How to Keep Your Thyroid Healthy With Herbs and Lifestyle
Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland situated in your neck underneath your Adam's apple. It's really small and weighs only one ounce. However, it serves a very important function--to take iodine from the foods that we eat and convert it into hormones. These hormones are responsible for things like weight regulation, fertility, metabolism, growth and keeping your body temperature regulated. If the thyroid is out of whack, any number of these body functions could also be out of whack.
If you think you have something wrong with your thyroid, the first thing you should do is a see a doctor for tests. Meanwhile, you can make sure your thyroid stays healthy by taking the following suggestions.
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
- Seaweed, especially kelp
- Oatstraw (Avena sativa)
- Sea salt, non iodized
- Say "no" to chemicals and artificial sweeteners
- Say "no" to meat with hormones
- Fish and healthy fats
- Detox
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Kelp, also called bladderwrack, comes from the sea and is a very good source of iodine. As mentioned above, iodine is essential for a healthy thyroid. If you're taking kelp, just don't get too much sodium in your diet. Not every source of sodium has iodine in it. And even if it does, you run the danger of getting too much.
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Oatstraw or avena sativa in Latin is also an important herb for healthy thyroid function. It's great for the nerves and is also helpful for boosting sexual function. This is mainly for those who are irritable or have a decreased sexual function due to a low thyroid.
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Iodized salt is the worst thing to use if you want to keep your thyroid healthy. Even though the gland needs iodine, too much of a good thing can be a problem. Instead, use sea salt, which has a nice balance of minerals that will help support your body. But don't overdo it--too much of a good thing is not any good at all.
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When making food choices, skip things that are rich in chemicals and highly processed. Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners should absolutely be avoided. The body can't process these chemicals and it ultimately affects the thyroid.
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Another thing that is bad for the thyroid gland are the hormones that are found in meats and poultry. Avoid them. Nowadays, even supermarkets carry hormone-free options which makes it even more affordable.
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Fish, nuts, flaxseeds and anything else that is rich in healthy fats are great for the thyroid. Have at least three servings of fish a week or one small serving of nuts and flaxseeds each day to help boost your health and metabolism.
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It is important to detox your body at least twice a year. I am not a proponent of harsh systems. I prefer to step back and examine my eating habits for about one week in the spring and one in the fall. I eat more fruits and vegetables during this time and focus on healthy food choices. This does a good job in eliminating toxins from the body without deprivation.
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Licorice : Is an excellent general thyroid herb for the glandular system and adrenals. It is considered a medium term energy builder and glandular balancer. May need to be taken for a couple of weeks at a time. *Do Not Use Licorice If You Suffer from High Blood Pressure.
Saw Palmetto : Although best known as a tonic for the prostate, Saw Palmetto is also useful as a thyroid herb and long term glandular builder so should be taken for extended period of time.
Natural Thyroid Health Recommendations;
1. Avoid fluoride (including that found in toothpaste and water) an chlorine (also found in tap water). Chlorine, fluoride and iodine are chemically related. Chlorine and fluoride block iodine receptors in the thyroid gland, resulting in reduced iodine reducing hormone production and finally hypothyroidism. Use a fluoride free toothpaste.
2. Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol. These upset the glandular system resulting in further imbalance.
3 Eat a whole food diet that consists of 75% raw fruits and vegetables. With whole grains, seeds, nuts, brown rice, legumes and millet. You may include natural whole food supplements but you must eat as well! Supplement with super greens foods.
4. Avoid "low energy foods" such as sugar, fried foods, saturated fats, meat, alcohol, caffeine and processed foods. Try a natural acid alkaline program or detoxification supplement.
5. Use a natural thyroid supplement with herbs that support thyroid function and nutrition. Thyroid Help is not a drug, medication or hormone, it is a natural dietary supplement.
Sea Kelp
Hypothyroidism is caused by combination of mineral deficiency and heavy metal toxicity (frequently mercury from dental fillings). Useful minerals are magnesium and zinc. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the condition also indicates kidney stress. Fluid intake should be increased if below normal levels, and sea salt should be added to the diet. Selenium with a heavy metal detox (ie. NAC) should be included in the regimen. A person with heavy metal issues will have trouble absorbing the B vitamins, so a supplement is a wise idea. A person with hypothyroidism will crave fats to replace the lack of energy, and coconut oil vastly improves thyroid functioning, while shielding it from bad fats. Lecithin helps the oils in sticking to the metals being flushed. Iodine (applied dermally) is critically needed for stimulating the thyroid. Kelp (bladderwack) is very helpful for cleansing and providing the critical minerals too, but it should be used as a last resort because kelp often contains large quantities of heavy metals itself. Astragalas is a Chinese herb used to help. Fluoride (from toothpastes and tap water) attacks the thyroid, and neutralizes iodine, so make certain to remove all sources of fluoride.
