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This post is for educational purposes only and not to be taken as medical advice. Consult your health care provider before starting any herbs or supplements.
If you know something about natural wellness, you probably know that maintaining a healthy gut is crucial for overall health. You probably know that hormone health is also essential for feeling your best. Did you know that the health of your thyroid is also critical to feeling your best?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck. It does a lot to help keep your body running smoothly.
There is good news if you are taking steps to protect your gut and hormone health: you are also supporting your thyroid health. But sometimes, you need to actively address your thyroid at the same time as your gut and hormones. All three work together and influence one another. There are specific steps you can take to enhance your thyroid function.
Signs Your Thyroid Needs Attention
Always having cold hands and feet and just cold intolerance in general
Serious fatigue
Thinning hair and brittle nails
Muscle aches and pains
Low libido
Dry skin
Digestion issues
Problems sleeping
And so much more!
Many of these symptoms can be related to other conditions, too. That’s why, if you are having many of these problems, asking your doctor to run a blood test for your thyroid levels can be informative. Even if your numbers come back “normal,” you could still be having issues with your thyroid. Finding an integrative or naturopathic doctor with experience in hypothyroidism can be very helpful.
Ways to Support Thyroid Health
Get Enough Iodine
Adequate iodine intake helps support thyroid function. Some foods that are high in iodine are oysters, seaweed, cod, and liver. There are easy ways to incorporate these foods (in ways that you don’t have to taste them)!
Earthley Wellness has a product called Oyster Min, which is made of dehydrated oyster meat and is available in powder or capsule form.
You can eat seaweed chips or other seaweed snacks.
You can find beef liver capsules at just about any health food store.
Manage Stress
Sometimes, avoiding stress is easier said than done. But keeping it under control will help your thyroid function better, and a better functioning thyroid will help you manage your stress better!
Music, yoga, and meditation are great ways to relieve stress. Herbs like ashwagandha, passion flower, and chamomile are gentle enough to use for moderate stress relief.
Sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for so many things, yet so many of us don’t get the required 7-9 hours for optimal health. The same herbs that are stress relievers are also great for promoting restful sleep. It’s a great idea to limit screen time to at least one hour before bed or use glasses that help block out blue light. That will help get your brain ready for sleep. Artificial lighting messes with our natural rhythm.
Supplement
Your doctor may suggest taking a prescription of either natural or synthetic thyroid therapy. It depends on the person for which works best, and naturopathic doctors tend to prescribe natural therapy vs. synthetic. If you are not interested in trying the prescribed products, you can look into natural desiccated thyroid supplements. These supplements are made from the thyroid of animals and can help manage uncomfortable symptoms of low thyroid levels.
There are many options out there, but one brand I particularly love is Raena. I have been using their products for my hormone health, and I love them because they are cleanest option I can find.
Raena desiccated thyroid uses only grass-fed and freeze-dried bovine. There are no fillers or unnecessary additives. They also have a thyroid health bundle that helps boost well-being by supporting nutrition and hormone health.
Benefits of Improved Thyroid Function
When you start supporting your thyroid health, here are some benefits you might notice:
Improved digestion and nutrient absorption
Better sleep
A more balanced mood
Clearer skin
Increased tolerance to cold
Increased energy and libido
Less intense reactions to stress
If you have been wondering if your thyroid is off, visiting your health practitioner is always a good idea. But if you’re curious if Raena can help you, check out their website and blog.
Readers enjoy a discount with the code: wholehearth entered at checkout.
References: WebMD Editorial Contributor. (2024, October 17). Top foods high in iodine. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-iodine
