Nascent Iodine vs Lugol’s Iodine
The Skinny on Nascent Iodine
Nascent iodine vs Lugol’s, in short: Lugol’s is molecular iodine and potassium iodide dissolved in water, while nascent iodine, such as Magnascent, is iodine dissolved in alcohol. A single nascent dose has only about 1% to 20% of the iodine in one Lugol’s dose, so Lugol’s gives far more iodine.
Magnascent and nascent iodine are the same thing: Magnascent is one brand name for nascent iodine, and both deliver far less iodine per dose than Lugol’s or our dual-form iodine. Nascent Iodine goes by many names including Magnascent Iodine, Detoxadine, Detoxified Iodine and Atomidine. It must not be confused with Lugol’s Iodine or the Zen Haus Dual Form Iodine.
The ‘nascent’ form of iodine once referred to sodium iodide. The term was later used by a self-professed clairvoyant, Edgar Cayce, to describe ‘free iodine’ where iodine is not bound to another element. Supposedly, this was done by adding electromagnetic energy. However, this idea is not in line with scientific understanding and has been disregarded.1
The concept of nascent state has been debunked. Thus, the name nascent iodine is a misrepresentation.
When this ‘free iodine’ is exposed to sodium and potassium, it binds to them and becomes sodium iodide or potassium iodide. Those who pay the high price for the nascent form can expect to get a low dose of sodium iodide or potassium iodide. In other words, nascent iodine ends up as the same iodide found in a potassium iodide supplement, only in a much smaller amount.
| Mineralmg | Zen HausDual Form | Brand ALugol’s | Brand BLugol’s | Brand CNascent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iodine | 12.5 | 10.6 | 10.6 | 0.75–1.90 |
| Potassium | 3.2 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0.25–0.65 |
| Selenium | 0.040 | 0.015 | ||
| Chromium | 0.015 |
The amount of elemental iodine in a single nascent dose can be anywhere between 1% and 20% of a single Lugol’s or Dual Form iodine dose. With nascent you are getting much less iodine for your money. More importantly, it does not provide enough iodine for full body supplementation.
Magnascent vs Nascent Iodine
Magnascent is not a different kind of iodine. It is one brand of nascent iodine, made by Shield Bearer in Azle, Texas, and its label lists just two ingredients: iodine and alcohol.2 The company describes it as a tincture of iodine that has been put through strong magnetic fields, and its patent describes passing an electric current through the tincture to break the iodine molecule into single, energized atoms.2,3 That is the same nascent-state idea described above, which chemists have dropped.1 Like other nascent iodine, it ends up as iodide once it is in the body.
The real difference is the dose. Magnascent says one drop of its 2% solution has 350 mcg of iodine, and suggests one drop a day, or 3 to 5 drops for people who are low in iodine.2 That works out to about 0.35 to 1.75 mg a day, or roughly 3% to 14% of the 12.5 mg in a single Zen Haus caplet.
Where is nascent iodine found in nature or food?
This form of iodine is not found in nature or food. The best food source of iodine is seaweed and it contains mostly the iodide form of iodine. Seaweed is high in both sodium iodide and potassium iodide. Zen Haus, keeping in line with science and nature, actively promotes the idea that iodide is the best form of iodine to supplement with.
Why do some users report positive results after taking nascent iodine?
Nascent Iodine still contains iodine but in much smaller amounts. Users who are severely iodine deficient may sense some benefits from the micro dose of iodine. The placebo effect can also be a factor. Be sure you are getting the benefits of whole body supplementation. Try the Zen Haus Iodine Supplement, an iodine complex which includes co-factors, and feel the difference.
FAQ
What is nascent iodine?
Nascent iodine is a liquid iodine sold under names like Magnascent, Detoxadine, Detoxified Iodine and Atomidine. It is marketed as “free” iodine with added energy, but that idea is not supported by chemistry. Once it meets sodium and potassium in the body it becomes ordinary iodide, in a small dose.
Is Magnascent the same as nascent iodine?
Yes. Magnascent is one brand name for nascent iodine. Detoxadine and Atomidine are others.
How much iodine is in a drop of Magnascent?
Magnascent says one drop of its 2% solution has 350 mcg of iodine. It suggests one drop a day, or 3 to 5 drops for people who are low in iodine. That is about 0.35 to 1.75 mg, compared with 12.5 mg in one Zen Haus caplet.
Is Lugol’s iodine the same as nascent iodine?
No. Lugol’s is molecular iodine and potassium iodide dissolved in water. The classic 5% strength has 5 g of iodine and 10 g of potassium iodide per 100 mL. Nascent iodine, such as Magnascent, is a weak iodine solution in alcohol sold as energized single atoms. Both end up as iodide in the body, but Lugol’s gives far more iodine per dose.
Nascent iodine vs Lugol’s: which gives more iodine?
Lugol’s. A single nascent dose has about 1% to 20% of the elemental iodine in one Lugol’s or Zen Haus dual-form dose, so you get much less iodine for your money and not enough for whole-body supplementation.
Nascent iodine vs potassium iodide: what is the difference?
Potassium iodide is iodine already in the iodide form most of the body takes up. Nascent iodine turns into sodium iodide or potassium iodide once it meets those minerals in the body, so you end up with the same iodide, only in a much smaller amount. Our dual-form caplet is 75% iodide from potassium iodide and 25% molecular iodine.
What is the best form of iodine to take?
We recommend iodide, the form found mostly in seaweed. Our 12.5 mg dual-form iodine is about 25% molecular iodine and 75% iodide, with 40 mcg of selenium and other co-factors.
