The Key to Good Thyroid Function

Is there a relationship between thyroid function & weight loss?

Key to boosting your metabolism & increasing your success with losing weight during midlife is ensuring a healthy thyroid. 

Issues seem to be on the rise and health professionals are looking in different areas for a smoking gun. Some blame gluten (it is not a cause). Others assume everyone has an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto’s, even without a proper diagnosis. 

And most approach the thyroid, like it is the problem and therefore believe just giving it some key nutrients will solve the problem. 

An issue with all these theories, is a failure to truly understand what affects this very important gland. 

Truth of the matter is that for most people with thyroid issues, lack of proper nutrients is not the problem. Nor is autoimmunity and it is certainly not gluten.

The problem is that too many other systems in the body affect how we produce and use thyroid hormones:

Excess cortisol from the adrenals can lower thyroid function.

The liver’s relationship with the gland is to help convert T4 to T3 (our active thyroid hormone) and plays a key role in affecting metabolism.

Gut bacteria also help convert T4 to T3. In addition, gut bacteria exerts influence on the HPT axis (hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid) which is the main signaling pathway for the production of thyroid hormones.

Excess insulin, produced by the pancreas adversely affects function again by influencing the HPT axis.

The thyroid’s relationship with the liver, the adrenals, the gut and the pancreas is important and these areas must be supported. This is not usually part of most thyroid protocols and may explain why so many people fail to see an improvement even when they are prescribed medications. 

So what can you do for your thyroid?

Eat food your thyroid thrive on such as sea vegetables like nori, kelp, or dulse, seafood and coconut oil.

Enjoy liver-friendly foods such as kale, broccoli, garlic, onions, apples, beets, lemon, limes, berries and Jerusalem artichokes and regular artichokes.

Consume plenty of fiber, probiotic and prebiotic foods to feed the gut and help it function as its best.

For the full list of top foods for menopause health be sure to download this free guide.

Reduce stress and support the adrenals. Adaptogens such as maca root powder and schizandra powder can be worked into recipes. Ashwagandha, holy basil or licorice tea can all be consumed throughout the day. Pick the one you like. Also, developing a routine that can reduce stress and allow for proper relaxation is important.

Lowering stress will also help prevent blood sugar swinging up and down and prevent high insulin. Eating small meals throughout the day as well as consuming many foods good for the gut, adrenals and liver will all play a role in keeping blood sugar stable. 

A good thyroid protocol is not hard to accomplish and it is great that we can eat our way to better thyroid function and hopefully, have some relaxing fun along the way.

Supporting your thyroid by nourishing your gut, liver, and adrenals will set your body up with the tools it needs to lose weight naturally through midlife without going on a fad yo-yo diet.

Signs of thyroid imbalances common during menopause include;

  1. feeling tired, sluggish, lazy & unmotivated
  2. easily gains weight 
  3. dry, brittle hair
  4. mood swings
  5. diminished sex drive
  6. heart palpitations
  7. insomnia

Does all this sound overwhelming and now you’re unsure where to start?  This is where the Harmonize Hormones During Menopause Program can help.  I am here to support you every step of the way.