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.
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