The thyroid is an endocrine gland considered the boiler of the human body. Shaped like a butterfly, it is located behind the cartilage of the trachea in the neck. This "butterfly" gland is involved in many metabolic functions governing the regulation of mood, body temperature, transit and even weight management and sex hormone production.
Here are 10 tips for taking care of your thyroid naturally and holistically.
1- Goitrogenic foods
Goitrogen means: "promoting the appearance of a goiter" which is in other words the enlargement of the thyroid gland. The goitrogenic foods are therefore products, however natural, that disrupt the proper functioning of this gland by inhibiting its ability to capture iodine.
This category of food should be avoided if you have hypothyroidism in particular. So it is all the vegetables of the family of crucifers: white cabbage, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower , kale, mustard leaf, radish etc... But also cassava, sweet potato, millet and peanuts.
Flavonoids which are antioxidants from plants very interesting in the fight against free radicals, are also goitrogenic. It is therefore necessary to limit the consumption of green tea and red wine among others.
2-Iodine
Iodine is a trace element essential to the functional balance of the thyroid. However, consuming too much of it can lead to hyperthyroidism or even certain autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Where to find iodine: in seafood, seaweed, iodized table salt.
3-Selenium
Selenium is also a trace element but necessarily acts as a moderator of inflammation in thyroiditis or thyroid autoimmune diseases. Indeed, studies have shown the effectiveness of selenium in reducing the level of antibodies attacking the thyroid.
Where to find selenium? : Brazil nuts (+++), pork, lamb and beef kidneys, salted cod
4- Essential oils and thyroid.
To activate the thyroid: essential oil of garlic or green myrtle
To slow down the thyroid: fennel or myrrh essential oil
How to use essential oils for your thyroid?
Dilute 1 to 2 drops of one of these essential oils in vegetable oil to massage on the neck area, in front of the trachea and then tap the gland with your fingertips every morning.
However, be careful not to act without having done medical tests beforehand and without the advice of your doctor. These essential oils are not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children.
5- Yoga and thyroid.
Certain postures of yoga allow to work on the endocrine system, including the thyroid.
Exercises that mobilize the cervical spine and rotate or move the head sideways are good for the thyroid.
Static postures: plow, candle, bridge, fish accompanied by deep breathing.
Dynamic postures: head circles, up/down with the head, all with breathing synchronized with the movement.
6- Foot reflexology
According to the principles of foot reflexology, the different organ systems are represented under and on the foot. By massaging a specific area, you act by reflex on the corresponding organ.
Where is the thyroid area: the thyroid point is on the outer edge of the crease of the big toe, slightly under the foot. Practice self-massage every day, several times a day.
To go further and to put all the chances on your side, the best thing is to consult a practitioner so that he can work in depth and perhaps over several sessions to regulate the functions of your "butterfly" gland.
7- Autoimmune thyroid disease and the Seignalet diet
To avoid flare-ups during autoimmune diseases, Dr. Seignalet recommends a diet (eponymous) excluding gluten, lactose and all processed products to return to a hypotoxic diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, essential fatty acids and low in red meat.
This dietary program helps to reduce inflammation in the intestines that alters the microbial life so important in regulating the immune system and inflammatory processes.
8- Endocrine Disruptors.
In the article "xenoestrogens and endocrine disruptors", we talk about synthetic molecules that disrupt the functioning of the ovaries. The thyroid is also concerned. As soon as you are affected by food or environmental pollution, you ingest endocrine disruptors.
What to do? It is therefore advisable to adopt a healthy lifestyle, with a quality diet, reasoned, organic or garden, to leave the city as often as possible and to regularly practice a detox (fasting, monodiet, etc. ...) to support the functions of elimination of the various emunctories.
9- Thyroid and chakra
According to traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda, each chakra (wheel of energy) corresponds to an endocrine gland, a color, a musical note, a mantra, an emotion, an essential oil, a stone...
The chakra associated with the thyroid gland is Vishuddha. Its color is light blue, its note the ground, the mantra Ham and its stone the turquoise, the blue calcite or any other light blue stone. The throat chakra is related to communication, to the ability to transmit. It is the link between the inner world and the outer world allowing its expression.
10- Thyroid and psycho-emotional
An imbalance in this gland could, depending on the associated symbolism, translate into difficulty communicating, a tendency to keep everything to oneself (especially secrets) or, on the contrary, to want to be too convincing and speak quickly.
In addition, we would also note an altered relationship with time: a tendency to be late, always in slow motion, or to be in a hurry, to run after time etc...
The thyroid is an essential gland for the proper functioning of the entire body. As a true conductor of the orchestra, it deserves all your attention to take good care of it. Don't hesitate to do regular blood tests to check its activity.