Let’s Talk About The Thyroid

The thyroid is an extremely popular topic, and always seems to be getting the blame for weight gain, fatigue, hair, loss, constipation, and whatever else is going on that you may not like.

The thyroid is actually very complex and efficient. There is a feedback network of  chemical messengers between the thyroid, the pituitary gland in the brain and receptors throughout the body that says when to make more or less thyroid hormone.

Thyroid messengers can be affected by foods, micronutrients and environmental  exposures, as well as inflammation.

The micronutrients zinc, selenium, and iodine are important in thyroid function. For example, iodine deficiency can cause an enlarged thyroid, or goiter, and cause the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Replacing iodine can correct this. Sounds simple right?  Not so fast…

Certain foods, such as breads, baked goods, and other items that are made fluffy and preserved  on a shelf for eternityuse bromide. Bromide can block the receptors that are meant for iodine, which means you can have plenty of iodine but it’s not getting used. Oh and bromide is a flame retardant…. Just think about that with your next bite into a hoagie roll.

Then there is the autoimmune thyroid disorders. Autoimmune disorders are associated with a lot of inflammation and an attack of the thyroid. We have talked about inflammation before. If we are able to calm down that inflammation, specifically, the inflamed thyroid, it will work much better. One of the things you can do for that is to limit your gluten intake. Gluten is very inflammatory, and you guessed it goes right to the thyroid.

There’s a very basic overview of the thyroid and some important players in keeping it working well. And of course, a reminder of why you should take a good look at what you’re putting into your body.

If you really want to know if you have a thyroid issue, get evaluated! At Prestige Family Health Care and Spring Valley Family Care we look at the thyroid levels a little differently and try to get them right where they need to be.

As always, you can find more topics like this in our Health Corner at healthinterventions.net. If you need an evaluation and you would like to see one of our providers, you can schedule at Prestige Family Health Care in Cumberland, MD, Spring Valley Family Care, in Springfield, West Virginia or online at NPClinicOnline

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Spring Valley Cafe is a Health Interventions company offering healthy meal delivery services. Meals are thyroid friendly!