 Bromine
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I have not found a cell receptor for Bromine (Br) to date, and at this time, bromine has not been classified as
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being essential to human health. However, bromine - either as potassium bromide or sodium bromide - has
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anti-seizure properties, and it is an interesting and effective trace mineral in regard to hyperthyroid conditions.
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Many marine plants, particularly kelp, are a rich source of bromine and iodine, so depending on their bromine
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/ iodine ratio, and whether someone is hypothyroid or hyperthyroid, this can have a beneficial or unfavorable
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effect on thyroid functions when regularly consumed.
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When reports of hypothyroidism cases surfaced as a result of certain cultures regularly consuming seaweed
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(such as Kelp), some researchers believed the high iodine content in those marine plants to be the reason.
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However, it may have well been the bromine content, or a high bromine / iodine ratio in the plants compared
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to those of other regions, or that these same people possibly also consumed higher amounts of "goitrogenic"
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vegetables such as limabeans, cassava, cabbage, sweet potatoes, rutabaga, which can result in depressed
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iodine / thyroid functions. On average, most varieties of kelp tend to increase thyroid functions.
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In hyperthyroidism, where milder forms of nutritional therapy such as PABA or magnesium have not been very
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effective, I have seen bromine to be very effective in human and animal applications, and provided the proper
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amount is used, no side effects are experienced. Bromine inhibits both, T4 thyroxine and T3 triiodothyronine
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hormones, and in some cases only a short course of bromine is needed to return (hyper) thyroid functions
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back down to normal. (see also Acu-Cell "Tin & Iodine").
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Bromides can still be found in some medications, and despite a ban on potassium bromate in flour by the
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World Health Organization (it was found that potassium bromate caused renal cancer in rats when they drank
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water containing KBrO3), some nations are still allowing its use as oxidizer in baked goods at very low levels.
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Bakers associations maintain that potassium bromate is converted to harmless potassium bromide during
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the baking process. Bromine was also used as a sleeping aid in the past, for which it worked well, however
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long-term use of bromides can result in brominism, a toxic condition. In addition, even trace amounts of
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bromine can trigger severe acne in sensitive individuals.
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Bromine-based fire retardants used in carpets, mattresses, upholstery, furniture and various electronic equip-
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ment have become suspect for causing a number of medical conditions, including hypothyroidism. Based on
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animal research, bromides have also been linked to behavioral problems, neurodevelopment and attention
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deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADD / ADHD) in children. The European Union has already banned some
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PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) compounds, and it is hoped that countries still allowing their use will
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follow suit.
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While phenobarbital is the conventional approach in Veterinary Medicine to control seizures in dogs, some
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veterinary doctors started experimenting with bromides some years ago. At first, they were used for resistant
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cases, but now there are a large number of vets who are not opposed to using either potassium bromide, or
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sodium bromide as a first choice over phenobarbital. €
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