Metadichol® Case Studies for Thyroid Disease

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Mark Pegram

Thyroid Disorders Metadichol has shown that it is effective in treating many maladies. It is not a drug with one target. It is a food substance that acts on many targets including genetic expression and controlling nuclear receptors. Metadichol is a nanoemulsion of long chain alcohols that are commonly found on most plants. We have lost access to this vital nutrient because of processing foods.

The paper presented shows many case studies with thyroid disorders. Metadichol acts on many of the nuclear receptors that are necessary for a healthy thyroid. This is for both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Again, Metadichol acts on multiple targets for the thyroid and other physiology to bring the body to homeostasis.

Metadichol® A Novel Inverse Agonist of Thyroid Receptor and its Applications in Thyroid Diseases

Abstract

An estimated 200 million individuals worldwide have a thyroid disorder. Thyroid diseases affect seven times more women than men. People not diagnosed make up the majority of thyroid patients. There is a need to find novel and safe ways to change the underlying disease processes, rather than merely stop excess thyroid hormone production as in hyperthyroidism.
Metadichol® is a nano emulsion of an extract of long-chain alcohols from food that is an inverse agonist of VDR (Vitamin D receptor), AHR (Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor), and RORC (RAR Related Orphan Receptor C). The work presented here shows that Metadichol® is an inverse agonist of THRA (Thyroid Receptor Alpha) and THRB (Thyroid Receptor Beta). Case studies are presented that show how it can safely treat a multitude of thyroid related diseases. Network and pathway enrichment studies are presented that show how Metadichol® may be involved in action on multiple receptors and exerting its effects through multiple pathways. Metadichol® is the first of a breed of molecules that moves the goal post from the concept of ‘one drug, one target’ toward simultaneously targeting multiple targets, that can potentially lead to successful treatment of many diseases. Given the safety profile of Metadichol®, it would not only mitigate thyroid disease but prevent it and reducing the burden on healthcare budgets worldwide.

Link to paper:Metadichol-Thyroid-paper

Unfortunately, the paper does not discuss iodine deficiency which is the underlaying problem with the thyroid. The other issue is that there may also be a selenium deficiency. Selenium is necessary to convert T4 to T3 at the cellular level. Suggest that you read the work of Dr. David Brownstein, an endocrinologist and an expert in the thyroid and other iodine deficiency diseases.

Also, vitamin D3 deficiency is responsible for most autoimmune diseases. Be sure that you test your 25(OH)D3 levels. The level, if you are in a disease state, should be high normal in the normal range of 30 to 100 ng/ml (suggest 80 +/- 10 ng/ml). –Mark Pegram

Calcium—An Extremely Important Mineral

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Mark Pegram

calcium In the minds of most who are concerned about health, calcium is important for building strong bones. Generally, the physician does not explain all that calcium does in the body. We are told that calcium plaque is very dangerous, but we are not told how calcium plaque forms. We are told that cholesterol is the reason for blocked arteries. Really? Strong bones are used as a storage place for calcium as well as to support our structure. Calcium acts in almost every biological activity in the human body. That is the reason that our calcium is controlled in such narrow limits within our blood.

Calcium is required for every thought you make and every action you take. When neurons fire in your brain, signal muscle contraction, or sensory feedback, calcium is required. The signal travels along the neuron to the neural head through the action of voltage potential, sodium, and potassium. Before the neurotransmitters are released to carry the signal to the next neuron, a voltage gated calcium channel opens to allow calcium to flow into the cell. This fact has allowed the creation of a calcium channel blocker, gabapentin (brand name Neurontin). This drug was originally used to stop seizures. It was later used to blunt the action of pain signals. In blocking the action of the neuron, it slows done all neural response. Because the drug was used as an “off label” to block pain and not approved as such, the manufacturer was fined both in the US and the EU. A second drug, pregabalin or Lyrica, was patented and approved for pain reduction and to prevent seizures.

When I was in significant back pain, tramadol was prescribed. Because the pain was not being sufficiently blunted by tramadol, gabapentin was also prescribed. I was able to function well, with pain, with the tramadol. When gabapentin was added, I felt like tar flowing uphill on a cold day. The first experience with gabapentin was slow speech. My trainer sent me home because I was slurring my words. After two months on gabapentin, I had to drink fourteen plus cups of coffee just to function. It not only blocked pain, it blunted all neural action. I got off the drug. There are many other side effects of this drug.

