The thyroid gland is located on the front of the neck below the voicebox and Adam's apple. Thyroid hormones are important for regulating body energy, synthesizing other hormones and vitamins and the growth and maturation of body tissues. If your body is a car think of the thyroid as the gas pedal. The thyroid gland produces hormones that influence essentially every organ, tissue, and cell in the body.
If the thyroid doesn't work properly neither do you. If left untreated thyroid disease can cause elevate cholesterol levels. In fact such symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, unexplained weight gain or loss, hair loss, depression and palpitations may indicate an undiagnosed thyroid condition.
Who has Thyroid Disease?
* 27 million Americans have overactive or underactive thyroid glands and more than half remain undiagnosed.
* 8 out of 10 patients with thyroid disease are women.
* Women are 5 to 8 more likely than men to suffer from hypothyroidism.
* 15% - 20% of people with diabetes and their siblings or parents are likely to develop thyroid disease.
Dietary Influences
Following a good diet for a healthy thyroid includes protein and fatty acids. Nuts, green leafy vegetables, lean meat, and egg whites should be included.
More than 2/3 of the body's iodine's is secreted in the thyroid gland. Hence iodine deficiency is the most common reason behind hypothyroid. Iodine rich foods include fresh fish, eggs, and sea weed or kelp. I like to put nori and wakame in miso, this is also rich in probiotics which help support a healthy immune system.
Selenium rich foods are great antioxidants and help maintain a healthy immune system. Oats, turkey and brazil nuts are good sources as are many cereals such as rice, wheat, or corn.
To read more on Thyroid Awareness go to www.thyroidawareness.com
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