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Best Vegan Iodine Supplements

Review and Buyers Guide

Edited by: Isabel Stewart , Last updated: January 18, 2021

EDITOR’S CHOICE
Natural Nutra

Vegan kelp iodine supplement

Made to support thyroid health
Socially conscious company
BEST VEGAN LIQUID IODINE SUPPLEMENT
Heritage Store

Vegan liquid iodine

Highly absorbable iodine
Excellent alternative to capsules
BEST VEGAN IODINE THYROID SUPPORT
NutraChamps

Thyroid support complex

Contains additional vitamins & minerals
Made to support thyroid health

Iodine is an essential nutrient needed to master the plant-based diet and one that often gets unfortunately overlooked.

Iodine has many significant physiological benefits, from supporting clear cognitive function, though to healthy brain development during pregnancy, but its primary purpose is maintaining a healthy thyroid and preventing enlarged thyroid.

Iodine is a nutrient that our bodies can not create ourselves and is essential for the creation of thyroid hormones, so it’s imperative we get it from food, but for vegans and vegetarians, there aren’t many plant sources of iodine that can provide consistently reliable amounts. This makes hitting the RDA (recommended daily amount) for iodine and achieving healthy nutritional balance difficult.

best vegan iodine supplements

An excellent way to boost your iodine intake on a vegan diet is to add a quality based iodine supplement into your daily eating regime. 

This will make up for any potential inefficiencies that may have arisen from a lack of high iodine foods while on a plant-based diet.

But knowing which iodine supplements are worth your purchase and not just a waste of money can be a complicated task.

We have researched and analyzed the top plant-based iodine supplements available and picked out the best ones relevant to vegans based on our specific search criteria.

In this article, we will break down:

  • Why iodine is essential, especially to vegans 
  • Breakdown precisely what to look for when choosing the best vegan iodine supplement 
  • and answer the most frequently asked questions related to vegan iodine supplements, providing you with the plant-based knowledge to pick a supplement just right for your needs.

Best vegan iodine supplements at a glance

Top 5 vegan Iodine supplements – (In-Depth Reviews)

1. Natural Nutra Kelp Iodine supplement Editor’s Choice

FEATURES:

Number of servings: 250

Serving size: 225mcg of iodine

Free from: Gluten, Yeast, dairy free, no artifical colors or preservatives

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REVIEW SCORE:
97/100

Natural Nutra is a brand focussed on health and environmentally conscious individuals. Their kelp based iodine supplement provides 225mcg of iodine per serving from kelp, making this the highest potency vegan iodine tablet out of our top picks. Perfect for those who need a healthy iodine boost, but for those who already have a substantial amount of iodine in their diet, a lower dosage alternative under 150mcg may be better.

There is also the option to cut the 225mcg tablets in half, effectively making your purchase last twice as long and getting value for money.

Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, and free of the seaweed taste that some kelp based supplements can have. Bear in mind it contains a small amount of magnesium stearate, so if you have a sensitive digestive system, then a hypoallergenic alternative such as peak performances iodine supplement may be better

It comes with a BPA-Free fully recyclable glass bottle making it eco-friendly. Plus, with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, you can be confident in your purchase.

Conclusion

Overall, Natural Nutra provides a high strength dose of iodine that can help any vegans to boost their iodine intake effectively. What makes Natural Nutra stand out is its focus on a clean environment. They are the only manufacturer out of our top picks that has BPA free bottles that are also made of fully recyclable glass. This focus on environmentally friendly production makes Natural Nutra one of our top environmentally conscious vegan iodine supplements and our editors choice for vegans.

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Why we love it
Large number of servings made to support thyroid health
Socially conscious company
Award winning product
things to be aware of
Large serving size

2. Heritage Store Liquid Iodine Best Vegan liquid iodine supplement

FEATURES:

Number of servings: 480

Serving size: 260mcg of iodine

Free from: 3rd party tested. Gluten, parabens, sulfates, phthalates & alcohol free

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REVIEW SCORE:
95/100

The heritage store liquid iodine supplement is our top liquid iodine choice providing 246mcg of iodine per serving, helping you to hit your RDA safely. Heritage store sources their iodine from North Atlantic Sea Kelp, ensuring that the product is safe for vegans. It is also made of a very minimalist formula focusing strictly on iodine, making this excellent for vegans with sensitive stomachs or food intolerance.

The liquid drops make this an excellent choice for those who don’t enjoy tablets, and the liquid form allows the iodine to get into your bloodstream quicker, providing a noticeable effect faster. You also have the ability to mix your iodine into your favorite leafy green or pineapple juice without the supplement affecting the flavor of your juice, which is excellent for those who dislike the taste.

Having a healthy supply of iodine can boost energy levels and reduce fatigue while also helping to strengthen hair, skin, and nails, and with a whopping 480 servings per bottle, the Heritage vegan iodine supplement should have you covered throughout the year.

