The thyroid gland is a very small gland that is found in the neck. A hormone known as thyroxin is produced by the thyroid gland which in turn stimulates all the cells in the human body. The body needs a sufficient and stable amount of thyroxin to properly function so the role of the thyroid gland is extremely important to good health.
Approximately 15% of the adult population suffers from either an overactive or underactive thyroid. More women are affected by thyroid conditions. This disease has also been linked to various auto immune disorders that are becoming increasingly more prevalent. It is believed that these diseases may in part stem from the overabundance of toxins we are exposed to in the food, water and products that we use on a daily basis. The thyroid gland is very sensitive to stress. This is important to understand because we live in a society that is fraught with high stress levels.
The daily burdens of living in our fast paced culture have made everyone experience high stress levels from time to time. There is simply no avoiding it. As a result, the thyroid gland suffers. Because the thyroid gland functions as the body's "thermostat", if it is not functioning properly the entire health system of the human body is greatly affected. Some of the functions of the thyroid gland are to maintain a stable metabolism, regulate body temperature and regulate energy levels in the body. If the thyroid is either overactive or underactive it can have deleterious effects.
Underactive Thyroid: A low functioning thyroid can make cholesterol go up dramatically. Some symptoms of an underactive or "hypothyroid" condition include the following: fatigue, weight gain, muscle aches, susceptibility to colds and flu and various other symptoms. Some causes of low thyroid can include toxic exposure and insufficient iodine in the body. There is medical testing that can be done to determine if you have an underactive thyroid. An underactive thyroid makes the adrenal glands have to work harder which ultimately places more stress on the body.
Overactive Thyroid: A high functioning thyroid is also known as "hyperthyroidism". The opposite of the low thyroid, this condition occurs when too much thyroxin is produced. Some symptoms of an overactive thyroid include weight loss, irregular heartbeat, difficulty sleeping and nervousness. This condition can be controlled under the care of a medical doctor.
How to treat thyroid problems: There are many things that you can do to help recover from a thyroid problem. Begin by changing your diet. You should eliminate all white flour products and all processed foods if possible. There are certain foods that also suppress thyroid function and they include foods such as broccoli, sprouts, peaches and pears. Try to avoid these as well. Eat a more balanced; wholesome diet that includes lots of fresh vegetables and this will improve your metabolism and your thyroid levels. Also try to include foods that are iodine rich such as fish. You can eat sea vegetables such as kelp and dulse. These products can normally be found in the Asian section of most grocery stores. Additionally foods high in zinc are very helpful to helping a sluggish thyroid.
Increase Physical Activity to combat low thyroid: Exercise can greatly improve a thyroid condition. The power of exercise lies in its ability to improve your overall oxygen levels. Increasing oxygen will naturally raise your thyroid levels and provide you with the needed energy to get through your day. Good exercise includes cardio and can be as simple as a 30 minute per day workout.
Reduce Stress: With this condition the adrenal glands are already overworked. High levels of stress will also increase your cortisol levels. This will result in you feeling hungrier and will increase insulin levels as well. Often this will be accompanied by weight problems as well as even more deterioration of the thyroid levels. So it is important to incorporate stress management techniques that work for you. Exercise is one answer. You can also learn stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing. By breathing more deeply you will naturally increase your oxygen levels which will help to reduce stress. As with any medical condition, an underactive or overactive thyroid is something that needs to be addressed under the care of a medical doctor who can help you to create a treatment plan that will return your thyroid to a healthy level.
