years and now teaches individuals and practitioners all around the world. He no longer sees patients but solely concentrates on spreading the word of health and wellness to the global community. Under his leadership, Global Healing Center, Inc. has earned recognition as one of the largest alternative, natural and organic health resources on the Internet.