Coconut Oil, Weight Problems,
and Underactive Thyroid

Research points to the fact that the number one cause of weight problems may be an underactive thyroid gland, especially among women. That’s because the thyroid gland controls body temperature and metabolism, and when the thyroid is sluggish, body temperature and metabolism tend to slow down.  Coconut oil has been shown to boost metabolism and perhaps help boost thyroid function as well.

Thyroid symptoms for Underactive Thyroid:

There are many thyroid symptoms for underactive thyroid, but some of the most common are:

• weight problems
• fatigue
• cold hands and feet
• depression and anxiety
• constipation
• insomnia and sleeping problems
• dry skin and unhealthy and brittle nails
• allergies and asthma
• hair loss

If you have some of these thyroid symptoms, you might want to ask your doctor to do a blood test that looks for underactive thyroid.  You might also just want to try adding some coconut oil to your diet.
 

Underactive Thyroid Symptoms, but
Thyroid Blood Tests Normal?
Another Way to Tell

Do you think you might have an underactive thyroid based on the some of the thyroid symptoms mentioned above, but your thyroid blood tests are normal? According to Dr. Wilson, you may have Wilson’s Thyroid Syndrome. In order to find out, he recommends that you take your temperature with a thermometer by the following method:

• By mouth
• Every 3 hours
• 3 times a day, starting 3 hours after waking
   

Do this for several days* - if your temperature is consistently below 98.6 degrees F, and you have some of the symptoms above, you may very well have Wilson’s Thyroid Syndrome, meaning you have an underactive thyroid even if your blood test don’t show it.  That’s because the tests only measure thyroid hormone levels in your blood, but what counts is what gets into your tissues.

* Women need to NOT do this during the 3 days before their period starts, as the reading may not be accurate then.

Coconut Oil, Seaweed, Herbs and Underactive Thyroid

Coconut oil and certain herbs have been reported to help those with an thyroid symptoms and underactive thyroid and to sometimes raise the temperature back to normal without drugs.   Iodine and seaweed like kelp and bladderswrack can help boost underactive thyroid function as well..  One such supplement is Quantum/Premier Research Lab’s Thyroid Complex, found at Total Health Secrets:

Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil can be found at Nutiva:

Seaweed, or sea vegetables can be a good addition to your diet, but if you don’t like them, try a supplement, like the Emerald Superfood from the Sea
.

Coconut Oil, Seaweed, Herbs and
Other Ways to Nourish Your Underactive Thyroid
 

It is important to not stop taking any thyroid medication without consulting your doctor, but there are other things you can do to nourish your thyroid besides addin coconut oil to your diet, especially if you suspect a thyroid problem, but it doesn’t show up on the test your doctor performs.

• Consume iodine-rich foods like seafood and seaweed
• Avoid goitrogens - these are iodine blockers like soy, peanuts and raw cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli
• Avoid other foods that tax the thyroid like refined grains and sugars
• Exercise is also good for your thyroid – any kind

Note:  A rebounder can be especially helpful, but all exercise will stimulate the thyroid gland secretion and will help increase the sensitivity of your cells to the thyroid hormones.

Some other tips for nourishing your thryoid include:

Eat only healthy fats and oils such as:

• Coconut oil (we especially recommend organic virgin coconut oil (VCO)
• Butter (from grass-fed cows, if possible)
• Lard from pastured pigs
• Extra-virgin olive oil

If you are deficient in iodine, a natural way to help build back up your iodine stores is by eating seaweed like kelp or bladderwrack , or taking an extract or powdered supplement with seaweed.  Make sure and look for formulas that are well-made with a high potency and without toxic fillers.

One seaweed supplement we highly recommend is Emerald’s Superfood From the Sea.
 

Coconut Oil
 and
Boosting An Underactive Thyroid

Coconut oil, including virgin coconut oil (VCO), because of its metabolism-stimulating properties, seems to be an excellent thyroid system builder. If you have problems with your thyroid, you want to be sure to include coconut oil and/or coconut products like coconut milk and flakes in your diet.  Nutiva is a great brand of organic virgin coconut oil that we recommend.