The thyroid is critical to the proper functioning of your metabolism. In fact, there are only three major hormones that control your metabolism. They are the thyroid hormone, insulin and cortisol. One of the most commonly diagnosed problems with thyroids is an under active thyroid. An under active thyroid is called hypothyroidism. This condition can lead to weight gain, but it also comes with other negative symptoms that detract from the quality of life.
● Loss of muscle strength ● Dry skin ● Constipation ● Puffy eyes/face ● Chronic fatigue ● Memory loss ● Ultra-sensitivity to cold ● Hoarseness ● Thinning hair ● Depression
Note that you may not have all these symptoms. A professional diagnosis is necessary if you suspect you may have hypothyroidism.
How to Naturally Support Your Thyroid
There are a number of things you can do to support the healthy function of your thyroid.
Supplement With Thyroid Support Nutrients
It’s challenging to get all the nutrients you need to naturally support your thyroid everyday. Taking a thyroid supplement helps to ensure you’re getting enough iodine, zinc, selenium, copper and L-Tyrosine on a regular basis. Each of these nutrients are needed by your thyroid to function properly.
Alter Your Diet
Certain foods have been linked to thyroid issues. You could do well by avoiding them as much as possible. One of the foods to avoid is gluten. If you suspect hypothyroidism, it’s a good idea to try to avoid gluten. There are lots of gluten-free foods, so this one will be easy to implement. Another diet change to make to support your thyroid naturally is eat unprocessed foods as much as you can. Processed foods often contain pesticides, especially canned vegetables. Whenever possible, make homemade meals using organic, pesticide-free ingredients.
Exercise After Meals
Since insulin is related to your metabolism, it will help your thyroid if you make it a habit to exercise after each meal. If you eat a meal that raises your insulin levels, the exercise will bring insulin levels back down to a manageable level. The exercise doesn’t need to be strenuous to be effective. A brief 10 or 20-minute walk will suffice.
Avoid Stress
Stress causes your body to release harmful hormones like cortisol. Cortisol causes your body to retain fat and it is detrimental to a healthy metabolism. Try meditation or another stress-relieving activity.
When you get to know and support your thyroid health naturally, you can help alleviate symptoms and restore a properly functioning metabolism. Try a combination of all these tips to support thyroid health naturally.
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