Contents:
There are many myths surrounding Lugol's iodine and its mode of action. As almost everyone knows, a serious disaster occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on April 26, 1986. This event is inextricably linked to the mass consumption of this drug. Fears of harmful radiation led to the widespread purchase and consumption of Lugol's iodine. It was even given to children. In these uncertain times, the specter of nuclear disasters returns like a boomerang. The question arises: is its use actually worthwhile?
What is Lugol’s iodine?
Lugol's iodine dates back to 1829. It was developed by the physician Jean Guillaume August Lugol, and it is from him that it owes its name. The Frenchman had long been researching a stable iodine solution. In this case, potassium iodide and iodine itself were dissolved in distilled water and played an additional stabilizing role. Typically, their concentration does not exceed 3%. It is very important that there are two types of this type of substance on sale. The first is Lugol's iodine, which has not been previously purified. In the vast majority of cases, it is widely available in pharmacies and can be purchased without a prescription. It has antiseptic properties and is suitable for application to the skin only after dilution with water. This makes it completely unsuitable for consumption and can even be harmful to your health! The second type of Lugol's iodine is available only upon presentation of an appropriate document issued by a doctor. Its availability is much lower, but it is mainly intended for the pharmacotherapy of all thyroid diseases. In addition, it has been cleaned accordingly, making it relatively safe to consume.
Are Lugol's iodine and iodine the same substances?
It seems that these two substances have a lot in common. The most important difference between them is the solvent used. As already mentioned, distilled water fulfills this very important function in Lugol's solution . However, iodine is nothing other than ethyl alcohol, found in spirits, for example. In addition, thanks to the use of ethanol, the iodine concentration can be much higher, ranging from 3 to even 10%. This makes iodine much more invasive than Lugol's solution. Due to the above fact, it is not intended for consumption in any form! We can only use it externally. However, the internal use of iodine can cause severe irritation of the mucous membranes, including in the stomach, and even serious iodine poisoning.
What functions does iodine perform in our body?
It's absolutely unfounded to demonize the effects of iodine. After all, this chemical element performs many important functions in our body. Among the most important of these are:
- Ensuring an adequate amount of hormones produced by the thyroid gland and its proper function
- Effects on the condition of the skin, but to a lesser extent also on hair and nails
- Ensuring proper brain function and maintaining cognitive functions
- contributes to the maintenance of proper cellular metabolism
- Supports the function of the entire nervous system
Lugol's iodine not as beneficial as it seems?
Lugol 's iodine is naturally associated with an increased risk of exposure to harmful radiation. In 1986, this type of preparation was also purchased on a large scale and distributed in many medical facilities. The principle of this procedure was simple. The goal was to saturate the thyroid gland with iodine as much as possible, preventing it from absorbing the radioactive isotope iodine-131. Let's add that this saturation should last for about 10 days. Meanwhile, the half-life of this isotope is less than 8. This makes sense, but it should be understood that it is not a universal means of protection against all types of radiation. It is worth noting that these types of nuclear reactions release a variety of radioactive substances, not just iodine-based ones. This is the first and not the only disadvantage of this approach. Furthermore, iodine itself is not absorbed particularly quickly. Therefore, after the hypothetical radioactive cloud reached our country, its use was not so important and could have had numerous side effects. After all, our thyroid is very sensitive to the iodine levels in the body. Therefore, an overdose is relatively easy to occur. This, in turn, can lead to hyperthyroidism or autoimmune inflammation of this organ. This condition can be characterized by:
- Swelling of the thyroid gland – formation of goiter
- Weight loss
- brittle hair and nails
- increased sweating
- Shake hands
- Hot flashes
- Problems falling asleep
- Mood swings
- high blood pressure
- my eyes widen
- irregular heartbeat and increased pulse rate
- irregular menstrual cycles in women
- Breast formation in men
It is therefore clear that if we want to protect ourselves from a potential threat, we can guarantee a whole series of side effects, and this is not the end of the potential threats.
Why was Lugol's solution used in 1986 after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster?
The question arises as to why these types of measures are so readily used by medical institutions. There are several answers to this question. First, medical knowledge was not yet at the level it is today. Every effort was made to mitigate the potential danger. Furthermore, rapid action was required, and many specialists were unable to assess the extent of the threat. This was due to the fact that the authorities of the then political system wanted to cover up the entire event at all costs from the watchful eyes of public opinion. Furthermore, radiation measuring devices were at a much lower level back then than they are today. Nowadays, we can get a reliable reading of the location of our interest almost at any time, even using a web browser. Back then, this option did not exist. The lack of information about what was actually happening beyond our eastern border caused panic. The use of Lugol's iodine could also simply have a calming effect and soothe the social mood.
Other risks of oral intake of Lugol's iodine
Aside from the potential development of hyperthyroidism and other diseases closely related to an excess of iodine in the body, the use of this product can lead to other possible complications. First and most obvious is that we can easily overdose on iodine. Let's also add that Lugol's solution , which is available in most pharmacies, is simply not suitable for consumption. Ultimately, it can lead to food poisoning and all its consequences. In addition, the consumption of such a substance is extremely dangerous for all people suffering from various cardiovascular diseases. In such a case, it can even lead to atrial fibrillation or circulatory failure. Interestingly, iodine compounds can be potential allergens. Therefore, the consumption of Lugol's iodine or other products containing large amounts of it can lead to severe anaphylactic shock in such patients.
Lugol's iodine used?
The potential dangers of consuming Lugol's iodine may come as a surprise to many. This raises the question: When is it advisable to consume it? Of course, after proper purification, this substance is widely used in the pharmacotherapy of many thyroid disorders. It is an extremely good source of iodine and its compounds and is also relatively bioavailable. Unlike iodine, it does not contain ethyl alcohol, which irritates the digestive system. However, it should be noted that such therapy must be carried out under the watchful supervision of a physician. It is also possible to dissolve a small amount in water, making it perfect for gargling, for example. Another advantage of Lugol's solution is its ability to be used on wounds and other epidermal damage. Because it uses water as a solvent, it is non-irritating. In addition, it possesses powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties. This makes it possible to effectively remove these pathogens not only from skin surfaces and mucous membranes, but also from all medical instruments and other objects.
Lugol's iodine is surrounded by an indispensable aura—the first line of defense against harmful radiation. Unfortunately, this is only partially true. It possesses certain properties that can counteract the iodine-131 isotopes, which are dangerous to the body. However, long-term use, especially internally, poses numerous health risks. It's understandable that each of us wants to protect ourselves as best we can in times of danger. However, it's worth remembering that every coin has two sides, and in the case of Lugol's fluid, we're dealing with a nearly identical situation.
