Balancing hormones the natural way, Part III (the thyroid)

 Patricia Rotsztain Frost

In Part I  and Part II of this series, we learned about natural ways to balance levels of several key pairs of hormones, which can get out of whack during menopause and cause many of the unpleasant symptoms that are associated with that time of a woman's life.

This information was imparted during a presentation at the Get Fit! studio in Delray Beach, by Patricia Rotsztain Frost, a nutritionist and expert in natural medicine and integrative health.

Today, we will cover issues surrounding hypothyroidism.This condition, in which the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone, can cause complications both bothersome (low energy, constipation) and serious (higher risk of heart attacks or strokes). 

Menopausal women who have elevated estrogen levels can often have a thyroid problem.

When the thyroid hormone is low, insulin levels go up -- causing low blood sugar, in turn causing cravings for carbs and sweets. So, you eat something high in sugar, which rushes insulin to the system (to metabolize the sugar), which causes your blood sugars to crash, causing cravings -- and you're in a vicious cycle.

One easy way to tell whether you may have a thyroid malfunction is to take your temperature first thing in the morning. It should be 98.6 degrees; for every degree lower than that, your metabolism is running 14 percent slower than normal (hypothyroidism),  according to Rotsztain Frost. (Note: This standard is not consistent within the health-care industry; for more information and details on the temperature home-test, read this story.)

Symptoms of low thyroid function include:

• fatigue
• depression
• weight gain
• painful PMS
• dry skin
• constipation
• hair loss
• aching joints
• forgetfulness

So, how do you get your thyroid back on track? 

One easy remedy is might be located in your spice cabinet: iodine -- because a lack of iodine often contributes to low thyroid. Here's a good way to test your iodine levels: Put some iodine ointment on a piece of gauze, and tape it to your skin; then check it periodically.  It should still be wet after 12 hours. The faster your body absorbs the iodine, the more it needs it! Good natural sources of iodine include  organic kelp powder (use it as your salt shaker!); seaweed, and bitter vegetables (arugula, artichokes, collard greens, etc.).

Another supplement that helps the thyroid is  vitamin B6 .  Foods high in B6 include cereals, legumes, vegetables (carrots, spinach, peas), potatoes, milk, cheese, eggs, fish, liver and meat.

Foods to avoid when the thyroid is underperforming:

• dairy
• soy
• cruciferous vegetables:
• broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• cauliflower
• cabbage

For those interested in homeopathy, Calcarea Carbonica helps to stimulate the thyroid. Take one dose of Calcarea carbonica 30c or 200x three times a week for three weeks.

Please note:  Seek a doctor's advice if you suspect a severe thyroid issue. Also, it's always advisable to discuss any significant changes in diet or lifestyle with a health-care professional.