You may have heard that iodine is vital for the endocrine system, including thyroid health and the reproductive system. You may also know that iodine can protect you if you ever become exposed to too much radiation. But did you know that there are dozens of other beneficial uses for iodine?
From healthy hair to wound healing, iodine is a must-have mineral for every aspect of your health! Here are 8 iodine uses that may surprise you:
#1. Iodine Can Be Used as a Sterilizing Agent
Iodine is one of the best antiseptics around. Almost all sterilization products have some form of iodine in them. Iodine is amazing as a wound cleaner, gargle, surface cleaner, and even water purifier!
Most iodine-based sterilizing agents come in the form of povidone-iodine, especially wound cleaners and gargles, since it has been proven to lower bacterial numbers.1 Tetraglycine hydroperiodide, which comes in tablets, are the best for water sterilization. You should use these sparingly, however. This form of iodine has been known to actually lower thyroid function, so it is best to use tetraglycine hydroperiodide tablets in emergency situations only.2
#2. You Can Improve Eye Health with Iodine
Certain areas of the eye, like the cornea, retina, vitreous body, anterior chamber fluid, and lens,3 are also areas of concentration for iodine. This means that iodine can be very beneficial for eye health. According to studies, iodine supplementation can be useful for cataracts,4 glaucoma, dry eyes, eye infections,5 and UVB protection.
In addition, some studies have found that the eyes can be just as adversely affected by halide-derived chemicals, perchlorate, thiocyanate, and fluoroborate in particular,6 as the thyroid.
#3. Iodine Helps Strengthen Teeth and Gums
Iodine can even help to strengthen teeth and gums. As a matter of fact, iodine has been used in dental treatment for more than 150 years. It can kill bad bacteria in the mouth and prevent tooth decay.
Sufficient internal iodine stores are linked to healthy gums and teeth. As you may have guessed, the main link is the thyroid. Thyroid function relies on iodine.
Iodine deficiency can lead to endocrine disruption and subsequent implications for oral health. Endocrine hormones are responsible for salivary release. Hormonal imbalance caused by iodine deficiency can lead to dry mouth,7 which greatly increases the risk for gum disease and cavities.
Finally, some experts have found a consistent link between low thyroid function8 and Dental Distress Syndrome (DDS).9 DDS occurs when dental issues and TMJ (often caused by teeth grinding or Bruxism) begin to affect the whole body. DDS is a relatively new concept that some dentists are beginning to accept. Theories of natural medicine, such as the Chinese Meridian System, have included addressing oral health in their protocols for thousands of years.
#4. Skin Becomes Healthier with Iodine
Iodine is needed for every cell in the body. It’s not surprising, then, that iodine is necessary for healthy skin as well. In fact, iodine deficiency is one possible cause for acne, since hormone imbalance is often the key reason why rashes and other blemishes appear on the face.
Iodine has also been shown to delay wrinkles and other signs of aging. It can speed up the healing of surface-level cuts and scars. And according to a report published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 10 it can also slow or even halt bacterial infections like Staphylococcal on the skin.
#5. Iodine Helps Prevent Hair Loss
In addition to essential minerals like magnesium and zinc, iodine is vital for the growth and healthy development of body tissue. That is why minerals like iodine are considered by many experts as the best hair regrowth substances out there!
In fact, according to many studies, hair loss, e.g. alopecia, is often a major sign of hypothyroidism and possible iodine deficiency.
A report published over 40 years ago in the Archives of Dermatology discovered that the percentage of telogen hairs on the scalp (these are hairs that represent the last stage of hair growth, when follicles become weak and prepare to fall out) increase as the amount of thyroid hormone decreases.11 However, a more recent study in 2001 found that individuals with alopecia were able to regrow their hair with added iodine supplementation.12
#6. Iodine Keeps Your Mind Sharp
We have talked about this one in other articles, but it bears repeating here. Enough iodine in your system every day is absolutely essential for cognitive health. Major signs of deficiency include:
- Brain fog
- Poor memory
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Mental fatigue
According to the World Health Organization, “Iodine-deficient people may forfeit 15 IQ points, and nearly 50 million people suffer from some degree of iodine deficiency-related brain damage.”13
Why is iodine so important for the brain? Again, it comes back to the thyroid and thyroid hormones. In large tissue areas such as the brain and liver, the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) is abundant. These areas are where T4 is converted to T3 (triiodothyronine). Another key element of this conversion is selenium-containing enzymes, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.14
#7. Iodine Protects Children’s Health
Kids need iodine too, especially for their developing bodies and brains. In some parts of the world, major iodine deficiency is one of the main causes of cognitive impairment in children, according to the WHO. But even mild deficiency (also called “subclinical deficiency”) can affect developing neurological pathways, say the researchers of a recent study from New Zealand.15
Be sure to talk to a holistic health professional to find out if supplementation is right for your child.
