In continuing on walking you through the importance of your Endocrine System; we come upon the Thyroid & Para-Thyroid glands. Which is the next stop realizing I’m working my way from the top down in the body.
The thyroid gland is located in the lower front part of the neck and is shaped like a butterfly. It produces the hormones thyroxine & triiodothyronine.
This gland is one that most folks are familiar with, & we are seeing more & more people struggling with “hypo or Hyper” performing thyroid glands. Our diets are so void of adequate amounts of iodine that the proper function of this important gland is evident in many, as well as chemical toxins that inhibit this gland from being able to uptake proper amounts of iodine.
Dr. N.W. Walkers’ description of The Thyroid Gland says, “The thyroid has a strong controlling influence on all the chemical processes which are carried on in the body. One of the substances which is created by this gland is the hormone known as “thyroxine.” This is the simplified name compounded from the chemicals composing it, namely: trihydro-triiodo-oxyindol-propionic acid. Among the elements or ingredients which the thyroid uses to make this hormone is a protein known as casein. The body manufactures its own casein out of the atoms present in our food, in the same manner that the cow generates the casein in her milk from her feed. Casein is one of the important components of milk, but when cow’s milk is used by humans of any age, it is not digested properly or completely under any circumstances. That is the reason why the use of milk not only creates a great amount of mucus in the system, but also has the tendency to disrupt the function of the thyroid gland. The casein in cow’s milk is 300% more concentrated than that in mother’s milk. When cow’s milk is pasteurized or cooked by boiling, the casein is changed still worse than in its raw state. (My emphasis here, “we are the ONLY mammals that drink milk past the whelping stage… why?)
Unless the thyroid is able to generate efficiently the thyroxine hormones, many disturbances can result. Among these is the wasting of body tissues, irritability of the nerves, damage to teeth & muscles, affliction of the sex organs, thickening & coarsening of the skin, dry & unsightly hair, to name but a few. These conditions are all regulated by the thyroid gland & its thyroxine hormones.” (D.N.SC.n.d.)
There are two malfunctions that can occur with the thyroid gland; one is when it becomes over active also know as Hyperthyroidism. Phyllis A. Balch, CNC in Prescription for Nutritional Healing describes this disorder; “when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, resulting in an overactive metabolic state All of the body’s processes speed up with this disorder. Symptoms include nervousness, irritability, a constant feeling of being hot, increased perspiration, insomnia & fatigue, increased frequency of bowel movements, less frequent menstruation & decreased menstrual flow, weakness, hair & weight loss, change in skin thickness, separation of the nails from the nail bed, hand tremors, intolerance of heat, rapid heartbeat, goiter & sometimes, protruding eyeball.
The thyroid gland is the body’s internal thermostat. It regulates the temperature by secreting two hormones that control how quickly the body burns calories & uses energy. If the thyroid secretes too much hormone, hyperthyroidism results; too little hormone results in hypothyroidism.” (Phyllis A. Balch n.d.)
Parathyroid Gland: Don’t hear too much about this gland but it’s important too!
There are 4 glands that are attached to each side of the thyroid gland. Their function is to regulate the blood calcium levels & regulate calcitonin which is produced in the thyroid gland. They also influence the lymph system in neutralizing certain types of toxins in the body. Dr. Norman Walker D.Sc. states that the parathyroid glands” are responsive to the negative emotions, such as worry, anxiety, fear, anger, hatred, jealousy and so on, under which circumstances they excite or stimulate secretion from the Adrenal glands. Adrenalin, is highly poisonous & affects the whole system when secreted to excess.
The principle function of the parathyroid glands, however, is the regulation of the calcium metabolism, the calcium content of the blood, in tooth & bone formation, & not residual calcium in the tissues. It is most important to realize that these glands do NOT have the SELECTIVE ability to choose between organic & inorganic calcium. That is to say that they will take whatever calcium atoms or molecules come along, irrespective of whether they are dead, or vital, live elements. If our Creator had given them this ability to choose the live & reject the cooked or processed elements, we would have no arthritic victims, we would have marvelous teeth all our lives & no one would have any deformed bones, so long as we ate sufficient raw nourishment.
As it is, the calcium from pasteurized milk & cooked milk products, as well as that from grain & starch foods has become inorganic through the process of heating. Under these circumstances no matter how much calcium we take into our system by eating these foods or taking calcium in tablet or similar form, the body cannot utilize it constructively without eventual damage to the calcium bearing parts of our system. We have the proof of this in the swollen calcified joints in arthritis, in the degeneration of the teeth & bone, in impactions in our blood vessels as in tumors, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, high & low blood pressure & of course all the signs of premature old age.
It is necessary to furnish the body with the nourishment rich in organic or vital, live calcium elements which the parathyroid glands can work with to our best advantage. These elements are found only in the raw vegetables & fruits & their fresh raw juices.
Among the richest calcium food’s, we have carrots, turnips, spinach, dandelion, to name but a few.” (N.W. Walker n.d.)
The biggest mistake I see folks making is in “knowing” that the diets they are consuming on a daily basis are void of the nourishment they require so they are trying to make up for it by swallowing a boat load of pills in the name of healthy. Now don’t misunderstand me; I use herbs & supplements in my practice and recommend some of them when needed in the nutritional programs for my patient’s, but in the process I am also encouraging them to make major shifts in their lifestyle and dietary habits.
