How Much Iodine is in Sea Moss: Numbers That Matter!

by Laura Pandolfi May 27, 2024

Sea moss isn't just a trendy ingredient for your smoothies and skincare products. It's a nutritional powerhouse, packed with essential minerals and vitamins, with incredible benefits for your health.

One of the key components naturally found in sea moss is iodine, an essential nutrient for thyroid health among other benefits.

In this article, we'll explore the iodine content in sea moss and its role in our health, answering some frequently asked questions about sea moss and iodine.

How much iodine is in sea moss?
What are the health benefits of iodine?
Is too much iodine dangerous for your health?
Can you take sea moss if you're allergic to iodine?
And more!

What is Sea Moss?

Sea moss, scientifically called Chondrus Crispus, and also known by the names Irish moss or Jamaican moss, is a type of red algae found along the coastlines of the North Atlantic. It is renowned for its ability to grow in harsh, rocky environments, which contributes to its nutrient-rich profile. It potentially contains up to 92 out of the 102 essential minerals and vitamins that our bodies need to function, including iodine, making it exceptionally beneficial for health.

Sea moss has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its numerous health benefits. It has been proven to help prevent and manage a wide range of conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. It also helps improve thyroid function, immune system, gut health, energy levels, and respiratory health. But that's not it, sea moss is also great for skin and hair health, fertility, and can improve your mental health, sleep quality, and even your sexual life!

What Is Iodine?

Iodine is a trace mineral crucial to human health, especially for thyroid function. The thyroid gland synthesises thyroid hormones-namely thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)-which are necessary for regulating the body's metabolic rate, heart function, digestive function, muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance. These hormones influence almost every physiological process in the body, from how quickly you burn calories to how fast your heart beats.

Unlike other nutrients our body can produce itself, essential minerals, like iodine, cannot be synthesized by the body. Therefore, iodine must be ingested through diet (seafood, dairy products, iodized salt, and eggs for example) or supplements.

Recommended daily intake of iodine

The recommended daily intake of iodine varies by age, gender, and life stage. For example, adults generally require about 150 micrograms per day, while pregnant and lactating women need more, about 220 to 290 micrograms.

To put these numbers into perspective, here are some examples of how much iodine is in everyday foods:

A 3-ounce portion of baked cod can provide about 99 micrograms of iodine.
One cup of plain yogurt contains around 75 micrograms.
A quarter teaspoon of iodized salt can provide roughly 71 micrograms.
One large egg contains about 24 micrograms of iodine.
A 10-gram serving of dried seaweed can contain up to 250 micrograms of iodine, depending on the type.

Your individual iodine requirements and tolerance may vary based on several factors, including overall health and specific conditions such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Always consult healthcare providers for personalized advice on how much iodine you should get daily, especially if you have thyroid conditions or other health concerns related to iodine intake.

Risks of too much iodine

Iodine is a crucial mineral that helps keep your thyroid running smoothly and ensure your body functions optimally. But the amount needs to be just right. While iodine deficiency can lead to serious health problems, too much iodine can throw your thyroid off balance and lead to a range of health complications. Over time, excessive iodine can trigger conditions such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or even thyroid cancer.

When consumed in extreme quantities, you could also suffer from iodine poisoning or iodine toxicity. This is the extreme end of too much iodine. This severe overexposure to iodine causes symptoms like a burning sensation in your mouth, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and it can even result in serious complications like a fever or coma. So, if you think you may have iodine poisoning, seek emergency medical treatment.

However, iodine poising is very rare, and you would need to ingest huge quantities to get to the point where your life is in danger. First, it's quite difficult to reach harmful levels of iodine just from diet alone, even if you frequently enjoy iodine-rich seaweeds like sea moss. Adults can typically tolerate up to 1,100 micrograms of iodine daily, which is roughly ten times the recommended daily intake.

Besides, iodine poisoning usually doesn't result from a single excessive dose. Instead, the risk increases significantly if you habitually consume too much iodine over time.

That's why we always recommend our clients to naturally increase their iodine intake with sea moss, but to make sure they adhere to the recommended daily intake and seek professional medical advice, especially if you have thyroid conditions or are taking medications that could interact with iodine, such as Amiodarone, which is known to increase iodine levels in the body. When in doubt, always seek medical advice first!

How Much Iodine is in Sea Moss?

