Who’s In Charge…
The Thyroid is shaped like a butterfly whose wings wrap around our windpipe just below our Adam’s Apple.
It is a master gland in charge of regulating our metabolism in the entire body. Almost every cell is affected and controlled by the hormones released by the Thyroid.
Hypothyroidism is when the Thyroid is sluggish as opposed to Hyperthyroidism when it is overly active.
Both conditions have an adverse effect on the body and on our health.
The Thyroid regulates temperature in our cells and in turn in our body. Too little and we are cold, too much and we are hot.
The Thyroid also regulates our heartbeat, our blood pressure, the rate at which food is converted into energy, digestive functions, muscle control, brain development, bone maintenance, as well as the metabolic rate.
Because one of the main functions of the Thyroid is to maintain the correct body temperature, cold hands and feet can be one sign of a sluggish Thyroid.
Other signs include nervousness, fatigue, hair loss, muscle cramps, constipation, brittle nails, and dry skin.
Signs of an overly active Thyroid can include nervousness also, an increase in the resting heart rate, tremors, frequent bowel movements, an enlargement of the Thyroid gland itself, mental disturbances, and sleep disturbances.
Having a healthy Thyroid Gland is of up most importance in how the body’s health can be maintained. Any disturbance in the Thyroid causes havoc in all metabolic functions in our body. This affects us in so many ways from levels of the enzymes we produce to the assimilation of minerals and vitamins in the body.
It would be impossible to have health and not have a balanced Thyroid.
Testing the Thyroid is still a difficult test to perform. Usually the practitioner will do a few different tests including a Thyroid Blood test, Basal Body Temperature test, take a history of physical symptoms, a physical exam, and an Iodine Urine test.
Some of these tests can be ordered on-line and be done at home and sent out to a lab for analysis.
Perhaps the most important information we need is to know our iodine levels since the level of iodine we consume is directly tied to the functioning of our Thyroid.
Iodine is a necessary component of the hormones produced by the Thyroid.
We rely strictly on our diet for iodine. It is reported that as many as 72% of us are deficient and not getting enough from our diets leading to Thyroid problems.
Seaweed is without a doubt the most reliable source of iodine. Other rich sources of iodine are cranberries, yogurt, cheese, and eggs.
But…and there is always a but, we have talked a lot about a particular herb that I have been recommending for anyone who needs help with energy and stamina.
Ashwagandha, an Ayurveda herb, can also restore balance to the Thyroid Gland no matter whether it is Hypo or Hyper.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen*. It works to bring balance to the Thyroid. It will stimulate an underactive Thyroid or relaxes an overactive one.
Scientists do not yet understand how adapotens work. If they spent time with herbalists they would soon learn how amazing the plant kingdom really is and how plants adapt themselves to our needs on many levels. Ashwagandha is just one such example.
Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…
Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy.com
thelymphguy@gmail.com
*There are a few herbs the fall into the adaptogen category such as American & Asian Ginseng, Goji Berry, Reishi Mushrooms, Astragalus Root, as well as Ashwagandha Root.
*To be an adaptogen it must show 3 characteristics:
- increase the power of resistance against physical, chemical, or biological agent
- have a normalizing influence
- be harmless and not influence normal body functions more than is required
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