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The thyroid affects the health of your skin, your metabolism, energy levels, and has been linked to mood and depression.
You may have little or no idea of how vital a role the thyroid gland plays in maintaining the human body's temperature, metabolism, immune strength and hormonal balance; the texture and quality of your skin, hair, and overall well-being; not to mention sex drive, mood elevation and emotional balance.
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the throat. Located on either side of the esophagus and windpipe, the thyroid in energy terms is closely related to the voice and the throat chakra.
The thyroid regulates the metabolism by its production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4... which, in turn, regulate energy levels, body temperature and weight (which is why low basal body temperatures, sluggishness or fatigue and weight gain are a good indicator of suppressed thyroid function).
It has been suggested, in books such as Langer & Scheer's "Solved: the Riddle of Illness," that between 70 and 90 per cent of North Americans suffer from minor to severe thyroid imbalance - which can cause weight loss or gain, dry skin, or depression.
The high incidence of thyroid disfunction may be due to our heavily processed diet, heavy metal buildup, exposure to x-rays or other electromagnetic radiation, or emotional challenges - but the thyroid, sometimes called our "master gland," is one of the most common weaknesses of the human body today. Thyroid imbalance almost certainly contributes to the numbers of people who are overweight or who suffer from eating disorders.
Most weight-related challenges - as well as many skin conditions, some forms of depression, low sex drive, fatigue, and chronic headaches - can be improved by boosting the function of the thyroid. There are several ways to support the thyroid naturally, including supplementation with kelp extracts, sea vegetables, or dessicated thyroid (usually bovine sourced). Sushi and other foods which are high in natural iodine are recommended, especially for those identified as having an under-active thyroid (hypothyroid). Boosting the thyroid has been known to be helpful in addressing symptoms from skin problems to sweat and body odor, allergies, menstrual cramps, kidney and bladder problems, and weight loss or gain.
Additionally, there are several foods to avoid if you're hoping to boost thyroid function. Vegetables from the Brassica family, including cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, mustard, and kale, contain a compound known as progoitrin which may depress thyroid function and sabotage those with hypo-thyroid or who wish to lose weight. Turnips, walnuts, and soy are also best avoided.
You may be surprised to learn that wintergreen is a thyroid suppressant, since salicylates (the anaesthetic compound in wintergreen and most pain-killing drugs) can interfere with the transport of thyroid hormones (T4) in the bloodstream. Refined sugar and cigarette smoke, obvious health hazards, also suppress the thyroid gland, as do corticosteroids and several pharmaceutical drugs.
The copyright of the article Your Thyroid Gland in Natural Medicine is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish Your Thyroid Gland in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Sep 18, 2008 10:29 AM
Guest :
Very informative.But what about someone who has Graves disease,like me.I
can't loose any weight,I am obsessed with sweets,always sweating,I also
have anxiety and panic attacks.Trying to keep that undre control with
meds.I am always sick with flu's,colds,sinus infecttions,coughs,sore
throat.I can't deal with all of this.What can I do?????? HELP!!!!!!
Oct 10, 2008 7:44 AM
Guest :
Since your body and it's organs are supposed to operate synergistically,
your thyroid is only one endocrine gland affected by Grave's disease. Your
endocrinologist will, most likely, only deal with the thyroid itself, but
the adrenals, spleen and the digestive system should probably be addressed,
too. Find a good naturopath in your area who specializes in endocrine
balancing. You may want to consider a practitioner who uses energetic
screenings, such as the Meridian Stress Assessment, or other electro-dermal
screenings to help find where your imbalance originates and suggest a
course of action to bring your body back into balance. Best to you...I
know you are dealing with alot.
Oct 10, 2008 8:51 AM
Guest :
To the girl below with all those symtoms weight gain sweet cravings etc. It
sounds like you seriously need to check out candida. candida cleansing can
help a lot1
Nov 5, 2008 3:59 PM
Guest :
I too was suffering all of the exact same symptoms. My normal body weight
was always 145-150lbs. Since having hypothyroidism I am now a steady
170lbs. I am tall so the weight isn't too bad but I really am starting to
dislike my body image. I too crave sweets. If there are three cookies on
the table I can't just have one. I have to have all three. I take
synthroid which does help a bit. I also am taking Dr. Bach's healing
combinations for hypothyroidism which is great for mood swings and energy.
I highly reccommend it. Is there anything else anyone can reccommend?? I
also did the Dr. Bernstein program for weight loss and I lost 40 lbs, but
gained it all back within a year. PLease help I want to lose weight, but
find it impossible with hypothyroidism. I eat apricots, sushi, coconut oil
and fish oil which are supposed toi help thyroid function. Just started
this so I will see how it works.
Dec 11, 2008 8:40 AM
Guest :
Try eating every few hours and be strict with your protion sizes-eat fruits
and veges and lots of water and be sure to pair a protein with a complex
carbohydrate. Avoid sugar altogether-its the devil. Eat like you are a
diabetic with heart problems-it sounds hard to do but once your body
adjusts to it the cravings stop and you feel like a new person-I have had
thyroid problems since my early 20's, along with increasing weight, and I
have lost almost 60 pounds in 6 months and am having no trouble keeping it
off!!! Willpower and the desire for health are key!!
