Nascent Iodine Benefits, Dosages, Side Effects & Dangers [Review]

Nascent iodine is a form of liquid iodine solution use as a dietary supplement.

Like potassium iodide and Lugol’s solution, nascent iodine is commonly used to address symptoms of iodine deficiency and low thyroid hormone levels.

Iodine is an essential trace mineral that is important for human health and thyroid gland function. This mineral is required to synthesize T3 and T4 thyroid hormones which are involved in regulating energy metabolism in your cells.

Metabolism refers to the breaking down of foods and stored energy (like body fat) to convert it into fuel for various cellular reactions throughout the body.

Without adequate amounts of these hormones, several processes can be impaired including energy production, growth, development, detoxification, and immune function.

Nascent iodine is purported to be much easier for the body to assimilate and utilize than other iodine forms. It is said to be a “free” form of this mineral unbound to other atoms.

Iodine

Essential Mineral

Brain Power

Thyroid Function

Weight Loss

How It Works:

• Important for thyroid hormones & metabolism
• Supports mental function & immunity
• Essential nutrient with multiple roles in the body

Dosage:

Between 50 - 250 mg per day

Safety:

Generally Well Tolerated

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What is Nascent Iodine?

Nascent iodine is also called atomic iodine, atomidine and monatomic iodine.

Nascent iodine is considered by some health professionals to be a better form of this essential mineral to use in dietary supplements.

In organic chemistry, the word “nascent” means “freshly generated in a reactive form”. Nascent iodine is used to refer to a single atom of iodide that is “free” and not bound to any other atoms.

Iodine supplements are commonly supplied in the form of sodium iodide or potassium iodide. However, some sources claim that these forms of iodine are not well-absorbed by the body.

Nascent iodine has an incomplete number of electrons. This gives it an electromagnetic charge that other forms lack, which is said to improve its assimilation in the body.

According to the American clairvoyant Edgar Cayce, this free form of the mineral is the same form that the thyroid gland uses, which makes it easier for it to be recognized by the thyroid.

Integrated Health explains, “Biochemically, Nascent Iodine is consumable iodine in an atomic form rather than a molecular form. It is highly bioavailable as a pure atomic iodine supplement in an energized state. This ‘charged’ state is held by the atom until diluted in water and consumed, whence it gradually loses energy over a 2–3 hour time span.”‘

One manufacturer of the Iodine Edge supplement containing states the following benefits associated with their supplement:

• Drops gives you 1,796% of recommended daily allowance
• Does not contain the iodide form of iodine (thyroid blocking)
• Can last up to 3 months
• Best form of iodine for absorption
• Has a mild taste and does not burn like alcohol

ConsumerLab notes that there have been no clinical studies conducted on this form of the supplement. They also suggest there may not be a significant difference between supplements promoted as containing nascent iodine compared to other conventional corms.

According to ConsumerLab, “When this free form of iodide is exposed to a positively charged ion, such as sodium or potassium, as it would be in a liquid supplement, it will bind with these to form sodium iodide or potassium iodide. Therefore, if you are buying a supplement promoted as “nascent iodine”, it is most likely sodium iodide or potassium iodide.” [7]

More research is needed to determine whether so-called nascent products are superior to other formulations of liquid iodine drops.

Nascent Iodine Benefits

Iodine supplements are primarily used to address nutrient deficiencies in the diet and symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid function).

The human body cannot synthesize iodine internally, so we much get this mineral from our diet to maintain adequate levels. However, many people have lower than optimal intake of this mineral from dietary sources.

According to WHO (the World Health Organization), more than 1 billion people are currently at risk for iodine deficiency. [4]

Deficiency in this mineral is the leading cause of mental retardation in developing and newborn babies. However, maternal iodine deficiencies are simple and affordable to avoid via dietary modifications and/or supplementation. [5]

Not getting enough of this mineral in your diet can also contribute to the following health problems:

• Low energy levels
• Irritable mood
• Apathy or fatigue
• Weight gain or difficulty losing excess body fat
• Impaired mental clarity and focus
• Poor immune resistance
• Brittle or dry skin, hair and nails
• Disruptions to endocrine function
• Cold body temperature
• Poor sleep quality
• And many more symptoms…

According to Dr. Edward Group, nascent iodine was previously used widely to support health and well-being, including as a topical agent for skin infections.

