Eating to Help Hypothyroidism

Most of my clients complain of hypothyroidism (low thyroid function).  They have been to the doctor and their tests have come back normal, but yet they have strong indicators of hypothyroidism.  The test that the doctor uses is flawed and will not show accurate results.  They don't even test your adrenals and they could be causing you problems with the same symptoms as the thyroid.  Hypothyroidism is believed to be one of the most under-diagnosed health conditions today.  So many of the symptoms can be attributed to other factors, which makes hypothyroidism very difficult to diagnose.  As you age, your risk increases, particularly for women in menopause. 

A hair analysis is a very accurate way of diagnosing both thyroid and adrenal problems.  This will show if you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), which is less common. If it does show a problem, it can be treated with glandular extracts, not the synthetic stuff the doctors prescribe.  

Food plays an important role in the function of the glands.  Some of the very healthiest foods can be "unhealthy" to the glands.  Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, radishes, soybeans, peaches, peanuts, and pine nuts are just a few that will cause stress on the thyroid.  They contain a natural substance that interferes with the production of thyroid hormones.  Many people believe that cooking these vegetables will inactivate these substances. 

There are at least a dozen vitamins and minerals recommended for prevention of low thyroid function.  Iodine is probably the most recognized.  Iodine combines with the amino acid tyrosine and produces thyroid hormones.  Good sources of tyrosine include fish, dairy, oats, sesame seeds, bananas, avocados, and almonds.  Vitamins such as B2, B3, B6, B12, A, C, E, and Zinc all help to improve the function of the thyroid. 

TIPS:

1.  Make sure your salt contains iodine.

2.  Cook foods, which inhibit the production of thyroid hormones.

3.  Eat foods that are rich in tyrosine.

4.  Use olive oil for all your cooking.  This will add vitamin E to your diet.  Put nuts in salads.

5.  Use raw herbs as garnish for cooked foods.  This will add vitamins.

6.  Eat a lot of foods that are rich in beta-carotene - sweet potatoes, winter squash, etc.

7.  Switch to purified water - reverse osmosis is the best. Fluoride has been thought to reduce the thyroid function. 

Stay Strong!  

Benefits of Fatty Acids

Heard about the health benefits of essential fatty acids?  They are called essential fatty acids for a reason.  The human body needs them for many functions and our bodies can't produce them.  The only source is food.  Fatty acids are the "good fats" that are produced when fats are broken down.  They can keep your skin healthy and help with early aging.  They may also help with weight loss by the way they help the body process cholesterol.  

Fatty acids will decrease the levels of cholesterol and also decrease triglycerides, which in turn reduce the platelet aggregation in the arteries.  This means that the blood platelets circulating in the body do not adhere to each other.  This action will prevent a clot from forming.

Omega 3 - These are the fatty acids known for reducing the risk of arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.  They help with healthy brain and cell function.  These types of fatty acids can be found in flaxseed, leafy greens, walnuts, mackerel, tuna, and salmon. 

Omega 6 supports the immune system's protective function.  As with all fatty acids, it can also lower bad cholesterol.  This fatty acid comes from plant oils and it is found in sunflower, soybean, and corn oils.  You can also find it in nuts and seeds.  About 5% - 10% of your food calories should contain this fatty acid. 

Omega 9 fatty acids are found most frequently in animal fats and olive oil.  They have strong antioxidant qualities and help to prevent heart disease.

Americans usually consume too much Omega 6 and not enough Omega 3.  This can result in an imbalance and can lead to chronic disease. A good ratio would be one serving Omega 6 to one serving Omega 3 or one serving Omega 6 to two servings Omega 3.   

 Fish oil supplements are a good source to assure you are getting your daily dose.  Whenever you purchase fish oil, make sure you buy the pharmaceutical grade.  This is a much purer source. 

Fish contains 2 types of Omega 3 - EPA and DHA.  These two types are particularly important for lowering inflammation.  They are also very important in protecting against heart disease.

Here are some simple ways to add more fatty acids to your diet:

Dip your bread in olive oil instead of butter;

Stir-fry with cashews or almonds;

Add walnuts to your salads:

Drizzle olive oil over vegetables;

Eat fish twice a week.

        Add these important fatty acids to your diet for wonderful health!

Stay Strong!