Iodine is considered an essential part of a nutritious daily diet. In addition to many foods like seafood, dairy and eggs, iodine can be found in a number of different herbs, notably kelp and bladderwrack. However, too much iodine can be as dangerous as too little. Therefore, if you have concerns about your iodine levels, always speak with a doctor about it before taking any action to attempt to remedy the suspected imbalance on your own.
Iodine
Iodine is a trace element vital for the metabolism of lipids, or fats, and the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. According to the Dietary Reference Intakes from the Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, the recommended daily allowance of iodine for adult men and women is .15 mg, or 150 mcg, per day and the tolerable upper intake level is 1.1 mg per day. The National Institutes of Health warns that long-term consumption of high dosages of iodine may be unsafe and could lead to goiter or increased thyroid cancer risk. Excessive iodine intake, warns the Langone Medical Center of New York University, may also cause either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Kelp
Based on a 2004 study in the journal "Thyroid" on the iodine content of twelve commercially available seaweeds, a variety of kelp granules had the highest iodine content, with approximately 8,165 mcg per gram. In terms of dosage, do not take any greater amount of kelp than would provide you the recommended daily intake of 150 mcg of iodine per day.
Bladderwrack
Often mistakenly labeled as kelp, bladderwrack is another seaweed known for its high iodine content. According to the National Institutes of Health bladderwrack is used for iodine deficiency, despite the fact that the iodine levels of bladderwrack, while generally high, can vary inconsistently. Make sure when purchasing bladderwrack to read the label for its iodine content and only to buy bladderwrack when its iodine content is listed on the label.
Other Herbs
Other herbs listed as sources of iodine include calendula, elder, tarragon leaves, turkey rhubarb and wormwood. Garlic is another herb high in iodine, as noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center. The University of Texas at El Paso Herbal Safety department warns, however, that high garlic intake by people with thyroid problems could interfere with iodine metabolism.
References
- "The National Acadamies Press"; Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc; 2001
- MedlinePlus; Bladderwrack; Jul 2011
- New York University Langone Medical Center; Iodine; Feb 2011
- "Thyroid"; Variability Of Iodine Content In Common Commercially Available Edible Seaweed; J. Teas, et al.; Oct 2004
- University Of Maryland Medical Center; Iodine; Steven D. Ehrlich; Jun 2009
- University Of Texas At El Paso Herbal Safety; Detailed Information: Garlic; Armando Gonzalez Stuart
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