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Lv 4
? asked in HealthDiseases & ConditionsCancer · 8 years ago

Is salt (Iodine) ever recommended to patients undergoing cancer therapy?

I'm just curious about this as I know Iodine 131 the radioactive isotope is used as a treatment for certain types of cancer. I know salt is most often Iodised to prevent mental degredation but can it actually help cancer sufferers?

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    You're mixing up two different things. Iodine 136 is used to treat thyroid cancer, because thyroid tissue accumulates iodine. It kills the cancer cells because it is radioactive, not because of the chemical nature of iodine. Salt is iodized because some people have thyroid glands that do not process iodine normally, or live in areas where there is no regular source of iodine in their food. Before salt was iodized, it was common in people who lived at a distance from any ocean to develop enlarged thyroid glands, called goiters.

  • 5 years ago

    Poor nutrition is probably the origin of many thyroid problems (including low thyroid), and rich nutrition is vital to reversing them, or at least to prevent further decline. Learn here https://tr.im/JcqX2

    Healthy thyroid function depends on a range of nutrients, especially selenium, folic acid, and iodine. Since most people cannot optimize levels of these nutrients through diet alone, a medical–grade supplement is vital. Of course, supplements should be used to complement, not substitute, for a balanced diet.

    Stress in all it’s forms is another key culprit of thyroid dysfunction. Most of us experience a high degree of the most damaging kind — unremitting stress. It is important for hypothyroid treatment to identify the stressors you face and learn techniques and activities that can help you reduce your stress.

  • 8 years ago

    No, it's not. For one thing, table salt isn't iodine-- it just contains a trace of iodine. For another, non-radioactive iodine doesn't treat any cancer.

  • april
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    It's used in some thyroid conditions, including cancer. It's only limited for a short period of time in some of those treatments. Otherwise, it'a non issue...obviously..

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