The narrow range of calcium in the blood also has the important action of maintaining a proper acid/base balance. Without a proper acid/base balance, the proteins in our blood tend to fold. This causes loss of the oxygen carrying ability of red cells. It also causes other proteins to not respond for proper biological action.

Secondary signaling is also a very important action of calcium. Before proteins and enzymes are formed, calcium plays an important role. Calcium floods into the cell initiating the RNA/DNA response for the formation of important proteins and enzymes. The RNA/DNA response also includes cell division. Without this signaling, our biology would fail.

How is calcium controlled in our body? There are multiple mechanisms that must be supported by nutrients for proper control of calcium:

Vitamin D acts to allow increased calcium absorption in the gut. In the parathyroid gland, parathyroid hormone (PTH) is produced to increase calcium absorption from the gut or from our bones if we are not consuming enough calcium in our diet. If we are not consuming enough calcium, osteopenia and osteoporosis will occur. This is the start of bone loss and other assorted problems like calcium plaque forming in our arteries. Blocked arties and osteoporosis seem to go together. There has not been a single case of secondary hyperparathyroidism when the blood serum level of 25(OH)D, a marker for vitamin D sufficiency, is above 40 ng/ml. Two studies of research literature have shown this. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is when your parathyroid becomes over active and causes your serum calcium levels to go into a high danger zone. The typical response of modern medicine is to remove several of your parathyroid glands.
Loss of proper gut bacteria causes the loss of the important vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 acts to move calcium to the proper locations in our body. It has been shown to reduce calcium plaque in the arteries. It has also been used in Japan for osteoporosis as a prescription drug. Typically, we need vitamin K2 at a rate of about one thousand micrograms per day. Vitamin K2 must be produced in the gut or supplemented. Fermented foods as well as probiotics are known sources of restoring and maintaining our gut bacteria. Properly maintain gut bacteria allow the formation of many nutrients and helps maintain our immune system.
When our calcium level starts to go too high, calcitonin is formed by our thyroid glands (or bodies on the thyroid gland). Calcitonin acts to replace calcium in our bones. It is important to keep a healthy thyroid gland. Health of the thyroid is related to how much iodine is consumed. The US government recommends that we only need 150 micrograms per day. This is significantly lower than the consumption of the Japanese population. Studies have shown that typical consumption in Japan is five to fifteen milligrams per day or approximately one hundred times more than the US recommendation. Dr. David Brownstein in his book, “Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Cannot Live Without it,” suggests that we need a minimum of 12.5 milligrams (combination of iodine/iodide) per day or more if there are serious thyroid issues. I do this either with the supplement Iodoral or Lugol’s solution.
Vitamin A is also very important. In my reading of the literature, I am now of the understanding that we do not produce vitamin A from beta-carotene until we are already deficient. This is the body’s mechanism to keep us alive. The importance of vitamin A with bones is the differentiation of bone and cartilage stems cells. It acts in combination with Vitamin D for form a dimer for the differentiation. I supplement vitamin A by taking cod liver oil as a liquid or capsules or eat a piece of beef liver every three weeks.
Collagen is also very important in the formation of bone and cartilage. We typically got this protein from bone gravies. It was suggested many years ago that we should stop eating gravies, the drippings of skin and bone when cooking meat, because there was too much fat. The mass hysteria about overconsumption of fat has led to increased consumption of sugar. Sugar stimulates insulin and havoc occurs in our bodies. Reduction or elimination of sugar and flour is also important to bone health. Are you starting to see how this is all interrelated? To get enough collagen, I put one to two teaspoons of just plain gelatin in my morning coffee. Bone broth is also a good source of important proteins. Vitamin C and magnesium also act to help us form collagen in our body.

Mineralization of our bones not only requires calcium but also magnesium. There are many other minerals that act in the formation of our bones. Primarily, this is through the action of enzymes. To be sure that I am getting enough of these micronutrients, I take a multi-mineral each day. The multi-mineral also supports my calcium requirement. The requirement for magnesium is 3.5 to 4.5 mg per pound of body weight per day. Magnesium supplementation should be done with a chelate of amino acids and not as magnesium oxide. We do not absorb magnesium oxide, and you are just wasting your money if you use magnesium oxide as a supplement. Also, magnesium is a natural calcium channel blocker and should be taken in the evenings to support sleep. Magnesium requirements.

