80. HEALING HYPOTHYROIDISM NATURALLY
Dear Grandma Donna: Twenty-four-year-old Candy thinks she has hypothyroidism. She has fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, brittle nails mood swings, impaired memory, brain fog and a slow heart rate. Do you think she should see a Dr. and get on a thyroid pill? Love, Savana
Dear Savana: Certainly Candy’s symptoms point to a low functioning thyroid, but we need to do some searching for remedies before she gets on a thyroid pill. There is a test that might help determine if she really has trouble.
First thing in the morning, place a thermometer under the arm for 15 minutes while keeping still. A temperature of 97.6 or lower may indicate an underactive thyroid. Write down the result for five days. If the test is consistently below 98, it may indicate low thyroid.
On the Counseling Sheets at Uchee Pines Health Institute in Seale, Alabama, Dr. Thrash states that a low-functioning thyroid should not be regarded as an irreversible condition. Many patients regain normal thyroid function after having low function for weeks, months, even years.
Women diagnosed with low-functioning thyroid are often treated with Thyroxin (Synthroid is the commercial name). Long-term use of this drug can weaken the bones and increase the risk of breast cancer. Certainly, a young woman should not take a drug that has the possibility of damaging the bones and increasing the risk for cancer.
These remedies help to correct a low-functioning thyroid naturally:
- Since lack of sunshine may be a cause, spend at least 70 minutes a week in the sunshine.
- Daily exercise increases the function of the thyroid—outdoor activity is even better.
- Take a daily shower ending with three 1-minute cold and 3-minute hot sessions.
- Free fats (margarine, butter, mayonnaise, fried foods, cooking fats, salad oils, and peanut butter) can inhibit the thyroid. Omit these and eat avocados, seeds and nuts.
- Omit sugar and eat fruit.
- Use one serving each of oats, bananas and soybeans daily as they stimulate the thyroid.
- Eat a plant-food diet of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts.
- Drink plenty of water to keep the urine pale—1 ounce for each 2 pounds of body weight.
- Because there is a relationship between adrenal health and thyroid health, it is wise to get a hold on stress levels. A regular stress management ritual can include journaling, Bible and devotional reading or nature walks, which have the power to relieve stress.
Tell Candy to practice these good health habits, then WATCH HER THYROID RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTION! Love, Grandma Donna
EGYPTIAN EDAMAME STEW
1 10-oz package frozen shelled edamame
1 med onion chopped
1 med zucchini diced
1 T minced garlic
1 t cumin
1 t coriander
1/8 t cayenne pepper
1 20-oz can diced tomatoes
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro or mint
2 T lemon juice
Cook edamame according to package directions. Saute the
onions and zucchini in 1 T water. Add garlic, cumin, coriander
and cayenne and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes,
bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in the
edamame and cook 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat and stir
in cilantro (or mint) and lemon juice.