The following are reading assingments for you to read that certain health information is banned by government to cause health issues to the general public so that the public can be more controlled by their government. With the ban or restrictions of these items a more controlled population is possible. IODINE Iodine (Lugol’s 2% iodine at amazon.com) and Selenium are probably the most powerful and yet most neglected and forgotten mineral supplements. Ironically, iodine boosts memory and IQ! Iodine kills fungus, it’s also a broad spectrum antibiotic, and so it fell out of favor in the 1950’s with the rise of more expensive and more profitable fungal based antibiotics. Iodine and Boron both detox fluorides; and iodine fixes and cures 180 conditions (listed below) associated with both fluoride toxicity and iodine deficiency. Iodine is an oxidant, (selenium the protective antioxident), and nourishes every cell in the body, especially the thyroid gland. Iodine cures goiter. Iodine concentrates in the sex organs of both sexes, boosting testosterone, regulating female hormones, and cures breast cancer. Iodine also cured diabetes in half the people on the “high iodine protocol”, which I will go over. The primary food sources of iodine are seaweed, a salad of seaweed a day can give you about 12 mg of iodine. Another food source is cranberry juice, just under 1 mg of iodine in 10 oz. of juice. On Feb 7th, 2016, I started taking iodine not for any specific condition, but just for general health, taking 50 mg iodine/day with selenium. From Nov. 2016 until Spring 2017, I have been taking three times as much, 100-150 mg/day of iodine in Lugol's 2% iodine, (40-60 drops) and 5 mg/day of nascent iodine, and 500 mcg of selenium. Here's why I take them and why I think everyone should, too: 1. 97% to 100% of people are deficient in iodine, as I explain below.
2. As of 2017, there are only about 100 “iodine literate” doctors in the USA, out of about 900,000 doctors, so the chance that your doctor is going to tell you about iodine in a positive way is about 1/9000. Iodine is the most powerful supplement I have ever taken for my health. I first took iodine on Feb 7th, 2016, and I'll never forget it. It was superbowl sunday, and I took just one drop before going to watch the game. I was not interested in the game at all though, but that's not unusual, I never am. I remember just being extra calm, and especially calm on the drive home. I was able to think over several life traumas, and to my surprise, I was not feeling mad about them, which was very unusual. It was like I had regained control over my brain. The biggest change, I'm embarrassed to say but I know realize that I should not be, is that I was struggling with suicidal thoughts, over 100 per day, and that all ended with that first drop of iodine. I was in shock at that. And I have been embarrassed to admit that, but it's the truth. And why should I be embarrassed about a basic nutritional deficiency? Since then I have wondered, "Who am I, if I'm not even my own thoughts?" "Who am I, if my thoughts can change so much for the better, just from iodine?" I also had better focus, concentration, memory, and of course, I used this to start reading a lot more about iodine. Iodine also made my hemorrhoid go away within about a week. It also fixed my heel cracks. Iodine also made my foot fungus become less severe, and eventually go away; although I do fear that might still come back. But it has not! See a picture of my foot: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154438491124926&set=a.168459309925.122677.709369925&type=3&theater¬if_t=like¬if_id=1485636402883547 I used to have bloody heel cracks, but that heel is now so smooth! I also feel iodine has improved my capacity for working out, and increased my libido.
I was not expecting those benefits. I started taking iodine because it was cheap, sounded good, and I was just looking for improved overall health in general. I did not have any major or significant health problems I was trying to overcome; well except IRS issues, which were causing depression. I still have the IRS problems a year later, but I'm not quite so depressed about it! What a shocking awakening. I was probably iodine deficient. Goitrogens block iodine, such as some greens, and I had been drinking a lot of green smoothies. I was not eating much soy, nor much broccoli and only a little kale. I did not have a goiter, and I was NOT diagnosed with low thyroid, but I never had it checked either. I was maybe just a little more tired than I wanted to be? Not overweight. I thought I was healthy. Iodine is a vital mineral, and it appears to be the greatest nutrient we can take. Why? I have two ideas. Iodine acts as an oxidant, it reportedly helps the body make H2O2, hydrogen peroxide. (Selenium is vital to take with iodine, selenium is an antioxidant, and both are needed to make thyroid hormones, and high iodine can reportedly result in selenium deficiency and Hashimoto’s if selenium is not taken. You can take 200 mcg to 1000 mcg of selenium.) I believe in the story of Noah's flood. The flood may have washed away most of the highly water soluble iodine in the earth's soil. But also, prior to the flood, with a water canopy overhead, the air pressure might have been much greater, resulting in much greater oxygen in our bodies, almost like living in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber all the time. That might also explain giants, dinosaurs, big mammoths, big sabertooths, bigger animals might have an easier time in a more oxygen rich higher pressure atmosphere. So it may well be that we are all suffering from a bit of oxygen deprivation in our deep tissues, and iodine tends to fix that, at least, in part. As an aside, H2O2 is also reported to be a near miracle cure, in many different forms, from drinking diluted 3% food grade, to IV therapy, to ozone therapy, to hyperbaric chambers. However, high iodine appears to be superior and less potentially damaging form of H2O2 therapy, and I don't know how compatible these are to do at the same time. I would exercise caution when combining oxygen therapies. To protect, simply take antioxidants at the same time, such as selenium, Vitamin C, and especially cloves. The iodine doctors say that 96% of people are suffering from iodine deficiency, and I believe it. Maybe 100%, if you believe in Noah's flood. You are probably deficient in iodine, unless you are eating three seaweed salads a day, which can give you 12 mg/day of iodine like the Japanese get, and even then, you still might be iodine deficient. The US RDA is 150 micrograms, or 0.25mg, which appears to be absurdly low. I am currently taking 1000 times the RDA, 100-150 mg/day of iodine after being on 50mg/day of iodine for nearly a year. I have been inspired to take so much by following the testimonials at curezone.com. This month, on 100-150 mg/day of iodine, I've noticed the following: improved cognition, zero athlete's foot, zero heel cracks, improved vision at long distances when driving, improved overall body feelings in my joints and muscles and especially my back, and increased libido. Enough with my testimonial, here's what iodine reportedly does, based on the research: 1. Iodine kills germs; it kills bad bacteria without killing off the good gut bacteria, kills viruses, kills fungus. 2. Iodine boosts IQ, boosts testosterone, boosts energy, boosts thyroid hormones.
3. Iodine cures goiter at 9-18mg/day, cures breast cysts at 50mg/day, and cures cysts in general, and even breast cancer at doses ranging from 300 to 800 mg/day. 4. Iodine concentrates in the thyroid, and the thyroid hormones contain 3-4 atoms of iodine, so iodine helps the body make energy. 5. Iodine also concentrates in the sex organs of both sexes, and female breasts; explaining increased testosterone and libido. In women, iodine eliminates breast pain, regulates periods, and can reduce or eliminate PMS and period pain. 6. Iodine flushes through the body in about 5 hours, about 90% is excreted in the urine at "iodine sufficiency" which takes about three months to reach and achieve at 50mg/day of iodine. The average person typically excretes only 50% of a high dose of iodine, meaning, their bodies are trying to hold on to it, showing a bit of a deficiency. So iodine is great for urinary tract infections, bladder infections, and infections in general. I believe iodine cannot be poisonous, because the more you take, the more you easily and rapidly excrete, preventing excess buildup. As with anything, I suppose it’s possible to take too much, such as over 9000 mg/day maybe, that seems to be the upper human limit. 7. Iodine sufficiency, from a single 130 mg tablet, can help keep the body from absorbing radioactive iodine in case of a nuclear disaster (for approximately the next week), which primarily causes thyroid cancers from radioactive iodine exposure. 8. Iodine helps the body detox from mercury, aluminum, arsenic, bromide, and primarily, fluoride.
9. Boron also helps the body detox from fluoride, and boron also boosts testosterone, also kills fungals, also boosts IQ, and is great for the joints, and boron concentrates in the parathyroid right next to the thyroid. See http://www.health-science-spirit.com/borax.htm 10. Iodine also helps the adrenals, helps the pancreas and diabetics, and the liver, and the muscles, and the skin, all the cells of the body, and on and on, too many things to list, but there is a bigger list below, centered around the topic of fluoride.