This is a long post and somewhat complicated. However, to not allow our biology to move calcium around properly through consumption of the proper nutrients is the first step toward your grave. –Pandemic Survivor

Remodeling of Bone Length in Old Age

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Mark Pegram

bone Can a bone increase in length after you have reached sixty years old? This happened to me. I was evaluated by x-ray with a shortened right leg of 3/4 inch in 2003 by an orthopedic surgeon and was verified in 2004 by another orthopedic surgeon. The second surgeon had operated on my low back for a ruptured disc in 1998 and 2003. I was prescribed an adjustment of my right shoe. A visit last week to the surgeon that performed my back surgery confirmed with x-ray that my legs are now normal equal length.

I had noticed over the last two years that there was minor pain in my left hip that became a noticeable limp. Just three weeks ago, I went to pick up the morning paper (I rushed out barefoot) and noticed that my gait was normal. I was confused. Had my right leg increased in length? The next morning on the way to the gym, I stopped at a Walmart and purchased a normal pair of gym shoes. My limp disappeared as I worked out. I made the appointment with the surgeon and found my legs are equal length.

If you are a reader of this blog, you know that I have successfully repaired my cartilage and required no more back surgery. This included a repair of stenosis through nutrition at C3-C4. The stenosis was causing severe sleep apnea as this is the location for the nerve to the lungs. This was accomplished with an increase of all vitamins and minerals. I had no idea that it could affect the bone growth plates to allow my bone length to remodel to my genetic map. It is interesting to note that over a ten month period in 2005 my height increased by approximately three inches. Imagine 23 vertebral discs and each increasing in thickness by about one tenth inch. The cartilage had repaired and freed me of disease.

I believe the remodeling of my right femur was from the increase of several significant factors for bone and cartilage health. This includes vitamin D3, vitamin A (from cod liver oil), methyl folate (not folic acid), gelatin for bone and cartilage protein, iodine, selenium (from Brazil nuts), manganese, sulfate, and magnesium as the key factors. The shoe lift worked just fine until 2014 or eleven years. The change started when I added iodine, selenium, gelatin, and sulfate. I added increased amounts of these in 2013 as I researched the need for cartilage repair. There may have been the factor of Metadichol as well. I started to supplement infrequently with nanoemulsion of policosanol in 2015. Based on the gene studies and intracellular receptor studies of nano-policosanol by Dr. Raghavan, this may have also had an effect.

What are the mechanisms of this action? I don’t have a clue. However, my thoughts from at least ten thousand hours of reading on nutrients has lead me to this belief, without describing actual mechanisms. The methyl folate along with B vitamins as cofactors (methylation cycle) leads to the increase of chondrocytes through stimulation of mesenchymal stem cells. I believe the methylation cycle is one of the most significant repair mechanisms of human physiology, but nothing works in isolation. Vitamin D3, vitamin A, iodine, and selenium act for differentiation of the chondrocytes in cartilage as well as the bone growth plate and the bone remodeling pathways. These same vitamins and minerals act in many mechanisms of repair for our organs. The addition of sulfate acts in many ways with the most important being detoxification, gut lining repair, neuron development, bone mineralization, and cartilage stability. The addition of gelatin assures that the necessary proteins are available. The result, bone and cartilage repair. Iodine and selenium are very significant for hormonal control through the thyroid and associated endocrine actions. With iodine deficiency during pregnancy, the worst case is cretinism and associated bone deformity and mental capacity loss. WHO says that iodine deficiency is the leading cause of mental disorders.

I tried to keep the intake of vitamins and minerals at levels that have been described for health as stated by many research papers. I tried not to exceed levels that are known to cause damage. An example is vitamin D3. I consume 10,000IU/d whether I spend time in the sun or not. This tends to keep my serum vitamin D level at high normal of 60 to 90 ng/ml of 25(OH)D. This is much higher than the current government suggestion of 600 IU per day of vitamin D3. My intake of iodine is much higher than the suggested 150 mcg/d. I take either Iodoral or Lugolâ’s solution for an intake of 12.5 mg/d of iodine/iodide combination. This is one hundred times higher than the recommendation but is consistent with the intake of the Japanese population. There is no suggested intake for sulfate and this is a huge error in medical science. I consume 3 to 4 grams of MSM per day.

