Getting Started with Thyroid Health

The thyroid gland is located at the base of the neck and only weighs about an ounce. It may be small, but the hormones it produces have a wide-ranging impact on your health, weight, and lifestyle! The thyroid helps maintain organ function, brain function, body temperature, energy level, mood, sleep, weight regulation and more. Thyroid signs and symptoms of a dysfunctional thyroid often come on slowly and are blamed on age, stress, or depression. We provide detailed testing to accurately diagnose an under-active thyroid gland, and then take the appropriate steps to proper thyroid health.

Thyroid Health – Having the Right Diet

Thyroid health is complex and can be influenced by nutrition and lifestyle choices. These are factors that you can control, and we want to help you make the right choices for your thyroid health. When it comes to diet the minerals Iodine, Zinc, Copper and Selenium are important for normal thyroid function. Eat foods such as lentils, chickpeas, cashews and pumpkin seeds for Zinc and Copper. In order to get Selenium, eat fish or Brazil nuts. The average American diet has enough Iodine, but if you don’t eat any iodized salt or processed foods, include vegetables such as seaweed, kombu or wakame. You want to make sure you are eating a consistent, healthy, plant based diet for the best thyroid health. Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, arugula, broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts have lots of health benefits, but should be consumed in moderation. Cruciferous vegetables need to be consumed in moderation because they contain compounds known as Goitrogens, which may interfere with the thyroid’s ability to make hormones from Iodine. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are very common, but having the correct balance is important for optimal body functions. Common Vitamin deficiencies include Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Calcium, Magnesium, Selenium and Zinc. All of these are necessary to keep your thyroid healthy. Skipping meals can cause problems for the entire endocrine system, which includes hormones, adrenal glands, and the thyroid. Skipping meals also often leads to weight gain because your body begins to store fat to use for energy.

Exercise for a Healthy Thyroid

In addition to healthy eating, you can make lifestyle choices that improve thyroid health such as exercise. Exercise can help with weight gain, energy level, and depression. Whether you go for a walk, run, or take a cardio class, 30-45 minutes of heart rate raising activity should take place four to five times a week. Thyroid health is extremely important. While there are some symptoms you simply cannot change without medication, these tips can help improve your thyroid health as well as help you to lead an overall healthier, more energized life.

Looking for a Quick Boost In Thyroid Health?

At Pensacola Wellness, Dr. Mitchell has fast and easy tests to measure thyroid function. Sometimes a supplement of mineral and vitamins is all that is necessary to boost one’s own thyroid function. “What if it’s not that easy?” If tests prove that your health is being affected by an under active thyroid gland, Dr. Mitchell and his staff at Pensacola Wellness Solutions can treat a number of thyroid related health issues to help you get back to living healthy!