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How to use Iodine to purify Water
One thing that's important to note: you can't filter out
cryptosporidium through the use of iodine tablets or crystals.

Polar Pure -- it's how to completely sterilize drinking water from  
ALL viruses, bacteria and their mutations. Incredible stuff, Polar
Pure is an iodine water purifier in extremely portable form (a 5-
ounce bottle fits in the palm of your hand).

Inexpensive: The cost to use Polar Pure is just one-cent
per quart, while water tablets cost 12 cents per cup!

Shelf-stable (even after you open the bottle). Polar Pure
is a purification method that's shelf-stable, and maintain
its' potency indefinitely as long as it remains capped
between uses. Conversely, water tablets begin losing their
efficacy as soon as you open the bottle. It has an
indefinite shelf life!

Gives you thousands gallons of water. Polar Pure can
render large amounts of water potable - The small bottle
lets you decontaminate 2,000 liters of water (about 528
gallons).

Extremely effective, Polar Pure exceeds the FDA's minimum
standard for sterilization by killing all bacteria and viruses, as
well as their mutations.  Tablets can let organisms mutate and
become immune, while filtration straws cannot filter out
viruses, which are too small at .0004 mi. That's why it's good to
add Polar Pure as a water disinfectant. It pairs well with
whatever water purifier you choose.

How Potassium Iodide Works
If you take potassium iodide, it will fill up your thyroid gland.  
This reduces the chance that harmful radioactive iodine will enter
the thyroid gland.

In a radiation emergency, radioactive iodine may be released in
the air. This material may be breathed or swallowed and this may
enter the thyroid gland and damage it. The damage would
probably not show itself for years, but it's important to take
action.  Children are most likely to have thyroid damage, so it's
imperative after a radiation emergency to crush tablets for them
to help them if they can't swallow. You'll take one pill every 24
hours and no sooner.

Be sure to give your family Potassium Iodide as the dietary
supplements of iodine will not be effective. Certain forms of
iodine help your thyroid gland work properly.  Most people get the
iodine they need from foods like iodized salt or fish. The thyroid
can "store" or hold only a certain amount of iodine. Potassium
iodide ensures your thyroid is flushed with the proper amount.

Who Should Not Take Potassium Iodide
In an emergency, the only people who shouldn't take potassium
iodide are those who know they are allergic to iodide.

It's important to note that unlike other kinds of iodine, you may
take potassium iodide even if you are taking medicines for a
thyroid problem (for example, a thyroid hormone or antithyroid
drug).  Pregnant and nursing women and babies and children may
also take this drug.

How And When To Take Potassium Iodide
Potassium iodide should be taken as soon as possible after public
health officials tell you.  You should take one dose every 24
hours.  More will not help you because the thyroid can "hold" only
limited amounts of iodine.  Larger doses will increase the risk of
side effects.  You will probably be told not to take the drug for
more than 10 days.

Side Effects of Potassium Iodide
Usually side effects of potassium iodide happen when people take
higher doses for a long time.  You should be careful not to take
more than the recommended dose or take it for longer than you
are told.  Side effects are unlikely because of the low dose and
the short time you will be taking the drug.

Possible side effects include skin rashes, swelling of the salivary
glands, and "iodism" (metallic taste, burning mouth and throat,
sore teeth and gums, symptoms of a head cold, and sometimes
stomach upset and diarrhea).

A few people have an allergic reaction with more serious
symptoms.  These could be fever and joint pains, or swelling of
parts of the face or body and at times severe shortness of breath
requiring immediate medical attention.

Taking iodide may rarely cause over activity of the thyroid gland,
under activity of the thyroid gland, or enlargement of the thyroid
gland (goiter).

What To Do If Side Effects Occur
If the side effects are severe or if you have an allergic reaction,
stop taking potassium iodide.  Then, if possible, call a doctor or
public health authority for instructions.

Why stock Iosat Potassium Iodide
Iosat Potassium Iodide has been FDA approved since 1982.
Stockpiling of potassium iodide (KI) is highly recommended by
health officials worldwide to prevent thyroid cancer of those
exposed to radioactive iodine following a nuclear reactor accident
or detonation of a nuclear weapon. Radioactive iodine can travel
hundreds of miles downwind, such as it did after the Chernobyl
and Fukushima disasters. The thyroid is the only part of the body
that absorbs and stores iodine. By taking FDA approved
potassium iodide prior to exposure of radioactive iodine, your
thyroid will become saturated with safe, stable iodine. This will
prevent your thyroid from absorption of any additional iodine
(radioactive or not) long enough for the radioactive iodine inhaled
or ingested to be safely dispersed through the kidneys.

