Maintaining Healthy Thyroid Function

• Even if tests show that your thyroid is only slightly out of order, it is necessary to get treatment right away, before the symptoms become very prominent. It will prevent weight gain, strengthen bones and muscles, and cuts risk of heart disease in half.

• Chemicals in nonstick pans leach into food and increase risk of thyroid problems up to 224%. Once ingested, two chemicals in the nonstick - PFOS and PFOA - can prevent thyroid hormones from keeping metabolism running smoothly. Manufacturers will phase out these chemicals by 2015; until then switch to stainless steel and use cooking spray to prevent sticking.

• Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke. It increases risk for thyroid problems five times, and makes it two times harder to get sluggish thyroid back on track. "The chemicals in cigarettes clog the iodine receptors in the thyroid gland, and without the ability to soak up iodine, this gland simply can't function," said Rashmi Gulati, M.D.

• Eating lean protein, instead of starches and carbohydrates is better for thyroid health. Tufts University researchers say that massive spikes of hormone insulin is a common thyroid suppressor. Eating protein at every meal provides a steady trickle of tyrosine, an amino acid that is an essential building block of thyroid hormones.  Helthy proteins include nuts, milk, yogurt, eggs, poultry, lean meat, fish.

• At least one in three people in US lack iodine in their diet. Iodine is crucial for production of thyroid hormones. According to Dr. Gulati, this problem is prevailing, since environmental chemicals like chlorine and fluoride block its iodine's absorption, .  The suggestion to find out deficiency of iodine is to rub liquid iodine onto the underside of arm. "If your skin soaks up this mineral, leaving no yellow color, then your iodine levels are low," says Dr. Gulati.

• Chronic stress triggers high production of cortisol, a stress hormone that damages the thyroid gland, plus blocks the absorption of thyroid hormones by other organs, according to UCLA experts.

WW, March 7, 2011