Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Top 5 Ways to Maintain Thyroid Health


Hashimoto S Thyroiditis Diet Top 5 Ways to Maintain Thyroid Health.

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) report states that thyroid disorder is the most common disease that affects the hormone gland in USA and it is on the rise. The report also states that 80% of the people who suffer from this condition are women and the most common disorder they are prone to is Hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is situated just below your "Adams apple" or larynx. It is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland which makes the thyroid hormone which helps our body use energy to stay warm, ensures that the brain, heart, muscles and other organs function smoothly. Therefore these hormones are necessary for growth and development and to maintain hormone balance, metabolism, digestive process, blood flow, oxygen utilization, mental health, and so on. In short, any imbalance can cause the entire system to break down.

What is Hypothyroidism?

The most common type of thyroid disorder is under active thyroid or hypothyroidism which happens when the thyroid gland fails to produce sufficient hormones for the body to function normally. The slowing down of various bodily processes causes the entire system to go out of control. The symptoms of this include

  • Loss of appetite

  • Mental fatigue

  • Weight gain

  • Constipation

  • Joint pain

  • Cramps

  • Tiredness

  • Intolerance towards cold

  • Reduced heart rate.

  • The most noticeable is the weight gain even when the food intake is less.

This disorder can also result due to iodine deficiency, and hereditary factors. However, the most common cause is Hashimoto's syndrome where the body's own immune system damages the thyroid cells. Another factor is Postpartum Thyroiditis where mothers develop this disease within a year of childbirth. In most cases, these disorders go undetected because the symptoms are mistaken for other diseases. As per studies, more than 9 million people in US have gone undiagnosed . However, it is a common condition which can be treated successfully. Making diet and lifestyle changes can help to maintain healthy thyroid naturally.

Listed below are the top 5 ways to maintain thyroid health

  • Check for this condition as soon as you hit 30.

  • Avoid junk and packaged food and eat healthy food rich in iodine.

  • Do aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, bicycling, stair-stepping and so on. This will bring in more oxygen into the body and thus help maintain the body nmetabolism

  • Take natural supplements to makeup for the lack of hormone produced by the thyroid gland.

  • If diagnosed with low thyroid symptoms, avoid eating raw or uncooked food rich in 'goitrogens' such as soy, broccoli, and cabbage as it interferes with the uptake of iodine.

Maintaining thyroid health requires you to be aware of the needs of your body to remain healthy. With the tips provided above, you can definitely maintain your thyroid health and also lead a healthy life.

hashimoto s thyroiditis diet.