Conclusion

The versatility and simplicity of this supplement plus the large number of servings make Heritage store’s liquid iodine our number 1 pick for best liquid iodine supplement for vegans.

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Why we love it
Highly absorbable
Excellent alternative to capsules
Minimal ingredients – great for sensitive stomachs
things to be aware of
Acquired taste

3. Nutrachamps Thyroid support complex Best Vegan Iodine Thyroid support

FEATURES:

Number of servings: 30

Serving size: 150mcg of iodine

Free from: Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Non-GMO formula

Extra nutrients:B12, Ashwagandha, Kelp, Zinc, Selenium, Copper

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REVIEW SCORE:
95/100

Nutrachamps provide just the right amount of iodine for adults at 150mcg and is sourced from kelp making this an excellent choice for any health-conscious vegan or vegetarian.

Notable mineral extras

  • 150mcg b12: great for keeping nerve and blood cells healthy
  • 10 mg zinc: brilliant for a healthy immune system
  • 200mg magnesium: great for muscle and nerve function
  • 300mg L-Tyrosine great for mental focus

Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, preservative-free, and no unnecessary extras, plus is a great hypoallergenic choice for anybody with a sensitive digestive system.

Nutrachamps provides excellent overall value for money with part of the proceeds supporting a child or mother in need through the vitamin angels charity.

Conclusion

Overall the Nutrachamps thyroid support complex is our top choice for a thyroid focussed iodine supplement. It provides over ten minerals and vitamins that work synergistically to enhance thyroid function and also hit your recommended iodine amount with each serving. 

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Why we love it
Beneficial herbs added
Additional vitamins & minerals
Created specifically for thyroid support
things to be aware of
Only 30 servings

4. Peak Performance Raw whole food iodine Best Organic Vegan Iodine supplement

FEATURES:

Number of servings: 60

Serving size: 150mcg of iodine

Free from: Free Of Soy, Milk, Egg, Shellfish, Corn, Wheat & Peanuts. Contains NO Gluten or Preservatives

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REVIEW SCORE:
93/100

Peak performance is one of the newer iodine brands but is making strides with the focus on quality iodine sourced from a clean organic kelp source.

Each serving provides enough iodine for adult vegans to hit their recommended daily amount at150mcg. The great thing about this in comparison to others is that they don’t provide an overdose of iodine that would shoot users way over their RDA, which could potentially cause issues, so the amounts with peak performance are perfect for the everyday vegan.

Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free made using a vegan capsule that avoids gelatin usage.

Peak performance iodine provides a 100% refund guarantee and sends a portion of the proceeds to support a child or mother in need through the vitamin angels charity, which adds overall greater value to each product purchased.

Conclusion

Peak performance iodine has the smallest ingredient list out of our top picks and is free from all chemicals and preservatives, making this a perfect choice for those with allergies or sensitive stomachs. The focus on organic kelp as the sole source of iodine while ensuring all ingredients are third-party tested makes this our top choice for organic vegan iodine supplement.

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Why we love it
Third party tested ingredients
Percentage of profits go to charity
Sourced from clean, natural and safe environments
things to be aware of
Strictly iodine – no extra nutrients added

5. Gaia Herbs Thyroid Support Best Eco-friendly iodine support

FEATURES:

Number of servings: 60

Serving size: 100mcg of iodine

Free from: Free from gluten, soy, dairy, meat, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, yeast and eggs.

Extra nutrients: Ashwaganda, Bladderwrack, Coleus, Kelp, Schisandra

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REVIEW SCORE:
93/100

Gaia Herbs provides 100 mg of iodine from organic kelp slightly lower than the RDA but makes it a brilliant choice for those who are already getting a small amount from their diet. This lower dosage can avoid having an excessive amount of iodine in your diet and contribute to maintaining a balanced nutritional regime.

Notable mineral extras: 

  • L-tyrosine 200mg: great for mental focus,
  • ashwagandha 80mg: great for fighting stress and improving brain function
  • coleus forskolin: great for the heart skin and blood

Non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free made using a vegan capsule that avoids gelatin usage.
Gaia Herbs is one of the few supplement companies that is a B-corporation, meaning they are a company that has environmental progress at the forefront of their business.

They are also a very transparent company, which is quite rare in the supplement world. They allow you to trace the origin of the herbs used in their formulas using the “meetyourherbs” section of their site. These two aspects instill confidence in the brand while also ensuring your money is used for a good cause.

Conclusion

These two vital points, coupled with their healthy balance of iodine b12 and zinc, make Gaia Herbs our number 1 eco-friendly vegan iodine supplement.

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Why we love it
Supports healthy metabolism
Synergistic herbal blend
Socially conscious brand
things to be aware of
Capsules are quite big

Vegan Iodine Supplement Buyers Guide

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:

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.

Seleniummagnesium 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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