Nourish and support your thyroid
To give your metabolism a much-needed boost, try seaweed!
No, I’m not suggesting a quick trip to the local seashore for a lunch-time munch, but some seaweeds can help support your thyroid, perhaps the most important gland in the human body.
The thyroid controls metabolism. In fact, it controls the metabolism of every cell and organ, so the symptoms of thyroid imbalance are varied: from fatigue, impaired digestion and constipation to hair-loss, depression and infertility. Not to mention weight problems. Women are more prone to suffer from an under-active thyroid; pregnancy greatly strains the gland and problems thereafter are often caused by sluggish thyroid function.
While serious thyroid problems should always be checked, it makes sense – because thyroid function declines with age – initially to try feeding the gland with the crucial nutrients it needs. Dr Cass Ingram, a US-based physician and medical researcher, has formulated a thyroid-specific supplement, Thyroset: it’s a combination of crude northern Pacific kelp, rich in natural iodine, sea minerals and chlorides, together with tyrosine, a key amino acid. “Kelp’s greatest use is to regenerate the thyroid gland,” Dr Ingram maintains in his book Life Saving Cures. “Whether the thyroid is over or under-active, kelp is always effective because it serves to normalise thyroid function,” he adds.
But it must be a kelp free of heavy metal contaminants, which is a major problem with commercially harvested kelp supplements. The kelp in Thyroset comes from the far northern Pacific coasts of Alaska and is proven to be free of toxic contaminants. (For Thyroset and Dr Ingram’s books, call Tigon on 0044 116 235 5020, or visit www.oliveleaf.co.uk)
I’d also recommend Biocare’s TH207, a complex supplement of bladderwrack (a type of seaweed), licorice root, ginseng and vitamins, as well as amino acids. TH207 is useful both for those with suspected thyroid imbalance as well as for patients on Thyroxine medication, to enable a reduction in the dose. Biocare recommend that if you’re on LESS than 100mcg Thyroxin per day, you can take one capsule daily under medical supervision: for 100mcg thyroxin per day or MORE, herbal support isn’t recommended. (For information, call Angela Henderson, the Cyprus-based Biocare specialist who holds stocks of TH207: 99 974484 or email: [email protected])
Back to Thyroxine: I’m constantly amazed it’s prescribed so frequently without any advice on how/when to take it, especially as food – and particularly soya – reduces its absorption substantially. Thyroxine should be taken first thing in the morning, with plain water, at least an hour before any food or protein. Three hours should elapse before soya products can be eaten.
Soya is one of several foods that interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis; the others are brassica vegetables (cauliflower, cabbage etc), rapeseed oil, lima beans and sweet potatoes, so try to avoid over-consumption of these. It’s possible to introduce seaweed into the diet by way of products like Kombu (great for using with dried beans to shorten cooking time), Nori sheets (for sushi) and Hijiki – which looks like a Japanese bad hair day. Low levels of zinc (find it in eggs, meat, seafood and oysters) and selenium (brazil nuts) may also figure in the thyroid equation.
Finally, because toxins build up in the body as a result of thyroid imbalance, a few sessions of Aqua Detox might also be helpful – contact me for a practitioner in your area. I’d also suggest that anyone who is feeling low would benefit from Gene’s Greens – a detoxifying plant-derived potion high in B vitamins as well as a superb source of difficult-to-get Vitamin K (Tigon). Or contact me on 99 170406 or through [email protected]
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
It’s coming round to the cold sore season. Are there any herbal remedies to help?
Mr PH. Limassol
Cold sores are a viral infection, part of the herpes family and, once you’re infected, it remains in your system forever. Outbreaks occur on the lips and nose, especially when we’re under stress, suffering with a cold, exposed to chill winds or bright sunshine.
Cold sores are horribly infectious so you should avoid kissing friends and family until the sore is completely cleared.
Zovirax is the pharmacy’s best help for herpes: use it topically for a few days at the first sign of a tingle. Thereafter, once the worst damage is under control, try Immunoplex Oxygenic Herbal Balm, especially if the sores spread to the side of the nose. It contains echinacea, calendula and aloe-vera for speedy healing. (Available by mail-order from Tigon UK on 0044 116 235 5020, or visit www.oliveleaf.co.uk for information)
The amino acid, lysine can prevent the recurrence of, and speed recovery from, cold sores. Take it immediately you feel the first tingle (Best product: Viridian Nutrition Lysine, mail-order from www.Nutriglow.com). Lysine works by blocking the activity of arginine, another amino acid which actively sustains the herpes virus. Supplement with lysine and reduce the intake of arginine-rich foods: nuts, seeds and chocolate.
Caption: Gene’s Greens (centre) recently was re-branded as ‘GreensFlush’ but it’s still the same detoxifying green ‘power drops’ in easy-to-take liquid form.
