Are you noticing or people around you observing worrisome changes in your mood, energy, appetite, digestion, bowel movements, hair, skin, nails, menstrual or sleep cycle, sex drive, increased sensitivity to cold and brain function? You might be blaming it on your age or menopause but often, the thyroid gland is the real culprit.
The thyroid gland sits in the front of the throat, like a bow tie below the Adam’s apple, quietly secreting hormones makes hormones that help control some of your bodily functions and metabolic processes, such as heart rate, blood pressure, pH, water balance, body temperature, energy levels, and weight. When the thyroid gland goes awry, producing too little thyroid hormone (underactive thyroid) or too much thyroid hormone (overactive thyroid, which is a less common condition), your body, mind and emotions get thrown out of sync. Too little of the thyroid hormone causes a whole-body slowdown.
Who is at risk for thyroid problems?1-5
The following factors affect your odds of having thyroid problems:
- Family history. People whose first-degree relatives (parents or siblings) have an underactive or overactive thyroid face a higher risk of a similar problem.
- Women are five to eight times more likely to have thyroid problems than men, especially those who are of reproductive age or middle-aged. Most women are diagnosed between the ages of 30 to 50 years and after menopause.1,2
- The occurrence or prevalence rises with age.
- Whites tend to be at a higher risk than African, Hispanic, and Asian populations.
- Autoimmune response, which happen when the body’s immune system starts to attack its own cells like in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis disease, type 1 diabetes, and vitiligo.
- Health history. Thyroid problems are more likely among people with certain underlying health conditions, including goitre, Addison’s disease, pernicious anaemia, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Previous thyroid treatment, such as surgery or a treatment called radioactive iodine therapy.
- Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies such as iodine, zinc, iron, selenium, calcium, magnesium, chromium, tyrosine, glutathione, vitamins D, A, E and B-complex.2-5
How can you support and keep your thyroid healthy, naturally?1-5
By eating nutritious foods, a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, limiting exposure to allergens or toxins from your daily life, and maintaining a healthy weight. Last but not least, by taking science-backed supplements like;
- Kelp is a rich natural source of iodine which supports healthy hormone levels and thyroid gland function, especially in cases of an underactive thyroid.5
- Adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha, schisandra, rhodiola rosea, ginseng, St john wort, mushrooms support balanced thyroid activity, hormones, and stress response.
- Green tea extract is a powerful antioxidant which protects against oxidative stress, and free radical damage.
- Curcumin can help combat inflammation, oxidative stress, and free radical damage.
- Chasteberry (Vitex) provides natural thyroid gland and hormonal health support.
References:
Jeffery R. Garber [8 August 2023]. Harvard Health Publishing – Harvard Medical School: Thyroid hormone: How it affects your heart. Accessed 13 December 2023. Available from https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/thyroid-hormone-how-it-affects-your-heart
Westin Childs (26 July 2022, Internet). Dr Childs: 6 Nutrient Deficiencies that Can Lead to Hypothyroidism (Replace These!); Accessed 13 December 2023 Available from: https://www.restartmed.com/category/thyroid/hypothyroidism-thyroid
Katherine Marengo and Jillian Kubala [Internet, 23 December 2021], Heath Line: Supplements and Thyroid Health: What to Know. Accessed 13 December 2023 Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/thyroid-vitamins
Izabella Wentz [Internet, 30 September 2022]. Thyroid Pharmacist: The Most Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Hashimoto’s. Accessed 13 December 2023 Available from: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/most-common-nutrient-deficiencies-hashimotos/
Katherine Marengo and Louisa Richards (17 August). Medical News Today: Thyroid supplements: Which ones are safe? Accessed 13 December 2023 Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/thyroid-supplements