Understanding Thyroid Health
The thyroid gland, the largest endocrine gland in the human body, plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism by producing hormones—thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyrocalcitonin. These hormones control the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Imbalances in thyroid activity can lead to two primary thyroid disorders:
- Hyperthyroidism: Excessive thyroid activity, resulting in overproduction of hormones.
- Hypothyroidism: Reduced thyroid activity, resulting in insufficient hormone production.
Causes of Thyroid Problems
- Genetics: Hereditary factors contribute significantly to thyroid issues.
- Unbalanced Lifestyle: An irregular lifestyle, stress, and poor dietary habits disrupt thyroid health, often causing hormonal imbalances. Excessive intake of refined salt can also contribute to thyroid problems. Rest and sleep should be proper. Much sleep and less sleep, both are bad.
When the thyroid gland becomes dysfunctional due to lifestyle factors, it either overproduces or underproduces hormones, leading to thyroid disease.
Types and Symptoms of Thyroid Disease
There are primarily two types of thyroid disorders—hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. They manifest differently, especially in women:
- Facial hair growth
- Persistent fatigue, even with minimal activity
- Anxiety over small issues
- Negative thinking before attempting tasks
- Irregular menstruation
- Lack of enthusiasm or motivation
Thyroid and Parathyroid Health Management
To support thyroid health, Ayurveda recommends establishing a balanced daily routine:
- Morning Routine: Wake up at 5 am, complete morning rituals, and walk at least 4 km. Follow this with specific yoga asanas and pranayama.
- Yoga Practices: Practicing yoga postures and breathing exercises can help regulate the thyroid.
- Joyful Activities: Exercise, walking, physical work, running, etc. joyfully is a great solution for the entire glandular system.
Yoga Asanas Beneficial for Thyroid Health
- Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
- Ushtrasana
- Chakrasana or Urdhva dhanurasana
- Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)
- Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
- Jalandhara Bandha (Throat Lock)
- Uddiyana Bandha (Abdominal Lock)
- Halasana (Plow Pose)
- Ardha Halasana (Half Plow Pose)
- Kukkutasana (Cockerel Pose)
- Hiranyagarbha Kriya
- Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breathing)
- Shanmukhi Mudra (Six-Faced Seal)
- Griva Sanchalan (Neck Exercises)
- Balasana (Child’s Pose)
- Kunjal Kriya (Vomiting Cleansing)
- Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)
- Marjariasana (Cat-Cow Pose)
- Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep)
- Meditation – Very important for thyroid.
It is advisable to practice these under the supervision of a qualified yoga instructor.
Diet Therapy for Thyroid Health
- Morning Diet: Avoid tea in the morning. Start the day with seasonal, alkaline fruits and vegetables for breakfast. Thyroid patients should avoid cooked food until noon and consume only fruits and vegetables in the morning.
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry): Take amla juice twice a week for added health benefits, ideally fresh for maximum effectiveness.
Alkaline Fruits and Vegetables for Thyroid Health
- Chew guava or Bauhinia variegata (कचनार) leaves during morning walks for their alkaline benefits, which support thyroid health.
Recommended Alkaline Foods:
- Fruits: Amla, blackberries, dates, pomegranate, guava, litchi, watermelon, pears
- Vegetables: Cluster beans, pointed gourd, peas
- Spices and Seeds: Black pepper, small cardamom, carom seeds, coriander, cumin
- Others: Coconut, peanuts, fresh wheatgrass juice, legumes such as moth beans, pigeon peas, horse gram, cowpea, black gram
- Root Vegetables and Others: Potatoes, ripe tomatoes
- Sunflower seeds, brown rice are very helpful for thyroid.
- Take less food but 4 times a day.
- Food should have four qualities- LWPW
- L- Take only living foods like- vegetables, fruits, sprouts and grains
- W- Wholesome food – brown rice , wheat with bran, dates, jaggery
- P- Plant based food, no animal product
- W- Water rich food- like cucumber, grapes, pineapples etc.
- Best jiuce- ash gourd juice (remove skin)+ green coriander leaves in the morning and take nothing for 1.5 to 2 hours after that, so that it cleans abdomen. If ash gourd is not available, take bottle guard or cucumber juice with coriander. Or coconut water is also okay. After, 1.5 or 2 hours take some regional (local) and seasonal fruits.
- Use oil seeds instead of oil.
- 16 hours regular fasting.
- Enima, since abdomen is the root of all diseases.
- Wet pack.
- Outdoor exercise
Some Herbs to reduce Thyroid problem:
- Black cumin
- Ashwagandha (600 milligram everyday )
- Ginger
- Bacopa
- Bugleweed
Foods to Avoid
Patients with thyroid gland inflammation should limit or avoid:
- Gram flour, refined flour, and processed foods
- Daytime naps
- Foods like potatoes, sweet potatoes, mango, and canned food
- Dead foods like processed, packed, factory-made, junk food, etc.
Following these lifestyle and dietary guidelines can help in managing thyroid health and preventing hormonal imbalances.
Three main enemy of thyroid: Home made food like with lots of salt, sugar, deep fried, unnatural food, medicines, doctors