Dec 31, 2008 12:49 AM
Guest :
I am lady age 34, i have one child 9yrs, but i am struggling to concive
again. please list for me what to eat and what not to eat if your thyroid
is underactive.
Jan 14, 2009 5:51 AM
Guest :
I am a 47 year old mother of one. I developed a goiter when I was 30 years
old and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I developed fibroids when I was
37 and had a myomectomy at the age of 41. I had a c-section in 2003 and
had 3 miscarriages after that. I detoxed in 2004, and stopped taking my
thyroxin. After that, I had routine blood tests and my TSH, T3, T4 were
fine. I lost a little weight but fought a loosing battle to keep it off.
In the last 3 years my energy levels have hit rock bottom and
just recently had blood tests for TSH, T3 and T4, Iron and Vitamin D. All
came back normal except my Vitamin D level which was very low. I also had
an ultrasound on my thyroid and they have found a large nodule which willl
be tested in the next two weeks.
I believe that all my
conditions are and have been linked to my Vitamin D deficency which I have
had for a long time. I am now on 3000IU of Vit D a day and am also taking
1 tablet of Neem leaf a day. My energy levels have come up, my metabolism
is back to normal, my hair is growing back, my chronic sinus condition has
disappeared and mood has lifted. I am beginning to sleep well again and I
have lost over 3 kilos in just over 1 week. I also believe my nodule on my
thyroid is starting to shrink.
From all the reports on the
internet concerning Vit D def, it looks like there is an epidemic as
sunscreen stops the Vit D being absorbed from the sun and we are not able
to eat enough food rich in Vit D to keep our stores up. It seems to be the
pre hormore which sets the body up for good health. Please do a search for
yourselves. It made sense for me. Please also do a search on Neem. It is
a good cleansing herb which has powerful properties. It is anti-bactireal,
antifungal and many other things. It seemed a good idea to use to clear my
system out of all the sugar abuse I inflicted on myself to try and keep my
energy levels up.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel!
Jan 17, 2009 9:02 PM
Guest :
I also have Graves Disease and just found out my Vitamin D levels are
almost non-existent. Seems the medical world is just now placing any
emphasis on Vitamin D levels.
Jan 29, 2009 10:46 AM
Guest :
So much information! Thank You!
Feb 5, 2009 11:45 AM
Guest :
GUEST WITH GRAVES DISEASE- TRY HOMEOPATHY- GET UNDER THE CARE OF A
HOMEOPATHIC DOCTOR AND YOU WILL FIND RELIEF
Feb 28, 2009 5:54 PM
Guest :
Guest, had throyid cancer 4 years ago had most of throyid removed suffering
around mestrual time cramps fatigue, sugglish, just miserable. multi
vitamin just dont help. doctor told me to take. any other remedies i could
do. on med everyday take snythroid, 150 mg and alternate 175mg. all new to
me doctor says levels r good, had papillary throyid cancer.
Mar 9, 2009 6:59 PM
Guest :
To the guest that had most of her thyroid removed four years ago. I also
had papillary cancer and had my thyroid removed two-three years ago. I
suffer from really horrible menstrual cramps, and sometimes i just dont get
my period at all. I take synthroid 137 everyday. And double that on
sundays. I think the medicine makes me also have trouble sleeping. If
anyone knows how to fix this, it would be a great help. Im a college
student and need to get some sleep sometimes.
Jun 24, 2009 12:37 PM
Angela Schnaubelt :
Know that the amount of fluoride added to city water in America and parts
of Canada are enough to suppress the thyroid functions. There are numerous
studies on this.
Please drink filtered water (reverse osmosis is
great) if your thyroid is already underactive.
Jun 29, 2009 10:16 AM
Guest :
very informative, but can anyone tell me,if i have my thyroid gland
completely removed will i put weight on? and are there any other changes i
should expect?
Jul 15, 2009 10:34 AM
Guest :
Grave's disease is an overactive thyroid gland is it not? Eventually you
will start to lose weight, too much weight. It sounds like you might be
taking too much suppressant. I had my thyroid nuked. I would not recommend
this because I developed the Grave's eye disease where the eyes pop out
like Marty Feldman. It was hell.
The diet is a big thing. Certain
foods will cause me to have the sweats. Anything high in starch like
potatoes. You might find some help with the naturopath and diet. I am
mostly ok now, I have to take thyroid meds for the rest of my life though.
Oct 12, 2009 2:07 AM
Guest :
My thyroid fluctuates goes over and under active. I am unable to gain
weight i just constantly loose weight. I am almost 6ft and am now a size 8
in waist which is still getting smaller. I eat plenty, my immune system is
also low, i catch anything going and then some. I suffer from pains in my
lower back on both sides. I was taking thyroxine till i was about 15 and
then once i got investigated got told it cant be medicated. I have a high
sex drive but dont have the energy to match. I also suffer from mood
swings, mainly depression. Now i am not sure what to do to help my body.
16 Comments
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