Thyroid disorders have become an epidemic. With more than 430 million people that are diagnosed with thyroid disorder worldwide, this has become a serious and alarming issue. Sadly, due to the lack of information and knowledge of this issue many people don’t even know they suffer from thyroid disorder because the indications are usually mistaken for something else.
Iodine deficiency is the main reason for thyroid dysfunction. Modern lifestyle and diet make it hard for most people to get the required amount of iodine. However, eating healthy and choosing the right foods can be very efficient in preventing and treating thyroid dysfunction.
10 symptoms of thyroid disorder
- weakness: feeling tired no matter how long you sleep
- poor sleep quality: feeling constant need to rest
- mood swings: feeling stressed or sorrow
- appetite changes: altered taste or changes to food inclinations
- brain fog: being unable to think clearly and having trouble with basic cognition
- bowel irregularity: gas, constipation, bloating or looseness of the bowels
- temperature sensitivity: feeling excessively cold or hot all the time
- chronic pain: joint or muscle pain without a specific reason
- reproductive issues: miscarriages, premature birth or sterility
- menstrual changes: cramps, increased flow and duration of periods
The function of the thyroid
The thyroid gland creates two hormones T-4 and T-3 which are responsible for maintaining the body temperature, the blood pressure and the proper function of the digestive system. Even though the thyroid gland is small, its impact of the overall function of the entire body is immense.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition when there are too many thyroid hormones released, also known as overactive thyroid. This condition could cause absence of concentration, feeling unsteady, unable to unwind, unexplained weight loss, nail skin and hair deterioration, heat intolerance, irritability, sleep disruption and increased heart rate.
Hypothyroidism is much more common than hyperthyroidism and it is a condition when there are very little thyroid hormones released. At first, there may be very subtle or no symptoms at all however, over time these symptoms become worse and worse. Hypothyroidism causes obesity, joint pain, exhaustion, hair skin and nail deterioration, muscle weakness, heart disease and poor memory and focus.
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease that happens when the immune system starts to malfunction and sends antibodies that attack the thyroid tissue. Over time the thyroid becomes weaker and is not able to function properly. The majority of patients with hypothyroidism are positive to these antibodies. It is very important to take proper care of your immune system in order to reduce the inflammation in the body to prevent these antibodies from destroying the thyroid gland.
The brain signals the pituitary gland which then orders the thyroid gland to release or hold back hormones. If this signal becomes disrupted or false it can cause serious problems in the overall body function.
Normal cases of thyroid malfunction
- Iodine or nutrient deficiency
- Hereditary immune system infection – Graves – which increases the production of the thyroid hormone
- A benign lump – Plummer’s disease – which increases the production of the thyroid hormone
- Pregnancy
- An inflammation – Thyroiditis – which significantly increases the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood
- Physical, mental or emotional anxiety
- Exposure to environmental toxins
Thyroid disorder can affect grown-ups, children and even newborns. Babies that are treated early respond very well to therapy and it is possible to prevent mental development. Synthetic hormones can also recover the thyroid but only if the patient’s thyroid gland isn’t functioning at all.
5 foods for healthy thyroid gland
- cranberries and cranberry juice
- seaweed and seafood (salmon, tuna, shrimp, sardines and scallops)
- baked potatoes with skin
- eggs, cheese and yogurt
- coconut oil
5 foods that destroy the thyroid
- refined sugar
- excessive consumption alcohol, coffee or soda
- soy products
- refined gluten grains
- hydrogenated oils (avoid fast or processed foods)
Unfortunately, there is no cure for autoimmune diseases which can cause serious damage to the thyroid such as Hashimoto’s disease. However, most autoimmune conditions can be slowed and the symptoms can be relieved with proper eating routine and lifestyle.
Taking proper care of the thyroid gland is very important for the whole body. All of the organs and systems in the body work together which is why you should maintain them healthy, including the thyroid gland in order to prevent serious health issues.