Re: So...what's the latest on salt?--Kelp

[Guest guest]

I'm not Marilyn, but it is true that kelp is illegal on SCD, being a

seaweed. The following post may help you find some alternatives.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/pecanbread/message/59831

mom to -12

SCD 4/23/04

[Guest guest]

At 08:53 AM 8/17/2007, you wrote:

>Just wanted to check about the legality of kelp.

>I thought it was a seaweed, which is illegal.

,

Kelp IS a seaweed, and it IS illegal. However, so

is the dextrose binding the iodine in

artificially iodized salt. Elaine was adamant

that the importance of the iodine outweighed the

bit of dextrose. If you don't do seafood, and you

don't do iodized salt, then kelp is the only

other source I'm familiar with which would contain this critical item.

<checking Health Notes> Excuse me. Vegetables

raised on iodine-rich soil may have adequate

iodine in them, as may some dairy. If you can

find legal veggies raised on iodine-rich soil,

then emphatically don't do the kelp.

Here is the information from Healthnotes.Info:

Iodine is a trace mineral needed to make thyroid

hormones, which are necessary for maintaining

normal metabolism in all cells of the body.

Where is it found? Seafood, iodized salt, and sea

vegetables -- for example, kelp -- are high in

iodine. Processed food may contain added iodized

salt. Iodine is frequently found in dairy

products. Vegetables grown in iodine-rich soil also contain this mineral.

Iodine has been used in connection with the

following conditions (refer to the individual

health concern for complete information):

3Stars

Childhood intelligence in newborns (if deficient)

Goiter (iodine deficiency-induced)

2Stars

Attention deficit-- hyperactivity disorder (to

prevent ADHD in the children of pregnant women

consuming an iodine-deficient diet)

Hypothyroidism

1Star

Fibrocystic breast disease

3Stars: Reliable and relatively consistent

scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

2Stars: Contradictory, insufficient, or

preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

1Star: For an herb, supported by traditional use

but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a

supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Who is likely to be deficient? People who avoid

dairy, seafood, processed food, and iodized salt

can become deficient. Iodine deficiency can cause

low thyroid function, goiter, and cretinism.

Although iodine deficiencies are now uncommon in

Western societies, the U.S. population has shown

a trend of significantly decreasing iodine intake

from 1988–1994.1 If this trend continues, iodine

deficiency diseases may become more common.

How much is usually taken? Since the introduction

of iodized salt, iodine supplements are

unnecessary and not recommended for most people.

For strict vegetarians who avoid salt and sea

vegetables, 150 mcg per day is commonly

supplemented. This amount is adequate to prevent

a deficiency and higher amounts are not necessary.

Are there any side effects or interactions? High

amounts (several milligrams per day) of iodine

can interfere with normal thyroid function and

should not be taken without consulting a

doctor. Although potassium iodide

supplementation (prescribed for some skin

disorders) is usually well-tolerated, it has been

known to produce adverse reactions such as

rashes, itching or lesions on the skin,

gastrointestinal symptoms, or hypothyroidism,

especially in people with a prior history of

thyroid problems. Because of such potential

problems, the use of potassium iodide therapy

should be supervised by a doctor. The average

diet provides about four times the recommended

amount of iodine. For susceptible people, that

amount of iodine may be enough to cause health

problems. A possible link to thyroid cancer has

been observed in areas where an iodine-rich diet

is consumed, and among populations that

supplement with iodine. However, there is

insufficient evidence to conclude that iodine

supplementation is responsible for the increased

incidence of thyroid cancer. Some people react to

supplemental iodine, the first symptom of which is usually an acne-like rash.

When people with small, nontoxic goiter (living

in areas not deficient in iodine) received iodine

injections, they had a higher incidence of

abnormal antibodies suggestive of the early

stages of autoimmune thyroid disease.

Children with iodine deficiency may also have

iron-deficiency anemia, and this anemia may

interfere with the therapeutic action of iodine

supplementation. Correcting iron deficiency in

such children with iron supplements has been

shown to improve the efficacy of oral iodine in treating goiter.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with iodine.

*** Please note *** This information is from a

non-SCD site. Iron supplements are NOT

recommended on SCD because they feed the bad

bacteria. However, liver pate and other iron rich

foods are useful for an iron deficiency.

— Marilyn

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

[Guest guest]

thanks for the info. from what you said and i already know, i may have a iodine

deficiency.

if you are allergic to iodine (shellfish, shrimp) can you use iodized salt?

bonita

[Guest guest]

At 12:23 PM 8/17/2007, you wrote:

>thanks for the info. from what you said and i

>already know, i may have a iodine deficiency. if

>you are allergic to iodine (shellfish, shrimp) can you use iodized salt?

Bonita,

I legitimately don't know. I think this is

something you'd need to take up with a health care professional.

— Marilyn

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

[Guest guest]

no one (dr) has ever been able to tell me definitively. thanks anyway

bonita

Re: Re: So...what's the latest on salt?--Kelp

At 12:23 PM 8/17/2007, you wrote:

>thanks for the info. from what you said and i

>already know, i may have a iodine deficiency. if

>you are allergic to iodine (shellfish, shrimp) can you use iodized salt?

Bonita,

I legitimately don't know. I think this is

something you'd need to take up with a health care professional.

- Marilyn

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund