January is officially Thyroid Awareness Month! Your thyroid is one of the most important parts of your body, as it regulates your metabolic processes and is pivotal to your endocrine system. It is small and butterfly-shaped, located in the middle of your neck. If your thyroid is functioning abnormally, your neck may feel swollen. You may also mistake your trouble swallowing to getting a cold. Health is the greatest gift, so make sure you follow up on your annual check to see if this tiny gland is working to its full potential.
Thyroid problems are usually caused by abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Commonly known thyroid conditions include: hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid that makes you feel lethargic), hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid that makes you feel sweaty and have trembling hands and feet), Graves’ Disease (symptoms include swollen eyes and a puffy face, and is often linked back to hyperthyroidism), Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (neck goiters, unexplained weight gain of ten to twenty pounds, severe depression), and more severely, thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. These thyroid conditions have overlapping symptoms, including migraines and feeling light-headed, so you should consult with your doctor if you think you have thyroid disease.
Women especially need to be careful if they have thyroid issues, since it can lead to infertility, which my mother personally struggled with for years before she magically conceived me. Irregular periods are also symptoms of thyroid disease. Even if you are perfectly healthy and your TSH levels are normal, here are five natural ways to an even healthier thyroid and healthier body for the new year:
1. Praise the Iodine
Iodine is a mineral that helps regulate your thyroid and is found naturally in your body. If you have severely dry skin, you could have an iodine deficiency. Before I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, I suffered from psoriasis and never linked it to having an iodine deficiency. Increasing your iodine intake can help balance your thyroid levels. The best source of this potent mineral can be found in fish, specifically tuna, seabass, shrimp, scallops and cod. For those who are vegetarian or eat a plant-based diet, iodine is also found in eggs, yogurt, cow’s milk, spinach, navy beans, baked potato, dried seaweed, and cranberries. If you have enough iodine, you may not feel tired anymore and can skip the crowded morning Starbucks line.
2. Increase Your Protein
Getting enough protein can help normalize your thyroid function. That means putting down the bagel in the mornings and adding in some eggs, beef, fish, tofu, etc. Try to buy organic, since there are less hormones in your food and no GMOs, even if organic produce is more expensive. Nut butters are also a great source of protein, and having a tablespoon of almond butter with your banana is not only delicious, but a super healthy snack.
3. Don’t Eat Before Bed
We all know we shouldn’t be watching TV or checking Instagram before bed, as light can hinder a good night’s rest. For those who may have thyroid issues, this is perhaps difficult, since you may be hungrier than usual and tempted to eat before bed. Make sure your room is cool, and try to be relax before bed. Light some candles and give yourself a self massage. Moisturize your body and cuddle with your dog. Meditation and not eating before bed is the easiest way to prevent insomnia.
4. Ditch The Carbs
I have yet to meet a woman who does not like carbs or sweets, and it’s hard to cut back on these delicious foods. If you eat a lot of carbs, your thyroid can trigger an autoimmune response. Adopting a gluten-free diet helps regulate your thyroid, and it’s easy now more than ever to find gluten-free staples at your local grocery store. Swap out your processed spaghetti for gluten-free pastas (often made with a combination of rice and buckwheat) and the whole wheat toast for rice bread in the mornings. Better yet, ditch all forms of carbs and eat more vegetables and protein.
5. Sea Salt
Flavoring your dishes with sea salt is one of the easiest ways to help get your daily sodium intake. Sea salt contains iodine and sodium is necessary for your body’s water levels. Unlike table salt, sea salt contains antioxidants and trace minerals that are good for your body. Sea salt is made from the ocean evaporating, whereas table salt is found underground and heavily processed. Adding a few pinches of sea salt in your cooking can go a long way for your body and your taste buds.