I am not suggesting that you try any of this. Research in multivariate vitamins and minerals is very limited as modern science continues in its fallacy of one cure for one disease. Vitamin D3 for only bone health is an example of one that has gotten us into extremely poor health outcomes. Who knows, maybe God has stepped in to help only me recover after three decades of chronic pain and illness. Now at 66 YO, I am grateful every day for this blessing and will continue to communicate with you how to live without drugs for chronic illness and pain. Was my bone-length increasing a miracle? It certainly is an answer to prayer. On this Pentecost Sunday when the Holy Spirit first came to Christians two thousand years ago, I am praying for your health, both spiritual and physical. –Pandemic Survivor

My eBook about recovery: Healed from Chronic Pain

Resources for more reading: Â Bone Growth in Length and Width, the Yin and Yang of Bone Stability, F. Rauch

Aging and Bone, A. L. Boskey Â

Assault on the Nervous Systems by Anti-Cognitive Chemicals

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Mark Pegram

What do chloramines, fluoridation, lead corrosion, vitamin D deficiency, bromine, mineral sulfate removal, and iodine deficiency have in common? They should all be classified as anti-cognitive biological chemical processes. We can be our own worst enemy. We have been highly successful in our use of chemicals for technological advancement. We try to protect ourselves from toxic substances and pathogens, while creating health problems through unintended consequences. This has been the case for increases in Alzheimer’s, ADD, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other general cognitive impairment. Halogen (iodine, bromine, fluorine, etc.) physiology along with mineral deficiencies needs to be significantly reviewed in the US and the use of halogens in our food supplies and water sources need to be adjusted accordingly.

Consider in the late 1990’s that the EPA decided it would be a really great thing to reduce the amount of chloromethane created from the chlorination of water. They did this by forcing the use of ammonia added to water at the treatment plants creating chemicals in the water called chloramines. Chloramines formed in water are so toxic that fish cannot live in it. However, it is a longer lasting water disinfectant and it does not seem to generate as much chloromethane, a carcinogen. However, the other toxic disinfectant byproducts (DBP’s) that are created and unregulated are of concern. One of these may be halogen acetic acids. HAA’s have a stated standard with standards for chloro-acetic acid and iodo-acetic acid, but no standard for fluoro-acetic acid.

Chloraminated water is much more corrosive, most likely from the created HAA’s. This causes the leaching of lead from water pipes in supply and distribution systems (my city has thousands of miles of iron pipe held together at the joints with lead like must municipalities) and home potable water systems that are joined with solder lead joints. There have been several studies showing an increase in lead content in water after the start of chloramination or the use of chloramines.

Fluoride has been shown to aid the build-up of the concentration of lead in the human body. So by fluoridation of water to supposedly improve our dental health along with the use of chloramines, we have inadvertently created higher amounts of lead. This is of major concern for the developing brains of our children and the aging brains of elderly.

The US is the only country in the world that allows the use of bromine in baking and in cloudy citrus drinks. This iodine mimic causes significantly physiological malfunction in the thyroid as well as other functional biological iodine processes. Consider that children have a ten to fifteen times higher uptake of iodine versus adults and consider the damage. Bromine is not used in other countries because it is a carcinogen.

Add to this vitamin and mineral deficiency. Vitamin D is responsible for mineral balance in the body, in particular the sodium-sulfate co-transporter. Adequate sulfate is necessary for the formation of cerebroside sulfate that is necessary for proper neuron development. Also consider that iodine deficiency is considered by the World Health Organization as the number one cause of mental illness in the world. Sulfate also is the body’s best defense against toxins as it removes them through water soluble sulfate esters. Cities remove the sulfate minerals from the water because it is stinky and plugs the pipes. Iodine, D3, and sulfate deficiencies combine as a disaster for mental function.

