Acne from Iodine
Filed Under Dr. Zoltan Rona (MD) |
Dear Dr. Rona,
In one of your previous articles, I was very interested to read about the effectiveness of iodine for helping to prevent breast cancer. I would like to take supplements high in iodine, but they always cause my skin to break out. Eating seaweed or using “green products” generally has the same effect, with the exception of chlorella. I am wondering why my skin might be so sensitive to iodine; is there anything I can do about it? Thanks for your help.
AC
Dear AC,
Some people are very sensitive to iodine. Iodine is an antiseptic and will kill many different bacteria, including the friendly bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract. It is rare for anyone to get acne when taking less than 1000 mcg (1 mg) of iodine daily unless one also has a low level of friendly bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract.
My usual recommendation for people like you would be to take a broad-spectrum probiotic (friendly flora) supplement containing at least lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacteria, and friendly strains of E. coli for at least a month before attempting any iodine supplementation. Then start by taking 100 mcg daily, continuing to take the probiotic. Increase the iodine to a maximum of 1000 mcg daily.
If this still does not prevent the acne, double or triple the recommended dose of the probiotic (usually you would go from 3 to 6 or 9 capsules daily). Also, one could add a high potency saw palmetto extract (360 mg) daily. Saw palmetto extract prevents dihydrotestosterone, the breakdown product of testosterone, from having an acne-causing effect. If iodine is still a problem for the skin, see a doctor to assess whether or not there are other metabolic problems.
Dr. Zoltan Rona
Comments
1 Comment so far
When some patients get acne from iodine supplementation, it is the result of the iodine displacing bromide into the bloodstream. What the patient is actually getting is a different kind of acne without coniform called “bromide acne,” –not common acne. Usually this can be relieved with the salt loading protocol plus 3-6 grams of vitamin C in divided doses, as well as a zinc supplement.
The salt loading protocol has been used for many years but Dr. William Shevin presented it last year at the Iodine Conference. Please see: www.breastcancerchoices.org/drshevin.