5 common nutrient deficiencies found in almost
everyone with a thyroid condition
by The Hearty Soul
http://theheartysoul.com/thyroid-nutrient-deficiencies/
The human body is a beautifully complex machine designed for
survival. Rather than running a set of independent systems that oversee
different parts of the body, your body functions as one cohesive unit. Health
issues or deficiencies in one part of the body can have long-lasting effects on
every other part of your anatomy.
Your thyroid is a perfect example. This tiny gland takes up
barely any space in your body, and yet it is responsible for many of the most
important processes in every bodily system. Your thyroid regulates your
metabolism, body temperature, growth, appetite, muscle strength, and
reproductive health.
An excess or deficiency
of thyroid hormone can wreak havoc on your
health, leading to many unexpected vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
* 5 Vitamins and Minerals You May Be Deficient In
Keep reading to learn about five vitamins and minerals that
you may be deficient in if you have thyroid issues.
1. Selenium
Americans are notorious for having mineral deficiencies, due
to the way that our produce is grown and the chemicals it is exposed to during
the growing process. Selenium is a crucial part of thyroid health, aiding in
the conversion of T3 to T4.
Studies indicate that adequate selenium levels may lower
thyroid antibodies. Supplementing with selenium is often recommended since few
people get all the selenium they need from their diet.
2. Iron
Your body creates its own thyroid hormone, and numerous
nutrients go into this process. Iron, in particular, is an essential part of
thyroid hormone synthesis. Iron deficiencies are
extremely common, particularly among women with regular menstrual cycles.
Iron levels affect thyroid health in another way. Inadequate
iron can lead to inadequate production of red blood cells, which makes it
difficult for the body to absorb thyroid hormone.
3. Vitamin A
Almost any multivitamin or supplement you take will include
vitamin A, but vitamin A is a notoriously common deficiency among those with
hypothyroidism. In supplements, vitamin A is present as beta-carotene, which
the body then converts to vitamin A. Without proper thyroid hormone levels,
this conversion does not happen.
4. Vitamin D
Vitamin D, which comes primarily from the sun and natural
food sources, may be a significant problem for those with thyroid problems.
Thyrocytes, which initiate thyroid hormone production, often fail to function
in the face of vitamin D deficiency.
Although many experts recommend getting as much vitamin D as
you can from the sun, using supplements (in
addition to a healthy diet) is often necessary for those with thyroid issues.
If you live in an area that is often cloudy or overcast, vitamin D
supplementation is even more important.
5. Iodine
An enormous amount of people suffers from iodine deficiency.
For many Americans, the main source of iodine is iodized salt. As people have
started to use less table salt on their food in response to dietary
recommendations, iodine deficiencies have developed.
However, iodine is required for the formation of thyroid
hormone, so this deficiency must be addressed.