Bone density may be determined in the gut, a study in the journal Cell reports.  When researchers removed a serotonin-producing gene from the small intestines of mice, the animals' bone mass increased by about 40 percent.  Known for its role in regulating mood and sleep, some serotonin is made in the gut and circulates in the blood.  When it reaches the bone, it signals bone-forming cells to stop multiplying. Blocking a gene that controls serotonin synthesis may help increase bone mass.  The finding could lead to new osteoporosis drugs that boost bone density.

                                                                                                                                                                Women's Health June 2009

Vitamin D can lower your odds of breaking a hip or other bone.  Researchers pooled the results of 12 trials that tested vitamin D on bones other than the spine in more than 42,000 people and 8 trials that tested vitamin D on hip fractures in more than 40,000 people.  All the trials involved people aged 65 or older.
In the trials that gave higher levels of Vitamin D (480IU to 770IU a day), the risk of broken bones dropped by 20 percent.  In the few trials that gave lower levels (340 to 380IU a day), the risk of fractures didn't fall.
What to do: If you're under 65, take a daily multivitamin with at least 400IU of vitamin D.  If you are over 65 or older, take at least 600Iu a day.  Many experts recommend 1,000IU a day for people over 70.
                                                                                                                                                        Arch. Intern. Med 169: 551, 2009

People who consume more calcium and dairy foods have a lower risk of colon cancer, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health and AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons).
Investigators collected diet and other information on more than 500,000 people aged 50 to 71.  After seven years, the risk of colorectal cancer was about 20 percent lower in men who consumed the most calcium from food and supplements (roughly 1,500 milligrams a day) than in men who consumed the least (roughly 500 mg a day).
The risk was about 30 percent lower in women who consumed the most calcium (roughly 1,900 mg a day) than in women who consumed the least (roughly 500mg a day).  Colorectal cancer risk was also lower in men or women who ate the most dairy foods.
Dairy wasn't linked to a higher risk of ovarian cancer, and calcium wasn't linked to higher risk of prostate cancer.  Some earlier studies had suggested both.
What to do: Shoot fo about 1,000mg a day of calcium if you're 50 or younger and 1,200mg a day if you are over 50.  Assume that you're getting roughly 300mg from each serving of milk, cheese, yogurt, or calcium-fortified orange juice. Take a supplement to get the rest.
Given the earlier studies linking high calcium intake to an increased risk of prostate cancer, men who want to play it safe should try to get no more than 1,200mg of calcium a day.  Check labels on foods like breakfast cereals and energy bars, which may have added calcium.
                                                                                                                                                        Arch. Intern. Med 169: 391, 2009

High levels of insulin in the blood may increase the risk of breast cancer in women who don't take estrogen replacement pills. Insulin's job is to move glucose (blood sugar) from the blood into the body's cells.  In many people- especially the overweight- the cells don't respond well to insulin.  To compensate for this "insulin resistance," the pancreas produces extra insulin. (When even those high insulin levels fail to remove enough glucose from the bloodstream, the person has diabetes.)
Among roughly 800 women who didn't take estrogen and didn't have diabetes, those with high insulin levels in blood samples taken in the mid-1990s were nearly 2 1/2 times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer over the next seven years than similar women with the lowest blood insulin levels.
What to do: Doctors don't routinely do blood tests for insulin, but you can lower your insulin level  by losing excess weight and getting more aerobic exercise (even if it doesn't lead to weight loss.)

                                                                                                                                                    J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 101. 48,2009

A large waist may raise the risk of diverticulitus- an inflammation of the outpouches in the large intestine- and the risk that the outpouches will bleed. 
Researchers tracked more than 47,000 male health professionals aged 40 to 75 for 18 years. Those with a waist bigger than 40 inches were 56 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diverticulitus, and were about twice as likely to have divertivcular bleeding, than those with a waist smaller than 34 inches.
What to do: Lose that waist..... if you can find it.

                                                                                                                                                        Gastroenterol. 136: 115, 2009.

It’s been all over the news that estrogen reduces the risk of breast cancer. Estrogen-only HRT also increases the risk of thromboembolic events such as stroke and blood clots, and increases the risk of ovarian cancer.  Read more here....

Japanese Radiation Update 6: Worsening Crises

The news from Japan gets worse and worse. Now, reports show radioactive iodine has been found in rainwater in Massachusetts. Similar findings have occurred in California, Washington state and Pennsylvania. The bad news from Japan makes it clear that there will be more radiation coming our way.

