Hello, Thyroid Warriors!
If you’re reading this, you already know that navigating thyroid health can feel like a battle. Whether you’re managing hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or just seeking to understand how to keep your thyroid balanced, the journey can be filled with questions and challenges. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone, and there are ways to support your thyroid naturally by addressing the root causes of imbalance.
In this post, we’ll explore why the thyroid goes out of balance and how the health of your liver and gut plays a crucial role in keeping this small but powerful gland functioning optimally. We'll dive into insights from Dr. Henry Bieler’s classic book, Food is Your Best Medicine, along with practical steps you can take to strengthen your thyroid and feel your best.
Ready to empower your thyroid health? Let’s dive in!
If you are struggling with an underactive or overactive thyroid? Have you tried medications or dietary changes but still feel like you’re not seeing the results you need? Balancing the thyroid can be challenging, but by understanding the root causes, you can take a more holistic approach to healing.
The thyroid gland plays a critical role in our body, influencing everything from metabolism to energy levels. However, many people experience thyroid imbalances, leading to conditions like hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Understanding why the thyroid can go out of balance requires looking beyond the gland itself to the health of the liver and gut.
Dr. Henry Bieler’s book, Food is Your Best Medicine, is a fantastic resource on this subject. Dr. Bieler explains that thyroid health is deeply connected to both liver and intestinal health, a concept that’s been validated by clinical research. Here’s a closer look at his insights:
1. The Gut as the Body’s First Line of Defense
The small intestine is our first line of defense against germs, harmful foods, and toxins. You may have heard the phrase, “If the gut is not healthy, neither is the rest of the body.” This holds true for thyroid health as well. About half of the six stages of nutrition—digestion, absorption, and elimination—occur in the digestive tract. If this system isn’t functioning well, even the best nutrients may not be properly absorbed, leaving the thyroid and other organs without essential support.
2. The Liver: The Master Chemist and Second Line of Defense
The liver, often called the body’s master chemist, serves as a storage, filtration, and detoxification powerhouse. Dr. Bieler refers to it as the second line of defense due to its role in storing vital elements like sodium and filtering toxins. As he explains, the liver keeps the bloodstream clean, but when liver function is compromised, toxins enter circulation, causing irritation and stress throughout the body. This is where endocrine glands, like the thyroid, become vulnerable.
3. The Endocrine Glands: The Third Line of Defense
When the liver fails to filter toxins effectively, these harmful substances enter the bloodstream, stimulating the endocrine glands—including the thyroid. This toxic overload can cause the thyroid and other glands to malfunction, leading to imbalances like hypo- or hyperthyroidism.
4. Healing the Thyroid Naturally
To address thyroid imbalances, Dr. Bieler suggests focusing on the health of the liver and gut. By supporting these detoxification organs, the endocrine glands—including the thyroid—can function without stress.
Taking thyroid medication may manage symptoms temporarily but doesn’t address the root cause of thyroid dysfunction. Regaining the health of the intestinal tract and liver can reduce stress on the thyroid, promoting natural balance.
5. The Role of Nutrients in Thyroid Health
Nutrition significantly influences thyroid health. Key minerals for the thyroid include iodine, selenium, and zinc, found in dark green vegetables and microalgae. Foods high in these minerals, in their natural organic form, are easy to absorb and provide the thyroid with the nutrients it needs without the risk of toxicity. However, isolated mineral supplements (like iodine or selenium pills) can cause an overload and, ironically, can suppress thyroid function if taken in excess.
For natural thyroid support:
Choose whole foods like dark leafy greens and microalgae instead of isolated mineral supplements.
Eat these foods in their whole form rather than juicing them, which helps preserve the integrity of the nutrients.
6. Supporting Thyroid Health Through Digestive Wellness
Supporting digestive health can be the foundation for balancing the thyroid and endocrine system. Probiotics, digestive enzymes, and organic microalgae can enhance gut health and, in turn, improve thyroid function. Additionally, Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is beneficial, as it helps reduce oxidative stress from free radicals, which is particularly supportive for thyroid health.
By focusing on gut and liver health, eating mineral-rich whole foods, and enhancing your body’s natural detox processes, you can support thyroid health in a way that addresses the root cause of imbalance.
Are you ready to take the next step toward thyroid health? Contact me to guide you toward the solutions you’ve been looking for, with an approach that gets to the root of thyroid imbalances through natural, supportive methods. I am here to help you restore balance and vitality.
Your partner in health,
Emanuela Visone, CFNC, CHC, CLC
Certified ONDAMED Practitioner
Embody Vitality Consulting, Inc.
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