Here’s a great article on the Thyroid from Shai James, Level 1 Coach at my Islington, London studio

Enjoy!

Keys to Thyroid Health and Function
By Shai James

A vitally important thing the Thyroid, but it’s one of those parts of the body who’s ‘work’ gets taken for granted and goes unnoticed until it doesn’t work properly. For those that are unaware, the Thyroid Gland is located in the lower, front part of the neck. Beneath the Adam’s apple (Larynx/voice box), and its primary role is to regulate the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) which is basically the amount of energy your body uses daily if you don’t move or do anything.

This affects EVERY cell in the body.

The Thyroid manages the rate at which our bodies burn fuel. This is why the Thyroid is often referred to as the body’s ‘accelerator’ or ‘Gas’ Pedal (to my US readers) as stimulation causes the BMR to rise, while inhibition sends it down. Anything that affects the Thyroid will affect metabolism.

Less Thyroid hormone(s) mean less ability for the body to burn fat, so it’s very easy to put on ‘weight’ or more accurately for your body to store body fat when your BMR is low. Thyroid hormone(s) increase the oxygen consumption as part of the calorigenic process. Calor = heat, which is why people are usually cold as they are not generating this ‘internal heat’ when their thyroid isn’t functioning properly.

Thyroid hormone(s) is vital to the ‘normal’ development of both the skeletal system and muscular tissues. As well as brain development, and creation of new synapses (synaptogenesis), it also acts as the ‘key’ that allows other hormones to work, along with stimulating glucose entry into the cells. So as you can see the Thyroid is rather important.

The Thyroid Gland produces two major hormones; Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). The number after the ‘T’ represents the number of Iodine molecules used/required to create the hormone when combined with Tyrosine.

Iodine is not only critical in the stabilization of metabolism and therefore body weight/fat, it also plays a vital role in brain development in children, fertility and the optimization of our immune systems. Iodine is a potent anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-viral and anti-cancer agent.

There is a direct link between Iodine levels and cancer, the lower the Iodine, the higher the risk of the disease. As with all of the above, remove the ‘anti’s’ and see the problems stemming from low Thyroid/Iodine levels.

Iodine deficiency is generally regarded as the main cause of Thyroid dysfunction which affects more than 10% of Men and 20% of Women. This is no surprise given that in our modern societies most of our food sources are adulterated and de-natured. We’re currently at an all time low. Also we’re eating more toxic foods as well as being exposed to many forms of pollution – petrochemical, heavy metals, industrial wastes etc.

PCB’s (Polychlorinated biphenyl), other petrochemical toxins along with pollutants chlorine, fluoride and bromide all lower thyroid function and also increase the excretion of Thyroid hormones from the body. Other nutrient deficiencies include Omega 3, Vitamin A, Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Tyrosine and Selenium. Also too much Soy, Millet and Cassava can throw the Thyroid off.

Next up in major causes of Low Thyroid levels is Estrogen, which works in opposition to Thyroid hormones in that Estrogen helps to store food calories as body fat, whereas Thyroid hormones turns stored calories into energy. Estrogen and Thyroid fight over the same receptor sights so if Estrogen is high it will take up the space in the cell not allowing the Thyroid hormones to be taken in.

This often leads to misdiagnosis by our doctors as the standard blood assessments only test for the presence and levels of Thyroid hormones, but as we can see our Thyroid Gland could be producing sufficient or over producing Thyroid hormones which will be present in our blood – but not gaining access to our cells to do their work.

This also applies to blood tests for Iodine and Thyroxine. As there is a big difference between having enough flowing in our blood and our cells actually binding with and using it. The Blood tests simply test for their presence.

High Bromines are also a cause of Low Thyroid, bromines are essentially oxidizing agents and toxic. These include Fluorine, Chlorine (Fluoride + Chloride) which are halogens and poisonous, Pesticides, Plastics, Baked goods and flours – softening agents/conditioners in doughs, Soft drinks – Mountain Dew and Gatorade currently have the highest quantities.

Other causes of Low Thyroid levels also include; Stress, Pregnancy (due to Iodine depletion as being directed to creation and development of baby), Pituitary Gland dysfunction, Autoimmune conditions, and vegetarianism – usually due to the lack of iodine rich foods consumed. Iodine rich foods include saltwater fish, kelp, eggs, shellfish and meats.

Symptoms of Low Thyroid Hormone include:

• Fatigue
• Muscle Weakness
• Psychiatric disorders (such as anxiety, depression, phobias and any compulsive behaviour)
• Weight Gain / Difficulty losing body fat/’weight’ despite a low calorie/low fat diet
• Sensitivity to cold – generally starts in hands and feet
• Difficulty/inability to sweat
• Brittle hair + Hair loss
• Dry, often scaly skin
• High Blood Pressure
• Reduced Cardiac Output
• High Cholesterol
• Musculo-skeletal pain
• Cramps
• Reproductive System Problems
• Pregnancy Complications
• Mental ‘fog’
• Irritable
• Feeling exhausted despite sleeping

As you can see these symptoms are common with a large variety of other medical problems which adds to the difficulty in correct diagnosis, also the onset is slow so it’s easy to miss or go undetected.

More specific thyroid related symptoms include: Low body temperature (below normal level of 98.5°F or approx 37°C), swollen Thyroid Gland or goiter, hoarse or gravelly voice especially without having a sore throat.

Dietary Recommendations:

• Eat plenty of Iodine rich foods
• Avoid pesticides – eat organic foods when possible
• Chelated Mineral supplementation especially Zinc and Selenium
• Vitamin C – helps to strengthen glandular function amongst other benefits
• EFA’s (Essential Fatty Acids) – Omega 3 + 6 (Fish, Flaxseed, Krill + Coconut)
• Maintain Iron levels
• Avoid Xenoestrogens
• Avoid bromines
• Reduce adrenal stress – Vitamin B Complex, builds stress tolerance and reduces adrenal stress
• Iodine supplementation
• Herbal recommendations: Irish Moss, Kelp, Black Walnut, Ginseng Panax, Ashwaganda + Rhodiola
• Follow the Elimination Diet – it’s not just about Fat Loss and ‘cleaning out’ but will help hormone rebalancing.
• Not dietary but also avoid petrochemicals – found in most cosmetics + Solvents – contain bromides

As an after note Thyroid responds better to rebalancing your Estrogen than trying to fix Iodine levels.

As with any course of Supplementation, if in doubt it’s always best to seek the advice of a Trained Medical Professional before starting.

To our health and happiness

Shai – Level 1 Coach, Dax Moy Personal Training Studios – London
http://www.mylondonpersonaltrainer.com/

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