IODINE DEFICIENCY AND FLUORIDE TOXICITY Iodine helps and cures 182 identifiable conditions of iodine deficiency which are all the same symptoms and conditions that show up with fluoride poisoning, as listed here, in 175 scientific papers and references: This is an absolutely amazing and very through list. Source:http://poisonfluoride.com/pfpc/html/symptoms.html Abnormal Sweating, Acne, ADHD/Learning Disorders, Allergies, Alopecia (Hair-loss), Alzheimer’s Disease, Anaphylactic Shock, Anemia, Apnea (Cessation of breath), Aorta Calcification, Asthenia (Weakness), Asthma, Atherosclerosis, Arthralgia, Arthritis, Ataxia, Autism, Back Pain, Behavioural Problems, Birth Defects, Blind Spots, Body temperature disturbances, Breast Cancer, Cachexia (wasting away), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Cataracts, Change in blood pressure, Chest pain, Cholelithiasis (Gallstones), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Collagen breakdown, Cold Shivers, Coma, Concentration Inability, Constipation, Convulsions, Crying easily for no apparent reason, Death, Decrease in Testosterone, Dementia, Demyelinizing Diseases, Dental Abnormalities, Dental Arch smaller, Dentral Crowding, Dental enamel more porous, Dentral Fluorosis (Mottling of teeth), Delayed Eruption of Teeth, Depression, Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Down Syndrome, Dry Mouth, Dyspepsia, Dystrophy, Early/Delayed Onset of Puberty, Eczema, Edema, Epilepsy, Eosinophilia, Excessive Sleepiness, Eye, ear and nose disorders, Fatigue, Fearfulness, Fever, Fibromyalgia, Fibrosarcoma, Fibrosis, Fingernails:Lines/Grooves, Fingernails:Brittle, Forgetfulness, Gastro-disturbances, Gastric Ulcers, Giant Cell Formation, Gingivitis, Glaucoma, Goitre, Growth Disturbances, Headache, Hearing Loss, Heart Disorders, Heart Failure, Heart Palpitations, Hepatitis, Hemorrhage, Hives, Hoarseness, Hyperparathyroidism, Hypertension, Hypoplasia, Immunosuppression, Impotence, Incoherence, Infertility, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Inner Ear Disorders, Irritability, Joint Pains, Kidney Failure, Lack of Energy, Lack of Co-ordination, Loss of Appetite, Loss of Consciousness, Loss of IQ, Loss of Spermatogenesis, Low Birth Weight, Lung Cancer, Lupus, Magnesium Deficiency, Memory Loss, Mental Confusion, Migraine, Monisiliasis (Candidasis), More fluorosis/high altitudes, More hypothyroidism/high altitudes, Mouth Sores, Myalgia (Muscle Pain), Myotrophy (Muscle wasting), Multiple Sclerosis, Muscle Cramps, Muscle Stiffness, Muscle Weakness, Muscoskeletal Disease, Nausea, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Osteosarcoma, Optic Neuritis, Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Otosclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Pins & Needles, Polydipsia, Polyneuropathy, Polyurea, Pyelocystitis, Premature Delivery, Pruritis (Itchy Skin), Pulminary Edema, Recurring Colds, Respiratory Complications, Restlessness, Retinitis, Rhinitis, Schizophrenia, Sceroderma, Skin Pigmentation, Secondary teeth erupt later, Sensitive to light, Seizures, Shortness of Breath, SIDS, Sinus Infections, Skeletal Changes, Sleep Disorders, Slipped Epiphysis, Sluggishness, Skin Irritations, Spondylitis, ankylosing, Stillbirths, Swallowing Difficulties (Dysphagia), Swelling in Face (Angioedema), Telangiectasia, Testicular Growth/Alteration, Thirst, Thrombosis, Thyroid Cancer, Tinnitus, Tingling Sensations, Visual disturbances, Ulcerative Colitis, Urticaria (Hives), Uterine Bleeding, Uterine Cancer, Vaginal Bleeding, Vas Deferens Alterations, Vertigo, Vitiligo (white spots/skin), Weak Pulse, Weight Disturbances, Zinc Deficiency This is a large list. But it is an incomplete listing of the benefits of taking iodine. This list is exclusive to 1. What is known and identifiable in the scientific literature. 2. Restricted specifically to those things that mimic both fluoride toxicity and iodine deficiency. 3. Restricted to what the person who complied the above list could find. For example, hemorrhoids are not on the list above, but iodine cured my hemorrhoids and others have reported the same. Note, boron also helps the body eliminate fluoride.

BROMINE TOXICITY. Bromine is the other toxic halogen, like fluoride. Iodine helps the body excrete bromine. Salt helps the iodine work to excrete bromine better. Bromine is found in bread, as a dough conditioner. Around 1980, they replaced iodine as a bread conditioner with bromine. Bromine is also found in flame retardants found in couches. And finally, bromine is found in brominated vegetable oils, added to Mt. Dew Soda. Dr. Flechas, in his video linked below, said that bromine in Mt. Dew can cause schizophrenia. I just about fell off the edge of my seat when I heard that, because my ex's oldest son used to love Mt. Dew soda, he drank it by the case, and he came down with schizophrenia. Of course, I got him on iodine this year, and he's feeling much, much better, and is now off schzophrenia meds and is better than ever! Iodine is the only cure for iodine deficiency. Obviously true. The body does not manufacture elements within the body, it must get them from what it eats, or from a supplement. Every single vitamin is a vitamin for one reason; they are so vital, that without them, they each are responsible for a vitamin deficiency disease. Lack of Vitamin C is famous for causing scurvy. The reported co-supplements for high iodine therapy are, and the reasons for each are as follows: 1. Selenium. This is the most important. Without it, high iodine can cause Hashimoto’s. High iodine can cause selenium deficiency because both are needed to make the thryoid hormones. Selenium, I already noted above, is an antioxident, and thus also protects the thyroid from oxidative damage. Selenium is so important, I will link to the “Selenium Hashimoto’s article: http://jeffreydachmd.com/hashimotos-thyroiditis-and-selenium-part-one-by-jeffrey-dach-md/ 2. Sea Salt or Himalayan salt. Reportedly, this helps with bromine detox. The chlorine helps the body excrete bromine. On my third day of taking high iodine, I was getting a buzz like headache, which I never get. Reading again, I found I should have been taking the sea salt. So, half to a full teaspoon of salt in a glass of water, followed by a second glass of water is the protocol. And yes, this made my headache go away. Salt is also helpful for the adrenals, for adrenal insufficiency. Taking high iodine can cause adrenal insufficiency. It seems iodine gives you energy, and can power through the cortisone being made by the adrenals. Sometimes, taking even more iodine can fix this, because iodine also helps your body become more sensitive to the hormones your body makes. 3. B2 and B3 vitamins. Iodine will boost energy. So do the B vitamins. You need both. But I just take a B complex. Until Nov., 2017...: After a year and a half, I realized I might have become weak in my adrenals. B3 (niacin) is needed for the adrenals to make cortisone/cortisol, and it’s 500 mg of B3. A strong B complex, (B100) typically only has 100 mg B3. B5, pantothenic acid, is also good for the adrenals, and is known as a powerful stress B vitamin. B5 is not on the official high iodine protocol, but maybe it should be. 4. 3000 mg of vitamin C. They also say you can take as much vitamin C until you reach "bowel tolerance" or just until you reach the point of getting watery stools, and then back off. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iodine, and should ideally be taken not at the same time; Vitamin C should be taken about 1 hour before iodine. Vitamin C converts iodine to iodide, and the body needs both. The prostate is specifically mentioned as needing iodine, and C will block this. 5. Magnesium. Magnesium is reported to be essential for 300+ metabolic functions, and most people are also deficient in magnesium. 1000 mg/day. Magnesium chloride is most highly recommended, as the chloride form helps bromine detox. Some take baths in magnesium chloride salts; or you can apply a magnesium chloride solution right to the skin.

