5 Supplements that Support Thyroid Health

When is the last time you thought about your thyroid?

Unless you have had a problem with it recently, you probably haven’t thought about it very much. 

Let’s learn more about the thyroid and why it is so important, plus five supplements that support thyroid health. 

What is the thyroid?

The small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck is the thyroid. This gland contains many blood vessels and makes several hormones, most notably thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones travel throughout your body to support its metabolism and other functions, including your heartbeat, energy, and maintaining warmth. Most of the time, the thyroid is working hard in the background. 

Supporting thyroid health 

Although you might not think about your thyroid very often, there are things you can do to maintain your thyroid health. Part of that includes consuming specific foods that contain vitamins and minerals to nourish the thyroid. St. Luke’s Health Medical Center in Texas recommends the following foods to support thyroid health:

• Roasted seaweed, which is rich in the trace element iodine
• Frozen yogurt, another source of iodine
• Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts, which are sources of the essential trace mineral selenium
• Fatty fish, which contain omega-3 fatty acids
• Eggs, which contain both iodine and selenium 

Getting regular exercise is another important way you can naturally support your thyroid and other aspects of health. 

Supplements that support thyroid health 

You can also support the thyroid with supplements as a complement to a healthy diet.

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that is an integral part of thyroid hormone metabolism.*

With 55 mcg per day, selenium supports the immune system and assists with the proper utilization of iodine in thyroid function.*

This mineral can also be consumed through foods such as ground beef, frozen yogurt, and other dairy products, nuts, sunflower seeds, chicken, and whole wheat. 

Iodine is considered an essential trace element because it is needed by the thyroid. Sea kelp  supplements supply iodine through a natural food source. In addition, iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormone that plays a role in growth, development and metabolic processes.* If you are on a low-salt diet, you may not be getting enough of this important element. 

Another source of iodine is kelp. KLB6 Kelp Complex helps support thyroid health and also contains vitamin B6, soy lecithin, and cider vinegar.*

Thyroid Action combines iodine, B-vitamins, amino acid l-tyrosine and ashwagandha into one formula that supports thyroid function.*  

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that helps form the bioactive factors vital to cellular growth and maintenance.* According to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, l-tyrosine is needed to make thyroid hormones. 

Always discuss taking new supplements with your healthcare practitioner.