The thyroid is a little butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that has an enormous job to play in how your body works. The endocrine system (also called the glandular system), has many important functions in the body that affect our well-being. The thyroid gland makes, stores and releases hormones into the blood. These hormones affect mood, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, almost every living cell in the body, and help control body functions. The thyroid takes its orders directly from the brain and spinal cord. They have the vital job of regulating our bodies that in some situations could be life threatening.
There are many toxins in our world today that compromise glandular health. These toxins are in everyday household products and in the food we eat. It is essential that we keep our thyroid glands in the best of health. Here we will look at two glandular illnesses that are skyrocketing out of proportion.
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are similar in the fact that they are both glandular disorders. They are however, opposites – one disorder produces too much thyroid hormone and is called hyperthyroidism, and the other produces too little, which is hypothyroidism. Both illnesses cause major problems within the body. Hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism and is caused by antibodies that mistakenly stimulate the thyroid gland to produce too many hormones. As a result, the pituitary gland overrides the thyroid gland’s normal instructions. A goiter, which is a term used to describe any enlargement of the thyroid gland, is often caused by iodine deficiency. Hyperthyroidism also causes problems with the body metabolizing food. It is an illness that can go undetected for years. Many people attribute these same symptoms to just getting older. It is has been estimated that over nine million people in the United Sates have it. What causes this illness?
Here are a few possible answers:
1. Bisphenol-A- (BPA), a synthetic compound with hormone-like qualities. It disrupts the normal functions of the thyroid gland; you can find it in milk cartons, all plastic bottles, and many other products.
“The National Institutes of Health's National Toxicology Program recently reaffirmed its findings that current research supports concerns over BPA's effects on the developing brains and endocrine systems of infants, children, and adults. The National Toxicology Program has no ability to regulate the chemical, however, and can only make recommendations to the EPA and FDA.” An excerpt from Science Daily.
2. Dioxins – they are a hormone disrupter; the toxins contained within them leech into the body. They are also a highly toxic compound to be found in bleached items, paper, toilet tissue, the air we breathe (especially near burned or incinerated trash, factories, or waste areas), via foods, water, cigarette smoke and factory exhaust.
They also enter our bodies through lead, fire retardant clothing, mercury found in some fish, arsenic (which causes thyroid issues and many other illnesses) which can be found in apple juice, pesticides, herbicides, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables, especially those coming from China.
Everything you eat should be organic. If you grew it yourself, you would know the history of the food you are about to ingest. Diet for this illness includes vitamin C, selenium, B12, Irish moss, evening primrose, horsetail, alfalfa, and coconut oil which should be taken 1 tsp 3 times daily), apple cider vinegar (taken daily as a tonic 1-2 tbsps in water daily), Gotu Kola, molasses, parsley, dates, spinach, apricots, and spirulina. Essential oils to use are, neroli, geranium, rose, and jasmine.
Hypothyroidism is a condition where there is too little thyroid hormone in the blood. The inadequate amount of hormones in the blood causes the body to slow down. Slowed heart rate, low pulse, low libido, headache, hair loss, thinning eyebrows, anemia, joint pain, sleep apnea, dry skin, orange palms, high cholesterol, puffy eyes, chronic fatigue, depression, brain fog, nervousness, swollen muscles, constipation and inability to tolerate cold are some of the symptoms. It is an inflammation and an autoimmune problem.
Scientists state that one out of every 4000 infants is born with hypothyroidism. The causes can be from multiple dental x-rays, viruses/bacteria, radiation exposure, environmental estrogens (found in plastic, water, food, etc.), chemicals and toxins found in everyday products, cooking spices, cleaning detergent, soap, spices, room fresheners, also soy product. You can spray artificial hormones into the air with room fresheners, or wear them by using fabric softener. You inhale these toxins, and they do affect your glandular system. Long-term use and personal sensitivities to these items determine the severity of each illness.
A diet high in vitamin C- E, foods, and supplements is advantageous. Foods Supporting the Thyroid are; Mustard greens, ginger, carob, oats, spinach, watercress, sesame seeds, butternut squash chives, fava beans, pumpkin seeds, snow peas, and cabbage. Essential oils to use are Myrrh, peppermint and lemongrass blend, geranium, lavender, and myrtle oil. Herbs to use are Reishi mushroom, milk thistle, turmeric, yellow dock root, bladderwrack, Hawthorn berries and leaves, Bacopa it is a thyroid stimulating herb, as are coleus, black walnut, Echinacea, rehmania, gum guggul, and ashwagandha.
Taking medication for thyroid issues is risky business. The side effects cause more problems. Changing the diet is a must do for these illnesses and being conscious of how toxic your environment may be. Getting in tune with your living quarters and removing unnecessary pollutants, checking your outside environment to see if there are any waste run offs or hazards that may affect your health should be put on the to-do list. You have to fight to have good health in this toxic world.
Resources;
1. Science Daily.com
2. The Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies by Louise Tenney
3. The hundred year Lie How to Protect Yourself from the Chemicals That are Destroying Your Health by Randall Fitzgerald
4. The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing by Gary Null
5. Healthy Living Space by Richard Leviton
The thyroid is a little butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that has an enormous job to play
