Restore your thyroid to restore your health.
The thyroid—a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck—plays a prominent role in the health of your body from head to toe. In fact, every single cell in your body has thyroid hormone receptor sites. Besides regulating body temperature and driving metabolism, this mighty gland supports the immune system, the nervous system, and the intestines. It also influences the brain, muscles, heart, gallbladder, and liver. Thyroid hormones help strengthen hair, nails, and skin, and they support normal bone growth.
The American Thyroid Association states that one in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder, and women are five to eight times more likely than men to develop thyroid problems. It is also estimated that thirty million Americans exhibit some type of thyroid disease—and I believe that this number is actually much higher. Plus, many perimenopausal women exhibit symptoms of hypothyroidism even if their thyroid levels are normal.
A Multitude of Symptoms
Too frequently the signs of a malfunctioning thyroid go unrecognized and ignored, as women assume their symptoms are just a normal part of the aging process.
More commonly known symptoms include:
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Cold hands and feet
Less commonly known, include, but are in no way limited to:
• Loss of appetite
• Premature graying of hair
• Fluid retentions
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling around the eyes
• Constipation
• Brain fog
• Muscle stiffness
Even subclinical levels of thyroid problems can have unwanted effects, such as increased risk for heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
Thyroid Fixes
Consider these saboteurs to get your thyroid—and your overall health—back in optimum condition.
Fluoride. Fluoride, along with bromide and chlorine, interferes with the thyroid’s uptake of iodine, an element necessary for thyroid hormone production. Think of it this way: the more fluoride, the less thyroid hormone produced—hence, hypothyroidism. A 2015 study by researchers at the University of Kent published a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that individuals who lived in communities with fluorinated water had a 30 percent higher chance of developing hypothyroidism. This amounted to 9 percent more occurrences of hypothyroidism in communities with fluorinated water than communities that did not fluorinate their water.
Iodine. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The connection between thyroid function and adequate iodine levels became clear decades ago. The thyroid gland depends on iodine to make its hormones. If your body lacks an adequate level of iodine, your thyroid gland can’t produce those all-important T3 and T4 hormones.
Bile. You may have never considered bile and what it does for your body, but the connection between hypothyroidism and bile is of serious importance. According to a study conducted at Tampere University Hospital in Finland, hypothyroidism may cause delays in the emptying of the biliary tract. Researchers at the same hospital found that hypothyroidism is seven times more likely in people who experience reduced bile flow.
Gluten. When it comes to the thyroid, the problem with gluten lies with the structure of its protein gliadin. A gluten intolerance causes the body to attack any gluten in the body. The molecular structure of gliadin so closely resembles that of thyroid tissue that when the body tries to attack gliadin, it attacks the thyroid too. That’s right, gluten literally turns the body against its own thyroid gland. Not only does gluten weaken the intestinal walls, increasing intestinal permeability, but it manipulates and damages the body that lives on the other side of those walls. You must give up gluten entirely. Cutting back on foods containing gluten and cheating just “once in a while” won’t cut it.
Stress. You simply must stress less—your health depends on it. Chronic stress and the high cortisol levels that come with it are another enemy of thyroid health. The thyroid is one of your chief hormone regulators, and stress is one of your chief hormone disruptors. In conjunction with stress reduction, I encourage you to explore supplements that nourish your adrenals in order to further support your thyroid. When your adrenal glands are well nourished, your thyroid will be supported too.
Before the Change
For even more information about supporting your thyroid and many other time-tested natural solutions for a peaceful perimenopause, preorder your copy of Before the Change. The official release date is just around the corner on September 5th and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
Do place your preorders to gain access to FREE bonus gifts. They include:
• Before the Change Companion Workbook
• Report: 3 Steps to Hormone Happiness
• 20% Discount on Natural Progesterone Crème
Consider Before the Change your light to guide you through the change before the change. Learn more here.
