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Friday, April 14, 2017

What is Goitre & What Causes Goitre Which is a Common Thyroid Problem

A goitre refers to an abnormal enlargement of your thyroid. When you look in the mirror you may notice a lump around your throat, or a visible band of swelling around the base of your neck. Women over 40 are at far greater risk of developing a goitre. Read on here to understand how you can treat goitre.

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Achieve Thyroid Levels within a Short Period of Time



A goitre refers to an abnormal enlargement of your thyroid. When you look in the mirror you may notice a lump around your throat, or a visible band of swelling around the base of your neck.

Women over 40 are at far greater risk of developing a goitre.

The common signs of a goitre

A goitre may not cause any physical discomfort, or it may cause difficulty with swallowing along with a range of other symptoms depending on the extent of the swelling. The signs of a goitre may include:

·         noticeable lump in the throat region
·         sensation of a lump in the throat
·         difficulty drinking and swallowing food
·         hoarseness of the voice or difficultly speaking
·         breathing problems due to swelling
·         dizziness when arms are raised above the head
·         visible veins in the neck

Secondary hypothyroid symptoms are common as a goitre will reduce healthy thyroid function.

What causes a goitre?

+ Worldwide a goitre is one of the earliest and most visible signs of an iodine deficiency.

+ If you are not low in iodine then the formation of a goitre could be due to a thyroid autoimmune disorder such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

+ A goitre can also be due to nodules growing on the thyroid and in some circumstances a goitre can develop due to thyroid cancer.

Get an accurate diagnosis

Any type of abnormal swelling in the neck or throat should be checked by your doctor. Your doctor will do a physical examination and order blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels. They may also recommend an iodine clearance test.  Due to the limitations of a physical examination most doctors refer patients to an imaging clinic for a thyroid ultrasound.

How is a goitre treated?

Treatment depends on the extent of the swelling, your symptoms and the underlying cause. Uncovering the cause is very important so you can commence with the most appropriate treatment.

The standard medical approach includes:

+ ‘Watchful waiting’. If the goitre is small and not bothering you it’s likely your doctor will not recommend any type of treatment and instead opt to for regular monitoring. However it is a very good idea to get proactive and find effective ways to deal with the underlying cause.

+ Thyroid medication. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is commonly prescribed to treat the associated hypothyroid symptoms.
Thyroxine is the most widely prescribed medication to treat low thyroid function. It is a synthetic form of thyroxine (T4).

+ Iodine supplementation. Iodine is prescribed if the goitre is due to an iodine deficiency. Low iodine intake causes enlargement of the thyroid. A good quality iodine supplement is an effective strategy to reduce thyroid swelling.

+ Biopsy. A biopsy sample of your thyroid tissue may be required if there are large nodules within the thyroid. A biopsy is taken to also rule out thyroid cancer.

+ Surgery. Removal of the thyroid may be recommended if the goitre is large and causing difficulty with breathing and swallowing. If all of the thyroid is removed you will need to take thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the rest of your life.

Here are some recommendations you can get started with today…

+ Avoid dietary goitrogens. Some foods contain substances that interfere with uptake of iodine by the thyroid and are therefore known as goitrogens. The term is derived from the word ‘goitre’. Soy, millet and cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, turnips, bok choy, kale, cauliflower and broccoli are the most common. In their raw state these vegetables are very goitrogenic.

+ Eat a wholesome, thyroid nourishing diet. Fresh, natural foods supply a wide range of nutrients to help you recover your thyroid health.

+ Avoid thyroid disrupting toxins. Ongoing research reveals toxic environmental chemicals pose a serious threat to your thyroid health.

+ Filter your water. Most urban water supplies have fluoride-like compounds added in. Fluoride blocks thyroid function and is best illustrated by the fact that it is used as a thyroid suppressing medication for hyperthyroid conditions.

Watch this Video Below Here - Natural Treatment for Goitre


Read the following related articles:


















Author Bio:

Louise O’ Connor, the author of The Natural Thyroid Diet –The 4-Week Plan to Living Well, Living Vibrantly, who is a specialist in Thyroid Health. She is a highly regarded Australian Naturopath and founder of Wellnesswork.

The Natural Thyroid Diet goes beyond diet advice and offers practical and effective ways to achieve healthy thyroid levels within just a short period of time. For more details, Click on The-Natural-Thyroid-Diet.com


Thursday, April 13, 2017

Why Cruciferous Vegetables Should Be Strictly avoided if you have Thyroid Problems?

Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are full of nutrients that help keep you healthy. However if you have thyroid problems and are taking vital steps to recover your thyroid health you may want to strictly avoid these vegetables, especially in their raw state. Read on to find out why.

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Achieve Thyroid Levels within a Short Period of Time



Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are full of nutrients that help keep you healthy.

However if you have thyroid problems and are taking vital steps to recover your thyroid health you may want to strictly avoid these vegetables, especially in their raw state.

What’s the go with cruciferous vegetables?

Cruciferous vegetables are also known as Brassica vegetables. These green vegetables are members of the Cruciferae, or mustard family. Their name is based on the shape of their flowers which have four equal sized petals that form the shape of a crucifix.

The most commonly consumed cruciferous vegetables include; kale, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, broccolini, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi, radish, mustard greens, collard greens, choy sum, horseradish, turnips, rocket and wasabi.

The health protective effects of cruciferous vegetables

One of the unique things about cruciferous vegetables is that they are rich sources of glucosinolates. These sulphur containing compounds give these vegetables their pungent aroma and spicy taste.

Glucosinolates break down into several biologically active compounds that are being studied for their promising anti-cancer effects. For most people consuming cruciferous vegetables may help lower their risk of developing cancer.

However for people with thyroid problems or a low thyroid these vegetables should be strictly avoided, particularly in their raw state or in excessive amounts.

Cruciferous vegetables block healthy thyroid activity

The word ‘goitrogen’ is derived from the word ‘goitre’, a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes enlarged. The term is also used to describe a food that interferes with proper thyroid function. The most common goitrogenic foods are vegetables from the cruciferous family, and soy foods.

Goitrogenic foods may not necessarily cause a goitre, but they do have the potential to block proper thyroid activity by inhibiting the action of iodine and causes thyroid problems. This goitrogenic effect is far more noticeable when a person has an iodine deficiency.

The kale craze and green smoothies

Kale has become a very popular ingredient in freshly prepared green smoothies. This means some health conscious individuals could be consuming kale on most days. The fact is, consuming too much of this cruciferous vegetable can shut down the thyroid and causes thyroid problems.

Whenever you over consume one vegetable you are also taking in a greater quantity of the anti-nutritional factors of that particular plant. Plants have different chemicals to deter animals, including plant eating humans, from over grazing on them.

Can you return to eating cruciferous vegetables?

When your thyroid health is restored it is possible to re-introduce small amounts of a variety of cooked, or lightly steamed cruciferous vegetables to your daily diet. This should be done along with providing your thyroid with the nutrients it requires to function properly.

One of the most important nutrients to support ongoing thyroid health is iodine. Zinc, selenium, tyrosine and B group vitamins are also very important.



Read the following related articles:

















Author Bio:

Louise O’ Connor, the author of The Natural Thyroid Diet –The 4-Week Plan to Living Well, Living Vibrantly, who is a specialist in Thyroid Health. She is a highly regarded Australian Naturopath and founder of Wellnesswork.

The Natural Thyroid Diet goes beyond diet advice and offers practical and effective ways to achieve healthy thyroid levels within just a short period of time. For more details, Click on The-Natural-Thyroid-Diet.com



Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Why Soy Foods Should Be Avoided if You Have Thyroid Disorder?

Soy is goitrogenic, a term used to describe many foods and environmental compounds that have a serious potential to block normal thyroid activity and causes thyroid disorder. Read on to find out more.

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Achieve Thyroid Levels within a Short Period of Time



Western societies are now consuming an increasing amount of soy that is unfermented and highly processed.

The reason?

Food manufacturers favour soy as a cheap and versatile ingredient. It’s added to a wide range of human food products and is also routinely used in the animal feed industry.

You really need to become a vigilant label checker to discover if a food contains some type of soy ingredient. Soy is now found in bread, breakfast cereals, biscuits, crackers, margarine, chocolate, sauces and soups.

Soy is also used to make soy milk, baby formula, soy protein shakes, soy cheese, soy ice cream, vegetable stock, texturised vegetarian soy protein, soy flour, soy protein bars, soy lecithin and soybean oil.

Soy protein products and infant formulas often contain soy protein isolate. This is not something that you can make in your kitchen. This soy ingredient is made in high tech chemical processing plants.

The extraction process utilises high temperatures and the soybeans are bathed in hexane, a toxic chemical solvent despite the usage of hexane is being prohibited when processing organic soy foods.