Cleaning out the chemicals that are going to inhibit their thyroids ability to uptake the much needed iodine. Some of those chemicals:
- fluoride (in tooth pastes and mouthwashes, and also given in a rinse form at the dentist)
- chlorine (which is in most city drinking water supplies, and used in swimming pools)
When thinking about hormones, I want you to think parking garages for a minute. Every hormone produced also has what’s referred to as a hormone receptor sight. Meaning it has it’s own parking garage with its name plaque on it. When we have impostors or inhibitors that come on the scene, they can occupy those reserved parking slots which don’t allow for proper hormonal reception to happen. We see many people who are taking synthetic hormones in an attempt to balance what is imbalanced in the body. There are some folks who’s thyroid is so iodine starved that taking synthetic hormones may need to be part of their daily routine. However, they end up believing that their problem is solved once they begin taking them and make ZERO lifestyle changes.
I want folks to begin to realize that medicating any health issue doesn’t solve the on-going imbalance and nutritional deficiency, especially if you don’t make any needed changes. Remember, the imbalance didn’t just show up because you were an unlucky chap. We are not created to be “unhealthy”, our body in fact has many checks/balances built in. When those checks/balances can no longer balance is when we start to see & feel unhealthy.
I don’t recommend supplements & herbs in the same capacity as folks are used to using them. Which for the most part is the same way they use prescriptions. I use them like that of a work out routine designed to strengthen what has become weak with the goal of getting stronger and back to God’s given working order. Not for you to assume that the supplements need to be a part of your daily lifetime intake. You need to allow your body to rely on what it needs from the fuel you put in your engine, meaning what foods you are eating!
So are they herbal products you can use to help support the thyroid, absolutely. A few that I highly recommend:
- Thyroid Support (Click here to purchase this product)
Benefits:
Supports the glandular system
Provides glandular extracts, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, and phytonutrients
Helps support thyroid function
Supports a healthy metabolism
How It Works:
Thyroid Support is a blend of nutritional and herbal supplements specially designed to nourish the thyroid gland and to support the actions of the thyroid hormones. The thyroid hormones regulate many body functions, including oxygen use, basal metabolic rate, cellular metabolism, growth and development, and body temperature.
Ingredients:
Vitamin B6, zinc, copper, manganese, l-tyrosine, kelp leaves and stems, thyroid substance, nettle leaves, protease blend, pituitary substance and hypothalamus substance.
- Zinc: ( Click here to purchase this product)
- The body needs zinc for many functions, with regards to the thyroid, it encourages the thyroid to uptake proper amounts of iodine.
Benefits:
Supports immune function.
Provides 25 mg zinc per tablet.
How It Works:
The trace mineral zinc is involved in hundreds of important functions in the body, including sugar metabolism, DNA formation, protein metabolism and energy production. It is also needed for the growth and development of bones. Pregnant and lactating women require extra zinc. More zinc is found in the body than any other trace element except for iron. Relatively large amounts are found in bone and muscle. It’s also prevalent in the prostate and retina.
Ingredients:
25 mg of zinc (167% of the Daily Value) plus calcium, phosphorus, kelp leaves and stem, thyme leaves and alfalfa aerial parts.
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When it comes to the calcium and para-thyroid support, I NEVER recommend a calcium supplement to any of my patients. I encourage a calcium rich diet which includes plenty of fresh fruits & vegetables on a daily basis and I highly encourage juicing and blended salads (especially for those with digestion weaknesses), but I DO HIGHLY recommend supplementing with :
Magnesium: (click here to purchase product)
The difference between Calcium & magnesium is one of a push me pull me routine. Meaning, calcium is the mineral that encourages contractions in the body when it comes to muscles (and isn’t every thing in the body with the exception of our teeth & bones a muscular composition?), and Magnesium I refer to as the mineral of movement, it is what relaxes, but it also is what encourages the body to place calcium in the proper places in the body. So instead of supplementing with calcium, if you want to maintain better calcium levels, #1, CHANGE your diet, and #2 incorporate more magnesium. It’s of a water soluble nature meaning you won’t overdose on magnesium, if you get more than your body can metabolize (use) it will clean out the pipes (south pole).
Benefits:
Highly bioavailable
Contributes to energy production
Promotes musculoskeletal health
How It Works:
Magnesium is an essential mineral. It is present in more than 300 enzymatic systems where it is crucial for energy production and other metabolic functions. The heart, brain and kidneys cannot function without adequate levels of this nutrient. Magnesium is used in reaction to form Tri Carboxylic Acid (TCA), which aids in the cells’ energy-producing cycle. It is also involved in smooth muscle contractions, affecting the heart, gastrointestinal, urinary and female reproductive tracts.
Ingredients:
Magnesium citrate and magnesium malate.
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It is my hope that as I continue to walk you through the endocrine system and explain the importance of each of these glands that you become encouraged to make changes in your diet/lifestyle or course; but that you also begin to understand more of how magnificent your body is with the intricate internal workings that take place every hour of every day.
The next endocrine gland stop will be the Thymus gland….
Thank you for taking the time to read, like and share the articles I post. You folks are the BEST!
Healthfully yours,
Dr. Jodi Barnett N.D.
Harvested Health LLC
http://www.harvestedhealth.mynsp.com
Harvested Health LLC. 
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