The Best Iodine Supplements: Definitive Guide

The best iodine supplements

Iodine is an essential mineral for the proper functioning of your thyroid which produces hormones that regulate everything from your body weight to your emotional stability and cognitive function. It is also a common nutrient deficiency.
Iodine deficiency affects an estimated two billion people worldwide and has so far been fully controlled in only five countries – all in central or northern Europe.

Why Is Iodine Necessary?

Iodine is an important nutrient for humans because it is a key component of the chemical structure of thyroid hormones.

We need iodine because thyroid hormones are essential for human life.

Our body must have sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone and therefore iodine to grow and develop normally. That is why iodine is particularly important during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood. But also in adulthood, it is important for normal metabolism and function.

How does iodine deficiency affect the body?

An iodine deficiency can cause unpleasant and even severe symptoms. These include swelling in the neck area, pregnancy-related problems, weight gain, and learning difficulties.
The symptoms are very similar to those of hypothyroidism or thyroid hormone deficiency. Because iodine is used to make thyroid hormones, the iodine deficiency means that your body cannot make enough of it, which leads to hypothyroidism.
Iodine deficiency is rare in the United States and Canada. People who do not get enough iodine cannot produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. This can cause many problems. In pregnant women, a severe iodine deficiency can cause permanent damage to the fetus by slowing its growth, causing mental retardation and delayed sexual development. A less severe iodine deficiency can lead to a below-average IQ in infants and children and affect the ability of adults to work and think. Goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland, is often the first visible sign of iodine deficiency.

What are the signs of iodine deficiency?

The signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency include:

· Swelling of the thyroid glands in the neck.
This can lead to the formation of a visible lump, a so-called goiter, on the neck.
· Low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism)

Hypothyroidism usually causes symptoms that may include other symptoms:

· Fatigue
· Increased cold sensitivity
· Constipation
· Dehydrated skin
· Weight gain
· Swollen face
· Muscle weakness
· Raised cholesterol levels in the blood
· Pain or stiffness in the muscles and joints
· Slowed heart rate
· Thinning hair
· Depression
· Poor memory

In infants, hypothyroidism probably causes symptoms such as

· Frequent suffocation
· Large tongue
· Swollen face
· Constipation
· Poor muscle tone
· Extreme tiredness

In children and adolescents this condition can be the cause:

· Poor growth
· Delayed tooth development
· Delayed puberty
· Poor mental development
· Cognitive questions

The symptoms may include the following:

· low IQ
· difficulties in learning
· mental disabilities (especially among children).

Signs and symptoms of iodine deficiency

1. Swelling in the neck

Swelling in the front part of the neck is the most common symptom of iodine deficiency. It is called a goiter and occurs when the thyroid gland becomes too large. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front part of the neck. It produces thyroid hormones when it receives a signal from the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
When TSH levels in the blood rise, the thyroid produces iodine to make thyroid hormones. However, if your body is low in iodine, it cannot produce enough.
To compensate, the thyroid gland works harder to try to produce more. This causes the cells to grow and multiply, which eventually leads to goiter.

2. An unexpected increase in weight

Unexpected weight gain is another sign of iodine deficiency. It can occur when the body does not have enough iodine to produce thyroid hormones. This is because thyroid hormones help control the speed of your metabolism, the process by which your body converts food into energy and heat.
When your thyroid hormone levels are low, your body burns fewer calories at rest. Unfortunately, this means that more calories are stored from the foods you eat than fat.

3. Fatigue and weakness

Low iodine content can make you feel tired, lethargic, and weak. This is because your body needs the mineral to produce energy.

4. Hair loss

An iodine deficiency can prevent the regeneration of the hair follicles. Fortunately, the supply of sufficient iodine can help to correct hair loss that occurs due to an iodine deficiency.

5. Dry, Flaky Skin

Dry, flaky skin can occur with iodine deficiency, as the mineral supports your skin cells in their regeneration. It also helps your body sweat and hydrates your skin cells so that you can sweat less when iodine is deficient.

6. Feeling colder than usual

Iodine helps generate body heat, so small amounts may make you feel colder than usual.

7. Changes in heart rate

Iodine deficiency can slow down your heart rate, which can cause you to feel weak, tired, and dizzy and run the risk of fainting.

8. Difficulties in learning and remembering

An iodine deficiency at any age can cause you to have difficulty in learning and remembering. A possible reason for this could be an underdeveloped brain.

9. Problems during pregnancy

An adequate supply of iodine is particularly important for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as they have a higher requirement. An iodine deficiency can cause severe side effects, especially for the baby, such as stunted growth and stunted brain development.

10. Severe or irregular periods

Some women with iodine deficiency may experience heavy or irregular periods. This is because low thyroid hormone levels can interfere with the hormones involved in regulating the menstrual cycle.

Immune System Supplements

Are there any risks associated with too much iodine?

