News & tips on health, fitness and nutrition

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Thyroid Tonic

Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber
- 5 stalks celery
- 5 carrots
- 1 cup young thai coconut water
- 1 lemon
Juice the above ingredients, and add coconut water last! Enjoy!

Your thyroid is a set of multiple glands that work to keep your body running smoothly. They deliver messages (hormones) between themselves and other body parts so that all of those tiny cells are regulated and functioning at the proper levels. The hormones produced by the thyroid (T3 and T4)  are essential for life and have many effects on metabolism, growth and development.

Thyroid health is important, because if your thyroid isn't functioning properly it can lead to developmental defects or weight gain. Food is our medicine, so consuming the proper foods will help support your thyroid to ensure it remains in tip top shape. Carrots contain ample amounts 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. This vitamin is required by the body to convert T4 to T3.

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. Without B vitamins the thyroid and adrenal glands fail to secrete their hormones, and won't be able to utilize its iodine raw material efficiently to make hormones. B vitamins are especially useful in individuals with an overactive thyroid.

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