Biotic⁺
$77
Supplements
Iodine Supplement Benefits and Dosage
From looking after your thyroid to optimising fertility, iodine is a key nutrient in our diets.
Iodine function
Thyroid hormones - Maintenance of metabolism - Cognitive function
Iodine dosage
The Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for iodine is 150mcg per day.
Iodine and the brain
Brain scans in people with iodine deficiency have shown that structures within the brain such as the hippocampus and neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) are affected by iodine deficiency. It’s widely recognised that iodine contributes to normal cognitive function; the exact mechanism is unclear, but it’s thought to be related to gene expression.
Iodine benefits
-
Iodine helps to make thyroid hormones, which control our metabolic rate
-
Essential for optimal fertility
Plays well with
-
Selenium for thyroid function
-
Folate for women trying to conceive
-
B12 and other B vitamins for those on plant-based diets
Clever stuff - Low iodine in child development
Iodine is especially important in foetal and childhood development, as it is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis, which is important in normal brain development. A trial of 310 mildly deficient school children found that iodine supplementation in people who have low levels improved information processing, fine motor skills and problem solving.
About the author:
Sophie Medlin
Know your own mind?
The average brain health score is 51/100. Take our 3-minute quiz to learn how yours measures up and how to boost it.
Related articles
Supplements
The best vitamins for immune system4 minutes read
Laura Sugden
Supporting our immune systems has never been more important. These vitamins can help.
Supplements
Omega 3: Everything you need to know5 minutes read
Sophie Medlin
Omega 3 makes up 40% of your grey matter, supports heart health, and is in every cell in your body. Here’s the lowdown.
Supplements
Supplements 101: What you need to know6 minutes read
Heights
From algae to zinc, this is everything you need to know about supplements and how to choose them.it
Supplements
Prebiotics 101—Everything you need to know4 minutes read
Heights
What exactly are prebiotics, and should you be having more of them? We look into the facts.
Supplements
Deep dive: How B12 impacts your microbiome4 minutes read
Ruby Dalziel
We look at how vitamin B12 is related to the microbiome and why this is so important to understand.
Supplements
How long does it take for vitamins to work?5 minutes read
Heights
Everybody is after immediate effects, but vitamins rarely work that way—so how long does it take for vitamins to work?
