Iodine—A Potential Antioxidant and the Role of Iodine/Iodide in Health and Disease

Abstract

In human physiology, iodine is primarily noted for its role in thyroid function and less so for its many extrathyroidal functions, particularly those based on its antioxidant properties. As I− it protects against free radicals and peroxides. This is seen in vitro in decreased depolymerization of hyaluronic acid and increased antioxidant status in human serum, and in vivo in increased antioxidant enzyme activities and decreases of malondialdehyde and peroxides. It could be shown or deduced that balneotherapeutic applications of iodine/iodide have a positive effect on cardiocirculatory diseases, respiratory disorders, some eye diseases (dry eye, cataract, age-related macular degeneration), and other degenerative diseases connected with increased oxidative stress that are also treated by balneotherapy.