Iodine Capsules – from Pure Organic Kelp

Why Iodine Is So Important

Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) and is therefore essential for normal thyroid function. To meet the body's requirement for thyroid hormones, the thyroid gland captures iodine from the blood and incorporates it into the large thyroglobulin molecule.

By breaking down this protein, T4 (Thyroxine) is produced, which is stored and released into the circulation as needed. In target tissues such as the liver, muscles and brain, T4 can be converted to T3 by selenium-containing enzymes called deiodinases. T3 is the physiologically active thyroid hormone that can bind to thyroid receptors in cell nuclei and regulate gene expression. In this way, thyroid hormones regulate a range of physiological processes, including growth, development, metabolism and reproductive function.

Iodine deficiency leads to insufficient production of T4. In response to reduced T4 concentrations in the blood, the pituitary gland in the brain increases its TSH secretion. Persistently elevated TSH values can lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland, also referred to as a goitre. TSH thereby increases iodine uptake through increased iodine binding and thus typically increases T4 production, causing TSH to decrease – a feedback loop.

Due to the enormous importance of iodine for the production of thyroid hormones, the following health claims are authorised:

• Iodine contributes to normal production of thyroid hormones and normal thyroid function
• Iodine contributes to normal cognitive function
• Iodine contributes to normal energy metabolism
• Iodine contributes to normal function of the nervous system
  
• Iodine contributes to the maintenance of normal skin
• Iodine contributes to normal growth in children

In addition to its importance for the thyroid, further roles for iodine in the human body have been emerging in recent years. It is thought that iodine, or more specifically iodide, participates in innate immune defence in the salivary glands, stomach and intestine. These tissues can take up iodine and oxidise it to hypoiodite (IO-), which has fungicidal, bactericidal and antiviral activity. (See Ulisse et al. 2021)

The thyroid gland of a healthy adult concentrates 70-80% of a total body iodine content of 15-20 mg and uses approximately 80 µg of iodine daily for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency is recognised worldwide as the most common cause of preventable brain damage. The spectrum of iodine deficiency disorders includes intellectual disability, hypothyroidism, goitre and other growth and developmental disorders of varying severity. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that over 30% of the world population (2 billion people) have inadequate iodine intake, measured by median urine iodine concentrations of less than 100 µg/L. Furthermore, approximately one-third of school-age children (6-12 years) worldwide have inadequate iodine intake.

Although approximately 70% of households worldwide now have access to iodised salt, mild to moderate iodine deficiency remains a public health problem in at least 30 countries. Further information about international efforts to eliminate iodine deficiency can be found on the websites of the Iodine Global Network (formerly International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders) and the WHO.

What Sets Our edubily® Iodine Apart

We source the raw material for our Bio Iodine Capsules from one of Europe's leading algal products companies, which was founded 25 years ago in Great Britain with the vision of "getting at least one gram of our finest native wild algae into the daily diet of the population."

For the production of our Kelp Iodine Capsules, sustainable wild stocks from the British Isles and Scandinavia are used, which are selected and managed to conserve native stocks. The raw material is specifically approved for human consumption, bio-certified and has been subject to the Nutritious Food Seaweed Standard of the Biodynamic Association since 2016.