If you are looking for an IQ-boosting supplement, Iodine might not be the first that comes to mind, but there is in fact a strong correlation between Iodine consumption and IQ.

A 2004 study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that increasing Iodine in your diet can increase IQ scores by several points.

Individuals who are deficient in this chemical are at risk of experiencing diminished cognitive abilities, preventable mental retardation, and may be more likely to have low IQ children.

Iodine deficiency affects almost 2 billion individuals around the world and is considered the leading (solvable) cause of undeveloped brain potential. Iodine itself is not the strongest nootropic supplement available and if you already get the suggested amount of this element, you may not experience much benefit to adding it to your stack.

However, for individuals at risk of Iodine deficiency, the addition of this chemical can make a significant impact on mental performance.

What is Iodine?

Iodine is a chemical element required by humans and other higher animals to synthesize thyroid hormones.

It is also considered to be a non-metallic trace element that is found largely throughout the oceans of the world.

This element is also found in the soil, although the content varies from region to region. The older an exposed soil surface, the more likely Iodine has been removed due to erosion.

It is estimated that mountainous regions like the Andes, Himalayas, and the Alps are among the most severely Iodine-deficient areas in the world (also the Ganges valley).

Iodine is an essential element that is vital to normal growth and development in humans. About 60 percent of this chemical within the human body is actually stored in the thyroid gland, where it is used to control a number of basic bodily functions.

Iodine Effects:

The mechanism of action for Iodine involves the thyroid gland and the brain primarily. The thyroid gland actually traps Iodine from the blood and then uses this to be incorporated into a number of different hormones. These resulting thyroid hormones are then released into circulation when needed.

Two of these main hormones, called T3 and T4, are able to actually bind to thyroid receptors in the nuclei of cells and regulate gene expression within target tissues like the brain and liver. They are also both active in helping to regulate numerous physiological processes such as growth, development, metabolism, and even reproductive function.

These hormones are also regulated by the brain (especially the hypothalamus) and the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland actually releases thyroid-stimulating hormone which leads to Iodine trapping, thyroid hormone synthesis (also involving Iodine), and release of T3 and T4 by the thyroid itself. This creates somewhat of a feedback loop, and is essential for the efficient functioning of the overall thyroid, pituitary, and endocrine systems.

Iodine Benefits:

There are a wide range of health benefits which have been associated with Iodine supplementation, either directly or indirectly.

Of course, a lot of this relates to the production and circulation of various hormones throughout the body. The first of these is control and regulation over the body’s basal metabolic rate.

This affects the overall actions and efficiency of many different processes including the absorption of food, sleep cycles, and even the process of transforming food into energy. It also helps to regulate things like protein synthesis, heart rate, blood pressure, body weight, and temperature.

Another positive side effect of the above benefits is also the maintenance of optimal energy levels. Iodine helps the body to make efficient use of calories, without depositing them as excess fats.

Iodine is also essential for the normal growth and development of human reproductive organs and function. Pregnant women require Iodine to help prevent stillbirths and neurocognitive conditions in newborn babies (like cretinism). This supplement also ensures proper movement, growth, speech, and hearing abilities in babies. It is even thought that an Iodine deficiency (although rare in North America these days) could actually make a woman infertile.

Iodine also tremendously boosts the immune system. The supplement itself (even in free form, not as a part of thyroid hormones) is a scavenger of free hydroxyl radicals. This also works to stimulate and increase the activity of other anti-oxidants throughout the body to offer a strong defensive measure against a number of diseases like heart disease and even cancer. It may even directly protect brain cells by bonding to fatty acids in the cell membranes, further protecting them from the effects of free radicals.

Iodine Dosage:

The recommended dosage of Iodine, according to the FDA, depends on your situation. Adults have an RDA (recommended daily allowance) of 150 mcg.

Pregnant women, on the other hand, need more, 220 mcg and nursing mothers, up to 290 mcg daily.

Of course, you can experiment a bit to find your own ideal dose, starting very low and only increasing the dosage once you are sure of the effects and benefits.

Iodine Side Effects:

Although Iodine supplementation is very safe and the compound is considered to be very well-tolerated in healthy adults, there have been a few side effects associated with its use. Most of these are related to rashes and stomach problems.

It should also be noted that the lethal dose in humans is somewhere above 2 grams. Most side effects are not really a direct result of Iodine itself, but rather a reaction to certain types of foods or other chemicals which have been combined with the Iodine.

Iodine Review:

Iodine has tons of excellent health benefits. So much so, that almost everyone should consider taking at least a small amount on a regular basis just to be sure that all your health needs are met.

This is especially critical for pregnant and nursing mothers, who need to consider the fact that they are supplying Iodine not just for them but also for their child.

Overall, this supplement is highly recommended for nearly everyone, as long as it is used in safe dosage quantities.

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Article last updated on:by Nootriment