It goes without saying, then, that taking care of your thyroid gland is very important. But how can you lower your risk of developing thyroid conditions? Here are some of the ways you can prevent thyroid problems naturally.
1. Stop Smoking
You have probably read and heard from so many people that cigarettes can cause lung cancer.
And while that’s the most popular disease associated with smoking, one must also realize that cigarette smoke is very dangerous to the thyroid, too.
The reason for this is thiocyanate. It’s a toxin found in cigarette smoke that triggers thyroid disease in susceptible people. Smokers also have a higher likelihood of developing eye complications of Graves’ disease. And the worse part? The treatment for those problems is less effective in smokers.
So if you don’t smoke, don’t start now. If you do, it might be time to seriously consider quitting.
2. Use a Thyroid Collar
Or specifically, ask for a thyroid collar when you get x-rays. If you haven’t heard of a thyroid collar until now, then you more than likely haven’t been using one. You should know that thyroids are highly sensitive to radiation. Excessive exposure puts you at a high risk of developing thyroid conditions. A thyroid collar can protect you from that.
The collar is small and looks like the neck of a turtleneck sweater, except it’s heavy and lined with lead.
3. Say No to Too Much Soy
Soy is widely known as health food. And it is. But just like with a lot of things, there really is such a thing as too much. In this case, too much soy is linked to higher risks of thyroid disease. The risk gets even higher if one consumes unnatural soy forms like in powders and smoothies. This strains the immune system and triggers thyroid problems in susceptible people.
4. Super Selenium
Selenium is a mineral that prevents thyroiditis and some autoimmune hypothyroidism conditions. Look for food that comes rich with the mineral or take supplements.
5. Careful with the Fluoride
You may know fluoride as the active ingredient in toothpaste. You may not know that it’s also an effective drug to treat an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism.
This is the reason why you have to be careful that you don’t put more than what’s needed in your body. These days, fluoride can be found in water supplies and other treatments. And if you end up with too much of it, it can make your thyroid underactive. Experts actually recommend drinking fluoride-free bottled water because of this.
Having issues with your thyroid gland spells disaster for your health. It helps to know what risk factors you are susceptible to so you can prevent thyroid conditions from affecting you and your family. Read as much as you can and use the above tips. Thyroid problems can be prevented naturally, but only if you know how.