How to Prevent Thyroid Disease
Thyroid issues are becoming more and more of a problem for people, and are a growing concern in the medical field. But, many thyroid conditions can be easily prevented with a proper diet and lifestyle. Preventing thyroid problems can help you live a long and happy life, and may even help to prevent other conditions that result from thyroid problems.
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Preventing Thyroid Disease
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Soy contains a substance called isoflavones that have been shown to cause thyroid problems. Eating too many soy products or taking too many soy supplements are often to blame for thyroid issues, so it is important to eat soy in moderation to prevent thyroid problems. When you do enjoy soy products, it is safer to eat natural sources of soy such as tofu or tempeh, rather than supplements like pills or powders.
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Fluoride makes the thyroid underactive. This is beneficial to people with an overactive thyroid, but if your thyroid is normal, you should avoid getting too much fluoride to prevent any problems. Drinking bottled water can help, because tap water often contains fluoride. Also, avoid too many fluoride treatments for teeth, and if you do have a thyroid issue you may even choose to use toothpaste that does not contain fluoride.
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For prevention of thyroid issues, consumption of iodine should be monitored closely. Getting too little iodine and getting too much iodine can both affect the thyroid. The recommended daily amount for a healthy adult is 120 to 150 mcg per day. This amount is increased for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and is much lower for infants and children. Most of the time, we get our iodine from iodized salt and from produce grown in normal, iodine-rich soil, but some people live in areas with poor iodine content in the soil and may not be getting the amount they need.
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The many toxins in cigarettes can cause thyroid issues and will cause existing thyroid issues to become worse. Also, treatment for thyroid conditions are often less effective for smokers. This is one of the many reasons that if you smoke, you should stop, and if you don't then you should not start. Not smoking is an effective way to prevent thyroid problems.
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Stress has been shown to cause and aggravate a great number of conditions, including thyroid conditions. Reducing stress levels with exercise, yoga, meditation and other stress-reducing methods can prevent thyroid problems, and in some cases can help to reverse them.
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Selenium is a mineral that can be taken as a supplement, and has been shown to prevent thyroid problems. It is relatively inexpensive and can be found at most stores that carry vitamins and minerals. Selenium is often included in daily multi-vitamin formulas. Speak with your doctor about taking a selenium supplement.
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