“The drinking water supply in Massachusetts is unaffected by this short-term elevation in radiation,” said Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach (www.msn.com). I don’t know about you, but this statement does not reassure me.

For those low in iodine, this is a problem. Unfortunately, that is a lot of Americans. This is not a call to panic. I do not believe that people will get sick and die from the exposure to this amount of radiation. However, there is no doubt that individuals who are iodine deficient will take up this radioactive iodine in larger amounts as compared to someone who is iodine sufficient.

As I have said in previous blog posts, now is the time to have your iodine checked and work with someone knowledgeable about iodine. Also, keep in mind that the average Japanese ingests approximately 12mg/day of iodine.
My clinical experience has shown this dose safe for the vast majority of people. One Iodoral (Optimox) or Iodozyme HP (Biotics) tablet contains 12.5mg of iodine. Two drops of Lugol’s solution equals 12.5mg of iodine. This amount of iodine will result in a 95% decrease in radioactive iodine uptake by the thyroid gland. Children need to be dosed down for their size.

Is iodine safe for everyone to take? As with any substance, there can be adverse effects. The best results with iodine occur when it is used in a comprehensive holistic treatment regimen. More information can be found in my book, Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It.

One last thought. This needs to be your wakeup call. If you are already taking iodine, you have nothing to worry about. It is important to maintain adequate iodine levels not only to achieve your optimal health but to also be prepared for problems like the Japanese disaster.

I have been asked many questions about pets. Pets should be our concern as they are outside and closer to the ground. My friend and holistic veterinarian Dr. John Simon said that pets can take iodine. He was not sure of the dosing but thought that they could take amounts similar to what I posted for children (0.08mg/pound). I would be open to any other advice about dosing iodine in pets.

 Japan Radiation: Question and Answer

Since the disaster in Japan began, I have been inundated with questions about supplementing with iodine. I apologize for not being able to answer all of your questions. I do try to read each and every question. Feel free to keep them coming (I may regret that statement). However, I will try and answer as many questions as I can. I will attempt to answer the commonly asked questions. Rest assured, in future books, newsletters, blogs, etc., I will try to answer all of your questions.

1. Can those with Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease take iodine?

A: I explain this topic in much more detail in my book, but let me summarize the answer. M research has shown that both Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease are caused, in part, from low iodine. In fact, nearly every new patient with either a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease has tested significantly low for iodine. My experience has shown that the vast majority of patients suffering with these illnesses improve their condition when iodine deficiency is rectified. However, some people (including those with and without Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease) may have problems with iodine supplementation. Of course, there can be an adverse effect to anything, iodine included.
The best results with iodine supplementation occur in those that have their levels checked and are followed by a health care provider who is knowledgeable about iodine. Furthermore, iodine supplementation works better when used as part of a complete holistic treatment regimen.

2. My understanding is that the reactor in Japan did not release any
radioactive gases into the atmosphere so no action is required of us here in
the United States. Is this true?

A: So far, the amount of radiation that has made its way to the North America has been small. However, if there is a nuclear meltdown, there will be much larger amounts released. This incident should be a wakeup call for Americans. If we eat better, exercise and maintain optimal whole body iodine sufficiency, there would be little concern about the amount of radioactive iodine that makes it to the U.S.
One final note. Even small amounts of radioactive iodine can be detrimental to those who are iodine deficient. It is best to maintain iodine sufficiency.

3. How many days should I take iodine?

A: The best results obtained with iodine are seen in those who use it for the long-term. Over the last 30 years, due to the toxic world we live in, our iodine requirements have markedly increased. This is due to the increasing amounts of toxic halides bromide, fluoride and chlorine that have permeated our food supply and our consumer goods. If we maintain iodine sufficiency, we will not have to worry about radiation clouds from Japan. How much iodine is required to maintain body sufficiency? My experience has shown that, for most adults, 6-50mg/day will achieve sufficiency. However, there may be some people that need more and some that need less. Remember, it is best to work with a health care provider knowledgeable about iodine. He/she can test your levels and make the appropriate recommendations.

4. Do children need iodine?

A: Yes, children need iodine just as adults need it. However, children need lower doses. They need to be dosed down for their size. A good rule of thumb for children is 0.08mg I/pound. I am not suggesting that anyone supplement a child without seeking care from their health care provider (that also holds for adults).
Dr. David Brownstein's blog

Japan Radiation Update  This is my fourth post about the Japanese nuclear disaster. First, I have to give credit to the U.S. government for suggesting that U.S. citizens move further away (50 miles) from the radiation danger. This action would serve to verify the severity of the crises.