And remember that iodine is essential for pregnant women. In fact, a 2006 study found that iodine deficiency during pregnancy may be linked to autism.16 The link between iodine and healthy pregnancy is why the National Institutes of Health17 recommends higher-than-normal iodine intake levels for women who plan on getting pregnant or who are currently pregnant. Still, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, roughly one-third of pregnant women in the United States remain iodine deficient throughout their pregnancy.18 This can have devastating health consequences for both mother and baby.
#8. Pets Need Iodine, Too!
And don’t forget your furry friends! Pets utilize iodine as well and need adequate stores to stay healthy. Dogs and cats are exposed to the same chemical threats as their owners in today’s toxic world. Getting enough iodine helps support their metabolism as well as their thyroid health. And just like in humans, deficiency can lead to thyroid issues and the cascade of consequences that may result.
According to the American Thyroid Association,19 about 12% of the American population will develop some form of thyroid condition, mostly in the form of “hypothyroidism.” At the same time, the National Institutes of Health estimate that approximately a third of American women between 25 and 44 report having symptoms of uterine fibroid tumors;20 some experts state that the number may be as high as 80%.21 Iodine deficiency is also common in women with breast cancer, since the mammary glands also depend on iodine.
Now you know that iodine is responsible for more than just thyroid and reproductive health. But iodine is not a nutrient that the body makes on its own. It must be obtained from food or through supplementation. If you think that you may be deficient, increasing your iodine intake from food may not be enough.
Thanks for your imformation that very useful for everyone.
Great content. Glad I’m using iodine now.
Good to hear, Pati! Wishing you good health and blessings always!
It would be nice to know what foods contain iodine.
Hi Tony – you can do a quick Google search to find out which foods are high in iodine. 🙂
what info of Iodine for those who have Hashimoto’s. Iodine can exacerbate ??!!
Yes, I have the same question. Have heard to not take more than 250 mg daily if you have Hashimotos.
Love the information you send for alternative health, keep it up:)
Thank you so much, Susu! We appreciate your feedback so much!
I am 85, strong, healthy, med free, and pain free. i am reluctant to take any supplements. what foods other than shrimp are rich in natural iodine? Thank you very much.
Hi, Bobbie,
As nutritional therapist, maybe I can give you some hints.
Iodine is present very much in nuts, Kombu kelp, prunes, cod, tuna, eggs, organic dairy (Yogurt is good dairy source of iodine. One cup of plain yogurt provides approximately half of the daily recommended amount. Cottage cheese is one of the best sources of iodine. One cup of cottage cheese provides 65 mcg.) But beware – while WHO recommendations still linger in mcg, normal daily diet of Japanese provides 13,2 mg of Iodine. That’s the reason why Japanese who follow the traditional diet rarely encounter cancer.
As today the soil is mostly depleted of necessary minerals, the plants can not offer enough nutritionals. So, included in my detox protocol, I recommend Lugol’s solution as a good source of Iodine. Two drops of Lugol’s solution (5% Iodine, 10% Potassium Iodide) diluted in a glass of water contain 13,2 mg of Iodine, a quantity regularly present in traditional Japanese diet.
I hope I offered to you some useful information.
Marina
I love your answer.
I have a question. I have hypothyroidism n take livothyroxine daily. I also take some drops of iodine every morning that I purchased from organicxx.
I was diagnosed with stage two – Herr2 -triple negative breast cancer. I have mixed info on taking turmeric. Being my cancer is hormonal is it beneficial /safe or recommended?
I juice every morning n green/fruit smoothies in the afternoon. Lots of vegs n salads for dinner. Sometimes organic chicken.
I would really appreciate any feed back you can offer my way.
I follow Chris Walk n Kris Karr as well as you.
Thank you in advance.
Caroline Smith
Hi Caroline –
Thanks for reaching out to us.
Unfortunately, we are unable to give any kind of medical advice. The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors we interviewed in the Global series.
Please note that we are not able to select an expert for you.
We’ve created a page with the experts’ contact info as it was available to us.
Here’s the link to the actual webpage:
http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
We do have one more resource you may be interested in. During our Live Event 2017 series, Dr. Patrick Quillin suggested contacting The Institute of Functional Medicine to locate a practitioner in your area.