The following are less frequently reported as iodine co nutrients, but are often mentioned others who are enthusiastic about iodine. 1. Boron. As I noted before, boron is similar to iodine in many ways, and is taken up by the parathyroid. I take up to 30 mg/day of boron, off and on, as needed, for joint discomfort. 2. Zinc. Up to 50mg/day. Zinc is similar to iodine, as it also boosts testosterone, kills germs, is great for infections. Zinc also helps sleep, and reduces histimine reactions. Reportedly, 1/1000 people are 'allergic' to iodine, but they may well just be zinc deficient, and not able to properly handle the toxin release. I take my zinc at night as a sleeping aid. 3. Copper. Up to 24mg/day. Copper is needed to take if you take zinc and vitamin C, and it also kills germs, also boosts testosterone, and DHEA. Taking zinc without copper can result in copper deficiency. Update!!!! At 9mg/day, I was copper deficient, perhaps from taking vitamin C my whole life, and from taking zinc recently. Increasing my copper from 9 mg to 20 mg/day started resolving my low copper symptoms: excessive sweating was the biggest. I was also stronger physically and mentally. And I’ve been much less tired on more copper. And finally, my recurring sore neck healed up very fast when I increased the copper. 4. Colloidal silver. Silver is like iodine, in that it is reported to kill 650 different pathogens. Why try to kill pathogens with only one mineral, when many minerals will obviously work so much better together with a synergistic multiplicative effect? 5. Baking soda, sodium bicarbonate. The alternative health industry loves this stuff too. 6. Vitamin D/K both are needed for mineral absorption and utilization. 7. Omega 3 oils as found in grass fed butter, fish oils, and coconut oil, and walnuts. Oils help the body absorb minerals. 8. DMSO or MSM is a sulfur compound. Sulfur in these forms is a solvent helping the body absorb everything, a pain reliever, relieves headaches, and oxygenates the body. 9. Chromium and Vanadium appear to be helpful for insulin and diabetes. Chromium is more for energy, and vanadium is calming, so I’m going to start taking the vanadium in the evening. 10. Manganese, which I don’t take, is found in cinnamon, which I love. Cinnamon is reportedly great for diabetics. 11. Silica helps detox aluminum. Silica is found in Fiji water, and in diatomaceous earth.

I know this looks like a lot of supplements. It may appear overwhelming. I still don't always take everything. This last week, I realized I was not taking enough salt and magnesium, and sure enough, when I added them, it stopped my cold hands, and I was not having cold sweaty hands. How I take iodine: I first took iodine in water. But it tastes horrible. Next, I tried lemonade, but lemonade every day is too much. I initially tried iodine in my coffee, and it ruined it. However, iodine in coffee with milk, and I can tolerate that just fine. When I have tried to quit coffee, I put iodine in milk directly. I also put iodine, Lugol's 2%, directly on my skin, in one place at a time. I combine iodine with coconut oil. The oil helps to prevent the skin from drying out. Also, I typically avoid putting it on my skin in the same location for more than two days in a row. I also “scaled up”. So, the first day, I took 1 drop. The second day I took 2 drops. The third day, 4 drops, the fourth day, 8 drops, then 16, then 20. 20 Drops of Lugol’s 2% is 50 mg/iodine. HIGH IODINE FOODS: Seaweed, cranberries. (Cranberries are reportedly good for urinary tract infections, and the iodine may help explain why.) In case people want to avoid taking a supplement, even home grown tomatoes will take up iodine if they are grown in iodine, but I'm not sure how you would control for dosing. IODINE CONTROVERSY: The standard medical establishment will say that anything over 1 mg. of iodine per day is "dangerous" because it might cause hypothryoid, because a sub clinical level of low thyroid was observed in rats on iodine. As usual, they have no valid, non fraudulent evidence for this position, but a single discredited rat study that could not be duplicated. I honestly think there is a deliberate conspiracy to mislead doctors by the medical establishment, to discredit iodine, because it is so successful in keeping people healthy, and not in need of medical help. I don't necessarily think most doctors are deliberately lying about iodine, instead, I think they have been misled about iodine by their training.

IODINE IRONIES: 1. The medical establishment thinks that 5 mg of aluminum in the vaccine schedule is perfectly non toxic, but over 1 mg of iodine is highly dangerous, and yet, there are no known aluminum deficiencies, no known tissues or any bodily function that needs aluminum, and aluminum is only noted as toxic in all life forms. 2. The medical establishment knew that taking up to 6 grams, or 6000 mg, or 6,000,000 mcg of iodine was fine for when you were sick in the early 1900's, but now, anything over 150 mcg is unsafe? What changed? 3. The medical establishment insists that there is no known cure for MRSA, which infects 2 million people per year, and kills from 30,000 to 60,000 per year, as a direct result of antibiotics, and yet, refuses to prescribe iodine and colloidal silver, which bacteria cannot adapt to, because iodine might, although there is no proof, might cause low thyroid. Death is better then than "maybe low thyroid"? 4. The medical establishment's top three classes of medicines most commonly prescribed are (1) antibiotics, which cause yeast infections, cause brain damage, and cause MRSA and kill people, and (2) antidepressants half of which contain fluoride and cause brain damage, and (3) pain killers. Iodine is not only a viable substitute for all three, but is vastly superior, and is cheap, and requires no prescription, kills yeast infections, improves brain function, kills MRSA, relieves depression, and heals the body which relieves pain, and 180 other positive things. 5. It is no wonder that the medical establishment has waged, and will continue to wage, a purposeful propaganda war against iodine, starting after WWII, beginning with the age of antibiotics which were much more expensive and thus lucrative for doctors and drug companies. 6. The last irony is, of course, that if you can’t emotionally process these ideas, or the information in this article, it’s probably further evidence that you are iodine deficient. Try taking iodine, and then re-read this article, and you might just be amazed at your improved memory and ability for understanding everything.

IODINE REVEALS THE FRAUD OF THE ENTIRE MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT, AND REVEALS THE FRAUD OF WATER FLUORIDATION. Taking iodine actually helps to wake you up to be able to emotionally process these mammoth frauds, which are, of course monstrous and horrible to contemplate. FURTHER RESEARCH: optimox.com -- This is the site of research that started the modern day resurgence of iodine discoveries within the medical community, pioneered by Dr. Abraham, who died about two years ago. His co researchers were Dr. Flechas and Dr. Brownstein, below. curezone.com -- This appears to be a forum of people who have been sharing their stories on iodine with each other for the past ten years or more. https://sites.google.com/site/iodinereferenes/home Grizz on iodine, from curezone. Dr Jorge D. Flechas, MD - Whole Body Iodine Sufficiency: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcNNKzsUIT0

--This is a great 42 minute video by Dr. Flechas, one of the original iodine doctors with Dr. Abraham. Iodine: The Most Misunderstood Nutrient Presented by David Brownstein MD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_I9PLUg0lM

--That is an hour long video from Brownstein, one of the original iodine doctors with Dr. Abraham. See also his book: https://www.amazon.com/Iodine-Without-Brownstein-Bottle-Fashioned/dp/B000I2MMSI http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/ipractitioners.html --This is a list of about 100 iodine literate doctors. Lynne Farrow:The Iodine Crisis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOkhc73dvxY

The iodine debate: http://www.townsendletter.com/AugSept2005/gabyiodine0805.htm Another iodine debate, this one rebuking Dr. Mercola: http://treeoflifecenterus.com/blog-posts-by-gabriel-cousens-m-d-iodine-96-the-universal-holistic-super-mineral-2/ There are over 1000 testimonials for iodine at amazon.com for Lugols 2%, the twin pak. https://www.amazon.com/J-Crows-Lugols-Iodine-Solution-Pack/dp/B00E3B49R2/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1485632713&sr=8-2&keywords=lugols%2Biodine%2B2%2Bpercent&th=1 LUGOLS.COM

