Are you wondering how to keep your thyroid healthy? The thyroid is a fascinating and very necessary part of the body.
According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), an estimated 20 million Americans suffer from complications with their thyroid gland, and more than 60% of those people don’t even know it. While women are 5-8 times more likely than men to have thyroid problems, maintaining a healthy thyroid gland should be the topic of conversation at every dinner party.
So, what exactly is a thyroid gland? And are there any good tips for how to keep your thyroid gland healthy? Keep reading to find out!
What Is the Thyroid Gland? And Why Is It So Important?
Let’s start with the basics. Before we can learn how to keep our thyroid healthy, we should learn what it is and what it does.
The thyroid gland is an integral part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is in charge of producing, storing, and releasing hormones directly into the bloodstream. As blood flows through our body, these hormones are carried out to vital organs.
What Do Thyroid Hormones Do?
Thyroid hormones regulate many important biochemical reactions, including protein synthesis and enzymatic activity. The thyroid, in particular, actually produces two main types of hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
These hormones are critical for your body’s metabolism because they regulate the use of calories.
What Happens to Your Body Without Iodine?
The thyroid gland takes iodine, found in many foods and iodized salt, and converts it into the thyroid hormones we mentioned above. Low levels of iodine, or iodine deficiency, could cause an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid and other health issues.
Typically, people need about 150 micrograms (mcg) per day. Those pregnant and breastfeeding need even more, about 200 mcg per day. That’s because the hormones produced with iodine actually assist with proper skeletal and central nervous system development in fetuses and infants.
What Is the Function of the Thyroid Gland?
The thyroid is like an alternator in a car – without it, everything shuts down. Subsequently, every cell in the body depends on thyroid hormones for moderation of their metabolism. Metabolism is the way the body uses energy.
The thyroid’s hormones regulate vital body functions including:
- metabolism
- breathing
- heart rate
- central and peripheral nervous systems
- body weight
- muscle strength
- menstrual cycles
- body temperature
- cholesterol levels
Basically, the function of the thyroid gland is to keep tabs on your body’s hormones, so that it can carry out many tasks. We get why you want to keep your thyroid healthy.
How to Keep Your Thyroid Healthy in 5 Life-Changing Ways
The thyroid gland does a lot to help your body function and makes it possible for you to do all the things you love. So, when we hear that 1 in 8 women will have issues with their thyroid in their lifetime, it’s time to spread the word.
Here’s how to keep your thyroid healthy for many years to come in a few easy, yet life-changing ways.
- Eat more fruit and vegetables. Eating fruits and vegetables ensures that you’re getting the best nutrients available. Nutritious foods, like blueberries, cranberries, spinach and kale, can help achieve healthy hair, skin and nails.
- Get your heart pumping with aerobic exercise. Intense aerobic activity has been shown to help with higher levels of circulating thyroid hormones. Aerobic exercise is any exercise which increases the target heart rate for 30 minutes.
- Avoid processed and refined foods. Pre-packaged and processed foods are not substantial ways to consume iodine for thyroid health. Plus, they can be high in sodium, saturated fat, and preservatives.
- Limit alcohol and tobacco products. Caffeine and alcohol intake could limit your thyroid’s ability to complete certain functions effectively. Subsequently, they leave your body vulnerable to associated health risks.
- Include sources of iodine in your diet. Foods grown in the soil with an appropriate amount of iodine can be the easiest to consume. So increase your intake of mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Also, sea salts have become a popular substitute for table salt to supplement iodine.
Finding the Best Thyroid Support Supplement
If you’re struggling to get everything your thyroid needs to perform at its best, consider finding the best thyroid support supplement that suits your needs.
If you’re wondering how to keep your thyroid healthy, it’s so important to include the most beneficial ingredients in your supplement. Here’s a few you should make sure your supplement includes:
- Vitamin A – Taking vitamin A as a supplement has been found to regulate thyroid metabolism and could maintain healthy thyroid function.
- L-Tyrosine – An amino acid necessary for the production of thyroid hormones. It also helps during times of stress and fatigue.
- Coleus Forskohlii – Taking this tropical perennial plant as a supplement has been known to help enhance proper uptake of iodine into the thyroid cells (thyrocytes).
- Guggul Myrrh – This extract supports balanced T3 and T4 levels and assists your thyroid in iodine absorption.
- Kelp – Nature’s own iodin! You know you’ve found the best thyroid support supplement when there’s kelp included as an ingredient. It provides a source of iodine and works synergistically with L-Tyrosine to support thyroid hormone production.
Still stuck wondering how to keep your thyroid healthy?
Thyro-T is packed with nutrients needed to boost thyroid health. It helps nourish and maintain healthy thyroid function. In addition to the ingredients above, Thyro-T also contains zinc, ashwagandha, and selenium. These are instrumental in easing the symptoms of an unhealthy thyroid condition, such as hair loss, brittle nails, and stress.
It’s time to better support your thyroid today. Try Thyro-T today!
