The Importance of Thyroid Health

Review: Insights from Dr. Mercola's Article

Thyroid health is a topic that often goes unnoticed among general health discussions. However, Dr. Mercola's recent article "How the Thyroid Gland Regulates Your Entire Health" brings to light the critical role this small gland plays in our overall well-being.

The thyroid gland may be small, but its impact is substantial. The article provides a comprehensive exploration into the world of thyroid health, painting a picture that is both informative and compelling. With an astonishing 40,000 thyroid cancer patients each year, not to mention millions more suffering from impaired thyroid function, the importance of this matter is clear.

Dr. Mercola's article is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of thyroid health. It points out that there are six different thyroid disorders, making it a complex issue to understand. More so, the tests to diagnose these disorders are not straightforward, further complicating the matter.

Top Contributors to Low Thyroid Function

Several lifestyle factors can contribute to low thyroid function, including stress, inadequate light exposure and exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals. In terms of diet, high polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) intake is a major culprit, as PUFAs interfere with your cell’s ability to use active thyroid hormone. To maintain or increase energy production, your cells must be able to access T3. As explained in a 1990 paper in the Journal of Nutrition:2

“Safflower oil (high in omega-6 PUFA) was more effective than tallow as a repressor of T3 action ... polyunsaturated fats uniquely suppress the gene expression of lipogenic enzymes by functioning as competitive inhibitors of T3 action, possibly at the nuclear receptor level."

Similarly, a 1992 study in the journal Metabolism3 that analyzed the effects of linoleic, oleic and palmitic acid on T3-receptor binding found that linoleic acid was the most potent inhibitor of T3. As noted by Lawrence, indigestible foods and low-carb diets can also wreak havoc with your thyroid.

However, Dr. Mercola does an excellent job of breaking down this complex topic into digestible parts. The article not only discusses thyroid disorders but also offers practical suggestions for managing thyroid health. For instance, one tip includes checking your waking temperature as a basic gauge of thyroid function. Enhanced nutritional intake is another suggestion, emphasizing the role of diet in supporting thyroid health.

The thyroid, though small, can have a vast influence on our overall health, making it an aspect of our wellbeing that we should not neglect. Dr. Mercola's article is a valuable resource in promoting thyroid health awareness, making it a must-read for anyone aiming to achieve optimal health.