Is iodine dangerous? The lethal dose for me, a 210 pound man, based on the lethal dose for rats, is about 3 pounds of iodine. It’s 4 times safer than table salt. Reference: http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9924378 A source for fully saturated iodine, a kit where you can mix potassium iodide crystals (SSKI) yourself to make your own 5% to 95% to 100% saturated iodine solution: https://www.morgellonsdirect.com/ Why I’m taking Boron: https://www.facebook.com/notes/jason-hommel/why-im-taking-boron/10155860251479516/

COPPER 1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antimicrobial_properties_of_copper#Mechanisms_of_antibacterial_action_of_copper 2) https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/minerals/health-benefits-of-copper.html

ZINC 1) https://www.selfhacked.com/blog/literally-everything-wanted-know-zinc-backed-science/

BORON Boron cures arthritis, makes stronger bones, kills germs, detoxes fluorides, boosts testosterone, stimulates the brain, and is an anti inflammatory, anti fungal, anti biotic, anti viral. There seems to be less information out there on boron than on iodine. There are 100 iodine literate doctors. Not sure if there are boron doctors. And yet, one of the original iodine doctors, Dr. Flechas, has a lecture on boron, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJp7SW1pY2I Boron is a trace mineral found in borax, 20 Mule Team Laundry additive. In the box, the only ingredient is "sodium tetraborate". That's a sodium and 4 boron atoms. So, it's like salt, sodium chloride, and it's like baking soda, sodium bicarbonate. Borax is actually safer than table salt. Like baking soda, boron is alkalising. Boron cures arthritis. Boron makes the bones a lot harder and stronger.
Boron is antifungal and antibacterial. In contrast, most doctor antibiotics are made of fungals and cause fungal infections. Boron detoxes fluorides. Fluoride lowers testosterone, so boron increases testosterone. Boron directly binds to fluoride in many ways. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron_fluoride Boron is taken up by the parathyroid and helps the body make a hormone that regulates calcium and magnesium metablolism, keeping more of both of the other minerals in the body, and helping them to be better utilized. So, boron is like iodine in many ways. Iodine is another trace mineral. Iodine is taken up by the thyroid to make hormones. Iodine also detoxes fluoride. Iodine also boosts testosterone. Iodine is also an antifungal and antibacterial. Boron, in killing fungals, and boosting testosterone, also cures and prevents prostate cancer. (along with iodine and zinc which also cure and prevent prostate cancer) (And for prostate issues, I would add Sal Palmetto, too.) I found two notes from people who claimed that the high iodine protocol made them boron deficient, which resulted in vitiligo, a white pigmentation in the skin, something like what Michael Jackson had. That can be prevented, and/or cured with boron. I learned about this, in part, when I read a woman who had partly cured her own vitiligo with diatomateous earth. I first started taking boron in Jan. 2016, at 3mg/day. I had read "the borax conspiracy" (linked below) and soon started taking up to 9/mg/day aiming for 20. (I was taking 3 x 3mg boron capsules.) I got a herx reaction, a candida die off and got sick and congested for about the first 6 days I was taking it. It also made me a bit mentally stimulated, and anxious. I could also tell boron was good for my joints; almost like drinking a green smoothie and stretching, but not quite. Just a bit different, but it did make my joints feel stronger. I had not written much in a while, but the day I took it, I wrote 7000 words of some of my past traumas. Mental stimulation and power, indeed! I was also having a recurring foot fungal rash, and that slowly began to be controlled and eliminated when taking boron and iodine. Now, in the fall of 2017, a year and a half after starting boron and iodine, I no longer get fungal foot rashes at all; none in the last 6 months, and this was a plague of a lifetime on me. I started on iodine a month after starting boron, Feb., 2016, which calmed me down, and gave me far greater control of my own brain. In fact, when I started iodine, I was having up to 100 suicidal thoughts a day, nearly a constant stream of them, and that could have been due to the boron stimulating fluoride detoxing, and iodine deficiency combined. One single drop of Iodine stopped the suicidal thoughts immediately! What I think the boron may have been doing, not only killing internal fungals, but also boron may have been detoxing me from fluoride a bit too fast. Since then, I've stopped boron cold, and gone back to it, a few times. Boron can make me a bit depressed and anxious. However, eventually it no longer did so, and I believe it was because I was well past killing any fungals within, and very clean of any remaining fluorides, and at that point, I started taking more. Elsewhere on the net, (earthclinic.com below) I discovered another boron protocol, of 1/4 teaspoon borax in a liter of water, which is just over 100 mg/day of boron. Well, I worked up past that, to a full teaspoon of boron, which is just over 400mg of boron. Some people report kidney pains at the 100mg/day of boron, and it could be that they are overloading their kidneys with too much other mineral or heavy metal displacement, or too much fluoride removal all at once. So, I think it's better to slowly acclimate to more over time, to get you well past the detox reactions. I am NOT recommending that anyone start with 100 mg/day of boron, nor do I recommend 400mg. I just thought I would try that, and I did, for about a week, with no adverse symptoms; no headaches, and no kidney problems. The way I take boron is in my morning coffee with iodine and selenium. I put in about 1/4 teaspoon of borax, too. And milk. And add cinnamon. Oddly, this combination make it all taste rather sweet, but no sweetners are needed. Without the cinnamon, the borax smells like old socks. With the cinnamon, it tastes sweet and rich. Looking further, I found that boron cures the kidneys. So it's not the "burden of boron" that is causing people kidney problems; I think it must be the detox of either fluorides, or other things. At 20-30 mg/day of boron, arthritis reportedly clears up within about 3 weeks.

Further references: Quoted from: http://www.health-science-spirit.com/borax.htm "the relationship between soil boron levels and arthritis. He found, for instance that the traditional sugarcane islands, due to long-term heavy use of fertilizers, have very low soil-boron levels. Jamaica has the lowest level and arthritis rates are about 70%. He noted that even most dogs were limping. Next comes Mauritius with very low boron levels and 50% arthritis. The daily boron intake in these countries is less than 1 mg/day. An interesting comparison is between Indian and native Fijians. The Indians are estimated to have an arthritis rate of about 40% and eat much rice grown with fertilizer while the native Fijians with an estimated arthritis rate of 10% eat mainly starchy root vegetables grown privately without fertilizer. The US, England, Australia and New Zealand generally have average soil-boron levels with an estimated intake of 1 to 2 mg of boron and arthritis rates of about 20%. But Carnarvon in Western Australia has high boron levels in soil and water, and the arthritis rate is only 1%. It is similar in a place called Ngawha Springs in New Zealand with very high boron levels in the spa water which is curative for arthritis. Actually all spas reputedly curing arthritis have very high boron levels. These are also high in Israel with an estimated daily boron intake of 5 to 8 mg and only 0.5 - 1% arthritis. Bone analysis showed that arthritic joints and nearby bones had only half the boron content of healthy joints. Equally, synovial fluid that lubricates joints and provides nutrients to the cartilage is boron deficient in arthritic joints. After boron supplementation bones were much harder than normal and surgeons found them more difficult to saw through. With additional boron bone fractures heal in about half the normal time in both man and animal." Quote from: http://www.health-science-spirit.com/borax.htm
http://cheflynda.com/2015/03/the-inexpensive-arthritis-osteoporosis-cure/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=nothing+boring+about+boron https://www.earthclinic.com/borax-side-effects.html

