Did you know that as many as 1 in 10 adults in the United States may be suffering from Hypothyroidism? (1)
If you fall into this category then there are some very helpful tips you can use to naturally boost your thyroid function.
Why is this so important?
In order for thyroid hormone to do its job, your body has to convert inactive T4 to the active T3. Unfortunately many conditions can limit this process – including nutrient deficiencies, inflammatory states and severe caloric restriction.
So in order to optimize your thyroid function, you must optimize these processes in the body!
5 Ways to Naturally Boost Thyroid Function
- Make sure your gut health is optimal
Your gut is responsible for about 20% of T4 to T3 conversion in the body (2).
In states of gut imbalances such as intestinal dysbiosis (abnormal bacterial concentrations), or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (up to 54% of hypothyroid patients have this condition (3)) – your body isn’t able to convert T4 to T3 as well.
If you are suffering from signs of gut imbalances such as constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas or bloating – then you need to be evaluated for these conditions.
- Look for nutritional deficiencies
Several nutrients are known to help in the conversion process of T4 to T3. The two most prominent of these nutrients include Zinc and Selenium.
Unfortunately, many people are also deficient in these nutrients. (4)
If you are not eating a nutrient dense diet, then you may benefit from supplementing with these nutrients.
- Optimize your stress levels and Adrenal function.
High levels of chronic stress lead to elevated cortisol levels. This ultimately leads to hypothyroidism and an increased TSH. (5)
The moral of the story?
Learn to manage your stress levels and take up Yoga, meditation or other relaxing activities. These activities may actually increase your energy levels.
- Optimize your liver function.
While the gut converts up to 20% of T4 to T3, the liver converts even more. (6)
Not only is the liver critical to optimal thyroid function, nowadays liver issues are becoming more and more common. (7)
Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is seen in up to 20-30% of people in western countries, and this condition will impair your liver function and thus thyroid function.
- Add in Exercise and a Nutrient Dense diet
Diet and exercise have always been important, and their importance in thyroid health is no different.
Adding in high intensity exercise can help your body burn more calories and more efficiently convert T4 to T3.
A nutrient dense diet will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to function properly. You can find a step by step guide on what to eat and how to exercise here.
Final thoughts:
Your thyroid helps to control the metabolism of your entire body! Make sure that you are optimizing your thyroid function by taking the steps above.
It may help you lose weight, increase your energy and overall improve your quality of life.
If you aren’t sure if you are suffering from thyroid problems you can find a full list of symptoms here.
Sources:
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743364/
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0024320589901793
- http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/jc.2007-0606
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8157857
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3520819/
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6313798
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20460905
