Thyroid
Thyroid Medical Considerations
Thyroid Discussion
Disclaimer
Medical Considerations
Tyrosine: Tyrosine is an amino acid. Both Tyrosine and Iodine are necessary for the body to manufacture thyroid hormone. Tyrosine is found in quality protein formulas. Iodine can be purchased separately.
Iodine: As far as known to medical science today, the need for iodine in the diet is only for the production of thyroid hormones. Therefore, only a very small amount of iodine is needed in the diet.
Multi-Vitamins: High quality multi-vitamin / mineral formulas are needed to add the necessary “co-factors” needed for enzymatic pathways. Organic chemistry studies (a requirement for medical school students), demonstrates that all enzymatic, energy, and virtually all biological pathways in the human body, need many nutrients, or co-factors, to properly complete each pathway. Shortages of needed nutrients results in dysfunction of the organs for which those pathways could not be completed properly.
Protein: To assure a complete array of all the amino acids, all the essential and non-essential, careful consideration must be made as to the quality of the protein consumed. The protein chosen should also provide maximum protein bioavailability. To achieve these qualities: First: the whey used for the protein must be from cows that were not fed any hormones! Second: The whey must only be processed under very low temperatures! Excessive heat denatures (damages) the amino acids.
For best health, it is also very advisable to combine your daily protein consumption with several, daily servings of both fruits and vegetables. Also, include a full spectrum of Omega 3, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids. Adding these two groups, the fruits / vegetables, and the fatty acids, in addition to daily protein supplementation, will provide you with the best possible nutritional foundation for sound health.
Discussion
The thyroid gland in located in the lower front portion of your neck. It is responsible making thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones help regulate metabolism and energy. An under active thyroid gland is called hypothyroidism and manifests as a sluggish and overweight individual. Hyperthyroidism is just the opposite. The thyroid gland manufactures too much thyroid hormone and manifests as an individual that is to hyperactive, skinny, sweaty, etc.
Tyrosine is an amino acid. Both Tyrosine and Iodine are necessary for the body to manufacture thyroid hormone. Tyrosine is found in quality protein formulas.
Thyroid research over the past forty years has clearly shown a direct relationship between heart attacks and thyroid deficiency, according to Dr. Broda Barnes who wrote the book “Hypothyroidism The Unsuspected Illness.” The true culprit causing the increase in heart attacks is not necessarily how much cholesterol is consumed, but how the cholesterol is assimilated in the body. Studies have shown that low thyroid levels causes a glue-like substance called mucin to accumulate causing a cascade of biochemical changes leading to a degeneration of the arteries. Other studies have shown that the removal of the thyroid gland soon leads to atherosclerosis. Researchers have discovered that mucin can even develop in children who have insufficient thyroid function. They found out that as long as thyroid hormone is administered, the tissue would be normal. But if thyroid therapy was stopped, mucin rose rapidly. If thyroid therapy was begun again, the mucin content returned to normal. Therefore, one of the many preventive measures that can be done to prevent the possibility of heart attacks is to ensure the proper amount of thyroid is in the body. Research has shown that thyroid deficiency causes hardening of the arteries. Thyroid therapy helps reverse this and also reduces the risk of heart attacks. In his book, Dr. Barnes states that 40% of Americans suffer from an inadequate supply of thyroid hormone, an ingredient vital to health in the human body. Dr. Barnes noted that hypothyroidism often goes undiagnosed because blood thyroid values are usually inaccurate. He recommends a simple test, called the “Basal Temperature Test,” which the patent can perform at home. The temperature test should be done upon awakening in the morning, but before leaving your bed. How to take the basal temperature test for determining low thyroid: 1) If you are a male or a non-menstruating female, take an oral mercury thermometer (which has been shaken down and placed at the bedside the previous evening) and place it in your armpit for 10 minutes immediately upon awakening while lying quietly in bed. Repeat the test three days in a row. Normal temperature is 97.8 to 98.2 degrees. If your temperature is low, your thyroid gland is probably under active. 2) If you are a female who menstruates, do the above test on the second and third day of your period in the same manner. 3) If you have a very young child and are unable to take his armpit temperature, you can take the rectal temperature for 2 minutes. Normal would be 1 degree higher than the above, which is 98.8 to 99.2 degrees. 4) Record the results and bring this record to your physician.
Dr. Barnes has shown that many infections (especially those of the respiratory tract such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, sore throats, middle ear infections and sinusitis) can be reduced when the body has the proper amounts of thyroid. He has also shown that cold hands and feet of the hypothyroid patient signify poor circulation to the skin, which results in a susceptibility to skin infections. There are very few people with skin diseases of any kind who would not benefit by thyroid.
Although some preschool children suffering from hypothyroidism, may have a somewhat dull and apathetic appearance and be less active than normal youngsters, a few may be very nervous, hyperactive and unusually aggressive. Emotional problems and learning disabilities are frequent and a low thyroid child may cry for no apparent reason and object vigorously to any restrictions. Temper tantrums are common and are probably related to undue fatigue. These children may sleep longer than other youngsters of their age, be a slow starter in the morning, have a short attention span, and compulsively go from one activity to another. Infections are common. Since some of these problems often have multiple causes, children frequently require treatment for allergies, environmental sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies, and parasites, as well as thyroid therapy. There are many, many symptoms of low thyroid with the most common complaint being fatigue that no amount of sleep seems to help. People who suffer from this overall feeling of chronic sluggishness tend to get depressed. They frequently lose hope resigning themselves to a life of low level functioning. Many allegedly “depressed” patients resume normal lifestyle enriched with exercise and brighter outlook within weeks after being placed on natural thyroid medication.