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Iodine pills like Potassium Iodide and kelp extracts are used to promote thyroid health and enhance weight loss, energy, focus, mood balance and skin health.
The most popular uses for iodine pills include reducing radiation accumulation, preventing enlarged thyroid (goiter) and purifying water.
Research from the University of Kashmir state the thyroid gland stores about 75% of available iodine in the body. [1] According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), iodine atoms attach to residues of the amino acid tyrosine to produce T3 and T4 thyroid hormones.
These hormones are involved in regulating metabolic activity in all cells in the body. Low levels of thyroid hormone result in a slowing of metabolism while high levels speed up metabolism.
Iodine is required for adrenal, pancreatic, breast, ovarian and glandular health. If you do not get enough of this essential mineral in your diet, use of an oral supplement may be beneficial.
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* ❯What Are Iodine Pills Used For?
There are several types of iodine supplements to consider. Iodine is available in pills, tincture drops, swabs and liquid concentrates.
It can also be found in thyroid supplement complexes and in seaweed supplements like kelp extract, bladderwrack and blue-green algae.
Another form called nascent iodine is purported to contain this mineral in a pure, monatomic state which is said to be easier for your body to absorb and use.
Iodine (I) is a trace chemical element that humans cannot produce within the body. This essential mineral must be consumed from food sources or by taking dietary supplements.
The World Health Organization estimates that as much as 35% of the world population may be deficient in iodine. Some health professionals believe the percentage may be significantly higher in certain parts of the world.
There is debate about the iodine status of people living in the United States. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the general population does consume sufficient amounts of this mineral in the diet.
However, some sources argue that this measure is based on an inadequate Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) to meet optimal health needs.
Dr. David Bernstein claims that 95% of the 6,000 patients he has examined in his practice have tested positive for a deficiency in this mineral. However, this sample may not be indicative of the general population and likely is over-representative for people with thyroid dysfunction and obesity.
Research shows that dietary iodine consumption in the United States is decreasing, in part due to fewer processed foods being enriched with this mineral.
Medicinal Uses
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that people use iodine supplements for oral mucositis, fibrocystic breast changes and vaginitis.
According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD), iodine is used for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and weight loss.
Some other uses for this dietary supplement include:
- Cutaneous sporotrichosis;
- Preventing breast cancer;
- Anthrax and syphilis;
- Ocular disease;
- Diabetic ulcers;
- Thyroid storm;
These uses have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Potassium Iodide tablets are FDA-approved for preventing radiation poisoning of the thyroid gland, but have not been evaluated for other uses.
Topical Iodine in the form of a liquid solution is also used for dermatological conditions including dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, acne, erythema nodosum and erythema multiforme.
According to NMCD, iodine is rated Likely Effective for the treatment of iodine deficiency, radiation exposure, thyroid conditions and venous leg ulcers.
It is rated Possibly Effective for catheter-related infections, conjunctivitis, diabetic foot ulcers, endometritis, fibrocystic breast disease, mastalgia (breast pain), oral mucositis, periodontitis, and reducing the risk of surgical site infection.
Iodine has also been used to promote wound healing, but there is insufficient evidence available to rate its efficacy for this use. While it has been shown to reduce wound size, it appears to be less effective compared to Rifamycin, a local antibiotic.
Iodine Pills for Radiation
Potassium iodide (KI) pills are commonly used to prevent thyroid dysfunction caused by exposure to nuclear radiation.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “KI (potassium iodide) is a salt of stable (not radioactive) iodine that can help block radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid gland, thus protecting this gland from radiation injury.”
When nuclear emergencies and disaster occur, like the 2011 Fukushima reactor meltdown in Japan, radioactive iodine molecules are released into the atmosphere.
Dr. Edward Group III explains that the thyroid gland will quickly absorb radioiodine if it is not already saturated with sufficient amounts of stable iodine.
Dr. Group says that radioactive substances cause damage to the thyroid gland once absorbed. This can result in thyroid dysfunction and cause inadequate production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones.
In addition to increasing the risk of developing thyroid cancer, this can lead to hypothyroidism and other serious health conditions. [2]
Taking iodine pills can provide the thyroid gland with enough stores of this mineral to inhibit the absorption of radioactive iodine molecules.
Note that iodine supplements will only protect the thyroid from radioactive forms of iodine; not other sources of radiation like cesium or plutonium.
Dr. Group recommends using nascent iodine instead of potassium iodide pills for blocking and/or treating exposure to radioactive iodine.
He claims that nascent iodine has an electromagnetic charge and exhibits higher oral bioavailability, making it easier for the body to absorb and improving uptake into the thyroid gland.