The signs and symptoms of acute iodine poisoning include burning sensation in mouth, throat, and stomach, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weak pulse, and coma. Excessive iodine intake may be toxic to people with kidney disease or tuberculosis and increase the risk of thyroid papillary cancer. It is unhealthy to use iodine tablets to “boost” thyroid function, which can lead to toxicity. You should never take iodine tablets without a doctor’s recommendation.
High iodine intake can cause some of the same symptoms as iodine deficiency – including goiter, elevated TSH levels, and hypothyroidism – because an excess of iodine in susceptible individuals inhibits thyroid hormone synthesis, thereby increasing the TSH stimulation that can produce goiter.

Iodine-induced hyperthyroidism can also be caused by high iodine intake, usually when iodine is administered to treat iodine deficiency. Studies have also shown that excessive iodine intake causes thyroiditis and thyroid papillary cancer. Cases of acute iodine poisoning are rare and are usually caused by doses of many grams of iodine. Reactions to excess iodine and the doses required to cause adverse effects to vary. Some people, such as those with autoimmune thyroid disease and iodine deficiency, may experience adverse effects if iodine intake is considered safe for the general population.

What are the best iodine supplements?

Which vegan foods have a high iodine content?

Iodine-rich vegan foods include algae and seaweed, as well as plants and cruciferous plants are grown in iodine-rich soil. Iodine-rich soils are more likely to be found in fields near the ocean.

There is no simple way to determine the iodine content in plant foods. Plant foods (with the exception of algae) may contain a small amount of iodine. The amount of iodine in plant food varies depending on how much iodine is contained in the soil in which the plant is grown.

Best supplements with iodine

Features:

Iodine is particularly important for thyroid health

If you are looking for a strong aqueous iodine preparation, look no further than MaryRuth’s iodine drops! A perfect complement to a healthy diet, these powerful iodine drops offer a variety of benefits by acting as an activator for optimal hormone production, improved health, and beauty.

Pros:

• Your body does not produce iodine naturally, so it is an essential part of any diet (vegans and vegetarians are particularly at risk for iodine deficiency!)
• Iodine is particularly important for thyroid health.
• MaryRuth’s iodine drops help to compensate for iodine deficiencies and help you look and feel great!
• Easy to take, oral iodine drops provide faster and more efficient health support. They are safe and effective for men and women.

Cons:

• None

Features:

Liquid drops are better for absorption

Nascent iodine is probably the best form of iodine because it contains an electromagnetic charge, so it releases more energy in your body when consumed. In short, your thyroid gland is super into these charged iodine droplets.

• Incredibly strong formula
• Helps with weight loss
• Clearly noticeable difference in energy
• Pure quality source

Cons:

• None

Features:

Effective natural supplements

This product is manufactured by J. CROW’s, a manufacturer of natural remedies. By focusing on simple, proven ingredients, mixed with the knowledge of folk medicine, J. CROW’s has created some of the most effective natural supplements available. Today they are the most trusted source of liquid iodine. J. CROW’s Lugol’s Solution of Iodine is a liquid iodine supplement containing the strongest legally available solution.

• Helps to fight iodine deficiency
• Can be taken internally or externally
• Great price-performance ratio

Cons:

• None

Features:

Iodoral is a convenient tablet offering energizing and nourishing support for the thyroid

This product is manufactured by Optimox Nutrition, a California-based manufacturer of dietary supplements. Optimox Iodoral High Potency Iodine Tablets are simple iodine supplements that come from a great company and offer great value for your hard-earned money. It is a very high potency product, so keep that in mind.

Pros:

• High potency
• A bestseller
• Great value

Cons:

• None

Features:

Natural Thyroid Support (Laminaria) is harvested from clean, cold Siberian water

Thyroid Boost contains a whole range of nutrients that support a healthy thyroid gland. These nutrients serve as a rich source of vitamins and minerals that ensure both detoxification and support of the immune system. The main ingredients of Thyroid Boost include organic and naturally occurring iodine, selenium, alginates, and fucoidan. Essentially, this concentrated extract provides the full spectrum of thyroid function cofactors as well as metabolic and immune system strengthening properties.

Pros:

• Harvested from clean, cold Siberian water
• Laminaria extract (alias Kombu) is 40 times more concentrated than raw algae.
• May help with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism while supporting thyroid health.
• Gluten-Free, Vegan Friendly & Non-GMO

Cons:

• None

Features:

Can even rebuild a severely exhausted thyroid gland

Each 6.5 mg i-throid capsule from RLC Labs contains 3.75 milligrams of iodide from potassium iodide. Iodine is a trace element that is essential for the overall health of the body. This means that although it is important that you ‘get iodine from food’, only a small (trace) amount is necessary for proper functioning. i-Throid provides an optimal amount of elemental iodine in a vegetarian capsule for ‘easy absorption’ optimal bioavailability and rapid release. i-thyroid from RLC Labs offers a superior iodine formula that provides long-term consistent results for improving thyroid function.
i-throid contains the ideal balance of iodide and free elemental iodine, which is highly absorbable and binds with tyrosine to produce thyroid hormones.

