Iodine for Treating Candida, Sinusitis, and Biofilm
Iodine for Treating Candida, Sinusitis, and Biofilm
My latest research venture is the current blog series on molds, fungi, and mycotoxins. This subject, along with the principles of methylation, are the two most important paradigms for dealing with unresponsive ailments in the 21st century.
Since new data is always turning up, often after I have already posted my blogs, I will use the newsletters in order to present some of the material that did not make it into the blogs. This newsletter will start with a summary of one person’s story about using iodine to kill off candida fungus in the body, and then how she used iodine spray to cure her sinusitis. Because there is no established protocol for using iodine for these purposes, we often depend on anecdotal information from those who experiment on themselves; such as the material to follow. (Iodine is one of my favorite subjects/supplements, evidenced by my devoting a full chapter to the subject in my new book, Health Secrets for the 21st Century: Volume 2.)
Terry’s Story
Terry Chattsworth was given the antibiotic Levaquin as a treatment for food poisoning, and her already tenuous health declined severely following that medical protocol. Her symptoms included brain fog, tinnitus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), food intolerance, asthma, ulcerative colitis, anxiety, depression, constipation, elevated blood sugar, and sinus and skin issues.
This horrible array of symptoms occurred because for years she already had fungal overgrowth issues, further aggravated by repeated antibiotic treatments. During this time she used grapefruit seed extract, berberine, olive leaf, and pau d’arco; all good, natural, antifungal options. But, after the treatment with Levaquin, these antifungal agents were no longer doing the job of keeping symptoms in check. Terry then turned to iodine, a powerful antimicrobial and antifungal, agent.
She found that using iodine reversed many of her symptoms, including constipation, mood problems, and ulcerative colitis. This response indicated that the iodine had rolled back the fungal load, thus improving her overall health. In fact, one of the first positive things Terry noticed was improved sleep patterns, leading to deep, restorative sleep.
So, here is her protocol, but remember, this is only one person’s experience, and, as she points out in her blog, one needs to increase, or decrease, the dose, based on the severity of symptoms that arise.
Terry started with just one drop of Lugol’s 2% Iodine solution (2.5 mg), in water, which, “had a profound effect”. Then she upped the dose, adding a drop per day, until peaking at 5 drops (12.5 mg), but averaging around 3 drops (7.5 mg) daily. This approach she defines as “pulse dosing”, which includes two or three days off, after every 5 days on, so the body can effectively detox.
Iodine and Sinus Problems
After about two weeks of ingesting iodine orally, Terry noticed relief from sinusitis, and in order to speed results, she started making and using an iodine nasal spray. Iodine nasal sprays are a highly effective way to treat chronic sinus infections, especially those difficult to treat situations where fungal overgrowth is the root of the problem.
Here is Terry’s approach in her own words: “I empty out a nasal spray bottle, then add a bit of Lavi Wash to create saline, with 2 drops of Lugol’s 2% Iodine. I mix this with about 8 oz distilled water, add some into the spray bottle, and keep the rest in a glass container with a plastic lid in my refrigerator. The nasal spray is totally optional, for dealing with fungal sinusitis only.” She uses the spray every 3 or 4 days.
One further point, noted by Terry, is pay attention to what strength your Lugol’s Solution is. Her recommendations are based on using the 2% solution, but there is also a 5% solution commonly available (and the formulations go as high as 15%). While the 2% provides 2.5 mg of iodine per drop, the 5% contains 6 mg of iodine per drop.
For her entire story follow this link: Source
Iodine vs Iodide for Sinus Problems
Most iodine products (including Lugol’s Solution) are a mix of iodine and potassium iodide. Potassium iodide is the form of iodine prefered by the thyroid gland, and is what is used to fortify table salt. It does not however, serve the rest of the body’s need for true iodine, though is often used in isolation to treat lung ailments (where it works as an expectorant).
One clinical study examined the value of iodine vs iodide for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Rhinosinusitis, and sinusitis, refer to inflammation in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. These ailments affect around 37 million people every year (U.S. figures), making it an all too common problem, one that impacts quality of life, but has few permanent solutions. In chronic rhinosinusitis, the problem is caused by bacteria, fungi, and/or virus, colonizing the sinuses.
“This is the first study to show in vitro that both tincture of iodine and potassium iodide kill bacterial cells within biofilm. However tincture of iodine with longer exposure time showed superior killing of bacterial cells compared to potassium iodide. Our data clearly indicates that tincture of iodine is more effective in chronic rhinosinusitis than potassium iodide. Tincture of iodine could potentially be more useful in surgical clinics as opposed to potassium iodide for the treatment of this type of patient. It is possible that applying tincture of iodine to the sinus tissues at the completion of procedure would improve the long term outcome in those patients with biofilm. Similarly, tincture of iodine could be added to the saline irrigation solution in the postoperative period.” (Study)
Biofilm
Of note in the above study, is the fact that the iodine was able to “kill bacterial cells within biofilm”. One example of a biofilm is dental plaque, a slimy buildup of bacteria that forms on the surfaces of teeth.
(“A biofilm comprises any syntrophic consortium of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other and often also to a surface. These adherent cells become embedded within a slimy extracellular matrix that is composed of extracellular polymeric substances.” Wikipedia)
Biofilms protect invasive bacteria and/or fungus from killing agents, which is why they can be so difficult to eradicate, once they are entrenched in the body. The best example of biofilm interfering with the healing process, occurs among those who are afflicted with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Thus, those who have this condition, may well benefit from the therapeutic use of iodine.