For this reason, these same areas of your health suffer when your thyroid hormones are out of balance.
And the shocker here is that neither of these two issues are inherently thyroid problems.
How to manage your thyroid problems.
But does this get to the root cause of why there’s an issue in the first place?
Stress
Stress can mess with your health in many different ways, and one of them isimpairing thyroid function1.
Anecdotally, many of my patients found their thyroid problems started after a stressful time in their lives.
What to do:Be consistent with activities of calm, like mindfulness, meditation, and yoga.
These activate your body’sparasympathetic nervous system, which can make you feel more zen.
In fact, research suggests that just3% of beta-carotene gets converted3in a healthy adult.
So, be sure to eat some of these animal-based sources, if possible.
Low selenium
Selenium is essential to convert T4 to T34in the liver.
Selenium alsoprotects against autoimmune thyroid problems5, according to some research.
What to do: Eat a variety of nuts and seeds likeBrazil nuts,as well as oysters.
Always consult with your doctor before taking new supplements.
Getting your iodine levels tested is a good idea to know where your starting point is.
check that you’re getting plenty ofiron-rich foods and pairing them with vitamin Cwhen necessary.
If that’s not enough, consider adding an iron supplement as well.
What to do: The best way to getbioavailable copper16is by eating grass-fed liver and oysters.
Sesame seeds, mushrooms, potatoes, and even baking chocolate, are other good sources.
For example,low estrogen,insulin resistance, andlow testosteronehave all been found to inhibit proper thyroid function.
What to do:Depending on your individual hormone problems, solutions will vary.
Talk to your doctor and get blood and lab work done to find your personalized course of action.
One small-scale study found that people were able toreverse their Hashimoto’s disease after removing artificial sweeteners17from their diets.
Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, oats, barley, and spelt.
Theinflammatory effects of gluten in people with autoimmune diseases20have been shown to last for up to six months.
In the meantime, consider eliminating grains with gluten from your diet, and instead opt forgluten-free options.
What to do: Work with a doctor or addiction specialist who can help you quit smoking.