From: https://www.nap.edu/read/10026/chapter/15#518 Now I see where a "theraputic" dose of 20mg/day of boron comes from: "Derivation of a UL. The NOAEL for developmental effects in rats is 9.6 mg/kg/day. The UL for boron is calculated by dividing the NOAEL of 9.6 mg/kg/day by the UF of 30, resulting in an UL of 0.3 mg/kg/day. This value was multiplied by the average of the reference body weights for adult women, 61 kg, from Chapter 1 (Table 1-1). The resulting UL for adults is rounded to 20 mg/day." /// But the minimum observed negative effect (increase in fetal malformations ) in rats was 13mg/kg/day, which, for a man like me, would be x 100 as I'm 100kg, which would be 1,300 mg/day, which would be 4 teaspoons of borax. I've only pushed it up to 1 teaspoon. over a year. To get to their safe number of 20 mg, they use the lowest safe number, 9.6 mg/day, and then divide by 30, just to be extra safe.
Zinc has so many health benefits that it’s almost impossible to cover them all in one post. Zinc is important for balancing immunity, decreasing inflammation, as an antioxidant, cognitive function and so much more! If you’re interested in a supplement that provides a full package approach to superior cognitive function and health, we recommend Qualia, which contains Zinc and many other great brain-boosting ingredients. Use the coupon code ‘selfhacked’ and get 10% off a 1-time order or 15% off of a recurring order.
CONTENTS [HIDE] Introduction The Zinc That I Recommend Health Benefits of Zinc 1) Zinc Boosts Immunity and Lowers Risk of Infection 2) Zinc Acts as an Antioxidant 3) Zinc Controls Inflammation 4) Zinc May Prevent Transplant Rejection and Autoimmunity 5) Zinc Combats Allergy and Asthma 6) Zinc Enhances Wound Healing and Tissue Repair 7) Zinc Boosts Cognition and Protects Neurons 8) Zinc May Treat Psychiatric Disorders 9) Zinc May Prevent Autism 10) Zinc Reduces Stress and Improves Mood 11) Zinc Controls Cell Death 12) Zinc May Prevent Cancer 13) Zinc is Antimicrobial 14) Zinc May Treat Epilepsy and Prevent Seizures 15) Zinc Promotes Growth 16) Zinc Protects the Gut 17) Zinc Improves Sleep Quality 18) Zinc Stimulates Appetite and May Treat Anorexia 19) Zinc Boosts Skin Health 20) Zinc May Prevent Hair Loss 21) Zinc May Improve Symptoms of Kidney Disease 22) Zinc Protects the Liver 23) Zinc Strengthens Bones 24) Zinc Prevents Heart Disease 25) Zinc Increases Insulin Sensitivity and May Prevent Diabetes and its Complications 26) Zinc Aids in Weight Loss 27) Zinc is Radioprotective 28) Zinc Reduces Body Odor 29) Zinc Improves Oral Health 30) Zinc Enhances Male Fertility and Reproductive Health 31) Zinc Combats Fatigue 32) Zinc Controls Blood Clotting 33) Zinc Improves Pregnancy Outcome 34) Zinc is Beneficial for Women’s Health 35) Zinc Alleviates Pain 36) Zinc May Reduce Opioid Addiction 37) Zinc Increases Taste Sensitivity 38) Zinc May Prevent Blindness 39) Zinc Treats Hearing Disorders 40) Zinc May Prolong Lifespan 41) Zinc Promotes Thyroid Function 42) Zinc May Alleviate Cystic Fibrosis 43) Zinc May Enhance Athletic Performance 44) Zinc May Reduce Chemotherapy Side Effects 45) Zinc Reduces the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome 46) Zinc Improves Mitochondrial Function 47) Zinc May Treat Arsenic Poisoning Zinc Supplementation Further Reading Share this: Introduction
Zinc is an essential mineral found in all organs, tissues, and fluids in the body [R]. As the second most abundant trace mineral in the body after iron, it plays a pivotal role in a variety of biological processes [R, R]. Zinc is required for catalytic activity of more than 300 enzymes involved in the synthesis and metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nucleic acids, and other micronutrients [R]. Zinc also plays roles in stabilizing cell and organ structures, immune function, wound healing, cell division, growth, blood clotting, thyroid function, vision, taste, and smell [R]. Despite having such critical functions, it is not stored in the body and requires a regular dietary intake [R]. Good dietary sources of zinc include red meats, seafood, dairy products, nuts, legumes, and whole grains [R]. However, zinc is more easily absorbed from meat and animal proteins. Vegetables are not ideal sources because they contain phytate, a compound in plants that prevents zinc from being absorbed [R]. Because it plays such a critical role in the immune system, zinc deficiency contributes significantly to the global burden of disease, making it a major public health issue [R, R]. Groups at risk for zinc deficiency include people with digestive disorders, vegetarians, pregnant and lactating women, alcoholics, and people with sickle cell disease [R, R].
The Zinc That I Recommend
Capsules Health Benefits of Zinc
1) Zinc Boosts Immunity and Lowers Risk of Infection Zinc is essential for the normal development and function of many immune cells [R]. Because of the critical role, it plays in the immune system, even a mild deficiency can impair immune function and increase the risk of bacterial, viral, and parasitic infection [R]. In clinical states associated with immunodeficiency (e.g., sickle cell disease, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, Down syndrome, and in the elderly), zinc supplementation can restore natural killer cell activity, lymphocyte production, and resistance to infection [R, R, R, R]. Studies in HIV patients with low blood zinc levels reveal that chronic supplementation is associated with lower opportunistic infections and a reduced risk of immunological failure [R, R]. However, supplementation must be exercised with caution as excessive zinc may worsen disease symptoms [R, R]. People with acrodermatitis enteropathica (a genetic disorder affecting zinc absorption), experience high rates of infection. Zinc supplementation in therapeutic doses results in complete recovery [R]. Many studies showed that in infants and children in developing countries, zinc administration reduced the duration, severity, and incidence of acute and chronic diarrhea, acute lower respiratory tract infections, and malaria [R, R, R, R, R]. Similar beneficial effects were reported for other infectious diseases in humans including shigellosis, leprosy, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, hepatitis C, and the common cold (by increasing Th1 cytokines) [R, R, R]. On the other hand, excessive levels may suppress immunity. A study in healthy young men revealed that high doses of zinc reduced several immune functions, including activation of lymphocytes and phagocytosis of neutrophils [R].
2) Zinc Acts as an Antioxidant A study in the elderly showed that zinc supplementation was able to reduce fat peroxides in the blood [R]. In another study, it reduced DNA breakage in women. DNA breakage is commonly used as a parametric marker to assess the amount of injury induced by oxidative stress [R, R]. Zinc also restored superoxide radical scavengers to normal levels in the sperm of men with asthenospermia (poor sperm motility) [R]. In addition, it protected against radiation-induced oxidative stress in mice [R]. Zinc supplementation has also shown efficacy in treating Wilson’s disease, a disorder in which copper accumulates in tissues [R]. Zinc also helps prevent skin cell death from oxidative stress and bacterial toxins [R, R, R].
3) Zinc Controls Inflammation fnut-01-00014-g003 Zinc inhibits the production of many inflammatory cytokines (by inhibiting NF-kB) [R]. Studies in the elderly (who are often zinc deficient) show that it suppresses inflammation by lowering cytokines and other inflammatory markers [R, R, R]. Zinc also shows efficacy in a variety of inflammatory conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, acne, and asthma [R, R, R]. In an aged mouse model, supplementation resulted in fewer age-related increases in inflammatory markers [R].
4) Zinc May Prevent Transplant Rejection and Autoimmunity Many studies reveal that zinc can suppress unwanted immune reactions (e.g., autoimmunity and transplant rejection) by inducing regulatory T-cells [R, R, R]. One study in healthy men found that zinc was able to reduce the rate of graft rejection while protecting the body from infections resulting from a suppressed immune system [R]. In mouse models of multiple sclerosis and arthritis, it was able to improve disease symptoms by lowering inflammation, suppressing T-cell proliferation and increasing regulatory T-cells [R, R, R, R, R]. In mixed lymphocyte cultures, zinc-induced regulatory T-cells, which helped reduce graft rejection by decreasing inflammatory cytokines and T-cell proliferation [R]. Similarly, zinc reduced heart transplant rejection in mouse models by preventing graft tissue death (by inhibiting caspase-3) [R, R].
In rheumatoid arthritis patients, positive changes were observed regarding joint swelling, morning stiffness, and walking time after zinc therapy [R, R, R]. 5) Zinc Combats Allergy and Asthma In response to grass pollen, an allergen that is a major cause of allergic rhinitis in many parts of the world, zinc increased regulatory T-cells and decreased proliferation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from allergic subjects [R]. Low blood zinc levels are linked to more severe asthma symptoms in children [R]. A study showed that zinc supplementation improved symptoms (e.g., cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath) in children with asthma [R]. It was also able to reduce airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in mouse models of allergic inflammation and asthma [R, R, R]. In allergen-sensitized mice, it was able to inhibit respiratory tract epithelial cell death (by inhibiting caspase-3) [R]. 6) Zinc Enhances Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
