What is the Thyroid?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. It is responsible for a number of hormones, the main two being T4 and T3, which also regulate other hormones such as adrenaline and dopamine. These hormones help stimulate metabolism, growth and development, and body temperature.T4 and T3 regulate the metabolism of every cell in the body. The thyroid is important because it interacts with other hormones in the body. In addition, without a well functioning thyroid, the body may have a difficult time breaking down proteins and processing carbohydrates and vitamins. This is why a stressed thyroid can cause such a wide range of issues.
Signs of a Stressed Thyroid
These could be signs of a stressed thyroid:
-emotional lows -weight gain -lethargy
-hair & nail issues -dry skin -fatigue
-constipation -cold hands & feet -low libido
-infertility -gum issues -fluid retention
-irregular periods -low energy -forgetfulness
Natural Ways to Keep the Thyroid Healthy
Some things that can cause the thyroid to work insufficiently are nutritional imbalances, toxins, food sensitivities, and stress.
Balanced Nutrition: Eliminate artificial sweeteners, processed foods, artificial coloring, and other chemicals that may be found in foods. Instead, opt for an organic diet which includes a variety of foods so that you are meeting all your nutritional needs.
Eliminate Food Sensitivities: Food sensitivities can cause dysfunction of the thyroid.
Avoiding Gluten & Soy, Add In Coconut Oil & Iodine: Gluten and soy may cause damage to the thyroid for those with thyroid issues. Coconut oil is a fantastic essential fatty acid that has been known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss. Iodine helps the thyroid make hormones, but having the adequate amount of iodine is crucial in order for the thyroid to make the proper amount of hormones for the body to function efficiently in a variety of ways.
Managing Stress: Thyroid hormones can drop significantly when a person is stressed. Exercise is a great way to destress as it stimulates the thyroid and helps it to produce the necessary hormones. Lack of sleep can often cause stress on the body. Getting a restful night sleep is critical.
