Book Review: "The Iodine Crisis" by Lynne Farrow

(Interesting book about the value of iodine and how it has been widely neglected since the 1960s.)
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In The Iodine Crisis, author Lynne Farrow discusses how, traditionally, for centuries, iodine was held in high regard by physicians as a beneficial element that promoted health. However, from the 1940s to 1960s a couple researchers concluded that iodine was bad for the thyroid. It later turned out these unverified studies were flawed. Nevertheless, at the time they impacted the medical and food industries.

Until the 1960s, for instance, iodine was routinely added to flour; soon after, iodine was out and replaced by bromine. In fact, bromine is still present in many of our foods today. More recently, it has been discovered that bromine causes health problems, starting with iodine deficiency. According to Farrow, bromine is “poisonous” in its effect, and iodine helps counter it. She states that the US RDA standards for iodine are much lower than they should be. Further, iodized salt – which many commonly believe is enough – contains way too little iodine to make a difference.

Thus, Farrow recommends iodine supplementation. In order to maximize the benefits of supplementation, she recommends a protocol which includes selenium, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamins B2 and B3 (ATP co-factors), and unrefined sea salt diluted in water. This protocol is designed to facilitate iodine’s role in detoxing from bromine, fluorine, and other toxins and in restoring or improving health.

David Brownstein, MD, who Ms. Farrow cites as an influence, wrote the foreword. He is the author of Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It. His book is more detailed in the science and medicine, while hers is more informal and casual.

Overall, The Iodine Crisis is an informative read that makes a compelling case for iodine and for how the needs and viewpoints of industry at times are incompatible with the public’s well-being.