bromide and chloride

[Guest guest]

Read a chapter on Bromine last night by Sticht and Kaferstein (Germany). I

found the following quote interesting. It explains why salt (NaCl) is useful

in getting rid of bromide. So, take salt to deal with bromide detox symptoms

triggered by iodine supplementation. I am suspicious that most of the symptoms

experienced when supplementing with iodine are from bromide.

" It has been known for more than 40 years that a preferential excretion of

chloride by the kidneys at the expense of bromide takes place and this is an

important factor in the accumulation of bromide in the body. This is due to the

faster reabsorption of bromide in comparison to chloride by the renal tubules.

Because of this, a salt-free diet favors the accumulation of bromide. "

A few other quotes:

" After resorption from the gastrointestinal tract, bromide is distributed

throughout the body in almost precisely the same way as chloride. That means it

is disseminated nearly exclusively into extracellular fluids and replaces

chloride in the course of which the total content of halides in the body remains

constant at approximately 110 mmol/L by excretion of a corresponding quantity of

halide (mostly chloride). "

" Bromide crosses the placental barrier easily and replaces chloride in the fetal

body fluids, and it is excreted in maternal milk as well. "

" Pure bromine has a strong irritating effect on the skin and mucous membranes,

in particular on eyes and the respiratory tract.... An oral dose of 1 ml bromine

is regarded as lethal in adults. "

" The effect of a specific action of the bromide ion is a depression of the

central nervous system.... Mental symptoms of bromide intoxication in human

subjects are manifold, such as lethargy, unsteadiness, attacks of headache,

impaired memory and concentration, disorientation, hallucinations, etc. "

" There is a great individual variation in susceptibility to bromide overdosage. "

" In older individuals relatively low serum bromide levels may produce

dysfunction of the central nervous system. "

" Effects of bromide in biological systems are due to the intermediate position

between the halides chlorine and iodine. "

" Penetration of iodine through the skin of rats was raised in the presence of

sodium bromide. "

" A selective uptake of bromide occurs in the thyroid glands. In pathologically

altered thyroid gland tissue, the bromine content was significantly increased,

whereas iodine concentrations were decreased. "

" The only possibility for reducing toxic effects of bromide overdosage is to

accelerate the excretion. "

[Chart showing the effect of various substances, including NaCl, which

significantly lowers the half life of bromide (from 290 hours to 30-65 hours)

Chart did not specify quantities, but did give references.]

Zoe