The A to Z of Thyroid-supporting nutrients – M through S
The thyroid gland plays a vital part in maintaining hormonal balance in the body. It helps prevent you from gaining or losing weight independently of your calorie intake, regulating your metabolism. The symptoms of an underactive or overactive thyroid are both equally frustrating.
Luckily, there are several nutrients you can increase in your diet to support thyroid health. Nature’s medicine chest contains an entire A to Z of nutrients that support optimal thyroid function. Here are five:
- Magnesium
Magnesium plays an important role in the conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 into T3. Magnesium deficiency can lead to hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). This can make you struggle more than usual to maintain a healthy weight. Supplement your diet naturally with good sources of magnesium such as dark leafy greens and pumpkin seeds.
- Phenylalanine
This nutrient is an amino acid (the building blocks of protein in the body). Phenylalanine is converted by the body into tyrosine, another amino acid that plays an important part in thyroid health. Phenylalanine deficiency can cause memory problems and depression, thus there are additional benefits to supplementing this nutrient besides the thyroid support it offers.
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Riboflavin or Vitamin B2 helps the thyroid and adrenal glands to produce hormones. Again, green leafy vegetables are a good source.
- Rubidium
This alkali metal is used in trace amounts in some supplements since it maintains hormonal balance by helping transport tyrosine into the thyroid. It assists in healthy functioning of the entire endocrine system, not only the thyroid.
- Selenium
Our bodies only need a small amount of this mineral that occurs naturally in the soil. Selenium supports healthy thyroid function in multiple ways: It converts T4 to T3 hormone and also converts iodine and tyrosine to thyroid hormone.
Maintaining hormonal balance can be tricky given the sheer number of chemicals in our environment and the food we eat. Make sure you get enough of the best nutrients for optimal thyroid health. Remember to consult with your GP before adding a supplement you have never taken before to your diet.
Do you need to take this in addition to a daily multi vitamin or instead of ?
These are just some of the vitamins and minerals that need to be in your multivitamin & mineral supplement for optimal thyroid care. You may need additional support as well, such as thyroid glandular extract, and dietary change is important, such as avoiding gluten.