Take away iodine, vitamin D3, sulfate and add neuro-toxins and iodine mimics and you have the perfect conditions necessary for cognitive impairment. Well the cause is idiopathic the experts claim. Is Dr. M. Scott Peck accurate in his description of group evil through specialization? One thing is certain, idiots and unintended consequences always seem to find each other. In the case of water disinfection and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, you might say that this meeting of idiots and unintended consequences has created epicentric waves of causation for cognitive impairment. For now, your cognizant commenter – Pandemic Survivor

Migraine Solutions– Further Considerations

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Mark Pegram

Last post we said that deficiency in vitamin and minerals could be the cause of migraines. I suggested the following to consider: vitamin D, magnesium as a chelate, sulfate, and a multiple vitamin. I would like to suggest another mineral, iodine. The combination of vitamin D and iodine are very significant in the balance of your hormones.

The stories of people taking iodine supplements and eliminating migraines are endless on the internet. I thought that with that many people saying iodine was a significant factor that I could find a paper about it. However, I found nothing on PubMed which really surprised me.

The problem with iodine deficiency is that we are being overcome with mimics like fluorine and bromine. When you start to take iodine supplements, if you get enough, these other halides will detox from your body. Dr. Brownstein is an excellent source for material on iodine. Here are a couple of more. From a pharmacist: – From a retired doctor: From Dr. Mercola Here is a rebuttal to Dr. Mercola’s article by Gabriel Cousins MD and you will find a reference about using iodine to treat migraines.

I also found many comments for quick relief about using one tablespoon full of apple cider vinegar, try organic with the mother, in a tall glass of water. Some suggested using a tablespoon of honey to make it go down easier. My mother used to do this every morning because she said it made her feel better.

I really don’t know how this works unless somehow it overcomes the triggers that initiated the headache. I suspect this would be true if the headache were triggered by a sinus condition or by a smell.

My best suggestions for long term reduction of the migraine events are: vitamin D, magnesium as a chelate, iodine, sulfate, and a multiple vitamin. Also eat a lot of greens to be sure you are getting enough potassium and folate. Some suggest a tablespoon full of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water for quick relief. – Pandemic Survivor

Deficiency Disease in a Modern World – Part II Minerals

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Mark Pegram

We don’t usually think about minerals having a significant effect on disease the way we do with vitamins. However, minerals are crucial to life. I remember a professor that I had second semester of my freshman year for chemistry labs. He is a brilliant man with a perfect memory. He suggested that organic chemistry was going out of fashion. The study of minerals was going to be the future of organic chemistry. Well, he did not calculate man’s desire for wealth at the cost of health. He was always optimistic; I believe the correct attitude.

Consider that iodine deficiency is the number one cause of brain damage throughout the world. Given this and the understanding that children that don’t get enough iodine will have a significant reduction in IQ; it makes you wonder why our required daily intake is as low as specified by the government. The suggestion that 150 mcg is adequate does not allow for mass balance according to WHO (World Health Organization). That is unless you are small enough to where you don’t generate two liters of urine a day. WHO says that sufficiency occurs when your urine iodine level is measured at 100 mcg per liter. I am large enough to where two liters or about two quarts is not an unusual amount of urine in twenty-four hours. That would require at least 200 mcg of iodine per day for sufficiency. Is this just ineptness on the part of the medical community?

If you take iodine deficiency to its furthest extreme during pregnancy, you end up with cretinism. Cretinism is a very serious life threatening disease with both physical and mental malformation. Goiter is another very serious disease caused by iodine deficiency. What happens is the area around the thyroid in your neck enlarges to trap as much iodine as possible to prevent you from dying. Most likely the causes of several of the mental dysfunctions have their roots in iodine deficiency. Then consider the thyroid makes T4, but it is each cell with an adequate amount of iodine that produces T3. T3 is four to ten times as powerful in cellular differentiation as T4. With each cell making its own T3, it reminds you of the way vitamin D3 works for genetic expression where each cell makes the active form as needed. Of course the T3 will not be made in each cell if there is not an adequate amount of iodine and selenium. Yes, selenium is needed as a catalyst for the production of T3. Notice I said catalyst. It is more correct to say enzyme with selenium as its cation.

So what other diseases arise from mineral deficiency? The list is long.