Zinc enhanced the repair of skin ulcers in diabetic patients [R]. Also, its deficiency is linked to delayed wound healing [R]. Studies in animals and humans show that zinc administration can speed up the healing process after surgery, burns, and other wounds [R, R, R]. When applied topically, zinc oxide improved the healing of excisional wounds in rats [R]. 7) Zinc Boosts Cognition and Protects Neurons
Zinc supplementation was able to enhance cognitive recovery in zinc deficient people who experienced an ischemic stroke [R]. A double-blind trial in children found that zinc supplementation resulted in superior neuropsychological performance, particularly attention and reasoning skills when compared with controls [R, R]. A randomized trial showed that zinc supplementation in infants and toddlers led to increased activity, mental development and motor quality [R, R, R]. In elderly Alzheimer’s disease patients, zinc therapy protected against cognitive decline by lowering free blood copper levels, which can be toxic to the brain [R, R, R]. Many animal studies show that in moderate concentrations, it is neuroprotective [R, R, R, R] and helps preserve learning and memory function [R, R]. In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, zinc supplementation reduced pathological factors associated with progression of the disease (i.e., β-amyloid and tau protein loads) and improved mitochondrial function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampus [R]. Another study showed that maternal zinc supplementation enhanced spatial learning and memory in rat pups [R]. A study found that moderate doses (12 mg/kg) prolonged survival in a mouse model of ALS [R, R]. 8) Zinc May Treat Psychiatric Disorders A study in OCD patients showed that the addition of zinc to fluoxetine therapy was able to reduce symptoms (as assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive rating scale) [R]. Since it can suppress glutamate release and transmission, it could have improved OCD symptoms [R, R]. In combination with methylphenidate (a CNS stimulant), zinc supplementation reduced hyperactivity and impulsivity in children with ADHD according to one study [R, R]. A study in schizophrenic men found that zinc in combination with risperidone improved many symptoms associated with the disorder (e.g., aggression, hallucinations, and delusions). This effect is in part attributed to its antioxidant and antidepressant properties [R]. 9) Zinc May Prevent Autism A study found that autistic individuals have lower levels of zinc compared to neurotypical (non-autistic) individuals. In the study, the severity of autistic symptoms (i.e., awareness, hyperactivity, receptive language, focus and attention, eye contact, tip-toeing, sound sensitivity, tactile sensitivity, and seizures) decreased after zinc and vitamin B6 treatment [R]. Studies found that prenatal zinc treatment prevented autistic-like behaviors (e.g., induced social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive inflexibility) in rat offspring, indicating a possible link between its deficiency and autism development [R, R]. In a recent study, it was found to reverse brain cell changes in autism [R]:
“Our work is showing that even the cells that carry genetic changes associated with autism can respond to zinc.” “Our research has focussed on the protein Shank3, which is localized at synapses in the brain and is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.” “Human patients with genetic changes in Shank3 show profound communication and behavioral deficits. In this study, we show that Shank3 is a key component of a zinc-sensitive signaling system that regulates how brain cells communicate.” “Intriguingly, autism-associated changes in the Shank3 gene impair brain cell communication,” says Dr. Montgomery. “These genetic changes in Shank3 do not alter its ability to respond to zinc”. “As a result, we have shown that zinc can increase brain cell communication that was previously weakened by autism-associated changes in Shank3”. “Disruption of how zinc is regulated in the body may not only impair how synapses work in the brain but may lead to cognitive and behavioral abnormalities seen in patients with psychiatric disorders.” “Together with our results, the data suggests that environmental/dietary factors such as changes in zinc levels could alter this protein’s signaling system and reduce its ability to regulate the nerve cell function in the brain,” she says. 10) Zinc Reduces Stress and Improves Mood
Zinc supplementation has shown efficacy in treating mood disorders (e.g., depression and anxiety) clinically and in animal models [R, R, R]. It also increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, which are low in people with depression. A study found that zinc therapy was able to improve overall mood in overweight subjects, likely through increasing BDNF levels [R, R]. 11) Zinc Controls Cell Death Both high and low intracellular concentrations of zinc trigger apoptosis (cell death) in many cell types [R, R, R]. 12) Zinc May Prevent Cancer
Zinc deficiency substantially increases the risk of cancer in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Digestive tract tissues are more susceptible because of their high exposure to outside toxins [R, R]. Low blood zinc levels are also associated with head, neck, lung, gall bladder, prostate, and ovarian cancers [R]. Restoring normal levels can improve natural killer cell function, which is essential for killing tumor cells [R, R, R]. It can also block tumor growth by reducing glucose uptake, preventing the growth of new blood vessels, and inducing cell death in cancer cells from animals and humans [R, R, R, R]. 13) Zinc is Antimicrobial
In high doses, zinc inhibits the growth of several bacterial species, particularly gram-positive organisms [R, R]. Zinc showed antibacterial activity against aerobic and anaerobic organisms in root canals [R, R]. It also inhibited the attachment and growth of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in skin tissue [R, R, R]. Zinc also exhibits antimicrobial effects against the common wound flora in rats [R].
14) Zinc May Treat Epilepsy and Prevent Seizures Several studies reported a marked decrease in blood zinc levels of patients with intractable epilepsy [R, R, R]. A study in epileptic children revealed that zinc therapy significantly reduced the frequency of seizures in 31% of the treated children [R]. Zinc supplementation was also able to prolong the latency (a period between seizures) of febrile (fever) seizures in rats [R].
15) Zinc Promotes Growth In a number of studies, zinc supplementation produced significant beneficial effects on both height and weight measures of children, especially in underweight children and children suffering from stunted growth [R, R, R]. An analysis of studies of growth in children revealed that a dose of 10 mg of zinc daily for 24 weeks led to a net increase of around 0.37 cm (in height) in zinc-supplemented children compared to children treated with a placebo [R]. It also increases muscle mass in children [R, R].
16) Zinc Protects the Gut Zinc supplementation has a protective effect on the gut lining of animal models and humans in a variety of gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, alcohol toxicity and colitis) [R]. It stabilized the gut mucosa and reduced stomach and small intestinal injuries by enhancing gut repair processes in rats and mice [R]. Zinc also protected the intestinal mucosa from alcohol-induced damage in rats and mice [R, R]. It can prevent gut leakiness, which may reduce the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease [R, R, R, R]. A study in patients with dyspepsia (indigestion) found that inflammation in H.pylori-induced stomach cancer was negatively correlated with zinc concentration, indicating that zinc may reduce the risk of stomach cancer by suppressing stomach inflammation [R, R].
17) Zinc Improves Sleep Quality
Women and children with higher blood zinc concentrations have better sleep quality [R, R]. A study in infants revealed that zinc supplementation was able to prolong sleep duration [R]. 18) Zinc Stimulates Appetite and May Treat Anorexia One of the earliest signs of a zinc deficiency is a loss of appetite [R]. A study in rats showed that oral zinc supplementation was able to rapidly stimulate food intake (by increasing orexin and neuropeptide Y) [R]. Clinical studies in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) show a significant association between the disease and low blood zinc levels [R, R]. Many studies with oral zinc supplementation reported an increase in weight gain, muscle mass, appetite, taste sensitivity, and food intake in AN patients [R, R, R, R, R, R].
19) Zinc Boosts Skin Health Zinc has been shown to be beneficial for a variety of skin conditions (e.g., acne, warts, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, melasma, and dandruff) [R]. In people with acne vulgaris, zinc-supplemented groups (with zinc taken orally) showed a significant improvement in symptoms when compared with placebo groups [R, R, R, R]. Clinical trials in patients with viral warts resulted in a complete clearance of warts for a majority of zinc-treated individuals [R, R, R]. Zinc exhibits similar efficacy in treating Herpes genitalis (genital warts caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2) [R, R]. A study in people with rosacea (a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by flushing, small blood vessels, and red bumps on the face) showed that oral zinc was able to reduce disease symptoms [R, R]. Zinc supplementation exhibits similar efficacy in treating other inflammatory skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema, likely owing to zinc’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties [R, R, R]. Zinc may also treat seborrhoeic dermatitis (dandruff). Studies show that shampoos containing zinc can significantly reduce the scaling and inflammation associated with dandruff [R, R]. Melasma is a skin pigmentary disorder that causes brown skin discoloration. Zinc treatment was able to reduce the severity of this disorder in affected patients with minimal side effects [R]. Zinc also protects against sun damage to the skin, which can cause skin aging and cancer. A study in humans found that oral zinc supplementation was more superior than titanium oxide in providing protection against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation [R, R].
