Could it be that your thyroid is not getting adequate nutrition? A BALANCED, HEALTHY DIET is necessary to provide the body with the proper raw materials that will promote healing and ensure optimum health of the thyroid gland. In addition to the recommendations below, it is so important to be tested by a holistic practitioner for iodine sufficiency. Iodine is the most critical trace mineral that will not only support your thyroid but every single cell in your body especially the reproductive organs!
Steps to improving the health of your thyroid include:
Eliminating REFINED SUGAR (white and…yes…brown sugar is also bad for you)
Eliminating TRANS FATTY ACIDS (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils)
Eliminating ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS (Splenda, Aspartame, Equal, NutraSweet, Sweet’N Low, etc)
Minimizing the consumption of RAW cruciferous vegetables (some examples are brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, broccoli & kale) These veggies need to be lightly steamed or sautéed to destroy the thyroid inhibitors.
Eliminating FLUORIDE & CHLORINE from water and toothpaste (these halides readily displace other halogens—including the much needed mineral iodine–from the thyroid)
Eliminating BROMIDES (bromide is also a halide and it competes for the same receptors that are used in the thyroid gland to capture iodine. This will inhibit thyroid hormone production resulting in a low thyroid state.) Some places you will find bromides are in soft drinks, baked goods, pesticides, and swimming pool/hot tub treatments.
Eliminating all SOY foods (with the exception of SMALL amounts of fermented soy – miso, tempeh, and naturally fermented soy sauce) Soy is a hormone disrupter and also profoundly inhibits mineral absorption.
Eliminating xenoestrogens in the form of household chemicals (nail polish & remover, cleaning products, dryer sheets & fabric softeners, etc), pesticides, plastics, chemical pesticides and fertilizers, conventionally raised animals, cosmetics and toiletries, plastics, household cleaners, unfiltered water, food dyes and preservatives. and many, many more.
Eliminating sunscreen use – sunscreen has 4MBC & Benzohpenone 2 [BP2] which are very harmful to the thyroid. Instead use a healthy sunscreen, one of which may be purchased at Mercola.com or getting sunburned easily may also be a sign of essential fatty acid and calcium deficiency.
Including COCONUT OIL (ideally 3Tbs daily…it is one of the most healthy saturated fats that has several thyroid promoting effects)
Including CARROTS (carrot fiber tones the bowel and binds toxins including estrogen)
Including ORGANIC foods and GRASS-FED animal proteins that have not been contaminated with growth hormones, pesticides, etc
Including adequate amounts of good quality WATER (bottled water contains chemicals leached from the plastic known as phthalates, which are known to be hormone disrupters)
Including therapeutic foods including oats (properly prepared), kelp, seaweed (nori rolls, kombu, etc.), artichokes, onions, garlic, dulse, swiss chard, turnip greens, egg yolks (great mixed raw into a smoothie but must be fresh from a local farm…not store bought), cod roe, Brazil nuts and sesame seed butter (Tahini)
Including fresh juices: carrot, celery, with powdered kelp or dulse
Including 4-5 Brazil nuts daily to keep your selenium levels optimal
Other considerations:
Vit A is critical to the health of the thyroid gland. Be sure to have your Vit D levels tested and depending on the results, you will need to supplement with 10x’s the amount of Vit A as you need in Vit D
Do not use an electric blanket – the body’s metabolism will be slightly raised if the body must generate its own heat to keep warm
Exercise daily to stimulate the thyroid gland and elevate the body’s metabolic rate
Improve overall digestion and assimilation of food
Hydrotherapy – alternating hot and cold compresses to thyroid gland daily: hot compresses molded to neck for 3 minutes hot followed by 30 seconds to 1 minute of cold compresses. Repeat 3-5 times
Final Thoughts –
Eating a healthy diet can be challenging. Much of the refined food is inexpensive and readily available. It may take some work to change your diet to include whole foods. Take it one step at a time and do not feel overwhelmed. Small improvements in your diet can result in significant improvements in your health and…YOU ARE WORTH IT!
“Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms” by Datis Kharrazian, DHSc, DC, MS
“Overcoming Thyroid Disorders” by David Brownstein, MD
“Generative Energy” by Raymond Peat, PhD
The Weston A. Price Foundation
Mercola.com
I continue to mention you to many of our friends. You were very helpful with Ed since he is a diabetic.