The following article will give you a better understanding of the most common uses for iodine as a supplement, as outlined by clinical research and by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Additionally, you will also learn about a simple at-home test that can give you a better idea if you have an iodine deficiency. [1]
12 Iodine Uses
1. Neutralizes Radiation Exposure
Potassium iodine has been used to help individuals exposed to radiation by reducing the harmful accumulation of radioactive substances in the thyroid. However, It has been said that nascent Iodine may be 4-7 times more effective than potassium iodide and is much safer to use. [2]
2. General Use as a Sterilizing Agent
Almost all sterilization products for the body have iodine. It is a wonderful wound cleaner, and has even been used to purify water in tablet or liquid form. [3]
3. Preventing Goiter
Irritation of the throat area and thyroid gland is known as a “goiter”. To prevent this condition, it is suggested to take the daily recommended amounts of a nascent iodine supplement to boost overall thyroid health. [1]
4. Boosting Metabolism
Due to improper thyroid function, metabolism of the body may slow down. Supplementing with nascent iodine may help ensure the smooth functioning of the thyroid gland, which in turn helps regulate the metabolism. It can also aid the body in keeping warmth, steadying the heart rate, maintaining a health body weight, and promoting overall digestive health. Here are a few more tips to boosting metabolism. [5]
5. Harmful Organisms
A nascent iodine solution can be used to assist the body in fighting off harmful organisms. [3, 6] Using an iodine tonic as a throat gargle is also helpful for a cough. Iodine also acts as an expectorant of mucous from the common cold and other respiratory ailments.
Healing With Iodine: Your Missing Link To Better Health
6. Breast Health
7. Ovarian Health
Again, much research confirms the link between a lack of iodine and ovarian problems, such as cysts, and reproductive ability. [11]
8. Neurological Health
Children can suffer from mental illness and disabilities due to a lack of iodine. [1] It is important that mothers supplement with this micronutrient as a preventative measure. I recommend using only a safe nascent iodine.
9. Vaginitis
Iodine douches have been used to reduce vaginal irritation, itching and discharge associated with chronic yeast imbalances. [13]
10. Eye Health
11. Skin and Hair Health
Iodine is a common aid for skin conditions, such as acne, as well as hair loss. [16] The healthy development of skin, teeth, nails and bone are all related to normal iodine levels. [1]
12. Powerful Antioxidant
Iodine is just as important as vitamin C in terms of antioxidant activity. Specifically, it is a strong antioxidant for the blood. [4] Learn more about the benefits of antioxidants.
Tips for Taking Iodine
Taking an iodine supplement is easy, safe and effective. Although it has a mild metallic taste, it can be taken in fruit juice or water.
Normally, iodine is taken in its sodium iodide form, but I recommend using a more bio-available form of nascent iodine. This form can more readily be absorbed by the human body and tissues.
Iodine Deficiency At Home Self Test:
- Purchase a USP Tincture of Iodine from your local drugstore. Use a cotton ball to absorb some iodine from the tincture.
- Rub about the size of a silver dollar of iodine on your upper inner arm midway between the bicep and tricep muscle. Note the time of application.
- If the brownish/orange color disappears within 2-4 hours after application you are extremely deficient and could use supplementation. If you are not deficient in iodine then the circle should remain slightly orange 24 hours later.
NOTE: USP Iodine tinctures or solutions you purchase at a drugstore are not for internal or supplemental use. Do not ingest! If you are deficient use a safe nascent iodine supplement.
SEE ALSO about Iodine Medicine
Drug Interactions: Consult with your doctor before supplementing with iodine if you are currently taking antithyroid drugs, Lithium or Warfarin, as iodine may interfere with the action of these medications.
Watch an In-Depth Video on
Everything You Need to Know About Iodine
Video Length: 60 minutes
References (16)
- Iodine: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health. Updated 9 Jul 2019. Accessed 1 Aug 2019.
- “Guidance: Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies.” FDA.gov. Dec 2001. Accessed 4 Apr. 2018.
- Bigliardi PL, et al. “Povidone iodine in wound healing: A review of current concepts and practices.” Int J Surg. 2017;44,260-268.
- Georgitis WJ, et al. “An Iodine Load from Water-Purification Tablets Alters Thyroid Function in Humans.” Mil Med. 1993;158(12);794-797.
- Ahad F, Ganie SA. “Iodine, iodine metabolism and iodine deficiency disorders revisited.” Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2010;14(1):13-17.
- Berkelman RL, et al. “Increased bactericidal activity of dilute preparations of povidone-iodine solutions.” J Clin Microbiol. 1982;15(4),635-639.
- Sugumar R, et al. “Absence of Iodine/Iodide in Cough/Expectorant Medications: A True Disclaimer or not?” Indian J Nucl Med. 2018; 33(1):84-85.
- Aceves C, et al. “The Extrathyronine Actions of Iodine as Antioxidant, Apoptotic, and Differentiation Factor in Various Tissues.” Thyroid. 2013; 23(8),938-946.
- Ghent WR, et al. “Iodine replacement in fibrocystic disease of the breast.” Can J Surg. 1993;36(5):453-460.
- Rappaport J. “Changes in Dietary Iodine Explains Increasing Incidence of Breast Cancer with Distant Involvement in Young Women.” J Cancer. 2017; 8(2):174-77.
- Stadel BV. “Dietary iodine and risk of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer.” Lancet. 1976; 1(7965),890-891.
- Dorea JG. “Iodine nutrition and breast feeding.” J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2002;16(4):207-220.
- Yu H, Tak-Yin M. “The efficacy of povidone-iodine pessaries in a short, low-dose treatment regime on candidal, trichomonal and non-specific vaginitis.” Postgrad Med J. 1993;69 Suppl 3:S58-S61.
- Isenberg SJ. “The Ocular Application of Povidone-Iodine.” Community Eye Health. 2003;16(46):30-31.
- Schmut O, et al. “Iodide protection from UVB irradiation-induced degradation of hyaluronate and against UVB-damage of human conjunctival fibroblasts.” Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2004;242(4):279-283.
- van Beek N, et al. “Thyroid Hormones Directly Alter Human Hair Follicle Functions: Anagen Prolongation and Stimulation of Both Hair Matrix Keratinocyte Proliferation and Hair Pigmentation.” J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008;93(11),4381-4388.
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 
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