Thyroid Gland And Weight Loss

The thyroid gland is responsible for a number of body functions including the regulation of your metabolism. One of the main functions of your metabolism is to break down organic matter in order to harvest energy. Whether or not you gain or lose weight will depend on your metabolic rate. Metabolic activity creates body heat. The higher the metabolic rate, the warmer your body becomes which supports weight loss. The connection here is if your thyroid gland is not functioning properly then neither will your metabolism making weight loss difficult. A healthy thyroid will supply the body with hormone for metabolic regulation. The more thyroid hormones flow through your body, the more your metabolism activity increases supporting weight loss.

Body temperature is an effective way to determine the health of your metabolism and thyroid function. Less than optimal metabolic activity leads to a “colder” body, which causes weight gain. Some people experience this coldness in their extremities such as in the hands and feet and have to wear layers of clothes or blankets to sleep in the warmer seasons. If your body temperature is low, then you may be hypothyroid or have an underactive thyroid gland. If it seems that despite maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise you are still gaining weight, then the problem could be linked to your thyroid gland.

Some of the reasons for improper thyroid function may be due to lower than optimum iodine levels. Iodine is necessary in order for the thyroid to make thyroid hormone, which in turn supports a healthy metabolism and in turn supports a healthy body weight. There are herbal supplements containing natural sources of iodine that provide excellent thyroid support without the use of prescription drugs. Without a good iodine supply, your internal body functions become slower signifying a decline in metabolic activity. In addition to weight gain, colder bodies tend to suffer from muscle cramping. The thyroid is by far one of the most important glands in your body and being aware of it is important when trying to achieve weight loss goals.