The Role of Exercise and Diet in Thyroid Health
Adequate nutrition achieved through a balanced diet that includes all essential nutrients provides the thyroid with the necessary building blocks to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones.
Adequate nutrition achieved through a balanced diet that includes all essential nutrients provides the thyroid with the necessary building blocks to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones.
Whether it’s due to the impairment of hormone production, the altering of thyroxine, or the malabsorption of thyroid hormones, certain medications can have dramatic effects on thyroid hormones in individuals.
When the levels of thyroid hormones are altered, it has a direct effect (and some indirect effects) on nearly every organ in the body, including the two most important organs – the brain and the heart.
Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism requires a high index of suspicion in many cases due to some of the similarities that can be seen in other conditions. Yet, some aspects of the disease can be easily identified and will help with the diagnosis.
Early detection and treatment of hypothyroidism are critical since the advancement of the process in hypothyroidism can be so detrimental to individual health. A simple blood test can determine the level of thyroid hormones in the body and diagnose hypothyroidism.
As a critical control factor in the body that regulates normal body homeostasis, the thyroid gland is amongst the most important glands of the body to take care of and ensure normal functioning.
Hypothyroidism is a prevalent health condition affecting approximately 5% of the U.S. population. As the thyroid gland can affect several organs, particularly the heart, it’s important to understand more about this condition, what signs and symptoms to watch for, and how to treat it should symptoms arise.
Hyperthyroidism, while not as prevalent as hypothyroidism, still affects a significant portion of the population, with a prevalence rate of around 1.3% of the population. However, the prevalence rate increases with age, and it’s often seen in older women.
Iodine, in conjunction with the thyroid gland, is important for many bodily functions and helps maintain thyroid health. Yet, the human body cannot make iodine without help, so we must obtain iodine from our diet or through supplements.
Whether weight gain, malnutrition, or other disease exacerbation, thyroid dysfunction in some capacity is experienced by over 10% of the US population, according to the American Thyroid Association.