Q: What is the difference between iodized salt and some of the health food store-type liquid iodine? A: The easiest and cheapest way for the food manufactures to supply iodine is to combine it with sodium or potassium. Unfortunately, when iodine is coupled with these elements it forms a solid bond, which is difficult for the body to assimilate, and could cause toxic reactions. On –the-other-hand, when combined with ammonium iodide, iodine easily converts to “free iodine” and,