The small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck has a major role in regulating the metabolism in our bodies. located in the throat area, it literally connects the mind and body. On World Thyroid Day, some holistic health coaches from the city give tips to keep the thyroid secretions balanced.
In 2008, the European Thyroid and American Thyroid Association came together to mark a day devoted globally to the Thyroid gland and its invisible symptoms. In 2009, May 25 was declared the World Thyroid Day endorsed by all associations concerned. It has been celebrated annually round the globe since.
Once we know the functioning of the thyroid gland and the process of our food utilisation in bodies, it becomes easier to know and manage the disease. The two main thyroid hormones - T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine)- regulate body's temperature, metabolism and heart rate. The amount of thyroid hormones secreted is controlled by another hormone, called thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is released from the pituitary gland of our brains. Using iodine from the foods we eat, the gland makes these two hormones. These travel in bloodstream to reach almost every cell in our body. The hormones regulate the speed with which the body cells work. For instance, they regulate our heart rate and how fast our intestines process the food we intake during the day. So if T3 and T4 levels are low, our heart rate may be slower than normal, and one may have constipation or weight gain. If the levels are high one may have a rapid heart rate, diarrhoea or weight loss.
Explaining the adverse effects of wrong habits on our health, Dr V K Agnihotri, a senior Ayurvedic consultant, said, “When we eat in haste, the food moves so quickly from mouth to stomach that the connection from mind to body is not strong. The mouth doesn’t know what the stomach is eating and there is a gap of a few minutes in the message actually reaching the mind that the stomach is full. So one must do mindful eating, slow down, relish, breathe and chew food properly. Since the thyroid is the master of body metabolism, eat slowly enough so that it can record the message that food is entering the body.”
A study says that up to 60 percent of people with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition and that women are five to eight times more likely to have thyroid problems than men. Medical science says that there are two states of this disease, Hypo and hyper thyroidism. In one of the most common thyroid conditions –Hypothyroidism- thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Common symptoms include fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, irregular menstruation in women and weight gain. Treatment of hypothyroidism is done usually with a synthetic form of thyroid hormone called ‘levothyroxine.’
Hyperthyroidism on the other hand occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, showcasing symptoms as irritability, nervousness, muscle weakness, weight loss, sleep disturbances, vision problems and eye irritation.
Diet, including veggies like raw onion, sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkin is favourable for thyroid patients, in general. Also minimum use of radiation machines like mobile phone which is held close to ear is recommended. Curd, cold foods, cold drinks are to be avoided in these thyroid- related problems.
Yogacharya Satywan, a Yoga practitioner, opines, “Doing Ujjayi pranayama, lion pose, Sarvang asan (shoulder stand), Hal asan (Plough pose) three to five times during morning will balance the thyroid activity and its secretions over a period of time. These poses strengthen the thyroid gland and help stimulate it. “One must avoid drinking cold water and cold drinks and take water with dhania powder sieved and strained. If one takes at least for a year it would completely cure the Thyroid disorder, balancing the thyroid hormones,” he added.