It’s amazing how that small thyroid gland located at the base of the neck can affect your overall well-being. Both under and over secretion of the T3 and T4 hormones can create a series of thyroid malfunction symptoms, including weight fluctuations, lower energy level and an unusual metabolism rate. According to the National Women’s Health Information Center, approximately 20 million Americans suffer from some kind of thyroid disorder; that’s one in every 13 people. In many cases, patients need regular medication to keep the hormone levels under control. However, proper diet and exercise can complement the treatment process. Here are three tips to reduce thyroid symptoms:

1. Exercise Regularly

An active lifestyle is very effective in addressing thyroid issues. However, you must consult your physician before beginning any exercise regimen because the intensity and type of exercises needed vary from one patient to another. Regular exercise helps maintain body weight, balances the metabolism rate, and works as a mood booster. Activities like jogging, walking, cycling, and yoga can help you fight the symptoms of thyroid issues.

2. Eat the Right Food

Thyroid patients need specific minerals and vitamins to stay healthy. So, the next time you visit a grocery store, look for food items like haddock, shrimp, kelp, salmon, mushrooms, and eggs. These items contain minerals like selenium, iodine and zinc along with vitamins A, B and C. Take more iodine as it’s the most important mineral for thyroid patients.

3. Avoid Bottling Up Your Emotions

Stress can cause both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. It is essential to control your stress levels to ensure that your thyroid functions correctly. Apart from meditation and other de-stressing exercises, get enough sleep and consider therapy to break your particular stress responses. Pent up emotions are never good for your health. Effective practices are to journal your mental and emotional state or talk about it to a trusted friend, partner or colleague. Expressing your feelings is the key to balanced emotional health.

The right thyroid treatment begins with the right diagnosis. Visit our clinic to discuss the lifestyle changes and perhaps the medications that you need to keep thyroid symptoms under control.