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Iosol iodine is a high potency water-soluble, non-toxic form of iodine that is purported to be easier for the body to assimilate than other forms of this dietary supplement.
It contains two different forms of this essential mineral, one of which is derived naturally from sea kelp and the other of which is synthetic and highly bioavailable.
Iosol iodine comes in the form of a liquid solution and has been used as a supplement since 1947. It is said to be more potent than potassium iodide (KI) and sodium iodide (NaI).
Iodine (I) is a non-metallic trace chemical element that is found in every cell in the human body.
Some of the roles of iodine in human health include supporting thyroid function, detoxification, healthy reproductive function and supporting brain development.
People use Iosol iodine liquid drops to improve low levels of thyroid hormones, boost energy, support cognitive function and mental clarity, promote healthy skin, hair and nail growth and to support immune function.
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* ❯Iosol Iodine Benefits
Iosol is advertised as the “highest potency available” of iodine dietary supplements.
According to the manufacturers of Formula II Iosol, this supplement, “provides the essential iodine mineral, which has been proportioned by a special process, making a water-soluble iodine compound.”
Because it is water-soluble or hydrophilic, Iosol delivers free iodide that is readily available to use in the body.
Getting adequate amounts of iodine in the diet is important for metabolic function, protection from free radical damage in the thyroid gland, supporting normal energy levels, and temperature regulation.
If you do not have enough to meet physiological needs, it can result in thyroid dysfunction and lead to excessive accumulation of toxins in the thyroid gland like fluoride, perchlorate, and goitrogens from food.
Wellness Resources describes the benefits of this “protective nutrient” supplement as follows:
- The best form of iodine for thyroid health
- Water-soluble iodine for maximum absorption
- Thyroid nutrition to help warm body temperature
- Helps cold hands & feet, energy, mood
- Important for pregnancy and brain development
Effects on Hypothyroidism
According to the Linus Pauling Institute (LPI), iodine is essential for thyroid function because it is a basic constituent of T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) thyroid hormones.
T3 and T4 are made from a “backbone” of the amino acid tyrosine, with either three (T3) or four (T4) atoms of iodine attached. [1]
The thyroid gland takes up iodine from the circulating blood and incorporates it into a protein called thyroglobulin.
Thyroglobulin is hydrolyzed (broken down by water) into T4 by lysosomal enzymes. Thyroxine (T4) is an inactive prohormone of triiodothyronine (T3), which is the active form of the thyroid hormone.
Enzymes called iodothyronine deiodinases convert T4 into the physiologically active T3 by removing one of the iodine atoms. T3 circulates through the bloodstream and binds to cellular hormone receptors involved in the regulation of metabolism.
Without adequate amounts of iodine in the body, thyroid dysfunction becomes more likely. If the thyroid cannot produce sufficient amounts of T3 and T4, a number of biological processes can become interrupted.
Some of the common signs of low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism) include:
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Brittle nails
- Coarse hair or hair loss
- Constipation
- Decreased libido
- Depression
- Dry skin
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Irritability
- Lack of concentration
- Memory loss
- Muscle aches
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle weakness
- Problems with losing weight
- Sensitivity to cold temperatures
- Weight gain
- Slowed speech (Severe)
- Jaundice (Severe)
- Increase in tongue size (Severe)
If your diet is deficient in iodine, a supplement like Iosol can help to increase your intake and avoid thyroid problems like hypothyroidism.
Use of supplements can support healthy metabolism, growth, development, reproduction, healing and immunity. [1]
Iosol Iodine for Weight Loss
Iosol iodine supplementation might be helpful for healthy weight management, especially among people who are deficient in this mineral or who have low thyroid hormone levels.
There is anecdotal evidence that it works based on user reviews, but there have not been any clinical trials studying whether it is effects for weight loss. Research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of iodine supplementation for weight loss and/or healthy weight management.
Adequate iodine intake is critical for proper thyroid function and to regulate energy metabolism. Some common symptoms of low thyroid hormone activity include weight gain as well as an inability to lose weight.
Taking an iodine supplement can support thyroid function and speed up your metabolism, which may support weight loss effects.
Some user reviews on Amazon describe body weight reduction, increased energy, less fatigue, improved mental attitude and better sleep as a result of using this supplement.
Iosol Iodine vs Potassium Iodine
There are several types of iodine supplements available for sale including nascent iodine, potassium iodide, sodium iodine, radioactive iodine, Lugol’s solution and USP iodine tincture.
