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Natural Compounds to Improve Thyroid Function
One of the fastest rising health conditions in America isn’t what you might think it is. It’s hypothyroidism. Perhaps some of the most common symptoms are depression, lethargy, and weight gain. Some of the latest reports estimate that perhaps as much as 30 percent of the population could have thyroid problems. There are natural compounds that can improve the function of your thyroid.
At least 80 percent of the hypothyroid conditions in America are thought to be auto-immune related. Very few doctors test for thyroid anti-bodies so many people never get properly diagnosed. In our current medical system, an auto-immune condition and a slow thyroid are treated exactly the same, with synthetic T4 and because the treatment is the same, most doctors do not bother to test the thyroid for anti-bodies. It’s important to understand, however, if it’s a sluggish pituitary gland, liver, thyroid, or if the problem is an auto-immune condition.
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There are other issues for the thyroid gland as well. Besides hypothyroid, there is hyperthyroid and hashimotos. Those with hasimotos suffer from extreme variations in their thyroid function, from being terribly overactive to terribly underactive.
Luckily, there are many different compounds that can help your thyroid to work better. Check out our list of the top 10 natural foods and supplements that can help your thyroid work to the best of its ability.
1. Brazil nuts
These are the richest source of selenium you can find. Selenium is essential for converting thyroxin to its most active form, T3. Your body needs selenium for the production of glutathione, which decreases antibodies in the thyroid. Just 3 Brazil nuts a day will do it!
2. Maca
Maca will help balance your pituitary and hypothalamus which release thyroid releasing hormones and these hormones regulate thyroxin levels. Maca is also an excellent source of zinc, iron, and B vitamins which are all important for proper thyroid function.
3. Bromelain
Most thyroid disorders are depicted by an increase in the inflammation throughout the body, and in the case of auto-immune thyroid disorders, there can be a tremendous amount of inflammation around the actual thyroid gland. Bromelain is an important plant enzyme that reduces the inflammatory stress in the body. You can obtain bromelain via supplements or in the fresh fruit of pineapples.
SEE ALSO: 11 Dangerous Toxins that are Harming Your Thyroid
4. Ashwaganha
This can help to balance your blood sugar as well as stabilize cortisol levels. High cortisol levels negatively affect your pituitary gland while suppressing the T4 and T3 conversion in the body. Ashwaganha improves these levels while modulating your blood sugar and controlling inflammation in the body.
5. Vitamin A
Your thyroid hormone binds to receptors and goes through a process called intercellular transduction. This means it carries the message of binding to the nuclear receptors. None of this can happen without vitamin A.
6. Zinc
Low zinc levels have been shown to compromise the production of T3. This mineral plays a key role in immune modulation, which might reduce thyroid anti-bodies. Read about foods that increase zinc.
7. Chlorophyll
It’s more than just for plants! Drinking a shot of chlorophyll when you wake up might help boost the body’s energy levels and remove any heavy metals that might be fighting the proper function of your thyroid gland.
8. Sea Vegetables
Iodine attaches to amino acids in the body to form thyroxin and sea vegetables are very rich in iodine. Insufficient levels of iodine will inhibit your thyroid function so make sea vegetables such as nori, mache, and wakame your new best friends.
9. Manganese
This mineral is important as it is involved in the function of numerous enzymes and is vital for the normal functioning of the thyroid. Manganese is especially important for those who have thyroid issues as they are well known for having higher levels of oxidative stress as it is responsible for neutralizing the damage caused by reactive oxygen species.
10. Selenium
Studies show that persons with lower selenium levels are at a higher risk for low T3 levels. Selenium also reduces the formation of anti-thyroid anti-body formation.
You might try avoiding foods that can cause inflammation such as all nightshades ( tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants), dairy, gluten, and soy.
For those who suffer from hasimotos, you will want to avoid iodine and foods that contain high levels of iodine, such as sea vegetables. However, the advice regarding the consumption of selenium still rings true. If you are not sure whether or not you have any of these types of thyroid problems, talk to your doctor.
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