# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Essential Vitamins & Minerals

Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Potassium (Elemental K)

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Iodine (Elemental I)
Potassium (Elemental K)
Iodine (Elemental I) →

Iodine is an essential halogen trace element required exclusively as an essential structural component of thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), regulating metabolic rate, cellular respiration, and fetal neurodevelopment. Adult RDA is 150 µg, with an Upper Limit of 1,100 µg/day.

View full Iodine (Elemental I) spec sheet →
Potassium (Elemental K) →

Potassium is the primary intracellular cation (140 mEq/L intracellular vs 4 mEq/L extracellular), maintaining the cellular resting membrane potential via the Na+/K+-ATPase pump and regulating vascular tone. Adequate Intake (AI) is 3,400 mg (men) / 2,600 mg (women).

View full Potassium (Elemental K) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Iodine (Elemental I)
Potassium (Elemental K)
Nutrient Type
Essential Trace Halogen Element Essential Macromineral / Major Intracellular Electrolyte
Tolerable Upper Limit (UL)
1,100 µg / day (Avoid Wolff-Chaikoff thyroid autoregulatory shutdown) None Established (Whole foods; healthy kidneys clear excess; renal impairment requires clinical restriction)
Chemical Forms
Iodide (I- / Potassium Iodide KI, Potassium Iodate KIO3 in iodized salt), Molecular Iodine Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride (KCl / Salt substitute), Potassium Gluconate
Primary Biological Function
Constituent of Thyroxine (T4, 4 iodine atoms / 65% by weight) and Triiodothyronine (T3, 3 iodine atoms / 59% by weight) Na+/K+-ATPase resting membrane potential (-70mV), Cardiac myocardial repolarization, Endothelial nitric oxide vasodilation (lowers blood pressure), Blunts sodium-induced fluid retention
Deficiency Condition
Endemic Goiter (Compensatory thyroid enlargement), Congenital Hypothyroidism / Cretinism (Permanent neurodevelopmental impairment), Maternal miscarriages Hypokalemia (Serum K+ < 3.5 mmol/L): Cardiac arrhythmias (U-waves, ventricular tachycardia), Muscle weakness, Ileus, Hypertension
Top Whole Food Sources
Kombu Kelp, Nori Seaweed, Atlantic Cod, Eastern Oysters, Iodized Table Salt, Greek Yogurt, Dairy Milk, Eggs Baked Russet Potato (with skin), Orange Sweet Potato, Spinach, Bananas, Atlantic Salmon, Black Beans, Hass Avocado, Coconut Water
Adult RDA / RDI
150 µg / day (220 µg pregnancy / 290 µg lactation) —
Iodized Salt Public Health Impact
Universal salt iodization (45–75 mg KI / kg salt) is hailed as one of the greatest global public health achievements, eradicating cretinism worldwide —
Adult Adequate Intake (AI)
— 3,400 mg / day (Men) / 2,600 mg / day (Women) (WHO Target: >3,510 mg/day)
Dietary Sodium-to-Potassium Ratio
— Ancestral human ratio was 1:4 (Na:K); modern Western diets average 2:1, significantly contributing to hypertension

Other Alternatives to Compare

Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Calcium (Elemental Ca) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Iron (Heme & Non-Heme) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Magnesium (Elemental Mg) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Selenium (Elemental Se) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Sodium (Elemental Na) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin A (Retinol & Beta-Carotene) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin B3 (Niacin / Nicotinic Acid & Nicotinamide) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate / PLP) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin B7 (Biotin / Vitamin H) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin B9 (Folate & Folic Acid) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin E (d-Alpha-Tocopherol) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) → Compare Iodine (Elemental I) vs. Zinc (Elemental Zn) →