Our thyroid functions to regulate pretty much all the body’s functions, it produces hormones that regulate our metabolism, brain development, digestive functions, and more.
Since the thyroid deals with so many of the body’s systems, when a person is diagnosed with a thyroid disorder like Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism it can feel like an overwhelming and devastating blow. However, this lifelong disorder can be regulated through proven natural treatment options that our holistic thyroid doctors in Oak Brook, IL employ. These treatment options are designed to support your thyroid and regulate your hormones.
At Vitality Family Health our goal is to discover the root cause of your thyroid condition so that we can create a well-rounded treatment program that is specifically designed for you. We will address the cause of your thyroid disorder at its source and work with you to design a holistic treatment plan that can be used in conjunction with medication if needed.
Continue reading to learn more about natural solutions that can help support a balanced thyroid.
Stress Reduction & Management
It is becoming more apparent that stress, especially chronic stress, has negative effects on the body’s functions and can be a trigger for thyroid dysfunction.
As this article explains, cortisol, your body’s primary stress hormone, can block the conversions of active T3 hormones (a hormone produced by the thyroid to regulate your body’s functions). Cortisol can also increase the inactive rT3 hormone which is the reverse of the T3 hormone. Basically, cortisol shuts down the production of good hormones and increases the “bad” hormones.
And, though it may be obvious, if you’ve already been diagnosed with a thyroid condition in Oak Brook, stress also causes “flare-ups”. So avoiding stressors in your life and learning how to manage the stress that can’t be removed isn’t only helpful for your mental health but it decreases your chance for flare-ups and other conditions that can be attributed to stress like high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, diabetes and more.
Experts suggest finding and sticking to a daily mindfulness practice to manage stress in your life. Everyone is different so what works for some may not work for you. Experiment and find out what activities soothe you the most. Some suggestions could include:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Walking in nature
- Exercising
- Journaling
- Reading a book
- Cooking
- Dancing
- Spending time with loved ones
Explore these ideas and more to find what mindfulness techniques help you to feel the most at ease.
Heal Your Gut 
Your gut and thyroid could be considered the “powerhouses” of your body’s functions. These systems are intrinsically connected and have a direct effect on each other. And, since we all know what we consume has a direct impact on our gut health, a person’s diet is one of the first things that may need to be considered when starting any type of holistic treatment program to manage thyroid conditions.
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is filled with processed sugar and carbohydrates, foods that have been known to cause inflammation. Furthermore, these foods increase your risk for thyroid conditions, diabetes, heart disease, and they lead to unbalanced gut health.
Because gut health and your thyroid are connected, we strive to find the most natural ways to heal your gut. This often begins with an elimination diet to pinpoint any food sensitivities or allergies that may be specifically causing inflammation in your body.
Following your Oak Brook family physician’s recommendations, for three weeks, you will remove the following foods from your diet:
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Sugar
- Soy
- Grains (including corn & rice)
- Alcohol
After the three weeks, we will introduce these foods, one at a time, back into your diet. During this process, we will work with you to examine how your body is affected by each of these food groups as they are reintroduced back into your diet.
This process allows us to create a specific diet plan for you that takes into account all of your food sensitivities while helping to bring the gut back into balance and naturally supporting the thyroid.
If you would like to learn more about natural ways to support your thyroid, schedule a Discovery Call with Vitality Family Health today.
*The above holistic thyroid solutions are not for everyone. Talk to your doctor before starting any of the treatment options listed in this article.