The Impact and Effect of Thyroid Disease
According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), more than12% of the entire US population would eventually develop a thyroid condition and with around 20 million Americans being afflicted with thyroid disease. Unfortunately, about 60% of those afflicted aren’t even aware that they have a thyroid disease or condition. There are different kinds of thyroid diseases out there, but all of them can affect one’s metabolism and the normal production of hormones which regulate and facilitate bodily functions; the impact of thyroid disease can range from moderate to severe or fatal depending on the condition and its severity.
Simple Ways to Avoid Thyroid Problems
That said, even if you don’t have thyroid disease (or are unaware of it), it’s important to take the necessary steps in order to avoid or reduce the risk of having a thyroid condition. But, you don’t have to undergo a super strict regimen or purchase expensive medication to do so; there are simpler and effective ways for you to keep your thyroid healthy and prevent thyroid disease:
Stop Smoking
This is generally a good overall health advice, but smoking won’t only affect your cardiorespiratory system but can expose your thyroid to a myriad of toxins that can disrupt normal functions of your thyroid as well as affect iodine uptake — the thyroid utilizes iodine to convert them into thyroid hormones, and smoking can effectively reduce or block the production of hormones.
Visit Your Doctor Regularly
Never skip your annual comprehensive checkups and regular appointments with your physician. People oftentimes only go to the doctor when it’s too late and they’re already sick. As such, you should be proactive when it comes to your overall health and not just your thyroid. For people who have family with thyroid complications or Hashimoto’s disease (a very common autoimmune disease and the leading cause of hypothyroidism), it’s best to let your doctor know so your blood can be tested and you can be treated right away. Once diagnosed, you’ll want to check for local treatment or functional wellness centers in Salt Lake City that provide or specialize on treatment for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis or whichever thyroid condition you have.
The Right Amount of Exercise
You may be in a hurry to lose weight, causing you to overdo your endurance exercises to burn that fat. While exercise is good, overdoing it is basically having too much of a good thing. Excessive exercise can increase your cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and lead to decreased metabolism and thyroid issues. Basically, excessive exercise ends up boosting your belly fat, reduce thyroid hormone, and trigger your cravings for comfort food. As such, you should know the difference between pushing your limit and excessive exercising.
Ease Up On Canned Food
There have been studies showing that canned soups may adversely affect your thyroid hormone levels, contributing to hypothyroidism. So, eat fresh, your taste buds and your thyroid would definitely thank you. And, speaking of food, always make sure to eat food with enough amounts of iodine to prevent iodine deficiency which results in thyroid hormone levels to drop.
Conclusion
Thyroid disease is an ever-present risk, but if you’re able to follow these simple tips, you’ll be able to reduce your risk of getting thyroid complications. The takeaway here is that you should be proactive about your health and practice healthy living — not only would you prevent thyroid and a myriad of other diseases, but live a long and happy life.
