Danica Collins
This is a fact.
Your thyroid gland can create a lot of trouble for something so tiny. Shaped like a butterfly and located just below your voice box, it’s approximately two inches long and weighs less than one ounce.
Your thyroid can be likened to an airport control tower for your body.
Its main function is to metabolize calories into energy and regulate the production of hormones that oxygenate your cells.
Every cell you have contains receptors for thyroid hormones, so when your thyroid slows down or doesn’t produce enough hormones – as is the case in hypothyroidism – it affects every part of your body.
Hypothyroidism is often times diagnosed incorrectly due to the fact that the symptoms are vague and varied. Misdiagnosis is common and doctors may treat only the symptoms of hypothyroidism and not the source.
Most Common Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
- Chronic fatigue
- Chronic pain – especially in the joints and muscles
- Intolerance to cold – such as cold hands and feet
- Dry skin and dry, thinning hair
- Irregular menstruation and infertility
- Constipation
- Unexplained weight gain or puffiness
- Depression or mood swings
- High cholesterol
- Memory loss
It is estimated that over 24 million people suffer from a dysfunctional thyroid – and more than half of these cases are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
Endocrinologists have discovered that the majority hypothyroidism sufferers have an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation called Hashimoto’s disease.
Hashimoto’s occurs when your immune system begins to attack your thyroid. This disease accounts for a shocking 90% of thyroid dysfunction in patients.
Top 5 Ways to Treat Hypothyroidism Naturally
Getting the proper nutrition is the first and most important step in regulating your thyroid. Your thyroid relies on food for fuel. Masking the symptoms of hypothyroidism with prescriptions and supplements will do more harm than good over time.
Eating processed foods containing white flour and sugar stimulate inflammation and can weaken your already sluggish thyroid. Here are a few quick tips on how to fuel up for thyroid health.
- Lower your intake of caffeine, white flour products and sugar – Your morning latte and bagel may taste delicious, but this unhealthy combination will only aggravate fatigue and further damage your impaired thyroid.
- Increase omega-3 fatty acids to produce and transport hormones. Without omega-3s, cell growth suffers. Adding olive oil, nuts, avocados, flax seeds, fish and coconut oil to your diet stimulates new cell growth and improves thyroid function.
- Carefully monitor goitrogenic foods that can impair thyroid function such as broccoli, spinach, peanuts, cabbage and kale. These foods should be consumed in moderation unless they are cooked. Exposing these foods to high heat nullifies the goitrogenic properties.
- Your body needs protein to transport hormones. Your thyroid uses the proteins found in grass-fed meats, eggs and legumes to distribute those hormones efficiently.
- Supplement with probiotic yogurt or fermented foods for longer-lasting energy and a healthy gut.
Your thyroid is very sensitive to stress hormones so now is the time to start reducing stress. Look at your daily activities and determine how you can find time to relax. It will help improve thyroid function.
Avoid x-rays whenever possible – simply ask for a neck collar to protect your fragile “butterfly.”
Women are seven times more likely to experience thyroid dysfunction than men are – and their risk increases with menopause and after age 60.
Some doctors are still hesitant to test for thyroid conditions but if you feel your symptoms are getting worse insist on a test.
Changing your nutrition to naturally treat hypothyroidism naturally will benefit far more than your little gland with a big job to do.
Further Related Reading:
http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/treat-hypothyroidism-naturally
