Russian nutritionist Elena Sukhanova spoke about the need to maintain optimal levels of iodine in the body, writes MedicForum.   According to the specialist, iodine is vital to the human body, as it helps fight viruses and various bacteria. However, iodine is not limited to these functions.  According to the specialist, iodine is also a mandatory structural component of thyroid hormone and thyroid hormones of the thyroid gland: it is involved in the synthesis of T3 and T4, in the regulation of energy metabolism and body temperature.  In addition, iodine affects the rate of metabolism. It is on it depends immune response to external aggressors.   A number of neural and mental reactions depend on the level of iodine in the body. This is especially necessary to consider for pregnant women, because iodine deficiency can affect the formation of the child.  Iodine, almost on par with vitamin C, is a powerful antioxidant.  Its daily prophylactic dose is 100 mcg.  Iodized or sea salt can be used as an additional natural source of iodine.