Whether you know it or not, your thyroid is one of the most important components of your body. Like anything else in the body, it works best if you are healthy. What if it doesn’t work the way it should? Believe it or not, this is more common than you think.
Approximately 20 million Americans have thyroid conditions, and up to 60% of those people are unaware of their condition. A thyroid condition can be linked to conditions like fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), eczema, or autoimmune disorders, but it can also be due to an unhealthy diet and poor lifestyle.
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck that produces hormones, regulates your metabolism, and affects the function of every organ in the body. The hormones made by the thyroid, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, determine the speed and functions of your organs and how energy is used by the body’s systems.
Hypothyroidism: indicates that the thyroid is slow and unproductive. This condition slows down the body’s metabolism, which can lead to weight gain, increased cholesterol levels, and bone problems.
Hyperthyroidism: it means that the thyroid is overactive and produces excessive amounts of thyroxine. An overactive thyroid causes the body to work faster than it should and ultimately disrupts normal bodily functions. It can lead to weight loss, eye problems, and even osteoporosis.
Now that you know a little about the thyroid, here are 5 ways you can keep your thyroid healthy.
Maintain a diet rich in nutrients:
Eating the right fruits and vegetables can help maintain your thyroid and overall health. It is ideal to consume fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants and iodine, which is necessary for the production of thyroid hormone. An iron or iodine deficiency can actually cause hypothyroidism. For people with hyperthyroidism, iodine can help slow the release of too many thyroid hormones. Regardless of what thyroid problem you have, iodine can help your thyroid function normally. Sea vegetables like seaweed or spirulina can help provide you with iodine. Below is a list of foods that are beneficial for thyroid health.
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Berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc.)
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Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage)
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Sea vegetables (seaweed, dulse, agar, seaweed, nori, spirulina, Irish moss)
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Chlorophyll-rich foods (spinach, peas, kiwi, cucumbers, parsley)
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Shitake or Portabella mushrooms
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Olive oil
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Almonds
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Pumpkin seeds
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Flax seeds
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Walnuts
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Brazil nuts
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Chia seeds
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Sunflower seeds
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Sesame seeds
Avoid fluoride:
Most commercial toothpastes contain toxic ingredients that can harm your health, but they also contain fluoride, which can harm your thyroid. Communities with fluoride in their water actually have higher rates of hypothyroidism. That is why drinking distilled or alkaline water, or eating alkaline foods, is healthy for your thyroid and overall health. Also, try to refrain from nonstick pans and black tea, as both contain fluoride.
Decrease stress:
Minimizing your stress levels can not only improve your thyroid function, it can also contribute to your overall well-being. Stress can actually induce a thyroid condition or make it more obvious that you have a thyroid condition. Overproduction of cortisol, a stress hormone, can interfere with thyroid hormone production. In fact, it can make the thyroid work harder to produce sufficient amounts of hormones necessary for bodily functions. Excellent ways to de-stress include acupuncture, breathing techniques such as meditation, massage therapy, or taking hot baths.
Get rid of inflammatory foods:
Eating inflammatory foods can irritate your digestive system, which can negatively affect your immune system. When your immune system is irritated, it doesn’t recognize your thyroid as part of the body. In fact, your immune system interprets the thyroid gland as intrusive and launches an autoimmune attack. Gluten, eggs, dairy, and grains are all inflammatory. That is why eating anti-inflammatory foods is beneficial for the thyroid.
Make sure you get your omega-3s:
If your body is lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, you may have a hormonal imbalance. Omega-3s provide a strong foundation for hormones that control immune function, cell growth, and support thyroid hormones. You can get omega-3s from flax seeds and walnuts, among other foods.
In addition to the tips above, getting a good night’s sleep, exercising, taking vitamin D, and avoiding exposure to radiation, toxins, and chemicals like bromide can be beneficial in restoring thyroid health.