20) Zinc May Prevent Hair Loss In a clinical study, topical zinc was able to improve hair growth in bald men. It was hypothesized that zinc’s antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-androgenic effects on the scalp were potentially involved in the increase of hair density [R, R, R, R, R, R]. Another study in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) showed that zinc supplementation had beneficial effects on a number of symptoms, including alopecia (hair loss) [R]. Zinc treatment also reversed hair loss in patients who underwent vertical gastroplasty (stomach stapling), a surgical operation that can result in zinc deficiency [R]. 21) Zinc May Improve Symptoms of Kidney Disease Restoring zinc levels in chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis can improve overall kidney function and reduce many complications associated with the disease (e.g., heart disease, anemia, infections, and sexual dysfunction) by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and cholesterol, as well as by enhancing hemoglobin, sex hormones (i.e., testosterone and LH), and immune function [R, R, R, R, R, R].
22) Zinc Protects the Liver Zinc supplementation in animal models of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) protected the liver by blocking most mechanisms of liver injury (i.e., gut leakage, endotoxemia, oxidative stress, excess inflammatory cytokine production, and liver cell death) [R, R, R, R]. In patients with non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis, supplemental zinc improved liver function and prevented excessive copper accumulation, which can damage the liver [R]. Zinc also improved the outcome of patients with hepatitis C which, if left untreated, can lead to liver scarring [R, R].
23) Zinc Strengthens Bones Studies have found that zinc can increase bone density and strength by enhancing bone formation and preventing bone loss [R, R, R, R]. In mouse osteoblast (bone-forming) cells, zinc treatment stimulated bone forming activity [R]. Another study revealed that zinc supplementation increased bone formation markers (i.e., ALP, BAPE, and BAP-M) in healthy men [R]. Zinc was also able to suppress bone breakdown activity in mouse bone marrow cultures by inhibiting bone breakdown markers (e.g., parathyroid hormone and PGE2) [R, R, R, R]. Because of its bone-strengthening effects, zinc was found to protect against many bone-related complications in animals and humans [R, R, R, R].
24) Zinc Prevents Heart Disease Studies have shown that zinc levels are often low in people with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), heart disease, chest pain, and heart stroke [R, R, R, R, R]. One study found that a higher rate of cardiac failure was associated with zinc deficiency [R]. Other studies revealed that high doses of zinc were able to prevent and treat angina (chest pain) in patients with atherosclerosis [R]. Supplemental zinc was also able to protect the heart from stroke-related injuries in rats and mice [R].
25) Zinc Increases Insulin Sensitivity and May Prevent Diabetes and its Complications Zinc ions can bind to insulin receptors and activate insulin signaling pathways [R, R, R]. By mimicking insulin, zinc reduces excessive insulin secretion by pancreatic cells, which helps protect the pancreatic tissue from damage [R, R]. Zinc also improves the solubility of insulin in pancreatic cells and enhances insulin binding to its receptor [R]. Because of zinc’s essential role in the processing, storage, and secretion of insulin, a deficiency can lead to increased insulin resistance [R, R]. A study found that prediabetic patients were more likely to be zinc deficient [R]. Other studies found high percentages of zinc deficiency in type 2 diabetes patients [R]. Studies in women report that higher dietary zinc intakes can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes [R, R]. Several studies found that zinc supplementation reduced fasting blood sugar levels and improved insulin sensitivity in diabetic animal models and humans [R, R, R, R]. Zinc also decreased the severity of diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain), oxidative stress, and cholesterol/triglyceride levels in type 2 diabetic patients [R, R, R, R].
26) Zinc Aids in Weight Loss Leptin is a hormone that plays a role in appetite and weight control. Zinc restriction can lead to reduced leptin production from fat cells in rats and humans [R, R, R, R]. Restoration of zinc levels in men with a marginal zinc deficiency led to an increase in blood leptin levels (possibly through increased IL-2 and TNF-alpha) [R].
27) Zinc is Radioprotective Zinc has been shown to protect against radiation-induced toxicity in mice and bone marrow precursor cells [R, R, R]. It reduced oxidative stress (as measured by MDA levels) and stabilized antioxidant enzymes (i.e., GR, Cu/Zn SOD, and catalase) in the red blood cells of rats after radioactive iodine (131I) exposure [R, R]. Zinc treatment was also able to protect the precursor sperm cells of mice from radiation-induced cell death [R].
28) Zinc Reduces Body Odor Bromhidrosis (body odor) is usually associated with increased bacterial flora in the armpit region, mainly consisting of Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium species [R]. Because of its antibacterial action, topical zinc has shown efficacy in reducing armpit and foot odor in clinical studies [R, R].
29) Zinc Improves Oral Health Zinc deficiency can lead to excessive plaque formation and worsen the inflammatory process in gum disease (from an increased production of IL-1) [R, R]. Zinc-based mouthwashes were found to be effective in reducing plaque growth [R]. Similarly, a study in children from low-income areas found that a daily intake of 15 mg of zinc for ten weeks was associated with reduced plaque formation on the teeth [R].
30) Zinc Enhances Male Fertility and Reproductive Health Seminal zinc concentration is positively correlated with sperm count, motility, and viability [R, R, R]. This is likely because of zinc’s role in stabilizing the cellular membranes and DNA (by reducing oxidative damage) of sperm cells and enhancing spermatogenesis (formation of new sperm cells) [R, R, R]. Low to moderate doses (12 -120 mg/kg) of zinc intake appeared to enhance reproductive function in rats [R]. Zinc is highly concentrated in the prostate and testes and is involved in the synthesis of testosterone [R, R]. In infertile men (with low blood testosterone), supplemental zinc led to an increase in sperm count, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and fertility [R]. Zinc’s testosterone boosting effects may aid in increasing the libido and sexual performance of men with erectile dysfunction (who are often testosterone deficient) [R, R, R]. Zinc can also reduce oxidative damage to the testicles. In rats, zinc was able to preserve testicular function (as measured by testicular weight, sperm concentration, and testosterone levels) in response to oxidative stress induced by cigarette smoke [R]. 31) Zinc Combats Fatigue fatigue Low concentrations of zinc in the blood are associated with many symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (e.g., fatigue, depression, and concentration difficulties). One study found that blood zinc levels were significantly lower in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients than in normal controls and that symptom severity was negatively correlated with blood zinc levels. The study concluded that zinc may be effective in attenuating CFS symptoms because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [R]. Gut inflammation (caused by a leaky gut) is common in people with CFS [R]. A study found that treating leaky gut with a mixture of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substances including zinc in CFS patients resulted in a significant improvement of symptoms [R].
32) Zinc Controls Blood Clotting Human studies show that zinc is involved in regulating pro-thrombotic (clot forming) and anti-thrombotic (clot-preventing) factors derived from platelets and the blood vessel lumen [R, R]. Hyperzincemia (high levels of zinc in the blood) can cause blood clotting while hypozincemia (low levels of zinc in the blood) leads to prolonged blood clotting times. Both conditions cause impairments in platelet aggregation and abnormal bleeding [R]. One study revealed that restoring zinc levels in zinc-deficient men led to normalized platelet aggregation and blood clotting time [R].
