Best Vegan Iodine Supplements

Vegan Iodine Supplement Buyers Guide

Why is iodine so crucial for vegans?

Low iodine in many plant foods

The majority of plant-based foods with iodine generally have a low percentage. This is because the amount of iodine found in plants is heavily dependant on the soil that it is grown in.

The amount of iodine in the soil varies tremendously. Soil near the oceans tends to have the highest amount of iodine. But even with higher levels of iodine in the soil, the iodine is usually in the form of iodate, which is insoluble to plants. This means the iodine uptake for most plants is generally low.

Goitrogens

Particular fruit and vegetables fall under the term of goitrogenic, meaning they contain elements called goitrogens that can inhibit iodine uptake through the creation of an enlarged goiter.

Goitrogens are mainly found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale but also found in soy products.

In general goitrogenic foods are ok for individuals with healthy thyroid function as long as their overall iodine intake meets the RDA of 150 mcg.

But for those who already have thyroid issues research shows its better to avoid goitrogenic foods to prevent further thyroid gland issues.

What about seaweed?

In general, seaweed has the highest amount of iodine out of all food sources, and fish (which are the main sources of iodine for many non-vegans) are only high in iodine due to the amount of seaweed they eat and iodine that has been taken in from the oceans.

The downside to seaweed is that the amounts of iodine can vary dramatically, providing from 11% on the lower side to 1989% of the daily value in one serving!

So what do we look for when trying to pick a quality vegan iodine supplement?

An excellent way for vegans and vegetarians to overcome potential iodine deficiencies is to use a high-quality plant-based iodine supplement alongside eating a nutritionally balanced diet.

There are some key things that we look for when reviewing and researching how good a vegan iodine supplement is. Only the products that scored highly in each review category were chosen to be our top picks.

How much iodine do you get per serving, and does it meet the RDA?

Pay close attention to the amount of iodine you are getting per serving. For all our top picks we made sure the amount per serving hit the recommended daily levels of 140/150-200mcg per day, which hits the target range for most countries.

Different country iodine references:

• US: https://www.nap.edu/read/10026/chapter/10
• UK: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/iodine/
• Europe: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3660

We also made sure that any of our top picks didn’t exceed the upper intake limit of 1100mcg. 

You will tend to find some iodine products that provide a much higher dosage than the RDA. These should only be used with a recommendation from your doctor first.

What form of iodine does the supplement contain?

Potassium iodide

• It is an iodine compound formed from the bond of iodine and potassium, forming a safer and more absorbable iodide.
• Potassium iodide is the most common form of iodine in supplements and one of the easiest for our bodies to absorb, so this is what we mainly look for when picking a good supplement.

Sodium iodide

• Is a compound formed from the bond of iodine with sodium
• Mostly found in iodized salt and a few dietary supplements

Liquid iodine

• The liquid formula generally contains a percentage of iodine, potassium and purified water since iodine on its own when not bound to another element can be toxic for human consumption
• Each of these forms has been shown to effectively increase iodine levels so ensure that any supplement you choose is in one of these forms

Capsules/Tablets/Liquids/Sprays

Capsules and tablets

• The best value for money tends to be tablets/ capsules since you can get more servings in one container for a lower price and can measure out the correct dosage consistently.

Liquids and sprays

• Liquids and sprays are an alternate option for those who want a quicker release of iodine into their system. 
• A great benefit of liquids and sprays is the ability to make them taste better with simple ingredients. 
• The downside is that they are generally more expensive and harder to measure consistently accurate doses.

Yeast, Corn, Soy, and Gluten-free + unwanted additives

For those with a sensitive digestive system or allergies, it’s important to avoid yeast corn gluten and sometimes soy.

The best vegan iodine supplements will have minimal additives

What we are looking for is clean ingredients that are preferably small. 

Some companies may add extra ingredients to “fill” out their formula, but for those trying to prevent digestive issues, a minimal ingredient list is a way to go.

Some exceptions to this rule are when the company has created an organic fruit and vegetable blend with nutrients that complement iodine.

Iodine complimentary nutrients

When trying to pick a good iodine supplement, three nutrients may add to the overall value of the product by helping support iodine uptake and thyroid function.

Selenium, magnesium plus vitamin A and C have all been shown to either support and maintain a healthy thyroid gland or have been shown to allow for better absorption of iodine so having these in a plant-based iodine supplement can add to overall value.

Vegan label

Always lookout for a vegan label on the product to ensure that the supplement is free from animal and dairy products. 

The main things vegans need to watch out for in the case of iodine, vegan supplements are gelatin in the casing of the supplement or iodine content sourced from fish.

Value

When researching, a key thing we analyze is how many servings you get per bottle then compare this with the price of the product. The number of servings divided by the price will allow you to determine which product provides the best value for money.

The second thing to pay attention to is whether the company offers a return or guarantee with the purchase. When a company offers a way for you to return your product if you are not satisfied, it instills confidence in your purchase and the brand.

Conclusion

Iodine is an essential requirement for maintaining optimal cognitive function and balancing a healthy thyroid.

As vegans, we have the potential to be more susceptible to iodine deficiency due to many plant foods providing an inconsistent amount to be reliable. This can be remedied by mixing with high-quality vegan iodine supplement with solid plant-based iodine options.

Our top recommendation for the best vegan iodine supplement is Natural Nutra kelp iodine since it excels in all the important categories needed in a quality vegan iodine supplement.

Frequently asked questions

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