Boron: Consider this abstract

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 43(2):219–231 (2003)

The Physiological Effects of Dietary Boron
Tara A. Devirian and Stella L. Volpe*
Department of Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Referee: Dr. Susan Meacham, Associate Professor and Department Head, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, College of Health Sciences, Room 329, Rod Lee Bigelow Building, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154-3019

ABSTRACT: Boron may be an essential nutrient for animals and humans. Dietary boron influences the activity of many metabolic enzymes, as well as the metabolism of steroid hormones and several micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Boron supplementation in rats and chicks has been shown to increase bone strength. Boron may also play a role in improving arthritis, plasma lipid profiles, and brain function. Additional research is necessary to further clarify boron’s influence in human and animal physiology, as well as determine a dietary requirement for humans.

An adequate intake has not been established, but most multiple vitamins have 3 mg. Without boron in each cell, it is likely that vitamin D as 25(OH)D will not adequately be converted to the steroid as needed in each cell. Symptoms of boron deficiency mimic symptoms of vitamin D deficiency and we know how severe a disease state that will create.

Calcium: The body very tightly controls serum calcium levels. The calcium acts almost like a steroid in cell signaling and is necessary for neural transmitters to be released as the voltage gated calcium channel opens to allow the flow of transmitters at the end of the action potential in neurons. Deficiency (low serum levels) usually only occurs when you have parathyroid malfunction (caused by vitamin D deficiency or renal failure) because of the large reserve in the bones. Deficiency includes diseases: osteomalacia and osteoporosis as the body destroys the bones to have adequate calcium for biological functions. Low serum calcium or hypocalcemia will result in muscle cramps and fatigue. Very low levels will result in seizure as neurons are not properly firing.

Chromium: Deficiency of this mineral will result in abnormal glucose utilization and increased insulin requirements. This may lead to type II diabetes. Of course the body uses chromium III and chromium VI or hexavalent is recognized as a carcinogen.

Magnesium: This mineral is absolutely necessary as it is involved in over 300 essential metabolic reactions. The most critical is through its choice as the cation for the energy cycle of ATP/ADP which keeps potassium, sodium, and calcium in balance. Deficiency symptoms are a long list and may be clinically associated with the following: ADD/ADHD, Alzheimer’s, Angina, Anxiety disorders, Arrhythmia, Arthritis- Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Autism, Auto immune disorders- all types, Cavities, Cerebral Palsy- in children from magnesium deficient mothers, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Congestive Heart Disease, Constipation, Crooked teeth- narrow jaw- in children from magnesium deficient mothers, Depression, Diabetes- Type I and II, Eating disorders- Bulimia, Anorexia, Fibromyalgia, Gut disorders- including peptic ulcer, Crohn’s disease, colitis, food allergy, Heart Disease- Arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, Heart Disease- in infants born to magnesium deficient mothers, High Blood Pressure, Hypoglycemia, Impaired athletic performance, Infantile Seizure- in children from magnesium deficient mothers, Insomnia, Kidney Stones, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Migraines- including cluster type, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle cramps, Muscle weakness, fatigue, Myopia- in children from magnesium deficient mothers, Obesity- especially obesity associated with high carbohydrate diets, Osteoporosis- just adding magnesium reversed bone loss, Parkinson’s Disease, PMS- including menstrual pain and irregularities, PPH- Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, Raynaud’s, SIDS- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Stroke, Syndrome X- insulin resistance, Thyroid disorders- low, high and auto-immune; low magnesium reduces T4.

Manganese: The primary importance of manganese is its necessity for the conversion of the water soluble sulfate ester that is your body’s primary waste remover. Without proper waste removal, many diseases may result. I suspect the manganese sulfate chemistry malfunction to be a cause of ALS. Manganese can be toxic at relatively low levels. Most multiple vitamin supplements provide an adequate amount. Adequate intake for adults is 1.8 to 2.3 mg/day with the tolerable intake at 9 mg/day.

Molybdenum is a necessary for life as a co-factor in many enzymes that catalyze global transformation of the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles. Adequate intake is 45 mcg/day and tolerable intake is 2 mg/day. Deficiency may result in cancer of the esophagus. There is an area in China where the soils are deplete in molybdenum with an incidence 100 times higher than in the US of this particular type of cancer. The deplete soils cause a higher exposure to nitrosamines because the molybdenum is necessary for conversion of nitrates to amino acids in plants.

Potassium: Deficiency results in stroke, heart failure, fatigue, muscle weakness and cramps, and intestinal paralysis, which may lead to bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain. Of course it depends on the degree of deficiency. I know that after a hard workout, a class of low sodium V-8 juice (about one gram of potassium) makes the cramps disappear in minutes.

