Reverse Low Thyroid with These 7 Natural Steps
More than 30 million women and 15 million men suffer from symptoms of low thyroid function or poor metabolism, and conventional medicine has few workable solutions for addressing this growing epidemic. But there are some ways you can address low thyroid function naturally without having to just suffer for the rest of your life without hope.
Whether a product of exposure to environmental toxins, persistent anxiety or stress, hormone imbalance or some other trigger, low thyroid function can be devastating. Symptoms include an inability to lose weight, chronic fatigue, difficulty thinking clearly, low energy and depression - and in severe cases, sufferers can feel as though nothing will ever help them feel normal.
But medical expert Dr. Mark Hyman says there are solutions to low thyroid function that won’t break the bank, and won’t lead to a lifetime of pharmaceutical drug dependency. These include the following seven natural steps:
1) Discover the underlying causes of your low thyroid symptoms and address them directly. Many people who suffer from low thyroid function are unaware that the root causes of their disease could be the things they eat and the things to which they expose themselves. This includes food allergies and conditions such as Celiac disease, marked by a severe reaction to the gluten protein found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt and some oats.
Other triggers include heavy metal toxicity from things like vaccines and contaminated rice, as well as nutritional deficiencies and chronic stress. Identifying which nutrients you might be lacking, or determining whether or not your body is storing toxins like mercury and pesticides, can sometimes be difficult.
2) Maximize your nutritional intake. In order to maintain a well-functioning thyroid, it is important to feed your body with thyroid-boosting nutrients such as iodine, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium and full-spectrum, whole-food-based vitamins. Taking a high-quality probiotic is also important, as the substances that the body uses to make a significant portion of thyroid hormones must first be converted by gut bacteria in order to be usable.
3) Eliminate stress from your life. Constantly worrying and stressing yourself out can take a huge toll on your glandular system, which is why you need to put a stop to it immediately. Adopting a comprehensive stress management program for your life, which may include relaxation techniques, meditation, stretching and exercise, will help minimize the release of the hormone cortisol, which can overstimulate the thyroid gland and cause dysfunction.
4) Exercise. A well-functioning thyroid is dependent upon a proper balance of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), as well as free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine thyroid antibodies. Physical exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, can help achieve this balance by triggering the production of these important substances, which tell the thyroid when to produce hormones, and how much to produce.
5) Supplement your diet. Since much of today’s food is lacking in critical nutrients, it may be essential to supplement your diet. Many low thyroid sufferers have inadequate vitamin D levels, for instance, or aren’t consuming enough vitamin A. Getting tested and consulting with a functional medicine specialist who can assist you in how to eat properly will go a long way in addressing your thyroid issues, hopefully bringing you back into balance.
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends eating plenty of foods high in vitamin B, which include fresh vegetables and sea vegetables, and avoiding those that interfere with thyroid function. These include soybeans, peanuts, millet and some cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli.
6) Take some time for heat therapy. One of the best ways to detoxify your body of heavy metals, pesticides and other poisons that make thyroid problems worse is to use heat therapy. One common issue among thyroid sufferers is that, as they begin to lose stored fat, toxins are released from fat tissue that further inhibit thyroid function, triggering a fresh set of symptoms. But using an infrared sauna, for instance, can help draw out these toxins from fat tissue and expel them through the skin via sweat.
7) Embrace thyroid hormone replacement therapy. When all else fails, thyroid hormone replacement therapy is another option that, if used correctly, can bring about positive results. Desiccated thyroid is a natural thyroid gland extract found in some over-the-counter supplement products, which may help bring your thyroid function back into the optimal range. Natural hormone replacement products like Armour Thyroid, which is also composed of desiccated thyroid, are another option available for those under the care of a trained physician.
BONUS: Selenium
Selenium is a powerful trace mineral that everyone needs. Along with iodine, selenium is great for the thyroid. It supports the immune system and it’s a powerful antioxidant. Adults need at least 55 micrograms a day and some people consume more, depending on their needs (it’s best to stay under 400mcg/day).
Although fish and meat are great sources of selenium, don’t be fooled into thinking you can’t get it from plants. As a matter of fact, there are an abundance of natural foods that are great sources of selenium, including nuts, seeds, and green vegetables. At a glance, let’s take a look at the 7 best vegetarian sources of selenium.
1. Brazil Nuts
Without a doubt, Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium! Tasty, delicious, and loaded; one study showed that just two brazil nuts per day for 12 weeks raised selenium levels to a normal range.
- 1/2 oz. contains a whopping 268 mcg, 479% of daily requirement and 95 calories.
- Just one Brazil nut per day can provide 75 mcg of selenium.
Shiitake mushrooms taste great and, in addition to providing selenium, they’re an excellent source of Vitamin D, antioxidants, and other essential trace minerals.
- 1/2 cup contains 18 mcg of selenium and provides 33% of your daily requirement.
- Just 40 calories per half cup!
Poll any group of third graders for their favorite foods and it’s unlikely that lima or pinto beans will be on the list. But, there’s no denying their nutritional potency. In addition to selenium, lima and pinto beans are a great source of protein and fiber.
- 1 cup cooked contains 10 mcg of selenium, about 17% of your daily requirement.
- Only 205 calories per cup.
Chia seeds are one of my favorite super foods. One of their interesting traits is that, when exposed to water, they expand and take on a gel-like consistency. It takes on any flavor and prompts a feeling of being full much faster than other foods. They’re a great source of fiber, amino acids, and a perfect balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
- 1 oz. contains 15 mcg and provides 28% of your daily requirement.
- Only 138 calories per ounce.
If you’re looking for a gluten-free grain, you have a few choices. Millet and quinoa are emerging in popularity, and brown rice is another great option. It’s an excellent, all-around source of essential nutrients, including complex carbohydrates, B vitamins, and soluble fiber.
- 1 cup contains 19 mcg, about 35% of your daily requirement.
- Just 216 calories per cup.
6. Seeds (Sunflower, Sesame, and Flax)
When it comes to nutritional potency, it’s hard to beat a handful of seeds! They’re rich in essential omega 3 & 6 fatty acids, protein, and fiber. They’re also little selenium power-ups. Take your pick of sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, or flaxseed.
- 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds contains 19mcg of selenium, for 34% of daily requirement and 204 calories.
- 1/4 cup of sesame seeds contains 12mcg of selenium, for 23% of daily requirement and 206 calories.
- 2 tsp. of flaxseed contains 4mcg of selenium, for 7% daily requirement and 75 calories.
Selenium is just one of many nutrients you’ll find in green vegetables. In fact, greens are generally one of the best nutritional smorgasbords of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, protein, calcium, magnesium, and chlorophyll available. If these aren’t the cornerstone of your diet, they need to be!
- 1 cup cabbage contains 3.5 mcg 6% of DRI and 44 calories.
- 1 cup spinach contains 3 mcg 5% of DRI and 41 calories.
- 1 cup broccoli contains 2.5 mcg 4% of DRI and 55 calories.
These are just a few vegetarian friendly sources of selenium that you can add to your diet to boost its nutritional value. Do you have other favorite foods you prefer that are a source of selenium? Leave a comment and let us know!
Source: www.healingthebody.ca www.globalhealingcenter.com
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