When should you consider taking a natural thyroid supplement? ……Are you suffering from fatigue, general weakness, weight gain, dry hair and hair loss, dry pale skin, muscle aches and cramps, constipation, irritability, memory gaps, irregular menstruation, depression and decreased libido? Chances are, you might be suffering from hypothyroidism and if not, you are most likely a candidate! It is a condition in which the thyroid gland secretes less production of its hormone causing the body’s metabolism to slow down. Though this can be treated but it would require right medication, therapy, and even medical procedures. If you are at a potential risk or if you already have the disease, deal it well with a natural thyroid supplement.

If a thyroid problem is scaring you right now, it is advisable to go to a medical specialist as early as possible. A blood test would be done to determine the level of the thyroid hormone in your body. Once diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the doctor can organize a program of treatment for you. The whole treatment usually consists of taking medications, modifying your diet and lifestyle, spending time on exercise and taking natural thyroid supplements.

An important note on natural thyroid supplement is that it does not contain thyroid hormone so itshould not be considered as medication. A person who has an underfunctioning thyroid or who has an advanced disease would require for replacement of the hormone. A supplement therefore should not substitute the primary medications prescribed by the doctor. However, these supplements can be taken in combination because they still have beneficial effects of helping to optimize the function of the thyroid gland.

Hypothyroidism should then be approached holistically. One approach is through medical prescriptions that supply the lack of the needed substance such as through taking synthetic thyroid or desiccated thyroid hormone. The complementary approach is taking natural thyroid supplements which help the thyroid by providing it with these essential chemical boosters: Iodine, Selenium, Zinc, Multivitamins and Amino Acids. These 5 are considered as top thyroid helpers.

Iodine is popularly associated with thyroid treatment and considered a natural thyroid supplement for valid reasons. It is a trace element which helps in the thyroid hormone synthesis. Lack of iodine is the main cause of goiter, thyrotoxicosis and a certain type of mental retardation which strike children. Hypothyroidism and other thyroid disorders are just among the conditions which develop from mild iodine deficiency.  Iodine must be taken at a right dosage as suggested by the doctor because when it is consumed at a high level it is known to inhibit instead the activity of the thyroid gland and would produce another ailment such as autoimmune thyroiditis. At best, iodine should not be taken more than 600 mcg per day from both the combined supplemental and dietary sources. And if your purpose of taking iodine supplement is mainly for prevention but your diet consists already of high amounts of seafood, sea vegetables and other salty-rich foods, then you might consider stopping your supplement since you have already a sufficient supply of the mineral from your diet.

Second and third from the list are Selenium and Zinc. Selenium is the mineral essential for the release of T-4 thyroid hormone (thyroxine) in the thyroid gland and in the conversion of T-4 into T-3 hormone  (thyronine), which is the active form. Zinc coordinates in the process before the production as well as during the conversion. Another reason why Zinc is a valuable mineral is because it helps the TRH hypothalamus hormone to stimulate the pituitary gland to command the thyroid gland to produce its own hormone. At the intracellular level, zinc assists thyroid nuclear receptors attach and help in the normal reading of the DNA genetic code. The basic function of the thyroid hormone is to drive the genetic code to action.

Selenium and zinc are recommended at particular dosages. Selenium should be maintained daily at 200 mcg per day while zinc is at 10 mg per day. Take note too that zinc works best with copper.  So at 10-25 mg of zinc this should be balance with 1 -2 mg of copper.

The fourth on the list are multivitamins. Such a natural thyroid supplement must be rich with Vitamins A, C, D and E which are known as antioxidants and immune system boosters.

• Vitamin A helps maintain the size and function of the thyroid gland. One of nature’s potent antioxidant is M.U. Tene which is a concentrated Beta-Carotene that transforms into Vitamin A.
• Vitamin C is another antioxidant which helps the body flush toxins. It is essential for normal thyroid functioning.
• Vitamin D is closely link to thyroid gland function. It aids the pituitary gland to release a hormone that stimulate thyroid gland to secrete its hormones and it is also a vitamin link to the early stages of T-3 (Thyronine) attaching to its receptors. Vitamin D is recommended at 800 IU daily dosage.
• Vitamin E supports the process of producing the thyroid hormone and it functions to activate the deiodinase enzyme to convert T-4 (thryoxine) into the T-3 (thyronine) which is the active type. Vitamin E is at 400-800 IU daily. Though this dosage of Vitamin E might be more than necessary but it enhances antioxidation in the cells as well as benefits women who are in the menopausal stage lessen hot flashes without supplementing to estrogen.

Lastly, your natural health supplement must contain the essential amino acids. They are the building blocks which make up the proteins. Of the 80 amino acids found in nature, only 20 of these are used by the body for growth and metabolism. A particular amino acid which is beneficial to the thyroid gland is L-tyrosine which makes up the proteins in the thyroid.  It regulates weight, and increases the plasma level in our body. Sources rich in L-tyrosine are chicken, beef, fish and edamame.

