Ingredient Repository · Ingredient

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Ingredient

Iodine

Essential trace element required for thyroid hormone synthesis, metabolic rate regulation, and fetal neurological development.

What it is

Iodine (as potassium iodide) is an essential non-metallic trace element. In Velobiotics products such as PregBiotics Conception, PregBiotics Essentials, and BioGain Probiotic Meal, potassium iodide is formulated with microencapsulated probiotics to support thyroid hormone production, metabolic health, and maternal-fetal neurological growth.

Also known as: Potassium Iodide

What it does

  • Serves as the key structural constituent of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) thyroid hormones.
  • Regulates basal metabolic rate, cellular respiration, and thermogenesis across body tissues.
  • Supports normal neurodevelopment, cognitive growth, and myelination in developing fetuses and infants.
  • Contributes to normal cognitive function and energy-yielding metabolism in adults.

Amplified by probiotics

Dietary iodide (I-) is rapidly absorbed across the gastric and duodenal mucosa via sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) proteins. Probiotic strains maintain healthy enterocyte architecture and mucosal barrier integrity, protecting apical transport mechanisms. Furthermore, probiotic bacteria hydrolyze dietary goitrogens (such as glucosinolates) in the gut, preventing them from competitively inhibiting thyroidal iodide uptake. Balanced gut microbiota also support deiodinase enzyme activity by maintaining liver and gut enterohepatic hormone metabolism.

Typical dose

150–250 µg/day

The evidence

Evidence: strong

Extensive clinical data show that adequate iodine intake prevents goiter, hypothyroidism, and neurodevelopmental deficits during pregnancy. (Zimmermann MB. 2011, Endocr Rev; Hatch-McChesney A, Lieberman HR. 2022, Nutrients; Leung AM, Braverman LE. 2014, Nat Rev Endocrinol).

  1. Zimmermann MB. The role of iodine in human growth and development. Endocr Rev. 2011;32(4):518-543 PubMed ↗
  2. Hatch-McChesney A, Lieberman HR. Iodine Intake and Thyroid Function: A Review of Health Implications. Nutrients. 2022;14(10):2100 PubMed ↗
  3. Leung AM, Braverman LE. Consequences of excess iodine. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2014;10(3):136-142 PubMed ↗

Safety & who should check first

Tolerable Upper Intake Level is 1100 µg/day for adults. Individuals with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) should avoid excessive iodine without clinical guidance. Safe during pregnancy within recommended guidelines (220–290 µg/day).