I hadn't planned on posting on this but given the recent interest in iodine maybe it will be of interest to some. I ran across some interesting patents regarding iodine. I provide links to the patents at the end of this post. Many have difficulty getting access to sufficient iodine at a cost they can afford. This can be a problem particularly to those with cancer where daily doses of up to 100 mg of iodine are recommended. The patents show that when an iodide and an iodate are taken together, the hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach converts the iodide and iodate to molecular iodine (I2). In the following discussion, I will be referring to potassium iodide and potassium iodate forms of iodine. This is because both are readily available in Reagent grade via eBay and a liquid form of potassium iodide, known as SSKI (Saturated Solution Potassium Iodide), is also readily available from multiple sources. I was able to get 100gm of potassium iodide and 25gm potassium, Regeant grade, on eBay for about $40.00. This will provide enough iodine for over 3 years of iodine at a dosage of 100mg per day. To summarize the patents briefly: When potassium iodide and potassium iodate are ingested in the ratio by weight of 3.8:1(iodide to iodate) the iodide and iodate are converted to I2 with a conversion efficiency of up to 100%. Many believe that it is best to have both potassium iodide and I2 in the bloodstream since each is utilized differently in the body. You can achieve any ratio of iodide to I2 you want simply by increasing the ratio of iodide to iodate (i.e. 4:1, 4.5:1, ...) the extra iodide is not converted to I2 and remains as potassium iodide. The inventor tested his hypothesis in two ways. First, he combined the iodide and iodate, added them to simulated gastric acid and verified the conversion of the two to I2. Secondly, he fed the combination to mice and confirmed the presence of I2 in the tissues of the mice. In all cases, the amount of I2 in the tissues equaled or exceeded the I2 found in the tissues of a control group of mice given an equivalent amount of Lugol's. Much of the patent relates to making a compound of the two iodine's that is stable over time without conversion to I2. To do so the compound must have a pH of 8 to 11 preferably. You can do this by using baking soda or calcium bentonite as the medium for combining the two. Both are readily available and have a pH of around 11. Personally, I don't think it is worth the trouble unless you need to put the iodine in capsules. If you already use SSKI, just keep a so;ution of potassium iodate in a dropper and add the iodate to the SSKI to get the desired ratio and amount of I2 and potassium iodide you want. To calculate the amount of iodide and iodate in a specific amount of the two you need to consider the actual amount of iodine in the compounds. Potassium iodide is 76.5% iodine and potassium iodate is 59.3% iodine. I know this is confusing but I hope you can understand the explanation.
Patents: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5885592.html http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6248335.html - Steve N
