The thyroid is a critical metabolic organ. Thyroid hormones affect the body's energy consumption and heat production, heart rate, digestion, growth and development of tissues and organs. The thyroid is also important for regulating mood and cognition. A malfunction of the Thyroid causes many health problems such as metabolic disorders, weight changes, fatigue, hair loss, heart palpitations and many other symptoms.
To function optimally, the thyroid needs many different nutrients. The best known include iodine , selenium , B vitamins , iron, zinc .
However, there are other nutrients involved in thyroid function that are often overlooked. However, these are just as important. If they are not supplied sufficiently, problems with the thyroid will inevitably arise.
These critical nutrients include:
Diosgenin
Diosgenin is a steroid saponin that occurs naturally in yams . It is often used as a precursor for the production of steroid hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), and testosterone.
Pregnant women with autoimmune thyroid diseases often have fewer symptoms during pregnancy and antibodies directed against the thyroid decrease. The binding capacity of the thyroid hormones is also increased - so the hormones work better. [1] , [2] This appears to be due to the increased progesterone level during pregnancy.
Diosgenin is converted into progesterone in the body and can probably help with thyroid diseases.
L-Tyrosine
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that serves as a precursor to the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. [3] Without adequate amounts of tyrosine, the thyroid cannot produce enough thyroid hormones, which can lead to hypothyroidism.
Myo-Inositol
Myo-inositol is a sugar alcohol that is found in many plant-based foods such as fruit, vegetables, legumes and nuts. Inositol used to be classified as a B vitamin. However, we now know that the body can produce inositol itself. This is why inositol is now referred to as a vitaminoid, i.e. a vitamin-like substance.
Myo-inositol promotes the incorporation of iodine into thyroid hormones. If myo-inositol is missing, problems with the formation of thyroid hormones can occur. [4]
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is also an important nutrient for the function of the thyroid gland. Vitamin A is needed for the secretion of TSH. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the thyroid gland to produce hormones. [5]
Thyroid problems also often involve problems with the conversion of the provitamin beta-carotene into vitamin A. This can easily lead to a vicious circle: a lack of vitamin A can impair thyroid function, which in turn can further exacerbate the deficiency.
Copper
Copper is an essential trace element that is involved in many physiological processes. It also plays an important role in thyroid function.
Copper is required for the synthesis of the thyroid hormone T4. Copper is also indirectly involved in the function of TSH. [6] Without sufficient copper, thyroid hormones cannot be produced.
Iron
Iron is best known for being important for blood formation. But iron is also very important for the thyroid gland because it plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones. [7]
Autoimmune diseases of the thyroid can in turn lead to iron deficiency. Autoimmune diseases are associated with chronic inflammation, which in turn inhibits iron absorption in the intestine. Another vicious circle that further exacerbates iron deficiency.
THYREO DAILY: The all-round package for the thyroid
THYREO DAILY by Viktilabs is a potent blend of essential nutrients tailored to the needs of the thyroid. It is a unique formula of yam root extract, L-tyrosine, copper, vitamin A, iron and myo-inositol.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4454767/
[2] https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/105072504323024561?journalCode=thy
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5327670/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6660248/
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23378454/
