Thyroid problems can lead to issues like weight gain or loss, constipation, fatigue, joint pain, libido loss, headaches, dizziness, ear ringing, hair loss, brittle nails, fatigue, cold sensitivity, insomnia, dry skin, cold feet and hands, infections, hoarse voice, and more.
The leading issue regarding these things is an underactive thyroid. And you may have finally become aware of the importance of this gland to your health. Luckily this is something that can be treated. Coconut oil as you are already aware is great for just about everything under the sun. It is saturated fat and is considered a stable oil. When ingested it is processed differently than most other oils as well. It doesn’t need to be broken down with any assistance from the enzyme-dependent processes.
The thyroid gland is responsible for many vital functions in the body via the release of important hormones into the blood. Thyroid hormones are necessary for normal health and cellular activity. And if thyroid function is not normal, weight loss is next to impossible.
While there seems to be at least a correlation between certain dietary changes and an increase in thyroid problems (correlation doesn’t necessarily equal cause), there is some debate about what is causing the increase in thyroid problems.
Yet, these facts are alarming as they are directly related to the problems with the thyroid. This condition is an autoimmune disease, which makes over 80 percent of conventional pharmaceutical treatments ineffective (more on that to come).
These signs indicate that you may be dealing with improper thyroid function:
- Extreme fatigue
If you sleep between 8 and 10 hours every night and you still feel tired during the day, it’s a common sign that your thyroid hormone levels are low. Chronic fatigue is linked to many health conditions. But, if you don’t have enough thyroid hormone (TH) flowing through your body, your muscles aren’t receiving a signal to get up and get moving. It is probably the most common early warning sign of thyroid malfunction.
- Brain fog
If you have hard times focusing on your tasks, keep forgetting things, and feel as if you “walk in a fog” all day, it could be that your thyroid isn’t working properly. Too much TH can make it hard to concentrate, and low levels affect memory.
- Digestive issues
Hypothyroidism is often accompanied by constipation, as an underactive thyroid can cause the digestive process to slow. An overactive thyroid gland can cause the opposite problem, it causes frequent bowel movements and, in some cases, even diarrhea.
- Mood swings, anxiety, and depression
Individuals who struggle with hyperthyroidism have their bodies flooded with hormones that trigger anxiety and nervousness. Thyroid disorders are often manifested through mood swings, anxiety, or depression.
- Do you exercise, eat right, and still can’t lose weight?
Putting several pounds on is not such a terrifying problem, but if you aren’t eating any more than usual, exercising regularly, and still can’t seem to lose those extra pounds, it could very well be an underactive thyroid. You may want to consult your doctor as it may be your thyroid that affects the calorie-burning process.
Thyroid disorders are also manifested through sensitivity to cold and heat, ringing in the ears, hair loss, and brittle nails.
Other signs that your thyroid is in trouble
• Low body temperature
• Fluid retention or swelling
• Frequent viral infections
• Frequent bruising
• Dry skin
• PMS
• Cold hands and feet
• Puffy eyes
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Hair loss
• Itchiness
• Joint aches
• Mental dullness
• Tingling in hands and feet
• Lack of concentration
• Loss of libido
• Constipation
• Depressed immunity
• Dizziness
• Headaches or migraines
• Hoarse voice
The best way to take care of your body is to regularly eat foods that support the thyroid gland and that will help prevent an imbalance from occurring. These are real, whole foods we’re talking about, which are excellent for anyone wishing to seek better health, including thyroid support.
Can Coconut Oil Help?
Unlike the polyunsaturated oils in many foods, coconut oil is high in (healthy) saturated fat, lauric acid, and medium-chain fatty acids. Its unique structure makes it a highly usable source of energy for the body and its particular fat balance is nourishing to the thyroid. Meaning that it is stable and does not experience damage due to oxidation stress.
