September 10, 2011
Role of iodine in the tear glands
Areas such as the eye and the mouth are repeatedly exposed to infectious organisms. The fact that these areas are not frequent victims of infection speaks to a complex system of immunological protection in these areas. These tissues employ not only antibodies, but also the use of small molecules with antimicrobial properties. Iodine and iodine-containing compounds likely play an important role in protecting the body against infection. As has been discussed previously, through the action of various enzymes iodine can form a number of active compounds important for fighting disease. In the presence of a peroxidase such as lactoperoxidase, and hydrogen peroxide, iodide is activated to hypoiodous acid (HI), which is a potent antimicrobial. In addition, unincorporated iodine itself is an important disinfecting agent.
Studies employing immunohistochemistry on tissues from salivary and lacrimal glands have demonstrated the presence of the symporter (Spirzweg et 4., 1999; Thiang et al„ 1998)- To date, there appear to be no iodine uptake studies in lacrimal tissue. in addition, the mechanism controlling NIS expression there remains to be understood. Given the importance of having proper immunological defense of these areas, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the symporter may be constitutively expressed. It is also possible that in the salivary and lacrimal glands, syinporter expression falls under the control of inflammatory crokincs. Such a system would seem consistent with the antimicrobial function iodine appears Co be playing in these tissues.
I started suffering from dry eyes and blurry vision at my job where I have worked on a computer roughly nine hours a day, five days a week for over thirty years.
I take many food supplements and vitamin supplements so you might say I “know” my body if you get my drift… that is I “know” or “notice” when my body is responding to supplementation.
One particular work week I went to lunch at a nearby Japanese restaurant which happens to be walking distance from my office three days in a row! I was really craving Japanese that week! Each lunch time I had a bowl of miso soup with “extra seaweed”. After the third day I noticed that my body had started to produce more tears. I also noticed that I was blinking more often. My body seemed to be producing more saliva and my vision was much clearer. The daily eyestrain headaches (aching eyeballs) I had been suffering were significantly reduced (less pain from aching eyeballs) I began to suspect the relief I was experiencing had something to do with my increased intake of iodine from the seaweed (dulse) in the miso soup. If anyone reading this is suffering from dry eye associaated with working on a computer, I urge you to consider that you may be suffering from some early symptoms of hyperthyroidism due to a lack of iodine in your diet. As a test you may take iodine in the form of sea vegetables (kelp, dulse, etc.)
>> Here’s how I do it.
I purchase powdered sea vegetables from a local health food store. The sea vegetables powder comes in a shaker like salt. I purchased size 00 empty capsules at the same health food store. When I am ready to make my supplement caps I dump a small pile of the powdered sea vegatables on a plate and then I proceed to “pack” empty glycerine capsules with the sea vegetables powder. I have found that 1/4 teaspoon per day of sea vegetables is about right for me. Note: One gelatin 00 capsule holds about 1/4 teaspoon of powder.
You may also just add a generous shake of the sea vegetables to your food. I add it to home made soups, gravies…etc. I even sprinkle the powdered sea veggies on scrambled eggs.
I REALLY hope this helps someone!
Please note: You may also pack your own turmeric capsules and cinnamon capsules so may add these wonderful beneficial spices as supplements to your daily vitamin/supplements regimen.