Benefits of Iodine for Dogs

The benefits of iodine, found in kelp for dogs or Lugol's Solution, assists the reversal or avoidance of dog thyroid problems. Here are some amazing facts about iodine.

The Canine Thyroid

The thyroid gland is located in the front lower part of the neck. The hormones produced by the thyroid, govern the body’s basic metabolism and controls growth, development and maintenance for a strong glandular system.

In "The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs and Cats" by Diane Stein, she mentions D.C. Jarvis MD, so I looked him up. Here are some highlights from his book "Folk Medicine". It gave me one of those, I wanna buy this supplement right now moments. (I also want his book even though he's an MD, the same principles apply.)

"All the blood in the body passes through the thyroid gland every 17 minutes. During this 17-minute passage the gland's secretion of iodine kills weak germs. Strong, virulent germs are rendered weaker during their passage through the thyroid gland. With each 17 minutes that rolls around they are made still weaker until finally they are killed if the gland has its normal supply of iodine.

A second function of iodine is to calm the body and relieve nervous tension. When nervous tension runs high there is irritability and difficulty in sleeping well at night. (If this could help my husband and his dog Moo, my own life would improve!)

It is possible to repeatedly change an irritable, impatient, and restless child under ten years of age into a calm, patient individual within two hours' time by giving one drop of *Lugol's Solution of iodine by mouth in a vegetable or fruit juice.

A third function of iodine in the human body relates to clear thinking. The mind simply works better when the body is supplied the iodine it needs. (I had to put this in because I could always use more clear thinking.)

The dose of Lugol's Solution of iodine is one or two drops, depending on your body weight. If you weigh 150 pounds or less, for example, your dose to maintain the normal iodine content of the body is one drop, taken at one meal on Tuesday and Friday of each week."

Recommendations

While Lugo's Solution sounds great, and I will buy it for use by the entire family, I still believe that seaweed is the most important way to receive the benefits of iodine for maintenance because it has so many other valuable nutrients.

You will find a list of seaweeds and their iodine content at Kelp for Dogs.

The benefits of iodine could be the answer for many pets now on synthetic thyroid medication and with bone problems, anemia, obesity, dry skin, hair loss, bad teeth or nails and digestive problems.

For more about iodine sources, please see Kelp for Dogs. You can also go to the supplements page to find which health supplements for dogs already have kelp in them.

For suggestions for a specific dog health concern, you can also contact me.

*In 1880 a French physician named Lugol originated a solution which contains iodine in a solution of potassium iodide. It has been used steadily ever since it was originated.

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