Iodine: Clear Your Body Of Harmful Toxins

Some of the most important minerals are the hardest to add to your diet. Iodine is one of these difficult to acquire nutrients. Like magnesium, iodine is an element on the periodic table of elements. It’s a halogen element that is responsible for the removal of toxins from the body.

Since it’s so important, yet hard to add to your diet, it makes Bulletproof’s list of 10 Supplements Everyone Needs. The list recommends taking almost 10x the amount recommended by Health Canada:

Health Canada’s Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA): 150 μg/day for adults

Bulletproof Recommended Supplement Dose: 1mg / day

Below we’ll look at why there is such a large discrepancy in these recommended dosages. We will also look at what iodine does, as well as the effects of iodine deficiency.

To start off, here is a look at what Bulletproof has to say about this mineral:

Iodine

Iodine is crucial for proper thyroid function and metabolism.  It also enhances immune function and prevents brain damage.  Iodine deficiency is widespread, so supplementation is wise.  You can get some iodine from seafood, but the risk of deficiency is still high. Iodized salt won’t get you optimal levels. The toxic limit for iodine is also extremely high, meaning you can take a lot.  A good starting point is 1mg / day from kelp powder or as potassium iodide.

Dose: 1mg / day

Forms: Kelp powder or potassium iodide capsules

Time Taken: Doesn’t matter.

Recommended Brand: Pure Encapsulations potassium iodide

 

Good Whole Food Packed With Iodine

One of the best natural sources of iodine is from the Atlantic Ocean. While seafood will contain low levels of this mineral, the best source is going to come from seaweed plants like kelp. The other trouble is the amount of iodine in kelp varies greatly. 1g of kelp can contain anywhere from 16 – 2,984 μg. Therefore kelp is a rather unreliable source of this important mineral. If you are eating kelp on a regular basis you could be okay but without regularly checking your levels you won’t know for sure.

In truth, it is hard to get iodine from your food. A supplement is another way to make sure you are getting enough of this important mineral.

Iodine Supplements

The Bulletproof supplement list recommends Pure Encapsulations – Potassium Iodide. Each tablet contains 225μg of potassium iodine. While this might be a good supplement, you’d have to take at least 4 tablets a day to get the dosage recommended by Bulletproof.

Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals. Please consult with a doctor before adding/changing your dosage of any supplement in your diet. Take any supplements at your own risk.