How To Heal Your Thyroid, For Good
By: Marcela Camargo and Kimberly McIntyre
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck.
While it is small, one should not judge the thyroid by its size. The role that this gland plays in the human body is extremely important. Yet according to the Office on Women’s Health, one in eight women will develop thyroid problems during her lifetime.
Why are thyroid problems so common?
In this article, we will be discussing some of the causes of thyroid dysfunction, early symptoms, and how we can prevent and treat.
THE ROLE OF THE THYROID
The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, and it is in charge of producing and releasing hormones that control many important bodily functions.
One of its main roles is maintaining an optimal metabolism. Metabolism is the chemical process that transforms our food into energy. So, the thyroid gland is the one in charge of controlling the speed of this crucial chemical process.
According to Cleveland Clinic, the thyroid hormones also affect our heart rate, breathing, digestion, body temperature, brain development, mental activity, skin and bone maintenance, and fertility.
Yes, it is fair to say that when the thyroid is not working properly, our overall health is impacted.
In order to produce these hormones, the thyroid needs iodine. Therefore, when the body is deficient in iodine (or there’s too much), the thyroid is directly impacted. That’s when thyroid-related issues start to emerge.
HYPOTHYROIDISM VS. HYPERTHYROIDISM
There are two main types of thyroid diseases: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism takes place when the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone (also known as overactive thyroid), and some of the early symptoms include weight loss, sensitivity to cold, anxiety, and muscle weakness.
In contrast, hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is not making enough thyroid hormones. Symptoms include weight gain, constipation, depression, pale and dry skin, and slowed heart rate.
Unfortunately, thyroid disease is very common (especially hypothyroidism). Twenty million people in the United States are estimated to have some type of thyroid disorder. Women are five to eight times more likely to suffer from thyroid disease than men. Furthermore, high-stress levels and poor gut health can also contribute to thyroid disease, regardless of gender.
On a brighter note: Thyroid disease is both preventable and curable — and no, my approach does not involve removal surgery.
HOW TO SAVE YOUR THYROID
If you identify with some of the symptoms listed above, or you simply want to be proactive in preventing thyroid disease, there are several things you can do to take care of your thyroid.
We’ve talked about how important iodine is for the production of thyroid hormones. In addition to iodine, selenium, copper, and zinc are also very important nutrients that play a vital role in our thyroid health.
With that being said, it is important that we tackle all of those factors to heal the thyroid — for good.
Nourish with healing foods: especially foods that are rich in iodine, selenium and zinc such as dark greens, Brazil nuts, avocados, raw dairy, salmon, seaweed, and kelp. Pasture-raised turkey and organ meats are also rich in necessary minerals.
Cut processed foods: Apart from being nutrient-void, these foods are also very toxic for our bodies and can contribute to higher levels of stress and poor gut health.
Get good quality sleep: This is crucial to maintain proper physical and mental health. When we don’t get quality sleep, our body tends to be in a flight-or-fight mode, which raises our cortisol levels (stress hormone), and in turn, can impact our thyroid in a negative way.
Get rid of toxic chemicals: Apart from processed foods, there are other things that contain toxic chemicals: some beauty and cleaning products (check the labels), medications, and hormonal birth control. Make sure to use as many natural products as possible to avoid disrupting your thyroid performance.
The bottom line is, healing your thyroid is possible. Small changes can make all the difference in reaching optimal health.
Even though vitamin and mineral supplements serve critical functions in all bodily processes, some have the potential to interact with some medications. If you are on thyroid medication, please check with your doctor before starting iodine supplements.