Iodine

Note: It's pretty safe ingesting iodine through food sources, but when you go for supplementation--well, that's another story. You can overdose on it quite easily. Allergies to iodine seem to be common. So supplement with supervision on this one.

Food Sources of Iodine:

• Asparagus

• Dulse

• Garlic

• Kelp

• Lima beans

• Mushrooms

• Seafood

• Sea salt and fortified salt

• Seaweed

• Sesame seeds

• Soybeans

• Spinach

• Summer squash

• Swiss chard

• Turnip greens

Other Sources of Iodine and Brand Names:

• Prolamine Iodine- Standard Process Labs

• Iodomere

• Trace Minerals B-12

• Cataplex F (Tablets)

• Lugol's iodine

• Tincture of Iodine (Methiochrome)

• White iodine

• List of some of the supplements available to you: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-iodine.html

Which Supplement is Best for Me?

My Favorite Liquid Mineral          What I Personally Take

Signs of Iodine deficiency:

• Cretinism

• Eventually lead to myxedema

• Fatigue

• Goiter

• Under active thyroid

• Weight gain

What Iodine Does:

• Determines the level of metabolism and energy in the body

• Helps to metabolize excess fat

• Important for physical and mental development

• Loosens mucus in the respiratory tract

• Natural antiseptic

• Prevents goiter

• Prevents thyroid disorders

• Protects against the toxic effects of exposure to radioactive materials

• Relieves the pain of fibrocystic breasts

Cautions & Comments About Iodine:

• Excessive iodine intake (over thirty times rda) can produce a metallic taste and sores in the mouth, swollen salivary glands, diarrhea, and vomiting

• High doses of supplemental iodine may upset the stomach

• Iodine is best taken as potassium iodide

• Iodine is toxic in high doses and may aggravate or cause acne. 

• Large doses may interfere with hormone activity.

• Some foods block the uptake of iodine into the thyroid gland when eaten raw in large amounts.  These include Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, peaches, pears, spinach, and turnips.  If you have an under active thyroid, you should limit your consumption of these foods.

Helpful Links and Resources on Iodine:

• Why Potassium Iodide (Celtic Sea Salt) is better for you: http://www.curezone.com/foods/saltcure.asp

• Iodine and the thyroid hormones: http://www.thyroid.ca/Guides/HG01.html

• How much Iodine is too much? http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=18395

• Iodine Patch Test--A thyroid test (Do it yourself)

Page Last Edited 05/14/08