Thyroid
The Thyroid is located in the neck and wraps around the trachea. This gland is paramount in weight management. It is the main engine of the metabolism. It propels weight gain and loss, energy levels, hair growth and loss, inability to manage stress responses, brain fog, intolerance to hot and cold, moodiness, nervousness, and puffiness under the eyes. This is a very important one for us to give our love, thanks and support to. (Your cells hear everything you think and feel all that you feel.)
The thyroid’s produces thyroid hormones that are referred to as T3 and T4. They act to create and stabilize the body’s metabolic rate. They stimulate appetite, digestion, and the breakdown and absorption of nutrients. They increase oxygen consumption and raise the breathing rate, heart rate, and contraction strength as needed. The thyroid is responsible for monitoring the body’s thermostat. This is why the thyroid secretion usually rises in winter to keep the body warm. They monitor and adjust the mineral balance in the bone and bloodstream, especially calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. On a cellular level, the DNA of the cells is directly influenced by the amount and quality of T3 produced. Insufficient levels result in the down-regulation of cells being produced for the DNA chain. That often manifests as premature aging.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the T3 and T4 are too low. Everything that they help to support increases and slows down. The result usually looks like fatigue, weight gain and inability to lose water weight, cold intolerance, heavy menstrual bleeding, constipation, and a slow heart rate. Iodine deficiency and Hoshimoto’s are resulting conditions of Hypothyroidism. It can even result in the body’s immune system attacking and destroying its own thyroid.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when there is too much T3 and T4. The results are strong mood swings, insomnia, weight loss regardless of caloric intake, heat intolerance, heart racing, and diarrhea. Also, having a negative effect on the immune system, this often results in Graves’ disease. This occurs when insomnia, or sleeplessness, hits severe levels.
The Thyroid Supporters
A few essential nutrients are Iodine. The body can not produce T3 or T4 without Iodine. The 3 and the 4 actually represent the number of iodine molecules required to create T3 or T4. Also, Vitamin D (just get out in the sun!), Selenium, Magnesium, Thiamine, Vitamins B6 and 12, and Vitamin A.
- Nuts – macadamia, almonds, cashew
- Seeds – pumpkin, squash, Hemp
- Oils – avocado and olive oil, coconut oil
- Meat – salmon, tuna, turkey, eggs
- Berry – cherry, pineapple, pear, apple
- Vegetables – dark leaf greens, asparagus, zucchini, carrots, artichokes, sweet potatoes, peas, butternut squash, edamame
- Mushrooms – rieshi, turkey tails
- Grains – quinoa, rice cooked with coconut oil (1cup/1Tblsp)
I am going to suggest a couple of things in the Herb section that are not actually herbs. However, the benefits are hugely important. I love real plant nutrients. I think supplements can be great, but they require a lot of research to find a really beneficial one. Also, there are important components included in natural plants that supplements can not offer once they have been singled out. This can hinder the absorption and utilization of these singled-out nutrients in supplements.
Organic Celtic Salt or Baja Gold – naturally beneficial for its iodine and 82 other minerals and nutrients. And it won’t cause high blood pressure! It will facilitate the lowering of blood pressure as it is still full of minerals and in an unaltered state (organic). Now, white-processed table salt should be avoided for health reasons. It can raise your blood pressure, and unfortunately, its side effects have given salt a bad, and wholly undeserved, rap.
Kelp is one of the best natural sources of Iodine. We learned that this is essential to the function of your thyroid. Kelp is packed with micronutrients that are needed but more challenging to find in the land soils and their plants. It can be consumed raw, in powder form, eaten in soups, salads, and stir fries, and is made into organic tablets for easy supplementation. I absolutely love kelp!
Ashwaghanda is a natural remedy for stress and anxiety. It is also helpful for insomnia sufferers. It helps convert T4 into T3 and moves iodine to where it is needed for the most benefit.
Bacopa monniera, also called Brahmi, has been used in India for centuries. It can lower blood sugar levels, which can help halt the pre-diabetic conditions that can be generated by low thyroid function. It increases the production of thyroid hormone levels. It is also used as a brain tonic in India to support concentration.
Licorice doesn’t just taste yummy! It is one of the oldest and most trusted in the herbal kingdom. It decreases cortisol levels naturally and protects against oxidative damage. It has potent anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also is excellent for the gut as it aids in digestion and heals ulcers.
Holy basil is another of my favorite flavored herbs! It is shown to increase the levels of T3 and T4. It also has many immune-boosting properties which affect the thyroid and can head off thyroid issues.
Maca, a Peruvian herb, contains iodine, selenium, and zinc. It helps balance the body’s cortisol levels and improves thyroid function. It is also touted as a superfood for supporting not just the thyroid but also fertility.
Echinacea is a very commonly used herb. Nearly everyone has been told to use it when they feel a cold coming on. It contains an impressive assortment of active compounds, such as caffeic acid, phenolic acids, rosmarinic acid, alkamides, polyacetylene, and more. I like it for thyroid problems because both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid conditions lead to the formation of autoimmune diseases. It also lowers blood sugar levels, which further supports the thyroid.
Lemon Balm is one of the oldest and most trusted herbs. This mint family plant’s leaves are packed full of antioxidants. It is hugely protective of all aspects of the immune system, healthy sleep and regulation of blood sugar. It can reverse the forming of a cold sore just by eating the raw leaves when it starts to come on. We keep a Lemon Balm plant in our home at all times.
(I am going to list a few others that are incredibly good for the thyroid that have been previously defined in the brain section.)
Gotu Kola increases the production of thyroid hormones and boosts metabolism.
Ginseng can not help its self! It simply improves everything!