WHAT IS THE BASIC FUNCTION OF THE THYROID GLAND IN OUR BODY? HOW ITS WORKING CAN BE IMPROVED WITH DIET?

WHAT IS THYROID AND HOW IT CAN BE TREATED AT HOME?

The thyroid gland is a small organ that is located in front of the neck, wrapped around the windpipe called the trachea.

Its shape is like a butterfly, narrow in the middle with two side wings that extend towards the side of the throat. The human body has glands and these glands create and release chemical substances that help the body do specific tasks. The thyroid makes hormones that are needed to control many vital functions of the body.

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When the thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can impact the entire body. If the body produces a large quantity of thyroid hormone than needed, this condition called hyperthyroidism. If the body makes too little thyroid hormone as compared to the required amount of thyroid hormone required for the proper functioning of the body, it’s called hypothyroidism. Both conditions are serious with respect to their consequences and need to be treated by a healthcare provider.

Hormones play a vital role to get the energy from food for other activities. Our body produces thyroid hormone using iodine. In case of deficiency of Iodine inflammation appears in the thyroid gland.

WHAT DOES THE THYROID DO?

The thyroid performs an important role within the body. It releases and controls thyroid hormones that actually control body metabolism. Metabolism is a process in which food one takes into the body is transformed into energy. This energy is used throughout the entire body to keep many of the body’s systems working correctly.

The thyroid controls the metabolism with a few specific hormones T4 (thyroxine, containing four iodine atoms) and T3 (Triiodothyronine, containing three iodine atoms). These two hormones are produced by the thyroid and they dictate the cells of the body as to energy usage. When the thyroid works properly it maintains the right amount of hormones in the body to keep the metabolism working appropriately. As the hormones are used they are produced by the thyroid gland as a replacement.

This function is supervised by the pituitary gland which is located in the center of the skull below the brain. This gland monitors and controls the thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. When the pituitary gland senses the lack of thyroid hormones or the high level of these hormones in the body, it adjusts the amounts with its own hormones. This hormone is known as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). The thyroid-stimulating hormone sent to the thyroid tells the thyroid what is to be done in order to get the body back to normal.

THYROID SYMPTOMS:

The most common symptom among all symptoms is swelling of the throat gland and it is seen regularly. This is the most common symptom, however cannot be diagnosed immediately.

• In Hypothyroidism weight gain begins rapidly.
• Difficulty in breathing may be observed and this difficulty may increase continuously.
• Women have pregnancy problems and sometimes it leads to infertility.
• One may feel cold as compared to a normal person.
• Muscle pain seems to be permanent.
• Makes the eyes thick
• The fact that teenage girls do not grow taller is also a silent sign of this.
• The sound starts to change and resonate.

CAUSES OF THYROID:

The most common cause is a lack of iodine in the body.

Depression and stress also increase the disease.

Diabetes, blood pressure disease also causes it.

 HOME PRESCRIPTION:

Cinnamon in half a cup of water, 2 small cardamom, half a teaspoon of fennel, and a little piece of ginger and boil well. It is considered an important prescription for the treatment of this disease.

 

FOODS FOR THYROID TREATMENT

Following foods are beneficial for people with an overactive thyroid:

LOW IODINE FOODS

People planning radioactive iodine solution for hyperthyroidism may take the following foods and drinks low in iodine:

• Non-iodized salt
• Fruit and fruit juices
• soda and lemonade
• Vegetable oils
• Fresh or frozen vegetables
• Egg whites
• Herbs and spices
• unsalted nuts and nut butter
• Moderate quantity of chicken, turkey, beef, and lamb

CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES:

Some of the cruciferous vegetables have compounds that decrease thyroid hormone production and reduce iodine intake by the thyroid. These effects are beneficial for a person with hyperthyroidism.

Anyone with hypothyroidism avoids large amounts of these foods:

• Cruciferous vegetables include:
• Cabbage, Brussels & sprouts
• Radishes and rutabagas
• Cauliflower
• Mustard greens, Collard greens and turnip roots, and greens
• Broccoli

FOODS HAVING SELENIUM CONTENTS:

Selenium is a nutrient required for the metabolism of thyroid hormones. It can help in improving thyroid eye disease. People using anti-thyroid medications achieve normal thyroid levels more quickly if they use Selenium supplements.

Foods rich in selenium include Trusted Source:

• Tuna
• Shrimp
• Spinach
• Oatmeal
• Turkey
• Rice
• Fortified pasta and cereals
• Chicken
• Beef
• Eggs
• Baked beans

FOODS HAVING IRON CONTENTS:

Iron is a nutrient that is required for normal body processes. Iron promotes red blood cells to carry oxygen to other body cells. Foods with high contents of Iron

• Fortified cereals
• Spinach
• Kidney beans, White beans, and black beans
• Raisins
• Chocolate
• Beef, turkey, and chicken
• Fish & Oysters

FOODS CONTAINING VITAMIN D & CALCIUM

There is a connection between hyperthyroidism and osteoporosis.

Vitamin D & Calcium are the nutrients that are essential for bone health.

Foods rich in calcium are:

• Fortified soy milk
• Milk
• Broccoli
• Canned salmon
• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Ice cream
• Sardines
• Fortified orange juice

Hyperthyroidism leads to vitamin D deficiency. The primary source of vitamin D is the sunshine.

Following foods contain Vitamin D:

• Tuna & Salmon
• Milk and some fortified dairy products
• Fortified soy milk
• Fortified cereals

FOODS TO AVOID

Foods that may be harmful to people with hyperthyroidism are:

IODINE-RICH FOODS

Too much iodine results in the production of too much thyroid hormone.

In hyperthyroidism, one should avoid excessive amounts of following iodine-rich foods:

• Iodized salt
• Baked goods with iodate dough conditioners
• Iodine supplements
• Dairy products
• Fish
• Egg yolks

 CAFFEINE

Caffeine increases palpitations, tremors, anxiety, and insomnia.

A person with hyperthyroidism should avoid following foods and drinks that contain caffeine contents:

• Regular coffee
• Black tea
• Chocolate
• Regular soda
• Energy drinks

 SOY:

Soy ingestion may interfere with radioactive iodine intake for the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Sources of soy include:

• Soy milk
• Soybean oil
• Soy sauce

Thyroid Gland