Superfoods for Thyroid Problems

Around 27 million US citizens have thyroid problems, way more than fifty percent are undiagnosed. Most often misunderstood, and quite often ignored and misdiagnosed, thyroid health problem risks nearly every aspect of health. Handling it with suitable nourishment is a sensible step in the correct route. Here are a few of a selection of super foods that studies have proved can look after a healthy thyroid, along with some foods to abstain from.

Coconut and coconut butter, or more often known as coconut oil, has long been used as a food and medicine since the dawn of history. As opposed to saturated animal fats present in meats and dairy food items, coconut butter is a raw saturated fat possessing fatty acids which the human body can metabolize adequately and transform to energy rapidly. A study also proves it contributes greatly to control thyroid function.

Kelp is an outstanding, nutrient-dense sea vegetable. It is usually generally known as Laminaria and is consists of an organic and natural substance that enhances taste and tenderizes. Kelp works well like a blood purifier, and enhances adrenal, pituitary and thyroid health. Its own natural iodine can help normalize thyroid-related conditions, like excess weight, and lymph system congestion.

Turkey is regarded as the leanest healthy proteins foods which is less in calories, thereby making it an exceptional healthy food choice. Turkey also possesses selenium which has long been shown to slow down cancer occurrence, increase the immune system, and assist in the metabolic processes of our thyroid hormone.

Thyroid patients really should eliminate the intake of goitrogens, substances that cut the performance of the thyroid gland, and which can also initiate a development of the thyroid. Goitrogens are typically in foods including broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard, kale, turnips, and canola oil. Soy and peanuts also include goitrogens and needs to be prevented.

Both copper and iron are extremely necessary for thyroid function, so thyroid sufferers should consider taking time to make sure that they obtain sufficient in their diets. Foods such as organ meats, oysters, clams, crabs, cashews, sunflower seeds, wheat bran cereals, whole-grain products, and cocoa products are all abundant in copper. Food items such as leafy green vegetables, beans, shellfish, red meat such as beef, and poultry are rich in iron.

Accompany your iron consumption with sufficient quantities of vitamin C from foods like citrus fruits, red berries, tomatoes, potatoes, and bell peppers to help make the most of your body’s iron rate of absorption efficiency.

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is often thought of as being a disease which is easily treated, however in most cases the patient can be suffering from various symptoms for a long time before the disease is actually detected and diagnosed. In fact, if left untreated for too long the results can be fatal. The patient will usually experience several symptoms which can be accompanied by an irregular heartbeat. This can then progress into a coma and then sadly death.

Menopause and Hypothyroidism

In the United States, more than 20% of the women in menopause are diagnosed with hypothyroidism - a sluggish thyroid. Women need to understand the consequences of menopause on the thyroid, as with the increase in age, more women are affected by hypothyroidism. Menopause and hypothyroidism have common symptoms, such as depressed mood, decreased energy and decreased memory, among others. Often these symptoms are taken to be due to menopause, leading to delayed diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

Hormones in women's bodies are balanced delicately and hormonal imbalance occurs during pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. In the time leading up to menopause, the clockwork menstrual cycles may begin to become erratic. This could be because of highs and lows in estrogen and progesterone.

Hypothyroidism, which is seven times more often associated with women than with men, also occurs because of hormonal imbalance. Certain doctors feel that estrogen dominance - excess of estrogen combined with low progesterone - typically occurs in early perimenopause. They feel restricting estrogen dominance prevents complications in perimenopause, including hypothyroidism. In fact, estrogen is required to be counterbalanced with progesterone to avoid hypothyroidism.

Treatment Options of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism - the under-active thyroid is primarily due to the underproduction of the thyroid's main hormone - Thyroxine (T4). This hormone has to be converted to the active thyroid - the Triiodothyronine (T3), by the liver. Then only it can be effectively utilized by the body. Different practitioners have their own ways of tackling hypothyroidism.

Most prescribe Synthroid, Levoxyl or Levothyroxine - the synthetic T4 - for hypothyroidism. This is fine, if women are capable of converting this T4 into T3. For others, who are poor converters, Cytomel - a synthetic T3 - is prescribed to covert their low T3.

Many women do not believe in synthetic hormones for treating their hypothyroidism, and relieve their symptoms with nutrition, exercise, stress-relieving techniques and such natural treatments. Rich nutrition is the basis of hormonal balance.

Rich nutrition should consists of:
* Multivitamins and/or minerals
* Essential fatty acids
* Calcium and/or magnesium

Such essential nutrients, when supplementing a healthy eating plan, support the body's endocrine, immune and other vital systems.

Some doctors recommend using a progesterone cream for treatment of hypothyroidism. Progesterone, which is essential for building many of your body's most important hormones, is also vital in offsetting estrogen dominance, which is one of the most common conditions in perimenopause and hypothyroidism. Application of progesterone cream gives an immediate relief to the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Women in menopause or perimenopause are required to massage about half a teaspoon of progesterone cream into their hands and body. It is advisable to use twice daily for 21 days, to discontinue for 7 days, and repeat the procedure. The cream is required to be massaged on the thighs, stomach, inner arms, and the buttocks. It is recommended that you increase your water intake to avoid dehydration.

Many doctors recommend against prolonged use of progesterone cream after menopause. Short-term use is recommended after menopause, especially when weaning off Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss - Green Tea Extract Increases Metabolism

In a study reported on in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, it was found that green tea extract resulted in a significant increase in energy expenditure (a measure of metabolism), plus also had a significant effect on fat oxidation. While some of the effects were originally theorized to be due to the caffeine content of green tea, the researchers discovered that the tea actually has properties that go beyond those that would be explained by the caffeine. 

The same amount of caffeine as was in the green tea, administered alone, failed to change energy expenditure in other studies. This led researchers to believe that there is some interaction going on with the active ingredients of green tea that promotes increased metabolism and fat oxidation. 

The researchers indicated that their findings have substantial implications for weight control. A 4% overall increase in 24-hour energy expenditure was attributed to the green tea extract, however, the research found that the extra expenditure took place during the daytime. 

This led them to conclude that, since thermogenesis (the body's own rate of burning calories) contributes 8-10% of daily energy expenditure in a typical subject, that this 4% overall increase in energy expenditure due to the green tea actually translated to a 35-43% increase in daytime thermogenesis.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms

If you are seriously trying to lose weight, chances are have tried several different programs. Many of you are still not getting down to your desired or ideal weight. One big reason could be that you are having problems with one little molecule.

Iodine is the basis for the extremely important Thyroid Hormone in your body. That hormone regulates everything from your metabolism to your digestion. Because it usually slowly creeps up on you, it is very common to not realize that there has been a change in your energy level, memory, menstrual periods and skin texture. You could even be losing your hair over this one.