The BIGGEST Sign of Thyroid Dysfunction?
Hello again,
Last week we promised you a list of supplements to help you get out of the hypothyroid hole. For some of you, just dramatically changing your diet into a pro-metabolic one will bring your thyroid back into an optimal state.
But for many, supplements are extremely helpful in nourishing the thyroid, giving the body the ability to turn on the pathways that promote better energy levels, deeper sleep, and the ability to lose weight.
Here is what we recommend, with the MOST IMPORTANT ones at the top.
Thyroid Fixxr
This product contains T2, which along with T4 and T3 is a hormone made by your thyroid. Scientists have learned recently that T2 is much more involved in governing our basal metabolic rate (how many Calories you burn at rest) than previously thought. Because of this relatively new discovery of its function, no test exists and no one knows what the optimal human level should be. So this supplement should be taken with a little caution - it is not a long-term fix and I would not take it from any other company because their dosages could be too high. Start with 1 capsule for at least a week to assess how you feel before you increase to 2. I also like how it contains L-Tyrosine, which helps your body convert its own T4 into T3.
Raw Desiccated Thyroid
This is a product I recommend for almost everyone. This is simply grass-fed beef thyroid, desiccated whole and put into capsules, so it will be ALL the hormones and other compounds in the balanced ratios that are naturally in the thyroid. Extremely safe and super powerful when your body is struggling. Remember it can take a week or so to convince your autonomic nervous system to quiet and calm down, so give it time to work. You can get different dosages depending on your needs:
Forefront Health Raw Desiccated Thyroid 65 mg
Vitamin B Complex
The B vitamins are almost all important to thyroid function. Vitamin B complexes are a dime a dozen, so be careful when ordering these as you want the ratios between the different Bs to be optimal and not full of fillers. There are only two brands we recommend, and we also like to alternate them on different days since the dosages are slightly different.
Vitamin E
One of the most important supplements you can take. Vitamin E helps your body deal with oxidized and toxic seed oils, which are extremely damaging to your thyroid and your mitochondria. Simply because of the state of the world we live in now, you should take it several times a day. We like these three brands:
Magnesium
We will never stop telling you to take magnesium every single day. We have mentioned before that it helps your body deal with stress. Helping to improve thyroid function is one way it does this. It is vital to your mitochondria and therefore vital to the thyroid being able to do its job. We like these two brands:
Pregnenolone
This is a hormone precursor that is essential to thyroid function. In our bodies it is converted into testosterone, progesterone and other hormones. It is anti-aging and it great for the skin and hair. Important for both men and women, especially after age 40. Get it here.
Collagen
Balancing your muscle-meat proteins with collagen/tendon proteins is extremely important for the thyroid. Make sure you are getting at least 20g of collagen a day. It mixes easily into any drink, and I like it best in my morning coffee. We like this brand.
Vitamin B1
You need extra of this particular B vitamin to keep the thyroid/mitochondria machine running optimally. Many people are deficient in B1 and this company has a version called Thiamax that is optimally absorbed.
Progesterone
It’s not just for pregnancy! It is very important to the thyroid. Progesterone helps reduce cortisol and adrenaline, which will allow the thyroid to function better, and leads the liver to release excess estrogen, another stress hormone, freeing up our mitochondria to function optimally. Yes, even men need a little progesterone as they get older. We like this one.
Calcium
It is important for good thyroid function that your calcium/phosphorus ratio is optimal. Since phosphorus is in almost everything these days, plenty of raw milk, raw cheese, yogurts or cottage cheese should be consumed. If you are not eating dairy right now, consider a supplement like
this one.
Additionally, for thyroid function to be at its best, you also want optimal levels of Vitamin A, Selenium, Iron, Iodine, Zinc, and Copper. Most of these should be acquired through a good pro-metabolic diet, high in grass-fed ruminant meat, with occasional beef liver and shellfish, but in some cases you may choose to supplement off and on. Great options here and here.
And finally, guess what else helps boost thyroid function? COFFEE. (Or try this if you’re in a hurry) Enjoy some in the morning with a tablespoon of maple syrup, and feel good about it!
Also, ORANGE JUICE with a dash of sea salt and baking soda - which provide carbon dioxide and sodium - first thing in the morning will certainly support stress reduction and mitochondrial glucose oxidation - which is best for a happy thyroid.
Remember, it takes energy for T4 to be transported into the cells. If we are in a low metabolic state, not enough T4 is taken up, which means T3 is not made in the cells where it is needed. Also, it takes energy for T3 to bind to the nucleus DNA and do its job. If you are low in glycogen/glucose, this work is impaired.
T3 is one of your biggest anti-aging compounds. It raises metabolic rate, raises mitochondrial biogenesis, and lowers serum cholesterol. It is critical to immune function, cardiovascular health, and proper digestion (through motility stimulation, bile flow and stomach acid production). It is also vital for deep sleep, because it takes energy for your body to relax completely. If you are a terrible sleeper, this is your BIGGEST SIGN that you are low in thyroid function.