If you are interested, here is the link to search for a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
It would be best if you reached out to one of these professionals so they can best guide you based on your individual body type and health conditions.
Hope this is helpful to you!
Blessings and love from the entire TTAC family!
I have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Diagnosis was August, 2017. Original breast cancer diagnosed in February, 2012. Stage 2 ductile carcinoma, insitu. HR positive, HER2 negative. Lumpectomy performed and 34 radiation treatments. I have been taking IBrance and Letrazole since September, 2017 and last week had 6 radiation treatments for tumors in femur and “butt bone.” I am scanned every 3 months using CT w/contrast, bone scans w/radioactive contrast, and MRI on brain with gadolinium contrast. Obviously, I have acquired a lot of heavy metals in my brain and body. I am experiencing brain fog and a lot of pain in muscles, joints, and bones. I have had to have double cataract surgery because of meds, in October, 2018. I am wondering about iodine maybe helping me with all this. I bought a near inferred sauna to help with detoxing the heavy metals. I was told to hold off on sauna for a month because radiation needs to continue to work to kill bone tumors and help reduce my pain. Do you know how many milligrams I should take of iodine when the month is up for allowing the radiation to complete its course? How can I test my levels of iodine? I do have issues with my thyroid, as well. It’s normal with taking synthroid. Everyone in my family does. I am almost 63. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Susie –
We appreciate you reaching out to us about this.
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis – I’ll be sure to pray for you.
Unfortunately, we are unable to give any kind of medical advice. The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors we interviewed in the Global series.
Please note that we are not able to select an expert for you.
We’ve created a page with the experts’ contact info as it was available to us.
Here’s the link to the actual webpage:
http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
We do have one more resource you may be interested in. During our Live Event 2017 series, Dr. Patrick Quillin suggested contacting The Institute of Functional Medicine to locate a practitioner in your area.
If you are interested, here is the link to search for a Functional Medicine Practitioner in your area: https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/
I’m also attaching the info about the Hope4Cancer clinic in Tijuana, MX if you’d like to reach out to them.
http://www.hope4cancer.com/
https://hope4cancer.com/schedule-a-call/
Please also see the resources below in case they will be helpful to you.
From our beginning, we have supported charities that really help these cancer patients.
HealingStrong:
http://healingstrong.com/
https://www.facebook.com/healingstrong
HealingStrong supports MANY cancer patients and are amazing. HealingStrong, a nonprofit organization, is supported 100% by volunteers, who are experienced in using natural strategies. The organization’s mission is to educate, encourage, equip, and empower those seeking comprehensive natural strategies to heal strong and stay strong.
HealingStrong Connect Groups meet monthly in various areas of the U.S. and South Australia to link others interested in natural strategies, holistic protocols, and local resources. Their groups focus on mind, body and emotional healing based on Biblical promises, as they believe the God of the Bible is our healer. For more information on how to start a group, or become involved in one, please go to: http://www.healingstrong.org/groups, and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/healingstrong.
Cancer Crackdown is so awesome and helps patients without a lot of money get supplements and treatments and even helps them raise money:
http://cancercrackdown.org/
https://www.facebook.com/CancerCrackdown
Also, the Independent Cancer Research Foundation is another charity that we support, also known as Cancer Tutor. They have been a TREMENDOUS help for cancer patients and have a TON of life saving information they give out freely and they do real research into treatments for cancer that are outside of the toxic Big Pharma Big 3:
http://www.theicrf.com/
The best that we can suggest is to contact Healing Strong and Cancer Crackdown for any need in financial resources.
We also support Mary Beth’s “Nick Gonzalez Foundation” which is bringing Nick’s protocol to the people…which is one of the most powerful cancer killing protocols out there.
I hope this is helpful! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us again if there’s anything else we can help with.
Wishing you endless blessings and love!
I was low on iron in 2015, Doctor ran a blood work up on different different vitamins to see what I was low in. He could not figure out why I was always low. Was put on a Rx iron two different times in 2018 and I haven’t followed up on this in January of this year but I will because I’ve been thinking about my levels lately. He wanted to check again in January which I did not do yet. He told me not to take any iron supplements until I’m retested. This article reminded me that I need to get this done. Thanks for the reminder.
I also read don’t drink coffee an hour before dinner to bring up iron levels at dinner time.
I’ve always been anemic even as a child and Doctor put me on peanut sandwiches growing up which I still eat this all the time. Great article. Thanks!
Enjoyed studying this, very good stuff, thanks.
Wonderful to hear! Thanks for your feedback! 🙂
I dont know that iodine such a useful element. Thanks for this article.