Best Iodine Supplements

Iodine is an essential mineral, and although practitioners often have differing opinions as to whether iodine supplements are necessary, a high percentage of people are iodine deficient, according to Dr. David Brownstein, author of "Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It." People take iodine supplements for various benefits, such as to increase energy, boost the immune system and promote detoxification. They also take iodine supplements for the thyroid gland benefits, as the thyroid requires iodine to function normally. When selecting an iodine supplement to take, you have numerous options. Certain options rise to the top, however, and are considered the best iodine supplements. You can purchase them over the counter, through health food stores and practitioners, and at online nutritional supplement retailers.

Lugol's

Lugol's Solution, made by the J. Crow Co., is a brownish-colored liquid iodine solution. The more widely available Lugol's is 2 percent solution, and its active ingredients are iodine and potassium iodide, a salt. People generally start by taking a lower dose, such as one drop in water or juice, then gradually increase the dosage as needed over time. Lugol's can stain skin, clothing and other items, so be careful when dispensing the drops from the bottle. You can purchase Lugol's directly through J. Crow Company or at various local stores, pharmacies, practitioners and online retailers.

Iodoral

Iodoral, made by Optimox Corp., is similar in active ingredients to Lugol's iodine because it contains potassium iodide and iodine, but it comes in tablet form. Each tablet contains a total of 12.5 mg of iodine and iodide, which is 5 mg of iodine and 7.5 mg iodide. Iodoral tablets are scored, so you can break them with a pill cutter if you want to take a smaller dose than the amount that is in a full tablet. You can purchase Iodoral directly through Optimox or at local stores, pharmacies, practitioners and online retailers.

Nascent

Nascent Iodine holds an electromagnetic charge and is iodine in its atomic form. Like Lugol's, it is a liquid that you drop into water and drink. Each drop of Nascent Iodine contains 400 mcg of iodine, and the active ingredient is in a grain alcohol base. You can purchase Nascent from various health stores and online retailers.

Kelp

Kelp is a sea vegetable that is high in iodine content and sold as a nutritional supplement in tablet form. Multiple types by many companies are available, and they are generally lower in potency than iodine supplements such as Lugol's, Iodoral and Nascent. For example, a kelp tablet could contain 150 mcg or 225 mcg of iodine. Some prefer it over other iodine supplements because it is a food, rather than a nonfood-derived supplement. Many health food stores and online supplement retailers sell kelp supplements.