Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck. It is best known for determining yoru basal metabolic rate, but is responsible for so much more than how many calories your body burns at rest. it also sets your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, temperature, the speed at which your cells consume oxygen, and more.
Given the fact that your thyroid has a hand in so many elements of your health, you can see why it's so important to do what you can to take care of it. One out of every two women will suffer from a thyroid issue at some point in her life. One reason: your thyroid is incredibly sensitive to what's going on inside and outside your body, so even seemingly insignificant things like too little sleep, too much chlorine in your water, or too many sugar, caramel macchiatos can cause it to go haywire. But that's also the good news! Because your thyroid is so sensitive to whwat you put in your body and what you do with your body, you can easily support and maintain its health with simple diet and lifestyle changes.
Hypothyroidism
In the case of hypothyroidism, the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormones T3 or T4 (or both). According to the American Thyroid Association, in the United States by far the most common reason for hypothyroidism is a condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the body mistakenly attacks the thyroid, thus compromising its functioning. Hashimoto’s takes place due to an autoimmune response (the body attacking its own tissue), which interferes with normal production of hormones. Causes of Hashimoto’s disease can include high amounts of stress, nutrient deficiencies (such as low iodine), low immune function (immunosuppression) and toxicity. However, on a worldwide level, a iodine deficiency in the diet is the No. 1 cause of hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is when the body has too much of the needed thyroid hormones. According to the American Thyroid Association, the No. 1 cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, but lumps on the thyroid or taking too much T4 in tablet form can also contribute to hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid Problem Risk Factors:
There are many factors that can contribute to thyroid problems, ranging from genetics to poor lifestyle habits — like skipping sleep and eating too much inflammatory foods. Research shows that some of the most significant known risk factors for thyroid problems include:
Deficiencies in three important nutrients which support healthy thyroid function– iodine, selenium and zinc deficiency
Poor diet high in processed foods with things like sugar or unhealthy fats. Too much caffeine and/or alcohol can also contribute to emotional stress and poor gut health.
Emotional stress, anxiety, fatigue and depression: Mental stress can interfere with normal adrenal functioning an wear down the entire immune system, kidneys, liver and thyroid.
Poor gut health, which is related to leaky gut syndrome and triggers inflammation. This impairs normal nutrient absorption, can lead to autoimmune reactions, can reduce oxygen reaching the organs and causes less blood flow through the gastrointestinal tract. It may also interfere with enzyme production, which makes it harder to digest certain things (especially grains, dairy and fats).
Natural Treatments for Thyroid Problems
Because the two main types of thyroid problems, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, are basically the opposite problems, treatment for each is very different. In one case we want more of the thyroid hormones, and in the other case the sufferer needs less of that same hormone. Therefore options for treatment differ depending on each patient’s particular disorder and the specifics of the case.
Manage Stress and Rest Enough
When you’re under a good deal of either physical or emotional stress — such as feeling very anxious, overworked, fatigued, angry or going through a traumatic experience — your body may remain in a “fight-or-flight” mode where stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are elevated. This has negative effects like narrowing of blood vessels, increased muscular tension and blood pressure, and release of inflammatory proteins and antibodies that can suppress immune function and damage the adrenal/thyroid glands. This is one reason why people with thyroid problems often experience hormonal changes related to lowered libido, fertility problems, mood swings and so on.
To keep the endocrine glands from becoming overloaded it’s important to take stress seriously and tackle the root causes of mental strain. Employ multiple methods to handle stress like utilizing these natural stress relievers: getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night, meditation, exercising, journaling, joining a faith community or support group, dealing with addictions, and scheduling time to do fun things with supportive people.
Reduce Toxicity
Ingesting chemical toxins — from things like medications, hormonal birth control or other hormone replacements, and commercial beauty or cleaning products — can contribute to leaky gut and inflammatory reactions. Use natural products as much as possible, decrease intake of any unnecessary medications, clean up your diet and quit smoking.
Supplement When Necessary to Reduce Inflammation
In addition to eating foods that provide anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids — like wild-caught fish, flaxseeds and walnuts — it’s wise to consider a supplement as well. Probiotics are also very beneficial for dealing with poor gut health and improving immunity. Both may help stabilize your mood and support adrenal/thyroid functions. Probiotics, “good bacteria” that reside in your gut and communicate with your brain about the body’s overall state of health, can be found in foods like fermented dairy (yogurt or kefir), cultured veggies and also supplements.
Finally, taking adaptogen herbs can also help your body battle the negative effects of stress by supporting the adrenals and balancing hormones. These include ashwagandha, tulsi, ginseng, licorice root and rhodiola.
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