The next time that you shop for a natural thyroid supplement, check the products and labels. Always make sure you will have the recommended minerals and vitamins at the right dosages.

One of the first things that you have to modify in your lifestyle when you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism is your diet. Aside from being a genetic predisposition, one of the possible causes of your disease is your unhealthy and unbalanced diet on the first place. And this is something that you have to change if you want to regain back or help stabilize the function of your thyroid gland. You must start and be committed to a hypothyroid diet if you want yourself treated as early as possible.

Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by under-activity of the thyroid gland. Often, the disease is unnoticed for years. Blood test may not accurately detect the condition though symptoms may be manifest. Sometimes, the standard laboratory test could not give a conclusive finding over hypothyroidism cases. Telltale signs of hypothyroidism include chronic lethargy, constipation, cold intolerance and dry rough skin. Those who are in a high risk category for thyroid problem, such as those whose mother or direct family members has the condition, in their menopausal stage, has been living a highly-stressful life, and suffering from hormonal imbalances – are  highly advised to maintain a hypothyroid diet and start to be conscious of their nutritional intakes.

Recommended in a hypothyroid diet are those foods which provide the following:

1. Tyrosine-rich foods. Tyrosine is an amino acid which combines with iodine to produce the hormone thyroxine. It can be found in foods such as meat, fish, turkey and chicken breast, low fat dairy product, yogurt, avocado, bananas, almonds, lima beans, lentils, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. When taking tyrosine supplement, make it a habit to take it before meals so that it does not work against other amino acids. Or it can be taken with carbohydrate foods since they not break down into amino acids.
2. Iodine-rich foods. Iodine is highly linked to the production of thyroid hormones. Iodine can be obtained through eating seafoods, such as fishes, sea vegetables and other food sources from salty waters. Those who are considering taking an iodine supplement must consult a doctor first in order to know the appropriate dosage as it is known to produce potential problems when consumed at a higher level.
3. Vitamin-rich foods. The wide array of vitamins such as A,C,D and E are known as anti-oxidants and aside from that function they have been associated with helping the thyroid optimize its function.

The old saying “we are what we eat” speaks for the state of health that most people are in. Even those who have hypothyroid would discover how a careful hypothyroid diet can improve their condition. Using a natural thyroid supplement can also help.

Let’s talk about thyroid supplements….Our thyroid gland plays a very important role in our body. It produces hormones that are essential to growth and metabolism. It is a daily helper of the master gland which is the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland helps in the stimulation of the other glands so that they would develop and produce their own hormones. The thyroid gland helps the pituitary gland carry its functions. If the thyroid gland does not work well, certain diseases would develop, such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The former is a condition which occurs when the thyroid gland secretes an abnormally low level of its hormones. It is characterized by weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, constipation, dry skin and depression. Other set of symptoms would develop for hyperthyroidism or the abnormally high production of the thyroid hormone. Some preventive measures must therefore be taken, that is why thyroid supplements are important.

In order for the thyroid gland to stay in power performance, you must be familiar with the important elements needed. A very popular element many people are familiar with is Iodine since this element is constantly associated with positive thyroid functioning. This is absolutely correct and in fact, those who are potential as well as already thyroid sufferers must begin with an iodine program in their diet, with the proper advice from a specialist of course, to determine the appropriate dosage. However, taking an iodine-rich thyroid supplement must be exercised with caution as some studies suggest that high amounts of it can instead lead to autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.

However, If you don’t have any diagnosed thyroid problem yet and you are consuming adequate iodine in your diet, there is no need for you to take a special supplement for that. However, if your diet consists of less salt and you are no fan of seafood such as fishes, and sea vegetables, then you might want to consider taking iodine for your thyroid supplement.

Two other mineral supplements that are recommended are selenium and zinc. Selenium and Zinc are necessary in the production of the active thyroid hormone. Selenium is suggested to be taken at 200 micrograms per day while Zinc is recommended to be at 10 mg per day.

Other supplements you have to take are Vitamins A, C, E and D. The first three types of vitamins are known for their anti-oxidant properties as well as for their ability to help cells carry out their functions. Check the labels and try to see that these vitamins give you the recommended daily dosage. Vitamin A is at 3,500 IU, Vitamin C is at 1000 mg, Vitamin E is at 400 IU and Vitamin D is at 800 IU. Vitamin D helps the pituitary gland release a thyroid stimulating hormone. It is known to aid in the proper functioning of thyroid hormone T-3.  Aside from these vitamins, also add amino acids to your thyroid supplement. They are required for brain and hormone activities and aid in the growth and development of muscles.

So for those at risk, make sure you take a thyroid supplements rich on these vitamins and minerals! A natural thyroid supplement is a better choice.