The safety of soy based infant formula is hotly debated as these products naturally contain a class of plant compounds called isoflavones. The primary isoflavones are genistein and daidzein. These isoflavones are referred to as phytoestrogens because they are found in plants (phyto) and they have the ability to mimic estrogens in the body.

It is well recognised infants are sensitive to estrogen exposure as they progress though different developmental stages. This makes infants more likely than adults to be vulnerable to the estrogen-like effects of the phytoestrogens found in soy. There is also research to show that genistein and similar isoflavones can compete for iodine when iodine stores are low.

Further, infants fed soy containing formula in early life have a higher risk of developing autoimmune thyroid disease. For infants fed soy formula their rate of exposure to phyotestrogens is much higher which may a negative impact on both their thyroid health and hormonal balance.

Soy + Asian cultures

In Asia, small quantities of whole bean soy products are considered a traditional staple of the diet. From the simple soybean comes a variety of foods including tofu, natto, miso, tempeh, and boiled soy beans (edamame). These foods are prepared using traditional methods to make these otherwise inedible foods nutritious.

Soybeans like other beans, nuts, and seeds contain naturally occurring enzyme inhibitors. Termed phytic acid or phytates, these compounds make soy difficult to digest and also have the potential to bind to minerals in the digestive system.

In this way phytic acid acts as an ‘anti-nutrient’ to prevent the absorption of important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.

Soybeans contain a much higher phytic acid content than most other grains and legumes. If you have been over doing soy products you may be low in these minerals.

Thyroid Disorder: Does soy harm the thyroid?

An incredible amount of hype has accompanied the meteoric rise of soy as a popular ‘health’ alternative. Once reserved as a staple for vegetarians’ soy is finding its way into the shopping baskets of more conventional consumers in various forms, usually disguised as a refined soy ingredient.

When it comes to thyroid health and if you have thyroid disorder, processed soy foods and foods containing soy ingredients should be strictly avoided.

Soy is goitrogenic, a term used to describe many foods and environmental compounds that have a serious potential to block normal thyroid activity and causes thyroid disorder.

Highly processed soy products are not normally manufactured using the phytic acid reducing techniques used in traditional cultures such as soaking or long slow cooking.

This makes these foods harder to breakdown in the digestive system. Overt time this can lead to digestive distress and lowered micronutrient intake.

This is not good news for thyroid health as the thyroid is particularly sensitive to nutrient deficiencies. For example; iodine, zinc and selenium are three minerals critical to aid ongoing thyroid hormone activity and prevent thyroid disorder.

Globally soybean oil has become the most widely used dietary oil. This soy derived oil is routinely used in margarine and shortening. It is also used in salad dressings, mayonnaise, frozen foods, commercially baked goods and simulated dairy and meat products. Soy oil along with palm oil and canola oil is often deceptively referred to as ‘vegetable oil’ on food labels.

Food manufacturers label dietary oils as ‘vegetable oils’ to make them sound healthy. However this is far from the truth. They are neither nutritious nor healthy.

The long term consumption of these oils has the potential to harm the thyroid and causes thyroid disorder. As more of these oils are incorporated into the thyroid cells their goitrogenic effects becomes more obvious.

The environmental impact of soy

The biggest shift in farming methods occurred over the last century, particularly with the introduction of ‘monocultures’. These are large scale farming areas dedicated to a single crop. Soy crops are monocultures favoured by multinational agribusiness to supply a growing demand.

As traditional farming methods are lost and the modern monoculture system of production emerges there is an increasing susceptibility of crops to insects and disease. This then pushes up the use of toxic agricultural chemicals.

Large soy plantations are viewed by environmentalists as a growing menace. Intense soybean cultivation threatens fragile ecosystems and is taking a significant toll on deforestation of the globe.

Soy + genetic engineering

Genetic engineering is the process of using biotechnology to transfer specific traits or genes from one organism into a different plant species. The result is a genetically modified (GM) food. The safety and potential long term health risks of these ‘frankenfoods’ is regularly questioned.

Soy, canola and corn are the most prevalent GM ingredients and are used in many food products. The first genetically engineered soybeans were planted in the USA in 1996. Now more than 90% of the USA soy crop is GM.

As the GM industry grows there has been a corresponding demand for food labels to clearly state if GM plants or microorganisms have been used in production.

In the European Union all food, and any ingredients directly produced from a GM source must be labelled even when the GM ingredients may be undetectable in the final product.

