There are two main things you can do that can help
maintain healthy thyroid gland function, including information on diet, the function of L-tyrosine on the thyroid gland amd more:
Eat well. A healthy, well balanced diet is your first
line of defense in supporting a healthy thyroid. All
adults need iodine to support the thyroid. If you have
a good diet, you are almost certainly getting your
needed amount of iodine. Avoiding excess sugar in the
form of simple carbohydrates and reducing your intake
of high saturated fats also helps as these foods put
stress on the thyroid.
Increasing physical activity. Staying active helps
prevent you from becoming overweight. Being overweight
also creates additional stress on the thyroid.
What the Thyroid Needs for Proper Function
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that is used by the
thyroid, along with iodine, to activate the T3 and T4
hormones. Iodine (naturally derived from kelp), along
with L-tyrosine, is essential to the normal, healthy
function of the thyroid gland.
Important to the structure of almost every protein
molecule in the body, L-tyrosine attaches itself to
iodine atoms to form active thyroid hormones.
Supplementation of L-tyrosine helps with stress and
promotes good sleep. It also aids in the production of
melanin (the pigment that gives color to hair and skin)
and in the function of the adrenal, thyroid and
pituitary glands.
Kelp is a type of seaweed and can be eaten raw, but is
typically used in a powdered form as a dietary
supplement. It is an excellent source of natural
iodine.
Together with these two nutrients – L-tyrosine and
kelp - proteins from other endocrine glands work to
support the thyroid. These include the adrenal, thymus,
and pituitary. Without the assistance of these glands,
and the hormones they produce, the entire thyroid
function would be disrupted. The pituitary gland
produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) when T3 and
T4 levels drop too low. Once the thyroid hormone levels
rise, the pituitary reduces its TSH production. The
adrenal glands maintain salt levels (crucial to proper
thyroid function) in the blood, and help maintain blood
pressure. A somewhat forgotten gland, the thymus is a
central figure in the immune system and some phases of
metabolism. These glands work in concert to assure
proper thyroid hormone function.
Further thyroid support can be found in natural
progesterone (derived from yams). This hormone works
with the thyroid to regulate mood, body temperature,
fluid retention and energy. It also helps stimulate
thyroid activity and increases the effectiveness of
thyroid hormones. The use of natural progesterone can
be useful to women.