Naturally Treating the Thyroid with Diet

What does the thyroid do?

The thyroid is frequently overlooked, but it is a critical organ to the overall functioning of your body. It is located in the middle of the lower neck, and it produces hormones that influence every cell, tissue, and organ in your body. It controls your energy levels and regulates metabolism.

When the thyroid produces too little or too much hormone, health problems can include:

• Goiter – the enlargement of the thyroid gland
• Hypothyroidism – the lack of produced thyroid hormones
• Hyperthyroidism – the overproduction of thyroid hormones
• Thyroid cancer
• Thyroid nodules – lumps in the thyroid gland
• Thyroiditis – swelling of the thyroid

Natural remedies for thyroid health

The ATA acknowledges that the cause of thyroid problems remain mostly unknown. However, iodine deficiency has been identified as a cause. The most common causes may be autoimmune diseases, such as Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Disease. Graves’ Disease causes hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto’s Disease causes hypothyroidism. Both diseases result from antibodies reaching the blood and attacking the thyroid glands.

These are some of the best natural remedies that address the main cause of thyroid problems.

Anti-inflammatory foods to heal your thyroid

The top causes of thyroid issues, as I have mentioned, are autoimmune diseases, which likely result when toxins get into your bloodstream and trigger an immune system attack on your thyroid gland.

These cases may be caused by a leaky gut, which has a porous, inflamed intestinal lining that allows viruses, toxins, bacteria, and other foreign bodies to enter the bloodstream. The immune system responds and tries to eliminate foreign bodies. However, something goes wrong, and the immune system attacks and damages its own tissues.

Heal your thyroid with food, including the following anti-inflammatory foods into your diet:

• Olive oil
• Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards. However, they contain goitrogens that may disrupt the thyroid if consumed in large quantities. Cooking them inactivates the goitrogens.
• Nuts like Brazil nuts contain selenium, required by the thyroid.
• Healthy fats from avocados, nuts, and seeds
• Fruits rich in antioxidants like apples, strawberries, cherries, and oranges

Probiotics

It is critical to optimum health to keep your gut health by using good live bacteria called probiotics. You can find probiotics in fermented foods like sauerkraut, miso, and pickles. You also have probiotics supplements, which you can use next to your diet!

Prebiotics

If you have the healthy bacteria in your gut, it is vital to keep them nourished with prebiotics. Prebiotics are found in garlic, onions, asparagus, bananas, and leeks.

Vitamin B

Thiamine and Vitamin B12 are the most important Bs to take for natural thyroid treatment. If you are on a vegan or vegetarian diet, you can get your vitamin B12 from supplements instead.

Thiamine-rich foods include:

• Brussel sprouts
• Asparagus
• Pistachios
• Spinach
• Sesame seeds
• Green peas

Vitamin B12-rich foods include:

• Raw cheese
• Cottage cheese
• Raw milk

Selenium

Selenium fights inflammation and contains antioxidant properties that support the proper functioning of the immune system.

Selenium-rich foods include:

• Spinach
• Nuts
• Yogurt
• Brazil nuts

Ginger

Ginger is famous for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Moreover, ginger is also a rich source of magnesium, inc, and potassium.

Evening primrose oil

Evening primrose oil is a natural thyroid treatment for improving thyroid function. It is available as supplements.

Nettle

Nettle is also known as a potent thyroid tonic, due to its ability to balance an overactive and underactive thyroid. It also has high iodine content. You can either make your own nettle tea by drying its leaves or purchase organic nettle tea bags at your local natural health store.

Echinacea

Echinacea is an excellent immune system booster. Moreover, it is also great for healing thyroid inflammation and overactivity.

Licorice

Licorice contains triterpenoid glycyrrhetinic acid, which helps to stop the growth of more invasive thyroid cancer cells.

Seaweed

Iodine is very important in improving your thyroid function. The best source of iodine is seaweed. You can find edible seaweed in stores packed and labeled as nori (dried sheets for sushi/maki) and kelp (thick seaweed used for soups).

Find your natural thyroid treatment through food

You have a bounty of options for thyroid health in nutritious, anti-inflammatory, and organic foods. Stick to the best healing foods for your thyroid and avoid inflammatory foods that can cause a leaky gut. In addition, avoid alcohol, processed foods, and refined sugars.

As you heal those thyroid issues with food, you will feel the effects of a healthy thyroid, such as, more energy, better concentration, improved mood, healthier heart, and more confidence!

You can be your own best doctor

REFERENCES:

1. https://www.thyroid.org/media-main/about-hypothyroidism/
2. https://medlineplus.gov/thyroiddiseases.html
3. https://www.thyroid.org/hyperthyroidism/
4. https://www.thyroid.org/hashimotos-thyroiditis/
5. https://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism/
6. https://www.dietitians.ca/Your-Health/Nutrition-A-Z/Minerals/Food-Sources-of-Selenium.aspx
7. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28348610
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10963212