The thyroid gland is the body’s internal thermostat, regulating the temperature by secreting two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), that control how quickly the body burns calories and uses energy.
Hypothyroidism is a common problem caused by an underproduction of thyroid hormone. The thyroid can be affected by poor diet, fluoride in the water, excessive consumption of unsaturated fats, pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables, radiation from x-rays, alcohol and drugs. Thyroid problems can cause many recurring illnesses and fatigue.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
Currently, the most frequent cause of over hypothyroidism in the US is the autoimmune disorder Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the body manufactures antibodies that attack thyroid tissue and suppress production of the thyroid hormone. In this disorder, the body in effect becomes allergic to thyroid hormone. It then produces antibodies against its own thyroid tissue. Hashimoto’s disease is a common cause of goiter and it can occur in association with other disorders, such as pernicious anemia, lupus, yeast infections, and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to binding to thyroid tissue, these antibodies may also bind to the adrenal glands, pancreas, and acid-producing cells of the stomach (parietal cells). There are other thyroid conditions that may also lead to hormonal underproduction. Stress, nutritional deficiencies, inactivity, some medications, and hormonal fluctuation as a result of pregnancy and menopause also have a role to play.
Hypothyroidism is more common in women. The balance of estrogen and progesterone can have an indirect influence on the thyroid glands. Most common is estrogen dominance, where relatively higher estrogen levels suppress thyroid function. This predisposition can occur throughout a woman’s life.
The effects of stress and the balance of stress hormones are also important in thyroid function. Chronic elevation of the stress hormone cortisol suppresses thyroid function, while low levels of DHEA appear to make one more susceptible to hypothyroidism. Toxic metals, such as mercury, lead, arsenic and others can also interfere with thyroid activity.
Although hypothyroidism can wreak havoc upon our entire body, it is easy to treat, especially if caught in its early stages. Even if you require a thyroid hormone supplement, you should complement this regime of supplementation with dietary changes, stress-reducing activities, exercise, and general hormone balancing.
Metabolic Symptoms
A lack of thyroid hormones leads to a general decrease in the rate of utilization of fat, protein and carbohydrate. Moderate weight gain combined with sensitivity to cold weather is a common finding. Cholesterol and triglycerides levels are increased in even the mildest forms of hypothyroidism. This elevation greatly increases the risk of serious cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown an increased rate of heart disease due to atherosclerosis in individuals with hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism also leads to increases in capillary permeability and slow lymphatic drainage. Often this will result in swelling of issue (edema).
Endocrine: Women have prolonged and heavy menstrual bleeding, with a shorter menstrual cycle. Infertility may also be a problem.
Skin, hair, nails: Dry, rough skin covered with fine superficial scales is seen in most hypothyroid individuals while the hair is course, dry and brittle. The nails become thin and brittle and typically show transverse grooves.
Psychological: The brain appears to be quite sensitive to low levels of thyroid hormone. Depression along with weakness and fatigue are usually the first symptoms of hypothyroidism. Later the hypothyroid individual will have difficulty concentrating and be extremely forgetful.
Musular and skeletal: Muscle weakness and joint stiffness are predominate features of hypothyroidism.
Vitamins and minerals
Thyroid hormones are made from iodine and the amino acid tyrosine. The recommended dietary allowance for iodine in adults is quite small, 150 mcg. The average intake of iodine in the US is estimated to be over 600 mcg/day. Too much iodine can actually inhibit thyroid gland synthesis. It is recommended that dietary levels or supplementation of iodine not exceed 600 mcg/day for any length of time.
Zinc, vitamin E and vitamin A function together in many body processes including the manufacture of thyroid hormone. The B vitamins riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and pyridoxine (B6), and vitamin C are also necessary for normal thyroid hormone manufacture. The trace minerals zinc, copper and selenium are the required cofactors for iodothyronine iodinase, the enzyme which converts T4 to the far more active T3. Supplementation with zinc, the second most common mineral deficiency, has been shown to re-establish normal thyroid function in hypothyroid patients who were zinc-deficient, even though they had normal serum T4 levels. Of particular significance is the fact that while a selenium deficiency does not decrease the conversion of T4 to T3 in the thyroid or the pituitary, it does result in a great decrease in the conversion in the other cells of the body. People with a deficiency of selenium have elevated levels of T4 and TSH. Supplementation with selenium results in a decrease in T4 and TSH and normalization of thyroid activity. A deficiency of the amino acid tyrosine is often present in those with hypothyroidism.
