Our Thyroid Gland is an extremely important gland that produces hormones that controls our body’s metabolism and energy. Making sure that it is functioning properly is vital in maintaining proper health. In this article I am going to explain how the thyroid functions, how to take care of it properly, and how ignoring or abusing it can be detrimental to your health. Your thyroid gland is responsible for releasing T3 & T4 hormones which control many functions that happen in your endocrine system. They regulate your metabolism, energy levels, your thermodynamics, and your hair/nails growth.
Most importantly they regulate your metabolism which impacts most of your crucial organs and functions in the body, such as your liver and digestive system.
Your thyroid could be out of balance if you are feeling the following symptoms;
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Hair loss
- Brittle nails
- Mood swings
If you are feeling any of these symptoms, I recommend talking to your doctor about getting scheduled with an endocrinologist to get your levels checked. Once you have determined the cause then you can begin to heal yourself naturally.
How?
Begin to implementing some healthy habits in your day to day lifestyle.
Eliminate toxins!
- Eliminate some of the toxic inflammatory foods, like gluten which can cause inflammation to your gut and cause inflammation in the thyroid.
- Eliminate fast food: because the harsh chemicals and unhealthy oils they cook with can negatively affect your thyroid and the rest of your body.
- Exercise each day: not intensely, just (15-30) min a day. Example of exercise would be a brisk walk, a small hike, swimming, and yoga. forms of exercise that don’t really stress your body out.
- Add Fat! Yes, eating fat is a great for hormone production. Including high quality fat in your diet you set your thyroid up for success. Some of the best sources of fat are;
o Avocados
o Nuts and seeds (walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flaxseed)
o Nut butters
o Olive oil (organic cold pressed)
o Ghee
o Coconut oil
- Having a variety of healthy fats will help speed up the recovery process, healing your thyroid and also keep your energy levels high.
- Eat a lot of leafy greens: They are full of B vitamins and prebiotics that are crucial for your thyroid to be able to process hormones properly. Some of the best leafy greens to eat are;
o Spinach
o Kale
o Bok choy
- Some great ways to get these leafy greens in your diet are with creative salads, smoothies, roasted, or even supplemented in a greens supplement. Leafy greens in moderation can help the function of your thyroid and prevent multiple types of cancer.
The beauty of Collagen
Collagen is vital nutrient we need for strong hair, nails, and more radiant skin. If your thyroid is not functioning properly, your hair will be thin, nails will be brittle. And your skin will be more vulnerable. So consuming natural sources of collagen or even supplementing with collagen is great for your thyroid.
Some great sources of collagen are;
- Organic bone broth : From soups, stews, and creating more ways to use it in your meals is a great way to get this wonderful source of collagen in.
Some great supplements I recommend:
There are many ways you can supplement with collagen: you can add them to your coffee, to your smoothies, or even in a soup with the broth.
Make sure to get these vitamins and minerals in!
The following vitamins are crucial for proper thyroid function.
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Copper
Summary
Your thyroid controls many of our necessary functions that we need to be energized, happy and feeling confident. So learning the ways to take better care of it will help you to get back on track to living life full of energy and happiness.
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