Your thyroid gland produces hormones that are necessary in maintaining your body's metabolism. Sometimes the thyroid gland can act up and this can lead to a host of symptoms, depending on what is going on with the gland. If hypothyroidism is what ails you, your thyroid gland is underactive. If hyperthyroidism is the issue, your thyroid gland is overactive.
Consult Your Doctor or a Naturopathic Physician
If you already know that your thyroid is either over- or under-active, your doctor has probably run a laboratory blood test to analyze your thyroid function. Doctors often prescribe drugs such as levothyroxine, aspirin or corticosteroid medications to improve the condition of your thyroid gland and reduce the symptoms you're experiencing.
Natural medicine practitioners offer alternative therapies that can supplement, but never replace, the methods general practitioners recommend. They often involve nutrition and supplements to either stimulate an underactive thyroid or calm an overactive one. If you are currently taking medication to improve your thyroid function, always consult your doctor before attempting an alternative treatment regimen.
Foods to Improve Thyroid Function
According to information regarding complementary medicine from the University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC, several foods can help to decrease the activity of an overproducing thyroid gland. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and spinach are just a few. If you are suffering from hypothyroidism, you should probably avoid these foods.
The Importance of Iodine and Essential Fatty Acids
The American Thyroid Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report iodine as essential for the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. Good sources of iodine include iodized table salt, saltwater fish, shellfish and seaweed. Fatty acids, as per the UMMC, are also necessary for hormone production by the thyroid. Flax seed oil and fish oil both contain adequate amounts of fatty acid.
Improve Your Thyroid With Vitamins
The UMMC also lists vitamins C, A, B complex, including B-2, B-3 and B-6, and E are all necessary for normal thyroid function. A multiple vitamin can be helpful, or you can make food choices that contain one or several of these vitamins. Choose citrus fruits or peppers for vitamin C, orange-colored fruits and vegetables such as squash or pumpkins for vitamin A, turkey, tuna or whole wheat products for B vitamins, or nuts and seeds for vitamin E.
Don't Forget the Minerals
Selenium, zinc, calcium and magnesium also help with metabolic function as reported by the Office of Dietary Supplements and can help the functioning of your thyroid gland. Selenium can be found in corn and soy products. Good sources of zinc include dairy and whole grain cereals. Calcium is present in dairy products and almonds.
