Continued from page 39
higher levels of cortisol , higher inflammation levels , reduced testosterone , higher TSH , and very low T3 . Treating the thyroid without dealing with chronic stress can precipitate more problems . A common form of chronic stress –– adrenal gland exhaustion or burnout –– particularly becomes dangerous for hypothyroidism . Adrenal gland exhaustion occurs when your adrenal glands are unable to keep up with the physiological needs created by stress . To remedy this chronic stress , incorporate what I call active relaxation . You might also consider Calm nutritional ( a form of pharmaceutical grade magnesium ) to melt away stress and anxiety .
Strategy 2 : Regular Exercise and Saunas
Exercise stimulates thyroid gland secretion and increases tissue sensitivity to thyroid hormones throughout the body . Ideally , you will want to sweat , and the exercise should be vigorous . Regardless of your current fitness level , you will find a helpful , easy-to-implement workout plan here . Besides being an excellent way to relax your muscles and your mind , saunas or steam baths are a good way to flush your system of pesticides that could be contributing to your thyroid problem .
Saunas are an important aid to weight loss and thyroid repair because as you lose weight , fat tissue releases stored toxins such as PCBs and pesticides ( organochlorines ). These toxins lower your T3 levels , consequently slowing your resting metabolic rate and inhibiting your fat-burning ability . Detoxifying becomes an important part of improving your thyroid function . If you don ’ t detoxify , your ability to lose weight decreases as you lose weight because of the released toxins ’ detrimental impact on thyroid function .
Strategy 3 : Eat Foods That Provide Nutritional Support for Your Thyroid ,
and Avoid Those That Don ’ t
Every step on your road to healing and weight loss depends on proper nutrition and using food to communicate the right information to your genes . Treating your thyroid is no exception .
Choose foods that offer nutritional support for your thyroid . The production of thyroid hormones requires iodine and omega-3 fatty acids ; converting the inactive T4 to the active T3 requires selenium ; and both the binding of T3 to the receptor on the nucleus and switching it on require vitamins A and D , as well as zinc . You will find these nutrients in a whole-food , clean , organic diet . To get therapeutic levels of these nutrients , please use the supplement protocol in Strategy 4 . Thyroid-boosting foods include seaweed and sea vegetables , which contain iodine or there are supplements that have the potassium iodide that you need for conversion . Fish ( especially sardines and salmon ) contains iodine ,
omega-3 fats , and vitamin D . Dandelion , mustard , and other dark leafy greens contain vitamin A . Smelt , herring , scallops , and Brazil nuts contain selenium . You want to avoid foods that can interfere with thyroid function . These include the aforementioned gluten . Also , choose clean sources of protein and avoid processed soy products .
Strategy 4 : Use Supplements That Support Your Thyroid
Key nutrients for healthy thyroid function are necessary basic supplement recommendations , including a multivitamin and mineral supplement that contains selenium , iodine , zinc , vitamins A and D , and omega 3 fats ( fish oil ). You will find all these nutrients at my store , as well as a thyroid support nutritional . One warning is that if your adrenal glands are burned out from long-term stress , treating the thyroid
without supporting the adrenal glands through relaxation and adaptogenic herbs ( such as ginseng , rhodiola , or Siberian ginseng ) can actually make you feel worse .
I also recommend working with our experienced Clinical Nutritionist who can address individual nutrient needs for your thyroid and , if necessary , also your adrenal glands .
Strategy 5 : Have Your Thyroid Tested
There is no one perfect way , no one symptom nor test result , that will properly diagnose low thyroid function or hypothyroidism . The key is to look at the whole picture –– your symptoms and your blood tests –– and then decide . Doctors typically diagnose thyroid problems by testing your TSH levels and sometimes your free T4 level . But some doctors and clinicians have brought the “ normal ” levels of those tests into question . The diagnosis of “ subclinical ” hypothyroidism that most physicians use depends on having a TSH level higher than 5 m IU / ml and lower than 10 m IU /
40
COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY / AUGUST 2017