33) Zinc Improves Pregnancy Outcome Low blood zinc levels are associated with pregnancy complications (e.g., spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia, extended pregnancy, preterm birth, and abnormal fetal development) [R, R, R]. Studies have shown that maternal zinc supplementation (in zinc deficient or underweight women) can reduce the risk of preterm birth and protect against fetal damage from alcohol exposure [R, R]. A study found that Indian mothers receiving supplemental zinc had longer gestational periods (pregnancy times) and babies with healthier weights [R]. Another study in pregnant women (with low blood zinc levels) found that zinc supplementation (25 mg/day) during the second half of pregnancy significantly increased infant birth weights and head circumferences [R]. It is proposed that these beneficial effects are a result of its ability to inhibit embryonic cell death, increase growth factors (e.g., IGF, PDGF, and FGF), and reduce oxidative damage, all of which help promote healthy fetal development [R, R, R].
34) Zinc is Beneficial for Women’s Health Zinc deficiency is associated with hormonal imbalances that can lead to ovarian function problems, menstruation irregularities, and infertility [R]. Several studies have found that that oral zinc administration (in combination with mefenamic acid and alone) was able to reduce the severity and duration of menstrual pain in women [R, R, R]. These effects are likely due to zinc’s inhibition of prostaglandin metabolism in the uterus, which leads to decreased painful cramping in the lower abdomen [R]. In women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance can cause an increased production of androgen hormones (e.g., testosterone and DHEA), which can lead to balding, body hair growth, irregular periods and infertility [R]. Studies have found that zinc supplementation in women with PCOS can reduce insulin levels and improve disease symptoms (e.g., body hair growth and balding) [R, R]. Women with endometriosis (a condition where the tissue inside the uterus grows outside of the uterus) exhibit low blood zinc levels [R]. One study reported that an intake of antioxidants (i.e., vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc) was inversely correlated with the severity of endometriosis progression in women, indicating that zinc may slow the development of this disorder [R].
35) Zinc Alleviates Pain Zinc has been shown to have pain relieving properties in a number of animal studies [R, R, R, R, R]. In rats with sciatic nerve injury, injection of zinc chloride significantly relieved thermal hyperalgesia (heightened sensitivity to pain) in a dose-dependent manner [R]. Another study showed that zinc salts were able to suppress pain in mice exposed to a series of painful stimuli (e.g., heat and irritant chemicals) [R]. In patients with a chronic liver disease, zinc reduced the frequency and severity of muscle cramp pain [R]. It is proposed that zinc relieves pain in part by binding to the NMDA receptor (as an antagonist), which is involved in initiating pain pathways [R].
36) Zinc May Reduce Opioid Addiction Opioid users exhibit lower levels of zinc [R, R, R, R]. Studies in mice and rats found that zinc reduced the dependence intensity of morphine (an opioid), while zinc chelators intensified withdrawal symptoms [R, R, R]. Based on these results, a literature review article suggested that zinc supplementation may be beneficial in reducing the risk of addiction in humans taking opioids for chronic pain because of zinc’s pain-relieving effects and low toxicity [R].
37) Zinc Increases Taste Sensitivity Zinc deficiency is associated with decreased taste acuity (sensitivity) [R]. This may be because gustin (or carbonic anhydrase VI), a zinc-dependent enzyme, is not as active when salivary concentrations of zinc are low [R]. One study found that zinc supplementation led to increased taste acuity (as assessed by recognition thresholds for salt) in Indian adolescent girls (who are often zinc deficient) [R].
38) Zinc May Prevent Blindness Age-related macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness in the elderly, is believed to be caused by oxidative stress. Clinical studies have found that zinc supplementation can slow the progression of the disease, possibly by preventing oxidative damage to the retina [R, R, R, R]. It has been suggested that zinc may protect against diabetic retinopathy (which can lead to blindness) by preventing retinal capillary cell death and neovascularization (growth of new blood vessels). This is because of zinc’s ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation (through inhibition of NADPH oxidase and NF-κB), which is implicated in the progression of diabetic retinopathy [R]. Night blindness is one of the earliest symptoms of vitamin A deficiency. A study found that zinc was able to enhance the effect of vitamin A in restoring the night vision of pregnant women (who had low zinc levels) [R].
39) Zinc Treats Hearing Disorders Zinc deficiency is linked to impaired hearing in mice and rats, which can be cured with zinc supplementation [R, R]. This is likely a result of zinc’s protective effects (by increasing SOD) against toxins in ear structures (e.g., cochlea and vestibule) [R, R, R]. People with tinnitus (ringing in the ears) have lower levels of zinc in the blood [R, R]. One study has reported that zinc supplementation (50 mg/day) for two months was able to reduce the severity of tinnitus in 82% of patients [R]. In another study, it was found that the addition of zinc to oral corticosterone was associated with a greater improvement in symptoms in people with a sudden sensorineural hearing loss (sudden deafness from unknown reasons) than by corticosterone alone [R]. Otitis media (OM) is an infection of the middle ear. One study found zinc supplementation was able to significantly reduce the rate of otitis media in healthy children from low-income areas [R].
40) Zinc May Prolong Lifespan Oxidative stress is thought to accelerate the aging process [R, R]. Zinc is a key component of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), a powerful enzyme that neutralizes superoxide radicals [R]. A study found that worms (i.e. S. cerevisiae) and mice genetically manipulated to express high levels of SOD had longer lifespans [R]. Mutations in the SOD gene are associated with many age-related diseases (e.g., ALS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer) [R]. Inflammation is also involved in the process of aging [R, R]. Zinc supplementation in the elderly was found to decrease inflammation, oxidative stress, and the rate of infection [R]. Thus, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, zinc may promote longevity, particularly in the elderly (who are often zinc deficient) [R].
41) Zinc Promotes Thyroid Function In animal and human studies, zinc deficiency is associated with a decline in thyroid function (due to low levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and free thyroxine (FT4) in the blood) [R, R, R, R]. Supplementary zinc has been shown have favorable effects on thyroid function in humans [R, R, R]. In disabled hypothyroid patients under anticonvulsant therapy (with mild to moderate zinc deficiency), zinc supplementation was able to normalize thyroid hormone levels in the blood (i.e., T3 and FT3) and restore thyroid function [R]. In a case study of two college females, zinc intake increased thyroid hormone levels (i.e., T3 and T4) and resting metabolic rate [R]. Zinc supplementation was also to reverse the damaging effects of computer monitor-emitted radiation on the thyroid hormone levels of computer workers [R].
42) Zinc May Alleviate Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that can cause breathing problems, lung infection, and an inability to gain weight. A retrospective study in cystic fibrosis patients found that zinc supplementation was able to improve lung function, energy intake, and decrease the rate of infection [R].
43) Zinc May Enhance Athletic Performance A study in wrestlers found that heavy exercise can significantly deplete thyroid hormones and testosterone levels, which can lead to exhaustion. However, zinc supplementation was able to prevent this loss, indicating that intake (in physiological doses) may benefit athletic performance [R]. Another study in sedentary men showed similar results [R].
44) Zinc May Reduce Chemotherapy Side Effects Mucositis (ulceration of mucous membranes) is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy [R]. Studies in patients who underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy found that zinc supplementation was able to reduce the severity of oral mucositis [R, R]. Dysgeusia (distortion of taste) and dysosmia (distortion of smell) can also occur during chemotherapy [R]. A study found that a daily intake of 100 mg of zinc for 4-6 months improved dysgeusia and dysosmia symptoms in patients with carbonic anhydrase VI (gustin) deficiency [R]. This effect is because it is known to stimulate the production of carbonic anhydrase VI, an enzyme in the saliva that is involved in taste bud growth [R].
45) Zinc Reduces the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions (e.g., obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol) that can lead to an increased risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes [R]. A study in children with metabolic syndrome found that zinc supplementation decreased insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation, blood sugar, cholesterol, and body mass index [R].
46) Zinc Improves Mitochondrial Function A study in rats found that zinc intake enhanced the electron transport system and oxidative phosphorylation in the liver mitochondria, which increased energy output (ATP) in liver cells [R].
47) Zinc May Treat Arsenic Poisoning A study in patients with chronic arsenic poisoning showed that zinc in combination with spirulina extract was effective in reducing symptoms (i.e., melanosis and keratosis) [R]. Zinc Supplementation