Nature’s most wonderful oil is very well-known for improving thyroid health. Coconut oil as you are already aware is great for just about everything under the sun. It is saturated fat and is considered a stable oil. Coconut oil’s medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) support thyroid function, liver health, brain function, and hormonal health, and help speed up metabolism naturally. Coconut oil has a longer shelf life and more saturated fats than any other non-hydrogenated oil.
Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid. It is known for its ability to increase good cholesterol and improve overall cholesterol. This makes it excellent for your thyroid gland. When ingested it is processed differently than most other oils as well. It doesn’t need to be broken down with any assistance from the enzyme-dependent processes.
Therefore, researchers recommend the intake of more polyunsaturated fats such as coconut oil, as it is extremely beneficial in the treatment of thyroid issues.
Incorporate Coconut Oil into your Diet
Coconut oil is not like any other saturated fat. If you wish to add this superfood to your diet, make sure that you add the right kind of coconut oil. The best is unrefined, organic, and virgin.
Coconut oil is easily available and affordable. Speaking of its cooking purposes, it is just amazing. Melt it and add it to your stir-fries and curries, or you can simply drizzle it over your healthy salads. Coconut oil is an amazing substitute for vegetable oil when it comes to baking. There is no shortage of ways how coconut oil can truly improve your health. You can even add a tablespoon or so to your morning coffee for a great energy boost!
Adding coconut oil to your diet is just one way to help your thyroid work better. Cut down on your gluten intake and try following an anti-inflammatory diet, like the Mediterranean diet for example. This diet regimen has shown to be amazing when it comes to promoting heart health.
Also, for hypothyroid-related problems, use extra virgin coconut oil. About 1 tbsp can be consumed each day. Try adding extra virgin coconut oil to hot tea or coffee, in cooking, or as an addition to smoothies or salads.
Coconut oil can also help treat these problems associated with under-active thyroid:
- Weight Loss
The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil have been proven to support weight loss and help your body burn fat for energy. By regulating appetite and improving digestion, coconut oil can make it much easier to reduce your daily caloric intake and lose weight at a healthy rate of around one to two pounds per week. - Hormones
The healthy fats in coconut oil support the thyroid and adrenal glands which can lower cortisol to naturally balance hormones. - Boosts Metabolism
An underactive thyroid can cause constant fatigue, leaving the body with no energy. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil can enter the mitochondria to help fats convert to energy and boost metabolism. Once ingested the lauric acid in coconut oil converts to monolaurin, which improves the metabolism as well as the immune system. - Prevent Hair Loss
A thyroid disorder can affect many parts of the body, including the hair follicles. The lauric acid in coconut oil can provide hair with the proteins it needs to stay healthy and strong.
In addition to including coconut oil in your diet, there are ways to improve thyroid function naturally.
• Switch from iodized table salt to sea salt, as it has more minerals that help support better thyroid functioning.
• Limit exposure to fluoride and mercury. Have a good water filtration system for your home.
• Exercise! This is especially important to correct thyroid function. Walking briskly for 30 minutes a day is a good place to start.
• Practice stress-reduction techniques such as meditation or deep breathing. Chronic stress is said to be one of the main triggers of hypothyroidism.
• Supplement with probiotics, as good thyroid functioning depends on a supply of healthy gut bacteria.
• Follow an anti-inflammatory diet by eliminating processed foods and eating as many whole organic foods as possible.
• follow a gluten-free diet, which has also been shown to improve thyroid function.
• Take high-quality supplements, such as zinc, selenium, manganese, chromium, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E.
• Take a high-quality whole-food multivitamin. Make sure you’re getting enough iodine, B-vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, zinc, and copper.
Taking good care of your thyroid is important. Great decisions for your thyroid improve your whole body. Good food for your thyroid health is also good for your heart, gut, and brain. And if you have reason to believe that your thyroid may be working only half time for you, make the switch today to coconut oil. Be sure to treat it right!
And last but not least, do something about all the stress in your life. Stress and anxiety only contribute to an existing thyroid problem.