The ‘Roundup Ready’ soybean controversy

The GM soybean known as the Roundup Ready (RR) soybean was developed by the biotech giant Monsanto based in the USA. This crop variety was developed to make it resistant to the Roundup herbicides products which are toxic to conventional soybean plants. Apart from the issue with genetic engineering this GM soy is contaminated with pesticide residues which can easily find their way into the food supply.

Watch this Video Below Here - Soy Myths Exposed: The Dangers of Soy


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Author Bio:

Louise O’ Connor, the author of The Natural Thyroid Diet –The 4-Week Plan to Living Well, Living Vibrantly, who is a specialist in Thyroid Health. She is a highly regarded Australian Naturopath and founder of Wellnesswork.

The Natural Thyroid Diet goes beyond diet advice and offers practical and effective ways to achieve healthy thyroid levels within just a short period of time. For more details, Click on The-Natural-Thyroid-Diet.com



Monday, April 10, 2017

6 Possible Green Tea Side Effects on Thyroid

Why green tea may not be all that healthy when you have hypothyroidism? Read on here to learn about the 6 possible green tea side effects on thyroid.

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Achieve Thyroid Levels within a Short Period of Time



Green tea blends are a popular and stylish drink of choice for health conscious individuals. But is green tea beneficial when you have a thyroid disorder?

An article published in 2010 in the Human and Experimental Toxicology journal was the first to raise questions about the possible anti-thyroid effects of green tea.

The researchers reported a significant decrease in T3 and T4 thyroid hormone concentrations when rats where given high doses of green tea. They also reported a significant rise in TSH in response to a drop in thyroid hormone levels.

There have been further studies into the possible harmful effects of high dose green tea on the thyroid. But to date these have all been conducted on animals.

It will be good to see human studies released in the future to reveal if green tea is truly harmful to the thyroid. Feeding laboratory rats high amounts of green tea extract does not reflect what is happening in the real world.

This brings to light an important issue when investigating published research. No matter what health topic you are researching, human studies are superior to those carried out with animals. The best studies are done using a large cross section of the general population.

Despite the limitations with the current research into how green tea affects the thyroid you may want to read more before you brew up your next cup. If you have a problem with your thyroid this popular beverage may be less than ideal.

Why green tea may not be all that healthy when you have hypothyroidism…

Green Tea Side Effects on Thyroid #1 The quality varies according to where the tea is grown and how it is harvested. If you drink green tea select a certified organic product that clearly displays the organic certification logo on the label. Choosing an organic product will minimise your exposure to pesticides which are known to harm the thyroid. Also check the country of origin if possible.

Most of the world’s green tea is from China. Green tea is known to accumulate an array of toxins from the soil and water. It is well worth seeking out a product that is grown and harvested in an area free of industrial pollution.

Green Tea Side Effects on Thyroid 2# Green tea can contain unacceptable levels of fluoride. The tea bush readily absorbs fluoride thorough its root system. If you brew green tea using unfiltered water you will further increase your intake of fluoride as most urban water supplies contain this toxic chemical.

As you probably already know, fluoride blocks iodine absorption. The thyroid uses iodine to produce the thyroid hormones making this an essential nutrient for ongoing thyroid activity. Fluoride also has potent negative effects on the structure and strength of your bones.

Green Tea Side Effects on Thyroid #3 Green tea may be too ‘cooling’ when you have hypothyroidism. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) all foods and drinks have certain qualities that govern how they affect the body. Green tea is considered ‘cooling’ and is indicated to clear heat from the body.

As hypothyroidism is a ‘cold’ condition a beverage that further cools the body may be less than ideal. To counter the cooling effects of the green tea you could try adding freshly grated ginger to your tea infusion. Ginger is a warming remedy that aids circulation.

Green Tea Side Effects on Thyroid #4 Tannins released naturally during steeping may reduce iron absorption. If you have low iron levels, or are prone to low iron stores the general advice is to drink green tea at least two hours away from meals. Over-steeping green tea will release greater amounts of tannins. Tannins make the tea taste bitter and will cause a drying effect in the mouth.

Green Tea Side Effects on Thyroid #5 Green tea naturally contains caffeine. Although green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, drinking green tea at night, or even later in the day may disturb restful sleep. For this reason it is best consumed in the morning. If you ever feel ‘jittery’ chances are you are drinking too much.

Green Tea Side Effects on Thyroid #6 Caffeine acts as a diuretic and may also affect the normal rhythm of the heart. Individuals with serious heart conditions are therefore advised to avoid any type of beverage that contains caffeine. This includes nutritional products featuring green tea extracts containing caffeine.