How much Iodine do you need?
The answer to how much iodine you need depends on your
reasons for using iodine.

  • Are you taking medications? Perhaps you don't need iodine
    at all because of medications you're taking: Tell your doctor,
    pharmacist, and other health care providers about any
    dietary supplements and medicines you take before taking
    any iodine.

  • Want to purify water? For example, according to the
    manufacturer of J. Crow's Lugol's Solution 2%, to use as a
    water purifier, you'd add 3-6 drops of Lugols Solution per
    liter of water. (One liter is about four cups.)

  • Do you have cancer? If you're seeking alternative cancer
    treatments and are not undergoing any traditional cancer
    treatments, such as chemotherapy, then consider the Gerson
    Therapy. To use a supplement for cancer under the Gerson
    Therapy, larger doses are given patients in the first few
    weeks (three  drops six times daily), according to page 205
    of "A Cancer Therapy, results of 50 cases and the cure of
    advanced cancer by Diet Therapy by Max Gerson, M.D. Start
    by printing this handy guide to iodine supplementation.

Warning about iodine:
Please heed the warning that all iodine products can be toxic
(even deadly) if taken in excessive amounts. Follow directions
precisely on packaging and keep out of reach of children.

Warning about thyroid treatment of radioactive iodine:
Beware that radioactive iodine is not the same as other kinds of
iodine. Radioactive iodine capsules (also available in liquid form)
is absorbed into the thyroid gland as part of traditional cancer
treatment and it destroys thyroid tissue! If you're prescribed such
treatment they will tell you that it supposedly does not harm
other tissue in the body. Don't believe it! The radioactive iodine
is not selective in tissue that it harms.

People who take radioactive iodine supplements will feel
nauseated after treatment, which is another sign this is not
healthy. Further, after treatment, the treatment team will instruct
you to stay far away from people, and they will also instruct you
to sleep alone, avoid kissing, sharing utensils, cups and plates.
The key is that it's radioactive! Avoid radioactive iodine and look
to natural and alternative cancer treatments.

  • NOTE: Iosat Potassium Iodine is not the same as
    radioactive iodine. Iosat Potassium Iodide has been FDA
    approved since 1982. Stockpiling of potassium iodide (KI) is
    highly recommended by health officials worldwide to prevent
    thyroid cancer of those exposed to radioactive iodine
    following a nuclear reactor accident or detonation of a
    nuclear weapon. Radioactive iodine can travel hundreds of
    miles downwind, such as it did after the Chernobyl and
    Fukushima disasters. The thyroid is the only part of the body
    that absorbs and stores iodine. By taking FDA approved
    potassium iodide prior to exposure of radioactive iodine, your
    thyroid will become saturated with safe, stable iodine. This
    will prevent your thyroid from absorption of any additional
    iodine (radioactive or not) long enough for the radioactive
    iodine inhaled or ingested to be safely dispersed through the
    kidneys.

What's the difference between Iodine and Iodide?

  • Iodine is a mineral found in some foods. The molecule that
    is taken up by cells in the body. Iodine is a gas and is not
    very available in food and supplements.

  • Iodide is a compound of iodine. It happens when iodine
    bonds with another element like potassium.

Resources about iodine:

  • Breast cancer: Breast Cancer and Iodine, by Dr. David M.
    Derry, M.D., PhD., pictured right in red is an excellent
    resource about cause, prevention and treatment of breast
    cancer. Breast cancer has two phases. The first one, from
    abnormal cells up to carcinoma in situ reverses with iodine.
    The second phase, invasion, is controlled by connective
    tissue thyroid hormone. Read Breast Cancer and Iodine: how
    to prevent and how to survive breast cancer.


Consider these foods naturally high in iodine:
  1. Alfalfa sprouts
  2. Apples (because of the pectin)
  3. Bee pollen
  4. Beets
  5. Blue-green algae
  6. Broccoli
  7. Brown rice
  8. Garlic
  9. Ginger
  10. Kelp
  11. Leafy greens
  12. Miso
  13. Olive oil
  14. Onions
  15. Pumpkin
  16. Rosemary
  17. Spirulina
  18. Seaweed
  19. Wheat grass

Note for preppers who live in Australia:

Side effects and cautions about iodine


  • ALLERGY WARNING: Be aware that a severe allergic reaction
    to povidone-iodine includes a severe rash, hives, difficulty
    breathing, or dizziness. See a medical professional if you
    experience any of these allergic reactions.

