Product - Iodine Gold

General Questions about Iodine

What is iodine?

Iodine is a mineral required by the human body to make thyroid hormones, which play a key role in metabolism, as well as bone and brain development during pregnancy and infancy.

What is the difference between iodine (from kelp) and potassium iodide supplements?

Potassium iodide is synthetic and typically created in a lab using industrial chemicals. The iodine in Iodine Gold is from whole kelp thallus, which contains a multitude of nutrients in addition to iodine, including trace minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. Seaweed sources of iodine may be safer than synthetic forms due to a natural delayed release which may provide for greater bioavailability of iodine in the human body. That being said, different forms of iodine may be indicated based on individual needs, so we recommend talking to your healthcare provider prior to supplementation. 

What are some risk factors for an iodine deficiency?

Iodine deficiency is common in many countries. In fact, over 30% of the world’s population may have insufficient iodine intake, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Iodine content in the soil can vary greatly by region, which impacts the iodine content of fruits and vegetables. For example, the Midwest region of the United States is known for being an iodine-deficient area. The processing of food can also contribute to iodine loss.

It is important to note that a developing fetus and newborn infant are completely dependent upon maternal iodine intake in order to produce necessary thyroid hormones. So, pregnant women and lactating mothers are especially prone to iodine deficiency since they require higher amounts of iodine each day to support healthy fetal development. 

Are there any food sources of iodine?

Seafood and edible seaweed (e.g. kelp, wakame) tend to be the richest food sources of iodine since they come from seawater, which is naturally high in iodine. Other food sources include eggs, fruit, and whole grains. Salt can also contribute to iodine intake but only if it is iodized, or fortified with iodine.

What is the recommended daily allowance for iodine?

The 100% daily value (%DV) for iodine for individuals 18 years of age and older is 150 mcg. This goes up to 290 mcg per day during pregnancy/breastfeeding. As with any supplement, please talk to your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to ensure you are following the dosing schedule that is right for your particular health needs.

Is there an established upper toxicity limit for iodine?

The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Institute of Medicine has set the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for iodine at 1,100 mcg/day. The Upper Tolerable Limit (UL) is considered to be the highest amount you can take of a nutrient without theoretical risk.

Can iodine supplements be taken with OTC or prescription medications?

Iodine supplements may potentially interact or interfere with some types of medication including thyroid medication and ACE inhibitors. If you are taking or planning to take an OTC or prescription medication, please consult a licensed pharmacist or your healthcare provider before beginning supplementation to minimize risk of side effects associated with potential supplement-drug interactions.

Still have questions?

• For general information about iodine, check out the resources below—
• Iodine Fact Sheet for Consumers — Office of Dietary Supplements
• Iodine — Linus Pauling Institute
• Iodine— Medline Plus
• Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development—Iodine Review
• For specific guidance on the suitability of iodine to support your particular health goals, please talk to your healthcare provider.

Questions about Iodine Gold

What is the source of the iodine in Iodine Gold?

Our iodine is delivered as part of kelp seaweed, sustainably harvested from the cold, clean waters of Northwest Iceland.  Iodine Gold provides a safe, sustainable and highly traceable form of natural iodine. The kelp seaweed used in our product is fresh-dried at controlled low temperatures to protect the complex array of minerals, vitamins, and beneficial phytonutrients.

What is the purpose of the organic food blend in Iodine Gold?

At NutriGold, we are mindful of the fact that every ingredient in a product, regardless of whether it is an active ingredient that provides a health benefit or an additive that ensures finished product integrity, can and will likely have some impact on consumers’ health. This is why we are philosophically opposed to the use of synthetic, semi-synthetic, or commodity additives like magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide commonly found in most commercially-available supplements. We choose instead to use plant-based, pantry-friendly functional additives that not only have a history of safe use, but may help support the bioavailability and absorption of iodine and other nutrients in kelp.

How does NutriGold ensure the purity of the ingredients used in its Iodine Gold product?

At NutriGold, we go above and beyond what is recommended or required under current GMPs to independently verify that the raw materials used in our products as well as the finished products themselves meet industry-defining quality and purity standards. Depending on the complexity of the testing involved, including determining what needs to be tested, what methods are fit-for-purpose, and which lab is most qualified to perform the testing, we sometimes have results from as many as 4 or 5 different independent, ISO-certified labs for each product. We take these results from third-party labs and summarize them in lot-specific Certificates of Analysis that are  freely available in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product pages on our website, so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. You can also visit our Certificates of Analysis page to view all product certificates.

What assurance can you provide that the amount of  iodine  listed on the label (300 mcg) is actually in the product?

All of our products are verified by independent third-party labs to meet identity, purity, and potency label claims. We take these results from third-party labs and summarize them in lot-specific Certificates of Analysis(C of A) that are freely available in the spirit of authentic transparency on the product pages on our website so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions. The C of A provides assurance that the claims made on the label accurately reflect the contents of the product inside the bottle. To learn more about our commitment to independent, third party quality testing, visit our Accountability Commitment page.

Should Iodine Gold be taken with food?

Iodine Gold is made using whole kelp and can be taken anytime, even on an empty stomach. However, as a matter of principle and in the interest of your health and safety, we encourage you to consult your healthcare provider prior to supplementation to determine what use, if any, is best for your individual needs.

What is a pullulan capsule? What is it made of?

Pullulan is a vegetable-derived, water-soluble polysaccharide produced through a natural fermentation process. Pullulan capsules are considered more natural than HPMC (cellulose) capsules because they are naturally derived from fermented tapioca. Unlike cellulose capsules, which are considered semi-synthetic and not permitted in certified organic products, pullulan is included in the USDA’s National Organic Program list of accepted ingredients for organic products.

Can I break apart the capsule and add the contents to liquid/food to consume?

All of our products are formulated to be taken as capsules and our purity and potency claims are based on the product being taken as recommended. We generally do not recommend breaking apart the capsules because it can introduce contaminants or otherwise compromise product potency and effectiveness.

Is Iodine Gold suitable for children (under 18 years of age)?

Iodine Gold is formulated for individuals over 18 years. Because children are considered a vulnerable population, we regret we cannot make any recommendations regarding the use of our products by or for children under the age of 18. We ask that you talk to your pediatrician or family practitioner about whether or not Iodine Gold is suitable and safe for your child’s particular healthcare needs prior to supplementation.