Does the sea salt need iodine?

Sea salt does not inherently need iodine added to it for it to be beneficial. Most people receive sufficient iodine from their diets, particularly through foods like kelp, seaweed, and commercially available table salt, which almost universally contains iodine. Iodine is essential for thyroid health as it is a critical component in the production of thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, in combination with the amino acid L-tyrosine.

While most people typically get enough iodine, those on restrictive diets might not. Certain cases of thyroid enlargement, or goiter, are historically linked to iodine deficiencies, particularly in regions far from the ocean. This has led to the widespread iodization of table salt to prevent such deficiencies.

However, Andrew Huberman suggests that if you live near the coast, you may absorb enough iodine through the air, reflecting how small the required intake can be. Always consult a healthcare provider before making changes to iodine consumption, especially in the context of thyroid health 1 2.