Easy and Effective Tonic for the Thyroid

I know several people that suffer from thyroid disorders, and these greatly affect their health and wellbeing. Thyroid disorders can affect your weight, mood, energy, cholesterol, bowel problems and more The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands and is found in the neck. The thyroid gland has a very important role in our body: it controls how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body is to other hormones. Common thyroid disorders are hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, and hypothyroidism, which is the underproduction of the thyroid hormones. Both conditions require a supervision by a doctor, preferably endocrinologist, and any recommendations by your doctor should take precedence.

When I researched the subject of how to maintain the thyroid in top condition, I’ve seen that radishes and radish juice came at the top of the list regarding balancing the activity of the thyroid gland. Mercola.com website mentioned that radishes and radish juice can be quite beneficial. This is because a sulphur compound found in the radish (called raphanin) is a regulator of the thyroid hormones. When enough of this sulphur compound is circulating in the bloodstream, the thyroid is less apt to over or under produce these hormones.

One of the problems that I was facing when researching this subject was how much and how long to take this tonic. This was a real problem, since there is no specific medical research that was done and the exact dosage and time frame haven’t been determined. It is probably a good idea to start from about 1/2 cup of radish juice combined into your daily vegetable juice/smoothie, which takes about 1 typical bunch of small radishes to make. Mercola.com for example recommends a thyroid tonic that contains radishes, and the juice of carrots or cucumber, celery and lemon. Carrots contain large amount of beta-carotene which is the precursor for vitamin A in the body. If you are low on vitamin A, your ability to produce thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is limited. B-complex vitamins are required for good thyroid function. Cucumbers contain B vitamins, so they are a good choice when trying to nourish the thyroid glands. Mercola website suggests to add to this tonic a dash of powdered kelp or dulse seaweeds for a boost of iodine. This is because iodine is an essential trace mineral that is crucial for the thyroid to function properly, so eating foods rich in iodine ensures the proper function of the thyroid. Global Healing Center website say that research has shown that a lack of dietary iodine may lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland, lethargy, fatigue, weakness of the immune system, slow metabolism, weight gain and more.

eHow website talks about the healthy benefits of juicing radishes, and it is mentioned there that there is no time frame for using radish juicing to cure certain ailments. eHow website say that most people continue juicing until their symptoms disappear or improve. This is why I believe that periodical medical supervision and dietary guidelines in cases of thyroid disorders are important, as only your doctor is able to perform the tests needed to monitor the thyroid activity along time.

If you suspect that you may have a thyroid disorder please read my other post about the Top 13 Signs That You May Have a Thyroid Disorder. However I would recommend you to consult with your doctor as well.