I believe this crisis should highlight the need for each of us to take a more active role in our own health care decisions. It is important to take the proper steps to achieve your optimal health before a crisis arises. Many times these steps include eating a healthy diet and taking the correct supplements. My experience has shown that ensuring an adequate iodine level is one piece of the puzzle to obtaining your optimal health.

If the Japanese are not able to control the nuclear reaction that is occurring a true nuclear meltdown will occur. What will that mean to us? A nuclear meltdown could cause a large radiation cloud to leave Japan and deposit radiation over the U.S. However, that has not occurred yet. If that occurs, it is important to take precautions including ensuring that you and your family are taking iodine.

Here is how it works. Iodine binds to receptors throughout the body. For example, there are receptors for iodine in the thyroid gland. When iodine binds to its receptors, thyroid hormone is produced. Individuals who are iodine deficient suffer the majority of problems when exposed to radioactive iodine. In these people, radioactive iodine will bind to wherever there are open or empty iodine receptors. After radioactive iodine binds to these receptors, the surrounding tissue will be destroyed due to the radioactive iodine. Furthermore, it will damage the DNA of the surrounding cells. Damaged DNA is one cause of cancer.

Which tissues bind iodine? The largest concentration of iodine occurs in the thyroid gland. However, the largest amount of iodine is found in the fat tissue. Large concentrations of iodine are also found in many other tissues including the breast, ovary, uterus, and prostate. If radioactive iodine binds to any of these sites, it will destroy surrounding tissue and potentially damage DNA. This can lead to long-term problems such as cancer of these tissues.
It is important to keep in mind that every cell needs and utilizes iodine. Therefore, radioactive iodine exposure can have a dramatic effect on the body.

Exposure to radiation is cumulative. That means any exposure to ionizing radiation builds up in the body over time. We should all strive to minimize exposure to radiation. Some forms or radiation are unavoidable such as normal background radiation. However, radioactive iodine emitted from a nuclear disaster in Japan (or anywhere else) is largely avoidable if your body is iodine sufficient.

If your body has enough iodine binding to its receptors in the thyroid, breasts, ovaries, etc., then the radioactive iodine has nowhere to bind. That is why it is so important to have your iodine levels checked before a disaster such as this occurs. If you are iodine deficient, you can rectify this problem by simply taking iodine.

Due to our exposure to so many toxic items that inhibit or block iodine utilization in the body--fluoride, bromide and chlorine--our body’s need for iodine has dramatically increased over the last 30 years. My experience has shown that milligram amounts of iodine are necessary for achieving whole-body iodine sufficiency. In fact, any iodine supplementation program should strive for whole body iodine sufficiency, not just thyroid sufficiency.

How much iodine is needed to achieve whole-body iodine sufficiency? My clinical experience has clearly shown that milligram amounts of iodine are needed to achieve whole-body sufficiency. These amounts can vary between 6-50mg/day for most people. Some may need more, some less.

There is no doubt that the radiation cloud from Japan will pass over the U.S. This radiation exposure is a potential health risk. How much iodine should you take to ensure that your body will not absorb radioactive iodine? Without proper testing, it is impossible to say what dose is perfect for everybody. However, I have recommended that adults take 12-14mg/day of a combination of iodine and iodide. That amount will prevent nearly 95% of radioactive iodine from binding to the thyroid gland and still leave other amounts of iodine available for the rest of the body’s need. Children will need smaller amounts. You can dose a child down for his/her size. A general rule of thumb for children is 0.08mg I/pound of body weight. If a newborn is breast feeding, they do not need iodine supplementation if the mother is iodine sufficient. Iodine can be excreted in the breast milk.

I generally recommend either Lugol’s iodine, Iodoral (from Optimox) or Iodozyme Hp (from Biotics). Lugol’s iodine dosage is 2 drops per day (12.5mg) or 1 tablet of each of either Iodoral or Optizyme HP (both products are 12.5mg/ tablets). When should people begin iodine supplementation? At this point, with the disaster still progressing, I would say it is time to begin supplementation with iodine.

As with any substance, there can be problems with iodine supplementation. Before beginning supplementation, it is best to discuss this option with your health care provider. More information about iodine can be found in my books, Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It and Overcoming Thyroid Disorders.

Dr. David Brownstein's blog