Pros:

• Can even rebuild a severely exhausted thyroid gland
• Great price
• Reliable manufacturer

Cons:

• None

Features:

Contains vitamins and cell salts that are essential for good nutrition

Kelp is a large, leafy seaweed from the brown algae family that grows in “forests” in the colder waters of the world’s oceans. Seaweed has been used for centuries as an important nutritious main ingredient in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisine. It is also an excellent source of iodine, which has been shown to be essential for healthy thyroid function.
NOW Foods Vegetarian Kelp Iodine is a good source of marine minerals, including potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Like most green foods, NOW Foods Vegetarian Kelp Iodine contains vitamins and cell salts that are essential for good nutrition.

Pros:

• Green Superfood
• 150 mcg natural iodine
• Supports the thyroid gland function
• Vegetarian formula

Cons:

• None

Features:

Supports the health of the thyroid gland

If you have problems with an enlarged thyroid gland or just have a super idea to support your thyroid gland, this iodine supplement could work for you.
These capsules are filled with iodine from kelp, the main vegetable source of iodine, as well as a cornucopia of other useful ingredients such as vitamin B12 (which is always good for a vegan diet), zinc, copper, magnesium and a number of other things we haven’t seen since the periodic table in high school chemistry.

Pros:

• Supports the health of the thyroid gland
• Reduces the daily brain fog and keeps your mind awake
• Feel more energetic during the training

Cons:

• None

Features:

With Vitamin B2, Selenium, Potassium Iodide

Iodine is a micronutrient that is essentially needed by every cell in our body. It is a fact that our thyroid gland needs iodine, but what some people do not know is that our entire body needs iodine.
IOPlus from Pure Horizon is made in the USA and contains only high-quality ingredients. This product contains no gluten, corn, or GMO and is vegan friendly.
The formula is enriched with selenium and vitamin B2 to ensure a balanced diet.
Pure Horizon’s IOPlus provides your thyroid gland with the necessary nutrients to ensure that you are rested and energized for your day.

Pros:

• Regulates metabolism
• Improves brain development
• Detoxifies heavy metals & halogens

Cons:

• None

Features:

Helps counteract iodine deficiency in modern healthy diets

Harvested from a blend of organic seaweed, Sea-Iodine brings you the health of the sea while avoiding the dangers of excessive salt. It is a great way to maintain your daily iodine intake.
Iodine supports the production of important thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). A healthy thyroid gland not only functions as the body’s thermostat but is also one of the most important regulators of metabolism, including the burning of fat to produce energy.
We all try to reduce salt intake. But if you avoid iodized table salt, you may unconsciously reduce your iodine intake. This supplement provides 1,000 mcg of iodine per daily dose.

Pros:

• A trace element that is essential for healthy thyroid function
• Helps to counteract the iodine deficiency in modern healthy nutrition
• Marine iodine derived from organic marine algae

Cons:

• None

Key ingredients of iodine supplements

Forms of seaweed, such as kelp, are excellent and completely natural sources of iodine, but to use them directly as iodine sources is difficult. This is because the iodine content is very variable. So our ideal product was one that uses seaweed or another oceanic source of iodine but carefully controls the actual iodine content.
Simple iodine salts, such as potassium iodide, had some additional redeeming properties, such as clean supplement design and a solid dose of iodine.

Benefits

1. Iodine is an important nutrient for the production of thyroid hormones, which in turn determine everything from your mood, weight, and cognitive function.
2. Iodine keeps your thyroid gland function.
3. Iodine supplementation during pregnancy improves fetal health.
4. Iodine preparations can protect you from cancer in case of a nuclear accident.
5. Abstaining from the salt in the diet can lead to iodine deficiency, but an iodine supplement can reverse this deficiency.
6. High-dose iodine supplementation could help women with fibrocystic breast disease.

Best brands of iodine supplement

· Optimox Iodoral High Potency Iodine / Potassium Iodide.
· Enviromedica Nascent Iodine.
· Detoxadine ~ Advanced Iodine Supplement.
· IOPlus by Pure Horizon.
· Nature’s Way Kelp.
· Pure Encapsulations Potassium Iodide.
· Swanson Premium Kelp.
· Biotics Research – Liquid Iodine

Premium-priced brands of iodine supplement

1. Natural Living Iodine Plus 2
2. Carty Suplemento De YODO Naciente
3. Polpharma Jodavit
4. Bio TE Iodine Plus
5. Common Sense Herbal Products HPC-12 (270): Hair, Plaque and Cholesterol with Iodine

Iodine content in important food products

Iodine is an important element in the formation of thyroid hormones and must be supplied to the body in sufficient quantities. Sea fish contains high levels of iodine, but dairy products and chicken eggs can also contribute significantly to its intake. Table salt iodization is also an important contribution to the fight against iodine deficiency.