However, there have not been any research studies conducted to determine whether nascent iodine is superior to other forms of this dietary mineral.
Other supplements are combined with iodine to protect against radiation exposure. Antioxidants, sulphur, NAC (n-acetylcysteine) and selenium are also important.
Dr. Group recommends increasing consumption of sea vegetables like kelp to raise dietary levels of these nutrients naturally.
Iodine Pills for Weight Loss
According to user reviews on Amazon, many people experience benefits from taking iodine capsules to support a weight loss diet.
It may be beneficial for people who have low iodine consumption in their diet and have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. It is not clear whether it works for people who already have adequate iodine intake in their diets.
Some of the benefits touted in user testimonials include clearer thinking, more energy, less need for sleep, increased stamina, more stable moods, improved libido, less anxiety, decreased brain fog, increased alertness and greater desire to exercise.
There have not been any clinical research trials that have directly investigated the effects of iodine supplementation for weight loss.
Iodine is known to support thyroid function, which plays an important role in energy metabolism, body weight regulation, temperature regulation and appetite control.
Routinely taking an iodine pill might help to improve other symptoms of iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism. Some of these include:
- Poor quality of teeth, nails, skin and hair;
- Poor complexion;
- Chronic fatigue;
- Irritability;
- Infertility;
- Low sex drive;
- Anovulation;
- Depression;
Iodine deficiency is associated with an increased risk for developing certain forms of thyroid cancer. Some researchers believe that being deficient in this mineral may also influence the risk for breast, ovarian, prostate and endometrial cancer. [3]
More research is needed to determine whether this supplement works for cancer, weight loss, or other health conditions. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Iodine for Water Purification
According to the Pacific Institute, “Unsafe or inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene cause approximately 3.1 percent of all deaths worldwide…” They claim that more than 4 billion cases of diarrhea are caused every year by unsafe water, resulting in over 2.2 million deaths.
Iodine tablets and liquid solutions are frequently recommended for water purification. This mineral has anti-microbial properties that can kill harmful bacteria.
Many woodsmen and backpackers routinely carry iodine pills with them for purifying water, cleansing wounds and preventing infections. Iodine skin swabs are also commonly included in first aid kits.
In The Backpackers Field Manual by Rick Curtis, iodine is recommended as a safe method of chemical purification that has certain advantages over chlorine treatment.
According to the book, ” Iodine has been shown to be more effect than chlorine-based treatments in inactivating Giardia cysts.”
Three types of iodine products are recommended for water purification:
- Liquid 2% Tincture of Iodine
- Polar Pure Iodine Crystals
- Potable Aqua Iodine Tablets
These products are not appropriate for everyone. Some people are allergic to this mineral and must avoid its use.
Iodine Pills Side Effects
NMCD states that oral iodine supplementation is Likely Safe when used appropriately within safe dosage ranges.
However, using this supplement for long periods of time or in high dosages can result in side effects. It is rated Possibly Unsafe when taking dosages greater than the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of 1100 mcg per day without medical supervision.
While generally well tolerated, some users experience side effects when they first start taking iodine pills. One study reported the most common adverse reactions as nausea, abdominal pain, rhinorrhea (runny nose), headache, metallic taste in the mouth and diarrhea. [4]
Excessive dosages of this mineral can cause a condition known as iodine toxicity. Acute iodine poisoning is rare, but can result in flulike symptoms, a burning sensation in the mouth, throat and stomach, numbness, tingling, pain, confusion, metabolic acidosis, fever or coma.
Iodine use is contraindicated for people with certain health conditions. This supplement may interact with certain drugs including ACE inhibitors, potassium-sparing diuretics, lithium and antithyroid drugs.
Discuss taking iodine pills with a doctor who understands your health history to determine whether this supplement is appropriate for your needs.
- 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.
- Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Thyroid Screening Related to I-131 Exposure; National Research Council (US) Committee on Exposure of the American People to I-131 from the Nevada Atomic Bomb Tests. Exposure of the American People to Iodine-131 from Nevada Nuclear-Bomb Tests: Review of the National Cancer Institute Report and Public Health Implications. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1999. 3, Health Risks of I-131 Exposure.
- Patrick L1. Iodine: deficiency and therapeutic considerations. Altern Med Rev. 2008 Jun;13(2):116-27.
- Cabezas C1, Bustamante B, Holgado W, Begue RE. Treatment of cutaneous sporotrichosis with one daily dose of potassium iodide. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1996 Apr;15(4):352-4.
Article last updated on: June 26th, 2018 by Nootriment