Zinc: Severe deficiency as reported by the Linus Pauling institute results as follows: “The symptoms of severe zinc deficiency include the slowing or cessation of growth and development, delayed sexual maturation, characteristic skin rashes, chronic and severe diarrhea, immune system deficiencies, impaired wound healing, diminished appetite, impaired taste sensation, night blindness, swelling and clouding of the corneas, and behavioral disturbances. “ The main concern with mild deficiency is reduced immune system response.

Sulfate: It is interesting to note that no one considers sulfate deficiency as an issue. However, without adequate vitamin D3 the sodium sulfate co-transporters do not work as required. Consider the following sulfate requirements of the human body:

Both organic sulfur from amino acids and from sulfur compounds in the cruciferous (cabbage, broccoli, etc.) and allium (garlic, onions, etc.) vegetables and inorganic sulfur from sulfates in foods and our water supply are critical to human physiology.
Sulfate is needed for the formation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGS i.e. glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, etc.) or amino acids necessary for joints, skin, connective tissues, and joint lubrication through synovial fluid.
Sulfate is needed to start the cascade of digestive enzymes.
Sulfate is necessary to line the gut wall with mucin proteins.
Sulfate is needed for the formation of neurons where neurons are laid down on a platform of sulfated carbohydrates.
Sulfation is a major pathway in detoxifying from drugs, environmental toxins especially in the brain (aluminum), liver (i.e., acetaminophen), and removing waste from cells after the mitochondrial processes.
Sulfur is most abundant element (approximately one half percent by weight) in our body after calcium and phosphorus and is the fourth most abundant anion in our plasma. It helps to maintain the balance of anions (bicarbonate, chloride, and phosphate) to effectively carry oxygen to the cells. Interestingly enough, sulfates are not normally measured in serum analysis.

Wow, so here we are with a list of deficiency diseases and symptoms that is much longer than the one for vitamins. When I used to take my minerals in the morning before going to the gym, I would tell my gym partner that I had eaten my bucket of dirt for the day. We get our minerals from many sources but primarily from food. If you choose to eat a bucket of dirt (supplements) be sure that you supplement with the correct amount. Not enough and you have diseases and too much will result in toxicity. – Pandemic Survivor

Iodine – A Necessity for Life

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Mark Pegram

As I was researching iodine, I was amazed at the similar path of deficiency to vitamin D that I found. Here is an absolutely necessary mineral for a healthy life that has not been given enough emphasis. One of the really interesting things was the DRI that is specified by our health organizations. The amount of 100 to 150 micrograms per day (depending on sex and age) defies the mass balance of iodine output in the urine as defined by the World Health Organization.

WHO defines deficiency as less than 100 micrograms of iodine per liter of urine. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that with one to two liters of urine output per day that this value is too low. It is no wonder that women in particular have such a large problem with healthy thyroids. Iodine is easily depleted during pregnancy as the fetus uses large amounts for cellular differentiation of developing cells. One common disease is cretinism when the fetus does not get enough iodine. Iodine deficiency as stated by WHO is the leading cause of preventable brain damage. For more information on this here are the specifics from Oregon State University.

Iodine is responsible not only for cellular differentiation but also for cellular death and is very important for people who have cancer to help reduce tumor growth. Tumors are immature cells that continue to grow because the mechanism for cellular death has failed. Iodine and vitamin D in combination assist or provide the mechanism for this action to occur.

The thyroid uses iodine to make very powerful neural transmitters and hormones that drive the energy cycle of the body. For more on this read what Dr. William Davis that writes the Heart Scan Blog has to say about iodine.

Depression, brain damage, heart disease, obesity, cancer, and many other diseases are related to iodine deficiency. We are awash in a world of toxic halogens that displace the important actions of iodine. Whether fluorine that is put into our water or bromine that is placed in our bread, these toxins displace the iodine needed for health. Before immediately going on a course of very powerful substitutes for thyroid hormones, be sure that you are replete in iodine and vitamin D.

My heart breaks at the seriousness of these diseases and the modern treatment procedures that typically ignore the basics of nutrition. My prayers are for you – Pandemic Survivor

Vitamin D Deficiency Survivor

Changing the Face of Health with Vitamin D

Category Archives: Iodine