  • PREGNANCY / BREASTFEEDING WARNING: It's not known
    how povidone/iodine may affect a pregnancy a or whether its
    excreted into breast milk, so it's important to discuss the
    risks to you and your baby.

Happy endings...
That iodine could be the answer to infertility is a happy ending to
a couple wishing for a child; or that iodine is for improved breast
health can potentially wipe away concerns of breast cancer for
deficient women who take heed, is reason enough to start an
iodine regimen.

Knowing that you can improve your life with iodine everyday is
satisfying, but knowing how to provide potable water for your
family with iodine is another prepper skill worth adding to your
survival skills list.

Use iodine in your life. Prepare to live happily ever after.

Related articles...

You also may be happy to read these articles...

Prepare to live happily ever after with us at happypreppers.com - the Web site of
emergency preparedness, prepping, survival, homesteading and self-sufficiency.
In the video above, Dr. Mark Sircus explains the differences in dosing with
Nascent and Lugol's iodine in adults and children and iodine's use in bringing
up deficient levels as well as in treating infections, cancers and other
illnesses. Visit his Web site to learn more about iodine.

Foods rich in iodine include:
  • asparagus
  • bananas
  • cabbage
  • carrots
  • cod liver oil
  • egg yolk
  • lettuce
  • kelp
  • onions
  • tomatoes, spinach, rhubarb,
  • potatoes,
  • peas, strawberries, mushrooms,
  • radishes
  • seafood
  • strawberries

As a health supplement, iodine can help with the following:
  • Support breast and ovarian health
  • Help neurological health.
  • Prevent goiter.
  • Boost metabolism.
  • Treat influenza.

Painting a small area of the body with tincture of iodine is a way
to test your deficiency.

#3: Know Iodine is a health supplement.
Using iodine as a health supplement is a little more complicated
than using it as a topical antiseptic. Iodine can promote healing
by influencing cell activity and stimulating the immune system,
and people are awakening to its power, but it's not for everyone.

If you don't get enough iodine, you could experience significant
health problems. Americans are extremely deficient in iodine;
however, it's important to note that iodine supplements can
interact with medicines that you may take, which is why it's not
right for everyone to take iodine.

  • Always consult your physician regarding whether a dietary
    supplement is right for you.


This information should not be used to decide whether or not to
take povidone/iodine solution or any other medicine. Only your
health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide
which medicines are right for you.

Who can benefit from iodine as a supplement?
Your body needs iodine, but can't make iodine. Specifically, iodine
is especially important for your thyroid gland, which needs iodine
to make hormones. Your thyroid is responsible for everything from
metabolism to mood.  As a dietary supplement for health, proper
iodine support can boost metabolism, help prevent diseases and
improve degenerative health conditions.

Problems of iodine deficiency include:

Made from premium ingredients, the iodine used in J.Crow's
Lugol's solution is derived from mined crystals from 320 million
year old natural brine deposits two miles beneath the earth's
surface in western USA (one of the few places in the world where
such deposits exist). It's not made from shellfish. The water used
is distilled, pure, new Hampshire spring water. It's always fresh
and does not expire. Store at room temperature out of direct
sunlight. There's no need to refrigerate.

Women in particular can benefit from an iodine supplement.
Women who don't have enough iodine can suffer serious
consequences. An iodine deficiency can cause women to stop
ovulating and it can lead to infertility. For women who are
deficient in iodine can risk their life and their baby's life too, as
iodine is important for the developing the central nervous system.

Cancer patients may benefit from iodine.
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may benefit from
iodine, according to WebMd.com who says iodine can "prevent
soreness inside the mouth (mucositis) caused by chemotherapy."

Cancer patients seeking alternative treatments (no radiation, no
surgery and no chemotherapy), can also benefit from iodine
As well, iodine is a supplement prescribed to patients undergoing
the Gerson Therapy, a dietary therapy and detoxification
alternative cancer treatment developed by Max Gerson, M.D.

Iodine can help with a number of deficiencies.
In his book, Iodine: Why You Need it, Why You Can't Live Without
It, David Brownstein, M.D., says iodine can help with:
  • breast cancer
  • fibrocystic breast disease
  • detoxification
  • fatigue
  • Graves' disease
  • Hashimoto's disease
  • thyroid problems, hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer.

