Please consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement.
Iodine is extremely important for proper functioning of the body. It is important for the thyroid, for hormone regulation, protecting the body from cancer, detoxing and much more.
Chances are you are low in iodine unless you are one of those rare people who do not have a lot of exposure to other halogens and eat foods that are high in iodine. I talk about some of the symptoms of iodine deficiency here.
In my office we have only ever had one person who was low in iodine and was able to get their levels up simply by adding more iodine rich foods. Everyone else has needed to supplement iodine with iodine pills or Lugol’s iodine formula. Using iodized salt to increase the body’s iodine level’s is not sufficient. In my house we have trashed the iodized salt and instead use sea salt, Himalayan salt, red salt or grey salt. Iodized salt is a processed salt, which that right there is a big red flag. This salt also has very little bioavailable iodine and it starts dissipating as soon as it leaves the factory and dissipates even faster once the container is open.
Which type of iodine is best for supplementing?
I use Lugol’s iodine from J. Crow’s as the Lugol’s formula has both types of iodine (iodine and iodide) that the body needs. This formula is able to saturate the tissues and detox halides unlike the Nascent formula.
How much iodine is needed daily?
The recommended daily allowance of 150mcg per day is not sufficient. This amount is based on what is needed to prevent goiters. We need more iodine than the amount that keeps away goiters. Iodine doctors are now recommending between 25-50mgs as a minimum maintenance dose. Some people, myself included, feel best taking 100mgs.
When dealing with Hashimotos going slow with iodine supplementation can cause more harm instead of good. A dose of 15mgs (150mcgs) of iodine a day is when the body produces iodolipids, which protect the thyroid.
What to do about detox symptoms?
Some people experience detox symptoms, others do not. The best thing to do is support your detox pathways.
These are my favorite ways to do so:
- consume unrefined salt in water (1/2t of water in a large sized glass of water)
- drink 1/2 your weight in pounds in ounces or water
- promote lymph drainage
- add lemon juice to water in the morning to support the liver
- do a herbal liver detox
- ionic foot baths
- full body detox bath
- infrared sauna
- dry brush
- focus on gut health
- detox heavy metals
What supplements can help when taking Iodine?
- Selenium is used by the thyroid in the hormone creation process and protects the thyroid from oxidative damage.
- Vitamin C helps to protect from oxidative damage.
- Magnesium can also minimize oxidative stress.
- Vitamins B2 and B3 are ATP cofactors and stimulate the NADPH pathway.
As always nothing on this website is to be considered as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare practitioner if you have any questions or concerns.
