Original of this article was published on ZRT Laboratory Blog. Last reviewed: May 2026.
Bromine should be recognised as the 28th essential element for all species, from fruit flies to humans, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University. Study results were published in 2014 in Cell, and demonstrate that without bromine, collagen type IV molecules will not bond together properly to form the structural proteins of connective tissues, leading to disrupted tissue development.
At this point it may be premature to say that bromine should be added to the list of elements essential to human life until this work is unequivocally confirmed by other researchers in humans. Nevertheless, it is very exciting to hear that bromine is apparently essential to collagen formation in species throughout the phylogenetic spectrum, from insects to humans.
Bromine Background
- Bromine is a halogen and the 35th element on the periodic table, sharing similar elemental properties with iodine, chlorine and fluorine.
- Currently the acceptable daily intake for bromine is 1 mg/kg body weight (50 mg in a 50 kg person). In the United States the typical daily intake is around 2–8 mg from grains, nuts and fish.
- Bromine is toxic at higher levels (intakes >50–100 mg/day). Until now it was unclear if bromine had any essential functions in humans.
- Bromine has been used historically at levels up to 6 grams/day as a sedative, anti-libido or anti-convulsant, and was found in popular medications such as Bromoseltzer.
- Bromine is commonly used in fumigants, flame-proofing agents (e.g. polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDE]), water purification, medicines (e.g. bromide inhalers), swimming pool disinfectants, and popular beverages (e.g. brominated vegetable oil in Gatorade, Fanta, Mountain Dew).
- The largest reservoir of bromine is the ocean, with levels ranging from 65–80 mg/L. Products high in bromine typically come from the ocean (e.g. fish, shellfish, seaweed).
- Bromine is primarily excreted in urine, so urine values represent intake.
Bromine Toxicity: Bromism
Bromine toxicity, or bromism, is a result of excessive bromine consumption or exposure. Bromism presents itself as neurological symptoms such as headache, slurred speech, confusion, hallucinations, stupor and coma. Although bromism is rarely seen today, it was common decades ago when bromine-containing medication was readily available. In many cases bromism was misdiagnosed and patients received higher doses of bromine to try and prevent the symptoms caused by bromine, only to make things worse. A serum bromide concentration >500 mg/L is confirmatory for bromism; symptoms are rarely seen below this level.
For those concerned about bromine or other toxic element exposure, our Heavy Metals & Mineral Balance Test uses ICP-MS analysis of blood spot and dried urine to measure a broad panel of toxic and essential elements — helping to identify both deficiencies and excesses.
Human Studies
Very few human studies have been completed, primarily because the effects of bromine at lower levels have yet to be elucidated. In one study, 21 healthy volunteers were given 1 mg bromide/kg body weight (the current acceptable daily intake) for 8 weeks, and no significant changes were observed in serum hormone concentrations (thyroid hormones, cortisol, testosterone, oestradiol, progesterone). This study was repeated with concentrations of 0, 4 or 9 mg bromide/kg body weight, and a significant — but within normal range — increase in thyroid hormones was seen in female subjects at the highest supplement level.
Given bromine’s potential interaction with thyroid hormones, our Thyroid & Iodine Test Kit measures both thyroid markers and urinary iodine — useful context for anyone concerned about how halogen competition between bromine and iodine may be affecting their thyroid function.
Rat Studies
Multiple rat studies have shown the toxic effects of bromine at high supplemental levels. It was demonstrated that during periods of iodine deficiency the symptoms of hypothyroidism were enhanced when high levels of bromide were added to the diet. In a similar study, high rat bromide intake resulted in decreased radioiodine accumulation and a reduced half-life of iodine from 92 to 30 hours in the thyroid — observed in both iodine-sufficient and iodine-deficient diets. Breast milk iodine transfer in rats was also significantly decreased when bromine intake was increased.
Conclusion
Like the essential elements iodine and selenium, new research points to bromine as an essential element in the human body. It will take many years of research to determine the dietary range in which bromine is required. Information on bromine toxicity is readily available, but sufficient and deficient dietary intakes have yet to be determined.
Our ICPMS Toxic and Essential Elements Profile (Thyroid Essential) offers a multi-element analysis in dried urine that measures iodine, bromine, selenium and arsenic — helping to detect elemental deficiencies or excesses and providing a comprehensive picture of your halogen and trace element status.
Original of this article was published on ZRT Laboratory Blog.