One of the many important properties of iodine is protecting the human body from heavy metal and halogen toxicity. 

Iodine is an essential nutrient; the body does not make iodine, so you have to consume it. However, the modern food supply is no longer a reliable source of iodine, and 95% of Americans are deficient in it! This leaves the organism susceptible to the detrimental effects from exposure to harmful elements. 

Because we live in an increasingly toxic world, iodine supplementation is especially crucial. Pharmaceuticals, food, water, and air contain high levels of heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic, and the halogens chlorine, fluorine, and bromine.

• Mercury is used in dental fillings, vaccines, and seafood.
• The city of Flint, Michigan poisoned its citizens by using lead pipes for the water system.
• Cadmium is found in some foods, cigarette smoke, and batteries.
• Arsenic is used to treat wood for building homes.
• Chlorine is added to swimming pools and municipal water supplies and is used to manufacture paper.
• Fluorine (in the form of fluoride) is used in dental treatments and added to water supplies.
• Bromine (and bromides) are found in commercially processed baked goods, sports drinks, jet fuel, and pesticides. 

All of these elements compete for the iodine receptor sites in the body. Without enough iodine in the system, detrimental heavy metals and halogens inhibit the optimal production of hormones and disrupt enzymes. 

Hormonal dysfunctions manifest as metabolic disorders and diseases such as:

• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Hyper- and hypothyroidism
• Goiter
• Cystic conditions

With enough iodine in the system, hormone production and enzyme activity runs more efficiently and metabolism is optimized. Iodine preferentially binds to the iodine receptor sites in the body, and iodine supplementation immediately begins the excretion of halogens and heavy metals.  

Iodine is fundamental to optimal health and can protect from environmental toxins!

^{Sources:
Mercury.
Lead-Laced Water In Flint: A Step-By-Step Look At The Makings Of A Crisis.
Cadmium. 
Arsenic.
Chlorine.
Fluoride Articles.
Bromines: Avoid This If You Want To Keep Your Thyroid Healthy.
Dr. Mark Sircus. Iodine: Bringing Back the Universal Medicine.} 

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