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What does iodine do in the body and what is it used for as a nutritional supplement?
Iodine is an essential trace mineral that is important for human health in various ways. This mineral is required for the thyroid gland to be able to produce thyroid hormones which play a role in metabolism and weight control.
Although its highest concentrations are in glandular tissues, especially the thyroid gland, iodine is found in and utilized by all cells, tissues and systems in the body.
It is necessary for DNA maintenance, cognitive ability, immune function, energy metabolism and cardiovascular health. Some prominent researchers and doctors believe that as many as 19 of 20 people lack sufficient iodine in their diets.
Brain Power
Thyroid Function
Weight Loss- Important for thyroid hormones & metabolism
- Supports mental function & immunity
- Essential nutrient with multiple roles in the body
Top Iodine Products* ❯Iodine Functions in the Human Body
Iodine is an essential mineral; meaning the human body cannot produce it. It must be gained from dietary sources, or from supplement usage.
According to one research study, “A healthy adult body contains 15-20 mg of iodine, 70-80% of which is stored in the thyroid gland.”.[1] The thyroid uses this mineral to synthesize T3 (triiodothyronine), T4 (thyroxine) and other hormones.
Iodine is the molecular base of thyroid hormones. T3 refers to thyroid hormone with 3 iodine atoms while T4 refers to thyroid hormone with 4 iodine atoms.
Together, T3 and T4 are involved in nearly every physiological process in the body. Some of these processes include heart rate, temperature regulation, growth and development and metabolism. Having insufficient levels of this mineral can disrupt these functions.
Iodine has potent antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. It also plays a role in keeping the body and blood detoxified.
It is able to help detoxify the blood by leaching out toxic halides like fluoride, chlorine and bromine accumulations.
Physician and author, Dr. John Gray states that the brain will provide the thyroid with available iodine first because it is needed to cleanse the blood of viruses and infections.
After the thyroid uses this compound for hormone synthesis and detoxifying the blood, leftover iodine is stored mainly in women’s breasts and men’s prostates.
Symptoms of Deficiency
According to research from the Oman Medical College, “Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) are one of the biggest worldwide public health problems of today. Their effect is hidden and profoundly affects the quality of human life.”. [2]
According to Dr. David Brownstein, Medical Director of the Center for Holistic Medicine in West Bloomfield, MI, 96.4% of more than 6000 patients tested at his clinic were deficient in iodine.
Some of the signs of insufficient iodine levels can include:
- Enlargement of the thyroid (Goiter)
- Hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity)
- Infertility
- Unexplained weight gain
- Hair loss
- Fatigue, lethargy and weakness
- Dry skin
- Feeling cold (more sensitive to cold temperatures)
- Irregular heartrate
- Difficulty remembering or learning
- Mental retardation
- Poor focus or low motivation
- Irregular menstruation or heavy periods
Importance of Iodine
Dr. Brownstein states that without maintaining hormonal balance, the body cannot be healthy. Without proper amounts of iodine, hormonal balance can never be achieved.
He states that the epidemic increases in various glandular conditions is directly due to iodine deficiency.
Breast, uterine, adrenal, prostate and ovarian cancer rates are at epidemic or near-epidemic rates. Dr, Brownstein refers to exponential increases in all types of thyroid disorders, including hashimoto’s disease, hyperthyroidism, goiter and thyroid cancer. He believes these and other conditions often result directly because of iodine deficiencies.
According to Cancer.org, there are about 181,000 new cases of prostate cancer expected in the US alone in 2016. Further, more than 26,000 men in the US are expected to die from prostate cancer in 2016. 1 in 8 women in the US are expected to develop invasive breast cancer in their lives.
Dr. Joseph Mercola believes that iodine might be the most important mineral to supplement the diet with. However, if you are considering increasing iodine in your diet, then you need to approach it with balanced nutrition in mind.
According to Dr. Mercola, ensuring proper nutritional support is very important for those beginning to supplement with this mineral. He recommends staying well-hydrated, using unrefined salt instead of refined salt – and taking supplemental vitamins C, B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin).
Suggested Dosage
The US RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) for iodine consumption in healthy persons over 14 years of age is 150 mcg daily. This is lower than what some other sources recommend. 150 mcg was accepted as the suggested dosage because it was the smallest amount found to reverse goiter in the 1920s.
In comparison to this dosage, an average woman in Japan consumes about 12.5 mg of iodine daily. That’s more than 100 times the US RDA.
Many health professionals, including Dr. Mercola and Dr. Brownstein, recommend doses between 12 and 50 mg daily. They also recommend supplementing only periodically. Cycle off usage from time to time to avoid getting too much of this mineral.
It can take several weeks for levels in the body to increase significantly. This is known as the loading phase
Because iodine detoxifies heavy metal accumulations, you may experience healing effects as these metals make their ways out of your system. Possible symptoms of this type of detoxification include irritability, emotional shifts, headaches and/or fatigue.
Pregnancy
Iodine is important for all people, and especially for pregnant and nursing women.
The US RDA for iodine in pregnant women is 220 mcg daily. For those breastfeeding, the RDA increases to 290 mcg. Many health professionals recommend that pregnant and nursing women should consume at least 3 or 4 times the US RDA for non-pregnant, non-nursing women.
Iodine deficiencies are considered the most prevalent cause of mental retardation in infants. Insufficient dietary consumption of this mineral is directly linked to birth defects, preterm deliveries, stillbirths and disruptions in fetal brain development.
Adverse Effects
The most common side effects of iodine include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headaches and metallic taste in the mouth following oral administration. Many of these adverse effects can be minimized by taking the right dosage and consuming the supplement with a meal.
Iodine may interact with certain medications; including ACE inhibitors, antithyroid drugs, lithium and potassium-sparing diuretics. Talk to your doctor about using this supplement as it pertains to your individual health goals.
- Vermeulen H1, Westerbos SJ, Ubbink DT. Benefit and harm of iodine in wound care: a systematic review. J Hosp Infect. 2010 Nov;76(3):191-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2010.04.026. Epub 2010 Aug 12.
- RS1, Witt KL, Alden CJ, Cockerham LG. Toxicology of methyl bromide. Rev Environ Contam Toxicol. 1995;142:65-85.
- Kapil U1. Health consequences of iodine deficiency. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2007 Dec;7(3):267-72.
- Ahad, Farhana, and Shaiq A. Ganie. “Iodine, Iodine Metabolism and Iodine Deficiency Disorders Revisited.” Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 14.1 (2010): 13–17. Print.
- Sterling JB1, Heymann WR. Potassium iodide in dermatology: a 19th century drug for the 21st century-uses, pharmacology, adverse effects, and contraindications. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2000 Oct;43(4):691-7.
Article last updated on: July 16th, 2018 by Nootriment