Diet
A slow metabolism often means a slow digestive process. Encourage faster elimination of food by eating more fiber in the form of gluten-free whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables. You must stay adequately hydrated. Drink ½ your body weight in ounces per day.
Your diet should be low in goitrogens, substances that disrupt the production of thyroid hormones by interfering with iodine uptake in the thyroid gland. Goitrogens trigger the pituitary to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which then promotes the growth of thyroid tissue, eventually leading to goiter.
Your diet should be high in foods rich in the trace minerals needed for thyroid hormone production and activation. Organically grown foods should be recommended due to their higher levels of trace minerals.
Foods that Contain Zinc, Copper or Selenium
Zinc: Good sources of zinc include seafood, beef, oatmeal, chicken, liver, spinach, nuts and seeds.
Copper: Copper is found in liver and other organ meats, eggs, yeast, whole grains, and liver.
Selenium: The best source of selenium is Brazil nuts, especially those that are unshelled.
Include in your diet
· Eat: apricots, dates, egg yolks, molasses, parsley, potatoes, prunes, raw seeds and gluten-free whole grains.
· Eat fresh foods: Follow at least a 75% fresh foods diet. Have at least one green salad daily.
· Eat plenty of iodine-rich foods: sea fish, sea vegetables (kelp, dulse, arame, hijiki, nori, wakame, kombu), iodized salt, seafoods, mushrooms, garlic, onions and water cress. Use iodine-rich herb salt or sea greens instead of table salt.
· Eat plenty of iodine-rich foods: sea fish, sea vegetables (kelp, dulse, arame, hijiki, nori, wakame, kombu), iodized salt, seafoods, mushrooms, garlic, onions and water cress. Use iodine-rich herb salt or sea greens instead of table salt.
· Eat vitamin A-rich foods: yellow vegetables, eggs, carrots, dark green vegetables.
· Eat essentail fatty acids (ESAs): Essential fatty acids found in flaxseeds and walnuts are important for thyroid function.
Omit From Your Diet
· Omit wheat gluten from your diet.
· Avoid processed and refined foods, saturated fats, sugars, white flour and red meats.
· Avoid “goitrogens,” foods that prevent the use of iodine: These include cabbage, turnips, peanuts, pine nuts, millet, soy products, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens, peaches, pears, radishes, and spinach. They may further suppress thyroid function. Cooking inactivates the goitrogens, so that they are safe to eat for someone with low thyroid. If you have severe symptoms, omit these foods entirely.
· Avoid fluoride and chlorine. Stop drinking fluoridated water. It is a thyroid antagonist that depresses thyroid activity
· Avoid fluorescent lights and fluoride toothpaste. Chlorine, fluoride and iodine are chemically related. Chlorine and fluoride block iodine receptors in the thyroid gland, resulting in reduced iodine-containing hormone production and finally hypothyroidism. They deplete vitamin A in the body.
· Do not take sulfa drugs or antihistamines unless specifically directed to do so by a physician.
· Do not take thyroid medication with carbonate supplements or calcium as they can block the absorption thyroxine (T4).
Exercise
The best type of exercise for hypothyrodism is low-impact aerobic exercises and strength training, recommends Yaroslav Gofnung, MD, an endocrinologist at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Low-impact aerobics get your heart rate up and your lungs going without putting too much pressure on your joints, which is important because joint pain is another common hypothyroidism symptom, Dr. Gofnung says. Exercise is particularly important in a treatment program for hypothyroidism.
Be Sure to Ease Into Exercise
Start slowly and build up. "If you go too quickly, you can injure yourself and set yourself back," Gofnung warns. Choose exercises that you enjoy and that your body can tolerate to increase the likelihood of your sticking to your routine, he advises.
Always talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen. And never make exercise a substitute for thyroid medication. See "The Hypothyroidism Workout" by Beth W. Orenstein
“The nutritional suggestions in this material are not offered to treat, mitigate or cure disease, and should not be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. This information is designed to be used in conjunction with the services of a trained, licensed healthcare practitioner.”
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