How to take iodine as a health supplement.
It's always best to get vitamins and minerals from food sources.
Iodized salt is a good prep to have and yet it is not the best
source of iodine. A good source of iodine is Lugols Iodine, which
in premium format can cost, but it's well worth the investment if
you have a degenerative disease like cancer.

Preparations known to be rich in iodine, include:
  • Lugol's solution of iodine.
  • Nascent iodine, below is a video from Dr. Sircus on Nascent
    iodine....

#4: Try Iodine as a throat gargle.
Who knew that iodine would also help fight off germs and harmful
organisms? As a throat gargle, iodine can do just that. Kills most
bacteria and viruses implicated in sore throats within 30 seconds
and may be used as an aid in the treatment of an infected sore
throat.

Put Betadine to work and get your family back into play. Betadine
1% Oral Antiseptic Solution is a povidone-iodine medicated gargle
that kills most bacteria and viruses in your throat and oral cavity.
At the first sign of a sore throat, gargle it for 30 seconds to stop
an infection from growing.

#5: Consider that Iodine is effective against MRSA.
You may want to prepare for the superbug, known as methicillin-
resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA) using iodine. What you
may not realize is that iodine may be effective against MRSA.


#6: Purify water with Iodine.
Iodine is a sterilizing agent. Water purification is the #1 reason
preppers use iodine, but it is also a misunderstood topic. What
kind and how much iodine do you need to purify water? Below are
a couple of ways on how to use iodine to purify water.

  • Lugol's Solution (water purification for health):  To use
    Lugol's Solution as a water purifier, add 3-6 drops per liter of
    water. J. Crow's Lugol's Solution, pictured right, is the most
    popular (and best selling Lugol's Iodine Solution." You get
    approximately 1200 vertical drops per 2 oz. Container. To
    use this solution as a water purifier add 3-6 drops per liter of
    water. That's it for health reasons. You'll be amazed at how
    beautiful the water tastes, particularly if your body is
    deficient. While it  is a water purifier, you'll want a water
    disinfectant, like Polar Pure, to kill all the organisms lurking
    in questionable water sources.

  • Polar Pure (water purification for emergencies) Polar Pure
    can be used as water disinfectant to kill all bacteria and
    viruses before they mutate. Filtration straws cannot filter out
    viruses, which are too small at .0004 microns. It's EPA-
    certified to exceed the minimum threshold for sterilization.

  • Potable Aqua (water purification tablets for camping and
    emergency). Each Potable Aqua tablet contains 20 mg of
    Tetraglycine Hydroperiodide (TGHP), which liberates 8 mg of
    titratable iodine when released into water. Within 30
    minutes, the iodine will have penetrated the cell walls of the
    microorganisms, rendering them inactive and making the
    water safe to drink. Iodine will sometimes have a taste in
    your water. Potable Aqua germicidal tablets for water
    purification, pictured right, has no iodine taste or color.

How much iodine to purify water
While many preppers believe you can purify water with iodine, it
is more accurate to say that you can sterilize water with iodine,
or disinfect it. Iodine will not get rid of fluoride, chlorine or other
pollutants, but it will kill the

How much iodine do you need to purify water using Polar Pure
Iodine Crystals?

Liquid 2% Tincture of Iodine
  • Add 5 drops per quart when the water is clear.
  • Add 10 drops per quart when the water is cloudy.

Fill the Polar Pure bottle with water and shake. The solution will
be ready for use in an hour.

For external use only, povidone-iodine is an excellent addition to your first
aid kit for minor cuts, grazes, burns, abrasions and blisters; however
irrigating your wound with soap and water is always the best option!

In short, iodine is an acceptable method of treating minor cuts,
grazes, burns and blisters, particularly if you are concerned about
infection in crisis as with gravel that may get into a wound.
Always wash with soap and water first. Watch the video above to
ensure you know how to get rid of all the dirt and gravel.
How to use iodine (and iodide)
Using iodine tablets, crystals, or tincture of iodine

How to use iodine (radiation exposure, drinking water and more).
Iodine comes in many forms ~ tablets, crystals, or liquid tincture,
and has many uses from cleansing wounds, handling radiation
exposure to sterilizing drinking water and also for improved
health. You need to know the difference between iodine and
potassium iodide.

This guide will get you through the basics of how to use iodine...

