| Answer: | A sluggish thyroid can mean you' ll have symptoms ranging from fatigue, low energy and cold hands and feet to a slow metabolism. Your doctor may have given you thyroxine to compensate for your symptoms, but you can boost your thyroid gland nutritionally so it can make its own thyroxine.
The key duo is iodine and tyrosine. Seaweeds such as dulse or kelp are very rich in iodine, as are sea vegetables (such as nori and arame), mushrooms, Swiss chard, butterbeans and sesame seeds. Tyrosine, an amino acid, can also be found in butterbeans, as well as fish, almonds, bananas, avocados and pumpkin seeds. To supplement, take 200mcg of iodine a day, and 500mg of L-tyrosine twice a day. Essential fatty acids are vital for proper thyroid function, so include oily fish, seeds and cold-pressed oils in your regular diet. As a range of other nutrients, such as zinc and selenium, is also needed for full thyroid support, you may be better off taking a special thyroid blend. If you are on medication, you should have your needs monitored by your doctor once you start to support your thyroid nutritionally, as these may change.
It is also worth looking at the state of your adrenals. Excessive adrenal function hinders thyroid function, and if your adrenals are low too, it may be because they were being overworked for too long (as a result of stress) and have put the brakes on your thyroid. Consider ways of reducing your stress load: meditation, yoga, walking and just giving yourself time to chill out. |
