Natural ways to keep your thyroid gland healthy

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland located in the front of the neck.  It manufactures two main hormones: T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine).  The secretion of these hormones is regulated by a hormone produced by the brain called TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). The thyroid gland manufactures much more T4 than T3; however T3 is the active hormone.  T4 must be converted into T3 in order to have its desired effects.  This conversion mainly occurs in the liver, kidneys and muscles.  Therefore the health of these organs, particularly the liver is essential for healthy thyroid hormone levels. Role of thyroid hormones in the body Thyroid hormones are responsible for controlling the body’s metabolic rate, therefore the rate at which calories are burned.  They are also required for energy production and regulation of body temperature. If hormone levels drop below normal, metabolism inside cells slows down and energy levels drop.  If thyroid hormone levels become too high, all body processes speed up into overdrive. Who develops thyroid problems? Thyroid disorders are becoming increasingly common, particularly in women.  By age 50, one in ten women has a thyroid condition.  Thyroid conditions typically begin after childbirth, during menopause, or following a stressful life event. Many foods and environmental factors can affect the health of your thyroid gland. What are the symptoms of a thyroid disorder? The thyroid gland can malfunction in a variety of ways, however the most common conditions are an over active gland or an under active gland. Symptoms of an over active thyroid Racing heart and/or palpitations Anxiety Insomnia Diarrhoea or loose and frequent stools Intolerance to hot weather Increased appetite Hand tremor Symptoms of an under active thyroid Fatigue Weight gain Depression Fluid retention Constipation Scalp hair loss Dry skin Increased sensitivity to cold weather Here are my recommendations for keeping your thyroid gland healthy:

• Ensure that you have a healthy diet, rich in nutrients required for healthy thyroid gland function.  These include iodine, selenium and vitamin D. Deficiency of these nutrients is incredibly common in Western society.  These nutrients are combined together in Thyroid Health capsules.
• Consume adequate high quality protein.  The thyroid gland requires the amino acid tyrosine in order to manufacture thyroid hormones.  Tyrosine is found in protein rich foods such as red meat, fish, poultry, but also almonds, avocados, bananas and pumpkin seeds.  Vegetarians and people with poor protein digestion may need a tyrosine supplement.
• If you have an under active thyroid gland, avoid consuming large quantities of goitrogens.  These are substances that can suppress the thyroid gland if you consume enough of them.  Foods rich in goitrogens include raw cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts; soy, millet, peanuts and corn.  Cooking these foods inactivates the majority of goitrogens.
• In Australia and the USA the majority of thyroid conditions are caused by an autoimmune disease; meaning the immune system is responsible for causing the thyroid to become either under active or over active.  Research has shown that gluten intolerance can be a triggering factor in autoimmune thyroid disease.  Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, oats, spelt and barley.  The majority of thyroid patients benefit from following a gluten free diet.
• Ensure you have a healthy liver.  The liver is the main site of conversion of T4 into its active form T3.  A sluggish or fatty liver may impair the efficiency of this process.
• Ensure your diet contains adequate levels of beneficial fatty acids, as found in oily fish (salmon, sardines, anchovies, mackerel), raw nuts and seeds, avocados, extra virgin olive oil and organic coconut oil.  These fats can reduce inflammation in autoimmune thyroid disease, and improve the health of cell membranes, allowing thyroid hormones to function more efficiently.
• Minimise your exposure to the heavy metals mercury, cadmium and lead, as they can interfere with the manufacture of thyroid hormones.
• Minimise your exposure to pesticides and insecticides, as some have been linked with the formation of thyroid nodules and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Essential nutrients for a healthy thyroid gland Iodine Iodine is a trace mineral with a number of important functions in the body.  It forms part of the structure of thyroid hormones; therefore consuming adequate iodine is vitally important for normal hormone production.  Between 70 and 80 percent of the body’s iodine is found in the thyroid gland.  Iodine is also required for healthy breasts and ovaries. Long term iodine deficiency can cause the thyroid gland to enlarge and form a swelling called a goitre.  Obtaining adequate iodine during pregnancy is vitally important for the healthy intellectual development of the infant.  Iodine deficiency in infancy can lead to reduced IQ. Iodine deficiency is an increasingly common problem in many parts of the world.  The majority of the world’s iodine is found in the oceans; however small amounts are also found in the soil.  Unfortunately many inland areas have soils very deficient in iodine.  Studies done in the last five years have identified iodine deficiency as a common problem among adults, children and pregnant women. Your iodine level can be checked with a urine test. Seafood that comes from the ocean (rather than farmed seafood) is a good source of iodine.  Seaweeds (such as arame, wakame, nori and kombu) are an excellent source of iodine; unfortunately they are not commonly eaten by most people.  Iodine is easily obtainable in supplement form. Selenium Selenium is required for the production, activation and metabolism of thyroid hormone.  A healthy thyroid gland contains more selenium per gram than any other tissue in the body. Selenium is required by the enzyme that converts T4 thyroid hormone into its active form, T3.  If you are deficient in selenium you will not be able to manufacture sufficient T3 and you may experience the symptoms of an under active thyroid gland. A selenium deficiency can contribute to the development of autoimmune thyroid disease, such as Hashimoto’s disease, Graves’ disease and post partum thyroiditis.  Selenium has an anti-inflammatory effect and can inhibit the production of destructive antibodies against the thyroid gland in autoimmune thyroid disease. Obtaining adequate selenium from diet alone is very difficult because very few foods are a rich source of selenium.  Brazil nuts, crab and salmon provide some selenium, however using a selenium supplement will ensure you receive optimal levels of this vital mineral. Vitamin D Vitamin D is a hormone-like substance that is produced in the skin during exposure to sunlight.  It has many important functions in the body, including strengthening bones, promoting a healthy immune system and protecting against a wide range of diseases. Vitamin D helps to regulate cellular replication in a very important way. Specifically vitamin D helps cells to differentiate (become specialised), and inhibits cells from proliferating, or growing in an out of control way.  It is thought that these are the reasons why vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of various types of cancer. Vitamin D is also vital for a healthy immune system and research has shown that deficiency increases the risk of autoimmune disease.  Surprisingly vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in many people.  An Australian study conducted in 2001 detected mild or moderate vitamin D deficiency in more than one in three women during summer, and one in two in winter.  Those most at risk of deficiency include people with dark skin, women who practise veiling, people taking certain medications (such as anti-epileptic drugs), and people who spend most of their time indoors.  Sunscreen inhibits the manufacture of vitamin D. Prolonged sun exposure can be hazardous and I strongly urge you to avoid becoming sunburnt.  Vitamin D is found in very few foods, therefore supplementing with vitamin D is usually the best option. For more information about thyroid conditions see our book Your Thyroid Problems Solved. The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.