Community Garden, November Issue, Number Three clone_2015 | Page 65

the right amount of retinol . When you take vitamin A as retinol directly , you intervene in this closed system and bypass the controls . Ideally , you want to provide all the vitamin A and vitamin D substrate your body would have obtained in a natural state , so your body can regulate both systems naturally . This is best done by eating colorful vegetables and by exposing your skin to sun every day .
# 8 : Iodine
Iodine is an important nutrient found in every organ and tissue , and many are deficient in this nutrient . Worldwide , it ' s thought that up to 40 percent of the population is at risk of iodine deficiency . Along with being essential for healthy thyroid function and efficient metabolism , there is increasing evidence that low iodine is related to numerous diseases , including cancer . Iodine deficiency , or insufficiency , in any of these tissues will lead to dysfunction of that tissue . Hence the following symptoms could provide clues that you ' re not getting enough iodine in your diet . For example , iodine deficiency in :
� Salivary glands = inability to produce saliva , producing dry mouth
Skin = dry skin , and lack of sweating . Three to four weeks of iodine supplementation will typically reverse this symptom , allowing your body to sweat normally again
Brain = reduced alertness and lowered IQ Muscles = nodules , scar tissue , pain , fibrosis , and fibromyalgia
There are potentially serious risks to taking too much iodine , however , which is why I generally do not advise taking large doses of iodine supplements like Lugol ' s or Iodora long term . Your thyroid only transports iodine in its ionized form ( i . e . iodide ). As an alternative , toxin-free sea vegetables and spirulina are likely the ideal natural sources from which to obtain your iodine .
Raw milk and eggs contain iodine , as well . At the same time , you ' ll want to avoid all sources of bromine as much as possible , as this appears to play a large role in the rising levels of iodine deficiency .
# 9 : Calcium
Calcium is one of several nutrients required for strong , healthy bones . However , it ’ s important to not overdo it on calcium supplements . Calcium needs to be balanced with vitamin D , K2 , and magnesium , or else it can do more harm than good . Lack of balance between these nutrients is why calcium supplements have become associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke . For example , if you have too much calcium and not enough magnesium , your muscles will tend to go into spasm , and this has consequences for your heart in particular . Excessive amounts of calcium without enough magnesium can lead to a heart attack and sudden death . You also need vitamin K2 to optimize calcium ’ s benefit . The biological role of vitamin K2 is to
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