These supplements vary in terms of their potency, efficacy and safety. Some forms are better tolerated than others and some require higher dosages than others.
Potassium iodide is used commonly around the world as a preventative measure against radiation exposure.
The World Health Organization recommends potassium iodide supplementation to prevent the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine molecules in locations of high radioactivity exposure. [2]
Iosol iodine may be a better option because it is more readily absorbed by the body. Iosol iodine is water-soluble and easily assimilated into thyroid tissue. According to PubChem, potassium iodine is only slightly soluble in water.
Iosol contains two different form of iodine in its formulation, combined in a base of vegetable glycerin. The first form is extracted from sea kelp.
According to the manufacturers of this supplement “During the production of Iosol, iodine is extracted from kelp and made into pure iodine crystals. This is not potassium iodide, rather it is an unbound form of iodine.”
This supplement also contains a form of iodine used in ammonium iodide that readily forms a solution in water. The manufacturer notes that ammonium (NH4) is not the same as ammonia (NH3), which is an irritant and a commonly used synthetic chemical in household cleaning products.
According to Wellness Resources, “Ammonium iodide is a combination of the mineral iodine and ammonium (NH4). This is a synthesized compound, not derived from a food source. It has superior bioavailability as the iodine readily disassociates from the ammonium upon exposure to water, producing a free iodide ion exactly what your body would like to use in metabolism.”
Potassium iodide may also cause thyroid tissues to take up insoluble salt residues. Because of this, Iosol iodine is considered by some to be a superior choice for dietary supplementation.
RDA for Iodine
In the United States and Canada, the daily recommendation (RDA) for iodine intake is 150 micrograms (mcg). This is the amount believed to be sufficient for the health needs of most of the population.
However, some natural health practitioners believe that the RDA should be higher to support optimal health and detoxification.
Iodine is a trace element that is belongs to the halogen group of chemical elements (also known as Group 17 on the Periodic Table of Elements). Other members of the halogen group include the highly reactive chemicals astatine, chlorine, bromine and fluorine.
Fluoridated water and toothpaste, chlorine in swimming pools, bromine is breads and pastries, and goitrogens in processed foods contribute to thyroid dysfunction in humans. These chemicals bind to thyroid receptors and inhibit iodine uptake.
When the thyroid gland accumulates excessive amounts of toxins like bromine, fluorine and chlorine, it may not be able to take up enough iodine.
In some cases, the thyroid gland becomes enlarged and a goiter can form. The gland expands to increase its surface area and trap more iodine from the blood.
The RDA was established by the Food and Drug Administration as the minimum amount of iodine in the diet required to prevent goiter. However, that may not be enough to support optimal health.
Iosol Iodine Dosage
Liquid Iosol solutions typically provide 1.8 mg of iodine per one-drop serving. This is 1200% of the Recommended Dietary Intake. The supplement is used by mixing one drop of Iosol iodine into a few ounces of water.
Individuals who want to use a smaller dose to meet the 150 mcg/day requirement can mix one drop of Iosol iodine into two ounces of water and consume one teaspoon of this solution. This will provide approximately 103% of the RDA.
It is recommended to follow the manufacturer dosing guidelines for the specific brand of supplement that you are using. Different supplements contain different concentrations of active ingredient.
Users sometimes report that taking a large dose right away can increase the risk of side effects. Many recommend titrating the dosage upwards gradually over a week or two.
To increase your iodine intake, it is also recommended to eat more healthy food sources of this mineral. Some of the best iodine-rich foods to include in your diet are sea vegetables like kelp, unrefined sea salt, certain sea creatures, green leafy vegetables and eggs.
Iosol Iodine Side Effects
Iodine is generally well tolerated as a dietary supplement when taken in amounts that do not exceed the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). The UL is established at 1100 mcg daily.
However, NMCD states that people in some regions of the world like Japan regularly consume between 5,280 mcg to 13,800 mcg of this mineral without experiencing negative outcomes.
The most common adverse effects reported by people taking iodine supplements include nausea, runny nose, headache and diarrhea.
Long-term use of high dosages of this mineral in supplement form could increase the risk of thyroid dysfunction, thyroiditis, thyroid papillary cancer, thyrotoxicosis, and atrial fibrillation.
It is best to discuss using Iosol iodine with your doctor to determine whether this supplement is appropriate for you. Iodine may interact with certain medications or health conditions.
Article last updated on: July 5th, 2018 by Nootriment