Dateline: March 2011 In response to the many phone calls and inquiries we have received concerning radiation exposure from the Japan tragedy, I want to share with you my thoughts regarding the need for iodide for radiation protection.

First of all, let me say that I believe the media has hyped the entire situation, whipping up fear and anxiety in the public at large. Given that, I will share with you what I know about the use of iodide; then, you can make your own decision regarding what you want to do for yourself, your family, and your pets.

First of all, I do not believe anyone in the U.S. will die due to radiation leaked from the Japanese reactors. Not only will the radiation be washed out of the air by precipitation in Japan, but also it then has to cross the Pacific Ocean, where it will further dissipate. Weather and wind patterns will truly determine the extent of our possible exposure here on the West Coast.

However, as Dr. David Brownstein points out in his blog, Americans, in general, are extremely deficient in iodine. My own clinical experience confirms this finding. Probably 95%+ of the people I have tested for iodine sufficiency over the years have turned up deficient.

You may not be aware of the fact that many tissues in our bodies require iodine for proper functioning. Those tissues include: breast, ovaries, uterus, prostate and skin. In addition, iodine deficiency is the root cause of thyroid disorders, including Hashimoto's disease, Grave's disease, goiter and hypothyroidism. American intake of iodine has fallen 50% over the last 30 years; and, during that same time, all of the above-mentioned conditions have been skyrocketing.

So, how much iodine do you need to prevent damage from radioactive iodine? Dr. Guy Abraham did the primary research on this question. His research indicated that 13 mg/day prevents approximately 96% of radioactive iodine from binding to the thyroid gland. Interestingly, that is about how much the Japanese consume daily. It is also about 100 times the average daily intake of Americans.

We have a product - Iodozyme - that contains 13 mg/tablet of a combination of iodine and iodide. All of the medical information indicates that you need both forms of iodine for optimum protection. Therefore, the average adult can safely take 1 tablet per day for the duration of this episode. Most people tolerate iodine well. And, for optimum health, you may want to continue taking it on a regular basis, as well. It is perfectly safe, since iodine clears out of the body within 24 to 72 hours of ingesting it.

With regard to children and pets, the dose is dependent upon body weight. If you need specific information, please call or email our office, and after I calculate the dosage, Vicky will respond directly to your question.