Statistical data issued by the American Thyroid Association reveal that over 12% American adults will develop some sort of thyroid disorder during their lifetime. Thyroid dysfunction is a serious condition that affects overall health and quality of life including disrupted sleep, mood, metabolism and memory.
Fortunately,
it can be effectively managed with careful planning and lifestyle changes.
Read on and see which 5 habits
are detrimental for your thyroid health.
–Too Much Stress
One study,
published in the journal Behavioral Brain Research, reports that stress and a
thyroid condition can combine to produce symptoms like long-term memory
impairment.
According to
EverydayHealth.com, this is because of the way stress suppresses the thyroid
and its hormone secretion – which are already under attack in patients with a form
of thyroid disease.
That, in a
nutshell, is why you absolutely need to take care of stress when you suffer
from such a condition. Have a look at this post for a few stress-relief ideas.
-Smoking
According to a 1995
study, smoking increases the severity of thyroid problems mostly as a result of
cyanide in tobacco smoke. The thing is cyanide is chemical that disrupts proper
thyroid function by inhibiting the gland to synthesize hormones that bond to
their receptors. This can particularly affect liver health.
As stopping this
habit is far from easy, you can try some natural alternatives, such as stevia
leaves, to reduce your cravings.
-Soy Consumption
Everybody should
stop eating soy – especially people with a thyroid condition. As Dr. Mercola
reports, soy contains a whole host of components that negatively affect the
butterfly-shaped gland. This includes goitrogens, which prevent the thyroid
from synthesizing hormones and metabolizing iodine.
-Over-Consumption Of Raw Cruciferous Vegetables
A study conducted
by Oregon State University found that over-consumption of some vegetables such
as cabbage and turnips disrupts thyroid function in people affected with an
iodine deficiency. The thing is these vegetables contain glucosinolates, which,
once ingested, are converted to goitrin – a compound that affects thyroid
hormone secretion.
-Not Following Doctor’s Advice
I get it – life is
busy and seeing a healthcare professional isn’t always pleasant. But if you’ve
got a form of thyroid disease, you need to remember that your condition can
cause serious damage if not treated properly.
Seek the help of a
registered naturopath or dietician who will be able to look at your condition
on a personal basis and provide recommendations.
Watch the video below for more
information on how to effectively manage your thyroid dysfunction.