I studied it in school. I know it is a micronutrient that the body needs in teeny tiny amounts. But I hadn’t thought much more about iodine until I was told to temporarily avoid it for an upcoming medical test. I’ve learned a lot. Most important is the role iodine plays in human health. It is a vital component of thyroid hormones that regulate crucial body processes, says the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. These hormones rely on iodine to help them control how our body makes proteins and uses energy. Adequate iodine is also critical during pregnancy and infancy fo…