How to Use Iodine (and Iodide) for Survival
As part of your survival plan, you should stock both iodine and
potassium iodide as both have the potential to lives in crisis, and
you need to know how to use them properly. Also, it's important
to know that this mineral is not right for everyone. Below is a
summary of iodine (and iodide) uses both for emergency and
everyday to help you evaluate if it's right for you...

#1: Use Potassium Iodide for radiation exposure.
For starters, it's important to know the difference between iodine
and iodide when it comes to dealing with radiation emergencies.
Use only Potassium Iodide, like IOSAT Nuke pills, upper right
hand corner, in a radiation emergency.

For radiation emergencies the Centers for Disease Control warn
NOT to use dietary supplements that contain iodine in the place
of KI (potassium iodide). They also warn NOT to use iodized salt
in the place of potassium iodide, as they can be harmful and non-
efficacious. Only potassium iodide protects the thyroid from
radioactive iodine.

Potassium iodine (such as the brand name NukePills) helps
reduce harmful accumulation of radioactive substances in the
thyroid. To prevent thyroid cancer when exposed to radioactive
iodine following a nuclear reactor accident or detonation of a
nuclear weapon, you'll take a pill either in tablet form or you can
crush it for children or the elderly. Take the pills once every 24
hours after an incident has occurred.

Radioactive iodine can travel hundreds of miles downwind, such
as it did after the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters. The thyroid
is the only part of the body that absorbs and stores iodine. By
taking FDA approved potassium iodide before exposure of
radioactive iodine, your thyroid will become saturated with safe,
stable iodine. This will prevent your thyroid from absorption of
any additional iodine (radioactive or not) long enough for the
radioactive iodine inhaled or ingested to be safely dispersed
through the kidneys.

Boiling tap water does not get rid of radioactive materials.
The Seychelle water pitcher, pictured right, is the only water filter
on the market that provides up to 100% reduction of known
radiological contaminants.  Designed for use when disaster
strikes, the Seychelle water pitcher removes 100% of major
nuclear contaminants from drinking water, including removing
100% of gross beta, radium 226, uranium, cesium 137, strontium,
plutonium, radioactive iodine B1, and radon 222. Essential for a
variety of emergencies, including earthquakes, floods, fires and
radiological catastrophes! Protects your family with clean, safe
drinking water in the event of a radiological emergency with the
Seychelle water pitcher.


#2: Use Iodine as an antiseptic and germicide.
A solution of iodine in alcohol is a mild antiseptic. As an
antiseptic, iodine is making a comeback as it's already popular in
Australia and Europe.

It used to be standard operating procedure to swab a red iodine
solution on the scraped knees of American school children up until
around the 1970s. Kids would cringe at the sight of the ominous
dark bottle with eerie red liquid because it had a bit of sting!
Because of perceived toxicity, iodine fell out of favor for the last
few decades, but rest assured that iodine is highly effective as an
antimicrobial and has been for more than 170 years. You need
only know the proper dosage, realize that some people are
allergic and others can not tolerate because of medicines which
may interact.


When and how to use iodine dressings:
Iodine can kill amoeba (and other microorganisms), bacteria, and
fungus, but soap and water is usually your best option.

After you use soap and water, you may like to use a Betadine
solution if you suspect infection, as with a tick bite. Slow release
iodine dressings can treat a range of wound types where infection
is present or suspected as with burns.

Betadine is what doctors and nurses use to wash hands before
surgeries and for any cuts. Right, is Betadine iodine solution, a
10% solution that's trusted by medical professionals to kill germs
promptly on minor cuts, scrapes and burns.

Iodine is ideal for wound cleansing and debridement, but you may
be wondering how to use iodine. Antiseptic pads make using
iodine very easy for wound cleansing.  Betadine (Povidone-iodine)
prep wipes are a must for a well-equipped first aid kit, but its
good to note that they have an expiration date and may
eventually dry out. The Povidone-iodine prep pads right, have an
excellent rating.

  • Povidone-Iodine.  Povidone-Iodine Prep Pad is an
    antiseptic/germicide for external use only. In the tradition of
    mid century first aid, Povidone-Iodine prep pads are ideal for
    antiseptic skin preparation, venipuncture, IV starts, renal
    dialysis, pre-op prepping and other minor invasive
    procedures. Each pad is saturated with 10% Povidone iodine
    solution. It's a broad spectrum antiseptic for use on minor
    cuts, grazes, burns, abrasions and blisters.
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