Your thyroid gland comprises two lobes connected by a tissue bridge known as an isthmus. Your thyroid gland is in your neck and consists of cells that secrete iodine-containing hormones and other cells that secrete calcitonin, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Nutritional support in the form of dietary changes and supplementation may be helpful in treating your thyroid problems, but you should always consult your physician before using nutritional therapies.
Thyroid Problems
Thyroid problems, which are more common in women than men, affect millions of Americans. The two general types of thyroid problems, states MedlinePlus, are thyroid glands that are not active enough and thyroid glands that are too active. An underactive thyroid gland -- a condition commonly referred to as hypothyroidism -- occurs when your thyroid gland does not synthesize adequate amounts of thyroid hormone, and it may cause weight gain, fatigue and other symptoms. An overactive thyroid gland, or hyperthyroidism, occurs when your thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone, which may cause you to experience increased heart rate, sweating and other symptoms.
Nutritional Recommendations
Nutritional therapy is an important adjunct treatment in managing your thyroid problems. Naturopathic physician Joseph A. Pizzorno Jr., author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," states that if you have hyperthyroidism, consuming small, frequent meals high in calories may help to compensate for your increased metabolism. Helpful foods for this purpose may include mustard greens, spinach, kale, cabbage and cauliflower, which help to reduce thyroid hormone production.
Helpful foods in treating hypothyroidism may include prunes, potatoes, raw seeds, whole grains, parsley and apricots.
Helpful Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements are commonly used to help round out a nutrition-centered approach to thyroid problems. Some of the most helpful supplements in treating your hyperthyroidism, notes Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," are bugleweed and lemon balm, while gum guggul and bladderwrack may be beneficial in treating your hypothyroidism. Other helpful nutritional supplements may include essential fatty acids, brewer's yeast and vitamin B complex. Further clinical research trials may be necessary to determine these supplements' efficacy in treating thyroid problems.
Considerations
If you are diagnosed with a thyroid condition, review all relevant treatment methods with your primary care provider. Nutritional therapies, though often helpful in treating your thyroid disorder, should only be used if you are under the care and guidance of a skilled health-care professional. A licensed health-care practitioner specializing in clinical nutrition can counsel you on the safest and most effective nutritional approaches in treating your thyroid problem. Certain supplements may not be right for you or your condition.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Thyroid Gland
- MedlinePlus: Thyroid Diseases
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph Pizzorno; 2002
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
