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Best Iodine Supplements

Best Iodine Supplements

Iodine is an essential mineral that supports the proper function of the thyroid, which produces hormones that support the entirety of the body, from weight to mental clarity.

The body doesn’t naturally produce iodine and therefore it has to be consumed through diet.

However, a large number of people suffer from a lack of iodine in their diet, either because they have a poor diet, or because the soil where their food grows is not rich in iodine (this is particularly common in developing countries).

Research shows that iodine deficiency affects approximately two billion people around the world. Therefore, this is a real problem and it needs to be properly tackled.

If you’re suffering from iodine deficiency, taking an iodine supplement can be incredibly useful, providing you with the standard recommended dose of iodine and keeping your thyroid properly supported.

Why Is Iodine Important?

So, I’ve covered the function of iodine (it has an important role in supporting the thyroid gland), but why is that so important?

The thyroid gland is an organ located in the neck that produces hormones that regulate a number of bodily functions, including metabolism, growth, and circulatory system.

If you’re not consuming enough iodine, you will have lower levels of thyroid hormones in your blood. This can lead to issues such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, and unregulated body temperature.

If you have an especially low consumption of iodine, you may succumb to hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism slows your metabolism, can make you gain weight, can lead to mental health problems, and can lower the immune system.

Although everyone can be at risk of iodine deficiency if they don’t consume enough, there are certain groups of people that have an increased risk of iodine deficiency.

These groups of people are: those that are pregnant, those living in areas with iodine-depleted soil, those on vegan and vegetarian diets, and those that don’t consume iodized salt.

So, if you’re in any of these groups, you need to look out for your iodine levels even more so to ensure you don’t suffer from iodine deficiency.

Seaweed salad source of Iodine

5 Food Sources Rich In Iodine

Before I dive in and share the 5 best iodine supplements on the market, it’s important to share the best food sources that are rich in iodine. If you can consume these food sources or if you consume them regularly, you may not need to supplement with iodine.

However, nonetheless, your iodine levels may still be low, so you do need to keep monitoring them.

Seaweed

Seaweed is an incredibly good source of iodine, with a 10g serving of standard nori seaweed containing around 200mcg of iodine. In addition, Kombu kelp, a type of kelp harvested in Japan, contains around 2,000mcg of iodine per sheet.

Iodized Salt

Iodized salt is salt that contains sodium or potassium iodide – it’s a commonly used salt that helps people meet the recommended iodized dose. Typically, iodized salt contains 45mcg per gram.

Cod

Although lots of types of seafood are great sources of iodine, cod is especially rich in iodine. A typical serving of cod (3oz approx), contains 158mcg of iodine.

Dairy

The majority of dairy products are great sources of iodine, especially Greek yogurt. One glass of milk (approx 8oz) contains around 80mcg of iodine and Greek yogurt contains approximately 110mcg per 8oz.

Eggs

Eggs, and especially egg yolks, are generally quite rich in iodine, although not quite as rich as the food sources listed above. There is approximately 25 mcg of iodine in a hard-boiled egg.

Dosage and Safety Warnings

Right before we jump in and take a look at the best iodine supplements out there, let’s take a quick look at the dosage and safety warnings associated with iodine.

The standard daily dose of iodine changes depending on your age and your health.

For anyone above 14 years old, the recommended daily dose of iodine is 150mcg.

For women who are pregnant, 220mcg is the daily recommended dose, and for women who are breastfeeding, 290mcg is the daily recommended dose.

Although there are no side effects associated with consuming the right amount of iodine daily, if you overdose with iodine (several grams, for example), can cause nausea, stomach pain, inflammation, and diarrhea.

The 5 Best Iodine Supplements On The Market

1Life Extension Sea Iodine

Sea Iodine Tub

Sea Iodine, produced by Life Extension, is a capsule iodine supplement. Each capsule contains 1,000mcg of iodine.

The iodine within the capsules comes from a blend of organic algae (organic kelp and bladderwrack extracts) as well as potassium iodide.

Although it seems a shame that the amount of the iodine extracted from the kelp and bladderwrack isn’t fully disclosed, this is pretty standard for supplements that singularly provide minerals.

One capsule of Life Extension Sea Iodine provides you with more than 667% of the recommended daily dose of natural iodine, and therefore, you will definitely be supporting your thyroid gland and ensuring that you’re avoiding potential iodine deficiency.

In addition, the capsules that the brand uses are vegetarian, the capsules are non-GMO, and all of Life Extension’s supplements are produced in a NSF International certified lab.

One bottle of capsules contains 60 servings and costs $6.19. Therefore, the cost per serving is incredibly low at $0.10.

Overall, this is a great iodine supplement produced by a trustworthy brand and sold at a low cost.

Pros

  • Popular, trusted brand.
  • High dose of iodine.
  • Low-cost.

Cons

  • Not suitable for vegans (people that are at risk of iodine deficiency).

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2Swanson Triple Iodine Complex

Swanson Triple Iodine Complex

Swanson Triple Iodine Complex is a high potency iodine supplement, with each capsule containing 12.5mg (12,500 mcg).

The iodine within the capsules is a three-part complex – molecular iodine, sodium iodide, and potassium iodide.

One capsule of Swanson Triple Iodine Complex provides you with more than 8,333% of the recommended daily dose of iodine. Therefore, it’s extremely high potency in relation to other supplements out there and on this list.

However, since the capsules don’t contain several grams of iodine, it’s unlikely that you will experience side effects when taking this supplement.

