As small as your butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is, it plays a big part in how it influences the overall state of your health. Its role is so big, in fact, that the thyroid can influence your metabolism as well as your heart function, brain, energy, and mood, among other factors.
There never is a wrong time to be reminded of the signs and symptoms that could indicate a problem with the thyroid. These might include common conditions such as hypothyroidism (caused by an underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive) that might be joined by symptoms such as change in weight, mood swings, fatigue/tiredness, and heightened sensitivity to temperature.
A number of factors can be responsible for triggering thyroid disorders, such as increased stress, improper nutrition, and autoimmune disorders that affect thyroid function. In fact, more than 10 percent of Americans at any time are dealing with some form of thyroid dysfunction. This probably explains why more than 40 percent of the U.S. adult population has been inspired to learn more about traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) treatment options such as supplementation with natural remedies.
Where Is the Thyroid Gland and What Does It Do?
The thyroid gland, which is part of the endocrine system, is found just below the larynx (Adam’s apple) at the base of the front of your neck. The thyroid has two lobes straddling each side of the trachea which are joined by a slim piece of tissue known as the isthmus. It is from there that the thyroid produces and releases certain hormones, their primary task being to regulate your metabolic rate. That is how your body transforms the food you eat into energy, which necessary for all cells in your body.
A thorough review by scientists of how the thyroid gland operates has identified more than a dozen trace elements that play a role in the gland’s proper functionality, among the most notable being iodine and iron. In fact, iodine (most often sourced from iodized salt) levels are of heightened interest in pregnant women as pregnancy itself has been linked to an increased risk of a thyroid disorder.
6 Supplements Beneficial to Thyroid Gland Health
A wide assortment of natural remedies believed helpful to regulating or helping to restore thyroid health are available over the counter. Here are six of these supplements, in no particular order:
Vitamin D: Because vitamin D is deemed crucial for regulating your immune system, keeping a sufficient level of the “sunshine vitamin” in your body can help tamp down the immune response for thyroid disorders such as Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease, which are autoimmune conditions.
Iodine: As described above, a sufficiency of iodine as a trace element in the thyroid is paramount to a person’s health, especially for pregnant women. Iodine’s presence is required to produce thyroxine, a hormone that benefits your overall health. This is vital for ensuring the healthy development of a baby’s brain during pregnancy and early in life.
Selenium: Known for its positive effects relative to immune function, metabolism, and thyroid physiology, selenium could be a natural for helping to prevent or treat thyroid issues. For those people dealing with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, selenium use has indicated a knack for managing antibody levels and alleviating symptoms.
Magnesium: Studies have suggested that a deficiency of magnesium has been linked to hypothyroidism, while bolstering magnesium levels can help control Graves’ disease.
Vitamin B12: Hypothyroidism is among those thyroid afflictions associated with fatigue, and B-12 is known for its energy-boosting properties, among other benefits it imparts.
L-Carnitine: This amino acid was used in a trial involving subjects with hyperthyroidism. Results showed an improvement in symptoms, most notably irregular heartbeat.
Thyroid gland issues are rarely discussed among friends and co-workers when the topic turns to personal health. But an increased awareness of what the thyroid is and how it can affect your health is helpful, such as when conditions such as unexpected loss of weight show up for no apparent reason. If you decide you want to try any of these or other supplements known to help with thyroid disorders, make it a priority to discuss your possible use with your personal physician or other licensed healthcare professional.