Watch these videos below:







Read the following related articles:















Author Bio:

Louise O’ Connor, the author of The Natural Thyroid Diet –The 4-Week Plan to Living Well, Living Vibrantly, who is a specialist in Thyroid Health. She is a highly regarded Australian Naturopath and founder of Wellnesswork.

The Natural Thyroid Diet goes beyond diet advice and offers practical and effective ways to achieve healthy thyroid levels within just a short period of time. For more details, Click on The-Natural-Thyroid-Diet.com


Friday, April 7, 2017

Top 6 Detox Tips to Safeguard Thyroid Health

If you are looking for ways to protect your thyroid health, here are top six detox tips to safeguard thyroid health.

Click HERE to Find Out How You Can Achieve Thyroid Levels within a Short Period of Time



Safeguard Thyroid Health #Tip 1 Clean up with a natural thyroid diet

When it comes to protecting your thyroid health research confirms choosing organic produce whenever feasible is the way to go. This is due to the fact that most conventionally grown fruits and vegetables harbour an array of pesticide residues.

Pesticides are toxic by design and are created specifically to eradicate living organisms such as insect pests, noxious plants and fungi. Pesticides also pose health dangers to humans, particularly the thyroid.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) provides cutting edge research to help consumers make healthier food choices. The EWG recently released their Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

Dubbed the ‘dirty dozen’ the fruit and vegetables the EWG found to have the highest levels of pesticides included; apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach, capsicums, nectarines, cucumbers, potatoes, cherry tomatoes and hot peppers.

When given a choice more and more people are opting for organic fruits and vegetables. Your decision to purchase good quality organic produce can significantly lower your pesticide intake. The EWG Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce is a great place to start your research.

Safeguard Thyroid Health #Tip 2 Get green cleaning

Household cleaning products can host an array of hazardous chemicals. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) think keeping your home clean shouldn’t be a health risk. Their Guide to Healthy Cleaning shines the spotlight on cleaning products. One of the key concerns raised by the EWG is the lack of disclosure regarding the numerous ingredients found in household cleaning products.

For example; a lemon fresh or pine scent isn’t necessarily healthy or natural. Fragrances are often synthetic aromas engineered by combining dozens of chemicals. The EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning will help you sidestep harmful cleaning products and find environment friendly alternatives.

Safeguard Thyroid Health #Tip 3 Bathe in clean water

Shower filters reduce exposure to fluoride, chlorine and other water impurities that are readily absorbed via the skin. Chlorine is very drying so when you shower in chlorine free water you will notice your hair becomes softer and your skins becomes more radiant. In addition I suggest you stay out of pools and spas as they contain high levels of chlorine. Chlorine and fluoride both block thyroid activity.

Safeguard Thyroid Health #Tip 4 Choose natural beauty care products

Most companies gloss over the use of chemicals in their products. This is despite the fact that hidden toxins from perfumes, cosmetics and personal care products are inhaled or absorbed rapidly and entered into the blood stream directly. Remember…anything going on you, goes in you.

Once a chemical is in the bloodstream it eventually washes through the thyroid as this gland has a rich blood supply. Find out what is in your product and discover safer alternatives to dangerous cosmetics at the Safe Cosmetics website.


Safeguard Thyroid Health #Tip 5 Make your home your health sanctuary

Your home is your health sanctuary. Encourage a ‘shoes off at the front door’ policy to reduce the amount of dirt and toxic particles that are tracked into your home.

Replace chemical air fresheners with freshly picked flowers or mix a few drops of essential oil with water in a spray bottle and use this as a natural room deodoriser. It goes without saying that visitors should not smoke in your home.

Safeguard Thyroid Health # Tip 6 Improve indoor air quality

Clean and vacuum regularly to remove dust and dirt that builds up indoors. Cleaning with clove oil is a simple step to ensure your home remains mould free.

You could also use the power of nature to help clean the air indoors by adding in some plants. However if air quality is a particular concern you may need to invest in a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to help purify the air.

Watch these videos below











Read the following related articles:














Author Bio:

Louise O’ Connor, the author of The Natural Thyroid Diet –The 4-Week Plan to Living Well, Living Vibrantly, who is a specialist in Thyroid Health. She is a highly regarded Australian Naturopath and founder of Wellnesswork.

The Natural Thyroid Diet goes beyond diet advice and offers practical and effective ways to achieve healthy thyroid levels within just a short period of time. For more details, Click on The-Natural-Thyroid-Diet.com



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