Although, the brand does suggest that those who are pregnant or nursing should not consume these capsules, which does seem slightly strange since iodine supplements normally cater to these groups of people.

As well as supporting the thyroid, Swanson also suggests that consuming these capsules will promote cardiovascular health, support red blood cell production, and promote healthy nerve and muscle function.

Just like Life Extension’s iodine supplement, Swanson Triple Iodine Complex capsules are vegetarian, but not vegan.

One bottle of capsules contains 60 servings and costs $13.80.

Therefore, the cost per serving is slightly more expensive than other supplements on this list, but still budget-friendly, at $0.23.

Overall, this is a powerful iodine supplement that’s still cost-effective and made by a trusted company.

Pros

  • High potency of iodine.
  • Three complex iodine.
  • Low-cost.

Cons

  • Not suitable for vegans, pregnant people, or breastfeeding people.

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3Designs for Health Iodine Synergy

Designs for Health Iodine Synergy

Designs for Health Iodine Synergy is another high potency iodine supplement, with each capsule containing 10mg (10,000 mcg).

The iodine within the formula comes from potassium iodide, and the brand claims that it will help to support thyroid function, as well as balance thyroid hormones, and support the health of breast and prostate tissue.

As well as the capsules providing you with 10mg of iodine, it also provides you with 40mcg of selenium.

The brand claims that the added selenium helps to support thyroid function as well as adds antioxidants to the body.

The Iodine Synergy capsules are non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian.

Unfortunately, it’s neither confirmed nor not confirmed whether the capsules are vegan.

Although this supplement can be found online, unfortunately, Design for Health supplements are sold exclusively to healthcare professionals and referral patients.

One bottle of capsules contains 120 servings and costs $24.38. Therefore, the cost per serving works out very similar to the Swanson Triple Complex at $0.20.

Overall, this is a great iodine capsule supplement, and it’s an added bonus that it contains selenium.

Pros

  • High potency iodine.
  • Added selenium.
  • Low-cost.

Cons

  • Typically sold exclusively to healthcare professionals and referral patients.

Visit Amazon.com

4Peak Performance Raw Whole Food Iodine

Peak Performance Iodine

Peak Performance Raw Whole Food Iodine isn’t as potent as the other iodine supplements on this list, but it is vegan, unlike the supplements above.

Raw Whole Food Iodine supplies 150mcg of iodine, sourced from organic kelp (whole plant).

150mcg is the daily standard recommended dose of iodine for adults (who are not pregnant or breastfeeding), and therefore even though the iodine content isn’t as high as other supplements on this list, it still supplies a substantial dose of iodine.

Peak Performance claims that as well as providing the recommended dose of iodine and therefore supporting thyroid function, the capsules will also support hormonal balance, and immunity, and boost energy levels.

The main difference (and benefit) of these capsules in comparison to others on the list, is the fact that they are vegan.

Vegans are a group with a high risk of iodine deficiency, and therefore, it’s wonderful that these capsules are suitable for those people.

In addition, the capsules are also non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

One bottle of capsules contains 60 servings and costs $19.95. Therefore, the cost per serving works out at $0.33, which is slightly more expensive than the other formulas on this list.

Overall, this is a high-quality vegan iodine supplement produced by a great brand!

Pros

  • Popular, trusted brand.
  • Suitable for vegans.
  • Hits recommended dose of iodine.

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive than other iodine supplements.

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5Now Supplements Kelp

Now Supplements Kelp

Now Supplements Kelp, just like Peak Performance, isn’t as potent as the other iodine supplements on this list, with only 150mcg of iodine per capsule. However, it is suitable for vegans.

Now Supplements Kelp capsules supply 150mcg of iodine, sourced from kelp (whole plant).

Just as I mentioned above with the Peak Performance capsules, 150mcg is the daily standard recommended dose of iodine for adults (who are not pregnant or breastfeeding), and therefore even though the iodine content isn’t overly potent, it still supplies the recommended dose of iodine.

These capsules are also vegan, therefore since vegans are a group of people that may struggle with iodine deficiency, and since Now Supplements is a popular brand, these supplements are incredibly popular.

In addition, the capsules are also non-GMO, soy-free, egg-free, dairy-free, and made without gluten.

One bottle of capsules contains 200 servings and costs $10.99. Therefore, the cost per serving works out at $0.05, meaning it is incredibly, incredibly cheap!

Overall, this is a super cheap iodine supplement that’s suitable for a wide range of people, including vegans.

Pros

  • Very well known and trusted brand.
  • Very low-cost.
  • Hits recommended dose of iodine.

Cons

  • Not highly potent.

Visit Amazon.com

The Bottom Line – Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Iodine!

Iodine is an essential mineral that you need to support your thyroid function, which is a vital part of multiple areas of bodily health. So, you need to ensure that you’re consuming enough iodine daily!

If you’re concerned that you’re not consuming enough iodine through your diet, supplementing is a great way to reach your daily intake goal.

Adam Author

About the LifeHacker Guy

Hi, I'm Adam the founder of the LifeHacker Guy.

I have a First Class Honours degree in Sports Science from Brighton University, specialising in exercise physiology and nutrition. In my youth I was a competitive Triathlete and long-distance runner placing top 10 in most triathlon races I completed.

Since suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I moved into web development, after a couple of years I then moved onto developing a number of online businesses. I've recently taken a sabbatical and I'm now looking to make big changes in my life, hopefully this may resonate with you - join me in my journey!

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