Sarah Treat’s Approach to Improving Thyroid Health
What goes into a personalized wellness plan? First, everything we do starts with you. We don’t put clients into boxes or offer cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, we start from square one to discover what your body needs in order to restore balance to the thyroid. Here is an overview of our comprehensive wellness process.
Functional medicine nutritionists like Sarah Treat Nutrition use advanced testing to assess thyroid function thoroughly. This includes evaluating hormone levels, antibodies, and other markers to gain a holistic understanding of the thyroid’s health.
Functional medicine recognizes the impact of diet on thyroid health. Sarah Treat Nutrition crafts personalized nutrition plans tailored to each individual’s needs, incorporating nutrient-dense foods that support thyroid function.
Foods rich in iodine, such as seaweed, seafood, and iodized salt, are crucial for proper thyroid function as iodine is a key component of thyroid hormones. Leafy greens, berries, and nuts provide antioxidants that help reduce inflammation often associated with thyroid conditions. Zinc-rich foods like lean meats, whole grains, and nuts aid in the production of thyroid hormones, while fatty fish and flaxseeds provide essential omega-3 fatty acids that support overall thyroid and immune system function. Additionally, including a variety of nutrient-dense foods and maintaining a balanced diet is essential for nurturing thyroid health and promoting overall well-being.
Lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and physical activity profoundly influence thyroid health. Functional medicine focuses on optimizing these factors to create a supportive environment for the thyroid. This doesn’t mean you have to become an Olympic athlete. Part of our program involves finding activities and schedules that work for you.
In cases where nutrient deficiencies are identified, targeted supplementation can provide essential support for thyroid function and overall well-being. We may even work on your gut health in order to increase nutrient absorption.
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Addressing Underlying Causes
Sometimes, thyroid issues are caused by a deeper health issue. For example, chronic stress and adrenal dysfunction can disrupt the delicate balance of thyroid hormones, leading to imbalances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Autoimmune conditions, such as Hashimoto’s disease, can also result from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, causing the immune system to attack the thyroid gland. Poor gut health and intestinal permeability may contribute to thyroid dysfunction, as the gut plays a crucial role in nutrient absorption and immune regulation. Addressing these potential root causes through a comprehensive approach, such as functional medicine, can play a vital role in restoring thyroid health and overall well-being.