Iodine which was discovered by Balard in the year 1826 is a chemical element with the (symbol: I) with an atomic number of 53; one of the members of the halogen family.Meanwhile, it is also one of the essential minerals found in some foods. It occurs in minute concentration in seawater. They are also found as organic compounds in some seaweeds, and as deposits of sodium and calcium trioxoiodate (v) in association with sodium trioxonitrate (v).Iodine is a trace mineral that is needed to make thyroid hormones, which are important for maintaining normal metabolism in all cells of the body. Iodine is essential for everyone. Supplements may be needed if you do not get enough in your diet.However, low iodine levels are a serious cause of health problems across the world. You must get enough iodine in your diets. Iodine is one of the most important minerals responsible for the proper functioning of the thyroid glands.Its deficiency may lead to conditions such as hypothyroidism, goiter (a swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck), cretinism, depression, high cholesterol, lethargy, weight gain, fatigue, auto-immune diseases, and preventable mental retardation in children.Iodine deficiency during gestation is not only harmful to the health of the mother but also that of the child in her uterus because it affects the child's mental and cognitive development. Iodine is needed in extra-thyroidal areas in larger amounts than the thyroid gland itself.The ovaries store the second most concentration of iodine after the thyroid. Receptors for iodine uptake are also found in the skin, gastric mucosa, adrenal gland, heart, thymus, lung, kidney bladder, mammary gland, salivary glands. And at such iodine is important and vital.This is also because iodine cannot be synthesized naturally by the body.It is therefore an essential element in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Good sources include iodized salt or seaweed.Therefore, iodine not only confers thyroidal uses but also extra thyroidal benefits as well.Iodine is essential for thyroid functioning as it helps in the conversion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) which are the biologically active forms of thyroid hormone. Notably, thyroid hormones are involved in several functions in the body such as bone health, mounting an immune response, central nervous system development, and regulation of metabolism.What you stand to gain from this book and Scope: Explains what iodine is,