Iodine

Iodine: Everyone knows that the thyroid gland needs iodine to make thyroid hormones. Iodine is an essential trace element of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which play a central role in physical development (thyroxine predominates quantitatively but triiodothyronine is more active). Iodine deficiency, especially for pregnant women, infants, toddlers and young children, can cause irreversible brain damage and mental retardation.