Six Great Iodine Supplements

Iodine is utilized by nearly every cell in our body. It is the healthy halogen, which helps to counteract the increasing exposure to other halogens in our surroundings, especially that of fluorine and chlorine. Unfortunately, over 70% of the world's population is estimated to have an iodine deficiency, due to it being lacking in diets. This was recognized decades ago, which was the main reason behind the fortification of table salt with iodine. However, ingesting large amounts of refined salt in your diet poses a problem with an excess of sodium.

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iodine is 150 micrograms for adults, 110 for infants less than 6 months old, and 130 from 6 months to one year. For children, it is 90 micrograms from ages 1 to 8, 110 for 9 to 13 year olds. If you are a pregnant woman, you will need anywhere from 220 to 290 micrograms.

Iodine deficiency is partly due to many of Earth's soils being iodine deficient. That affects the amount of iodine in our food supply. So for many people, an iodine supplement may be in order.

A good iodine supplement will have more than one of these criteria:

A combination of potassium iodide and molecular iodine - This is helpful in a supplement because iodine sourcing is accepted and utilized differently by organ types and processes. The thyroid makes better use of the iodide (KI) form, while other tissues such as reproductive organs benefit more from elemental iodine.

Selenium - This mineral acts as a companion nutrient to iodine. Adequate selenium in the body is necessary to help iodine convert and synthesize thyroid hormones, and help regulate metabolic rates. If selenium is lacking in your diet, you may wish to opt for an iodine supplement that also contains this essential mineral.

User Friendliness - Anyone who has lived long enough most likely has had the experience of swallowing an oversized tablet that is packed with too many unnecessary fillers and other additives. Especially if the active ingredient is likely to have a bad flavor, ease of going down the throat makes for a desirable experience. Intake of a beneficial element should not have to be an unpleasant experience.

Well Reviewed - Of course any manufacturer will tout the benefits of their own product. That is to be expected. They want it to sell. Self reviews are not known for their unbiased nature. What about the customers who have taken the product? What was their experience? Have they seen an improvement in their own health? Or, if they have no preexisting conditions, do they find that it is maintaining their health? If a product has an abundance of four and five star reviews, that will give it a lot of credibility.

Terry Naturally is just as its name implies. Every ingredient in their formulations are from naturally occurring sources, without any synthetics. There are no preservatives. They do not include selenium in their product, however an exceptional compensating quality is that their iodine sources are three, instead of only two. They are the usual combination of potassium iodide and molecular iodine, along with sodium iodide.

Kelp is the main source of extraction from these active ingredients, and customers have reported on the exceptionally fast results in health improvement, particularly in the area of energy and mental alertness, in addition to the usual improvements with sufferers of thyroid issues. One bottle of Terry Naturally Tri-Iodine contains 90 capsules, which will last approximately 1.5 months for two people.

Natural Living is a leading supplier of iodine on the markets, and for good reason. Their formulations are of exceptionally high quality, and this particular one stands out. It has all three of the desirable criteria of a good iodine supplement - a mixture of potassium iodide, molecular iodine, and selenium. This formulation also goes a step further, in adding Vitamin B2 in order to promote even better absorption. Natural Living also stresses that this supplement is free of niacin.

Because of its exceptional quality, the marketing of Iodine Plus 2 is geared towards those who already have significant thyroid problems. It is somewhat more expensive per tablet than most other iodine supplements. Each bottle has 60 capsules, which amounts to a two month supply for one person if only one tablet is taken daily. Since it is taken by many who have significant existing problems, the results are usually not seen immediately; it is more of a slowly but surely approach to healing.

This is a very highly reviewed product and is also one of the purest in formulation. Though selenium is not included within these tablets, they have a desirable mixture of potassium iodide and elemental iodine, at a 2:1 ratio of 10 percent and 5 percent, respectively. There are no other fillers or ancillary ingredients, save for water. So there is no need to wonder about the possibility of harmful synthetic ingredients.

This product is available in two different strength levels, and the tablets are reasonably sized, so they will go down easily with a swallow of water. Each bottle has 180 tablets, so two people consuming it according to directions will have a three month supply.

Consumers reported a very marked improvement in their iodine deficiency related symptoms in a relatively short amount of time, particularly those with thyroid and energy problems.

This product made by Zen Haus contains no molecular or colloidal iodine, instead opting for a combination of potassium iodide and selenium. A substance called croscarmellose sodium has been added to the formulation which has the effect of facilitating absorption. Each tablet contains 12.5 mg of iodine, and there are 200 tablets per bottle.

Zen Haus has been conscious of user friendliness with the processing of their formulation. Their tablets are compressed to the size of 8 x 4 mm, or approximately 1/3 x 1/6 inches. They will not require water to be easily swallowed.

The recommended daily dose is one tablet, so if two people are using it according to directions, one bottle should last slightly over three months.

As opposed to some iodine supplements that taste like metal, these have been rendered completely flavorless, so taking them will not be averse to your taste buds.

IO Plus, made by Pure Horizon, is another brand that contains both selenium and Vitamin B2, in addition to the potassium iodide and molecular iodine combination. Like Iodine Plus 2, it is also free of niacin. The tablets are also compressed to make for a very easy swallow.

Each bottle contains 60 tablets, which will last two people one month if it is being taken for iodine maintenance. If there is a preexisting condition, more than one tablet may need to be taken, in which case it would last significantly less. The rewards have been worth the reasonable price. Customers who have used this product have reported good all around results in relation to the symptoms of thyroid problems.

In lieu of tablets, J. Crow opts to provide their product in pure liquid form, complete with a dropper. Two ounces of this product equates to approximately 250 drops. If you have no preexisting conditions, the recommended dosage for this three drops. If you have a thyroid deficiency, as high as six drops per day is recommended. Depending on the condition of your health, one person could use this bottle for up to just short of three months. If you have a deficient thyroid, then it will last closer to just over one month.

A good way to take this product is by dropping the dose in a glass of water. Doing so will ensure that you will not get a concentrated taste. J. Crow's contains no selenium, but a mixture of potassium iodide and molecular iodine in a 2.5 - 1 ratio, at 5 percent to 2 percent, respectively.