Question: I went into a vitamin store to check out iodine supplements and was told it came only in the form of kelp. Could you tell me if this is true and how much kelp to take?





Dr. Brownstein's Answer:

Kelp can be a good source of iodine plus other phytonutrients. However, kelp also can present some problems. I analyzed a kelp supplement from a leading manufacturer and found it was contaminated with extremely high levels of arsenic. When I tried to contact the manufacturer about the issue, they were not interested in my findings. If you are going to use kelp or any sea vegetables in order to increase your iodine load, it is important to ingest a product that is grown in a pure area. That is hard to do, considering the level of pollution in our oceans. Also, iodine can sublimate, that is, change into a gaseous form and evaporate into the atmosphere. How much can evaporate from a kelp supplement? No one knows the answer, but I would guess that, the longer the product is away from the ocean, the more iodine has left the product.

Having said that, I feel that, if your goal is to increase your body’s iodine levels, it is best to take a reliable supplement. In my view, two forms of iodine meet that criteria: Iodoral and Lugol’s iodine. More information about iodine can be found in my July 2008 newsletter and online at drbrownstein.newsmax.com.