It is an anti-bacterial element that is also used to purify water in some contexts. Iodine has demonstrated potential benefits for UTIs (urinary tract infections), respiratory infections and certain parasitic organisms. [1, 2, 3]

According to Dr. Group, iodine is also important for:

• Preventing storage of toxic halogens like fluoride, bromine and chlorine;
• Slowing down production of thyroid-disrupting goitrogens;
• Supporting normal blood pressure;

Nascent Iodine Uses

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCD) states that iodine is used orally for the following purposes:

• Thyroid storm (untreated hyperthyroidism);
• Endemic goiter (enlarged thyroid);
• Exposure to radioactive iodides;
• Fibrocystic breast disease;
• Preventing breast cancer;
• Cardiovascular disease;
• Ocular disease;
• Weight loss;
• Diabetes;

Note that common uses are not the same as clinically proven uses. Many of the uses for iodine supplements have yet to be validated in clinical studies.

Topically, iodine is used for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, healing wounds and preventing mucositis (inflamed mucous membranes). It is also used topically for treating diabetic ulcers and as an antiseptic. Many people use iodine solutions to purify water as well.

Nascent Iodine for Weight Loss

Can using a nascent iodine supplement help with weight loss and/or weight management? Many users claim that this product has helped them to lose weight or to improve their body composition.

There have not been any studies on the use of nascent iodine for weight loss. While anecdotal evidence suggests possible benefits, clinical studies are needed to determine efficacy.

Nascent iodine might help people to lose weight and/or maintain healthy weight levels by improving their thyroid function. However, this effect may only be observed in people who have low levels of thyroid hormone or who are deficient in iodine.

Weight gain and difficulty losing weight are both associated with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Iodine is required by the thyroid to synthesize the hormones Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate metabolic activity in the body.

In people who have low iodine status, use of a supplement might help to sleep up thyroid activity and promote a faster metabolic rate. This could contribute by weight loss by increasing the amount of calories burned for fuel in your cells.

However, more research is needed to understand whether iodine can support weight loss or healthy weight management. It is not known whether this supplement can promote fat loss in people who already have adequate intake of this mineral in their diet.

People on certain weight loss diets may benefit from taking this supplement. In 2014, more than 50 Jenny Craig®, Medifast® and Nutrisystem® diet foods were studied to determine their iodine content.

Researchers concluded that many people on these and similar diet plans are likely not getting enough iodine. They recommend that people on such diet plans take a supplement that provides at least the US RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for iodine of 150 mcg. [6]

Nascent Iodine Dosage

Nascent iodine supplements typically provide 246 mcg to 600 mcg per drop of liquid. Most products are formulated to provide a 2% iodine solution.

One manufacturer describes their product as “Nanoparticle colloidal iodine in atomic electrified form suspended in vegetable glycerin and pure water for optimal bioavailability.”

The recommended serving size for these products varies by manufacturer. Some brands recommend as much as 2,146 – 2,694 mcg per serving.

The RDA for iodine in adults is 150 mcg daily. This means that most of these supplements provide many times more than the daily intake recommended by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

There is on-going debate about how much iodine we need in the diet and whether the current RDA is too low to support optimal health. 150 mcg was established as the lowest daily dosage that prevents thyroid enlargement (goiter).

However, some researchers believe that this amount is not enough to meet all the body’s needs for this important trace mineral.

Dr. David Brownstein in a leading expert of thyroid function and iodine metabolism in humans. He believes that more than 90% of people are likely to be iodine-deficient. He also recommends taking more than 12 mg of iodine daily either via the diet or supplementation.

Some research suggests that high dosages of this supplement taken for long periods of time could lead to adverse health outcomes and impaired thyroid function.

In Japan, the average daily intake is more than 100 times the Recommended Dietary Allowance. No adverse effects are believed to be associated with this higher intake of iodine.

You should discuss the best dosage of nascent iodine for you with a doctor who understand s your health history and the medicines you may take.

Nascent Iodine Side Effects/Interactions

NMCD rates iodine as Likely Safe when taken orally and appropriately. However, they state that high doses of this supplement are Possibly Unsafe.

This supplement is generally well tolerated but may cause adverse reactions in some people when first starting to take the product. Some manufacturers recommend gradually increasing the dosage to improve tolerability.

Taking too much iodine might block the production of thyroid hormones and increase the risk for thyroid dysfunction, thyroiditis, thyrotoxicosis, and atrial fibrillation. Excessive iodine may also increase the risk of thyroid papillary cancer, Hashimoto’s disease and Grave’s disease.

Severe overdoses can lead to signs of toxicity including a burning sensation in the mouth, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and cardiovascular problems.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM) iodine should be used under professional supervision because it can interact with medications and may cause side effects.

UMM states that taking more than 600 mcg daily on a chronic (long-term) basis can be dangerous especially in those with current thyroid dysfunction. You should discuss using nascent iodine drops with a health professional to determine whether this supplement is appropriate for you.

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