Now, let's dive into our key topic: How much iodine is in sea moss exactly? Well, sea moss is known to be one of the richest natural sources of iodine. On average, sea moss contains iodine in concentrations of 4 to 7 mcg per gram.

This means that there are between 40 to 70 mcg of iodine in a 10-gram serving of sea moss. And that's about a third to nearly half of the daily intake requirements (150 mcg for adults).

Such a substantial iodine content makes sea moss the best dietary addition for those looking to naturally increase their iodine intake.

Variability in iodine content

That being said, not all sea moss is created equal in terms of iodine and nutrient content. The amount of iodine in sea moss can vary significantly due to a variety of factors, including:

Wildcrafted vs. pool-grown sea moss. Sea moss that is harvested from the ocean contains higher levels of iodine compared to aquaculture, pool-grown sea moss. This is because the natural oceanic conditions provide a richer supply of minerals and trace elements.

Sea moss provenance. Sea moss absorbs minerals from its growing environment and surrounding water, so the iodine content highly depends on its origin. For instance, sea moss grown in Saint Lucia, like the one from Organics Nature, is known to have a higher nutrient content than others.

Harvesting methods. The techniques used to harvest, wash, and dry sea moss also influence its final iodine content. Excessive washing can reduce iodine content as it may remove some of the surface minerals absorbed from seawater. The method of drying (sun-dried vs. mechanically dried) can also affect how much iodine remains in the sea moss. Sun-drying tends to preserve iodine better than mechanical drying.

All these factors are key if you're considering adding sea moss to your diet, especially for its iodine benefits. They significantly affect how nutrient-rich and effective the final product will be. To truly reap the benefits, always opt for the highest quality sea moss. Choose organic, wildcrafted, and sun-dried sea moss only-they really do make a difference!

Sea Moss and Iodine: FAQs

How much iodine is in 1 tablespoon of sea moss gel?

A tablespoon of sea moss gel weighs approximately 14 grams. The iodine content in sea moss can vary based on where it's harvested and how it's processed, but on average, sea moss contains about 4 to 7 micrograms of iodine per gram.

Let's do the math! If sea moss gel has about 4 to 7 micrograms of iodine per gram, a tablespoon (14 grams) of sea moss gel would contain approximately:

Low end: 14 grams x 4 micrograms/g = 56 micrograms of iodine
High end: 14 grams x 7 micrograms/g = 98 micrograms of iodine

This amount represents approximately 37% to 65% of the daily recommended intake of iodine for adults, which is about 150 micrograms.

Does sea moss have too much iodine?

For most people, sea moss does not contain too much iodine, especially when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. A typical serving can provide a beneficial amount of iodine, which is vital for thyroid function and overall health. However, if you're concerned about your iodine levels, particularly if you have thyroid issues or take medications that can interact with iodine absorption, it's a good idea to talk with a doctor first.

Can sea moss cause iodine poisoning?

While sea moss is rich in iodine, iodine poisoning from sea moss alone is highly unlikely. Remember, iodine poisoning generally results from excessive consumption of iodine supplements, not from dietary sources. However, it's important to keep your total iodine intake in mind, especially if you use multiple supplements or consume a lot of other iodine-rich foods. Staying within the recommended dietary intake of iodine, which is up to 1,100 micrograms per day for adults, is a safe bet.

Can you take sea moss if you're allergic to iodine?

If you have a known allergy to iodine, it's wise to avoid sea moss. Since sea moss naturally contains iodine, consuming it could trigger an allergic reaction. It's always best to consult with your healthcare provider to understand your allergies and to discuss safe dietary options that won't compromise your health.

Can I rely on sea moss as my only source of iodine?

Sea moss is definitely a great source of iodine, but depending solely on it for all your iodine needs might not be the best idea. The amount of iodine in sea moss can really vary based on where it was harvested, how it was grown, and the way it was processed. Typically, adults need about 150 micrograms of iodine each day. While sea moss can certainly help you reach this goal, it's good to mix things up a bit by including a variety of foods like fish, dairy, eggs, and iodized salt. And of course, it's always a smart move to chat with your healthcare provider about your diet, especially if you have thyroid concerns or other health conditions that affect how much iodine you should be taking in.

Got more questions about sea moss and its iodine content? Feel free to ask in the comments below! Whether it's about incorporating sea moss into your diet or understanding its nutrient profile, we're here to help provide the information you need to make informed choices about your health and nutrition!