/6try These Yoga Asanas
Owing to its myriad health benefits, people practise yoga all around the globe. We are aware of its effectiveness in providing relief from stress, pain, and other joint and muscle-related problems. Besides these benefits, yoga is also effective for other severe health issues such as cardiac and respiratory problems, diabetes, and hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism or Underactive Thyroid is a health condition common worldwide. The thyroid is a small gland in the throat which secretes hormones, that is responsible for the body’s metabolism, temperature and growth. When the thyroid gland cannot produce enough thyroid hormones, it is called Underactive Thyroid. This condition is characterized by symptoms like fatigue, cold sensitivity, constipation, dry skin and unexplained weight gain.
Yoga asanas can help in maintaining the glands healthy and metabolism. Here are the five yoga asanas beneficial for the thyroid:
Perform Matsyasana With Us
- Sit on the yoga mat and extend your legs in front.;
- Place your hands under your buttocks.;
- Your palms should be facing down and fingers towards the toes.;
- Make a 90-degree angle between your arm and chest.;
- Slowly lift your chest and press into your arms. Make sure to stay lifted.;
- Release the position slowly and gradually.;
Perform Bhujangasana With Us
- Lie flat on the abdomen with hands beside the last rib cage, palms facing downwards.;
- Press onto your palms and lift the upper portion of your body with an inhalation. It should include the head, chest, and shoulders .
- Inhale while doing so.;
- There is no need to straighten your arms. Keeping a slight bend in the elbows is recommended.;
- Keep the breathing normal and hold the posture for 30 secs.
- Release the pose slowly and bring your body down.;
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Yoga For Thyroid: 3 Poses To Improve Thyroid Health
Practice yoga to manage thyroid symptoms better
Remember that yoga doesnt cure thyroid, but works alongside medication
Beginner-friendly yoga poses for thyroid include fish pose and shoulder stand
In 2014;it was found that;42 million Indians suffer from thyroid.;Moreover, the prevalence of thyroid in India is significantly higher than in other parts of the world;such as the US and UK. So, it is safe to assume that a significant number of Indians suffer from a thyroid disorder;today. The fact that it is also hereditary only complicates matters further.;
Of all the thyroid disorders, hypothyroidism is most commonly prevalent in India,;with 1 in 10 people;suffering from it.;So, if you notice symptoms such as fatigue, unexpected weight gain, sensitivity to cold temperatures, pain/weakness in joints, dry and itchy skin, sudden hair fall, or trouble with concentrating and remembering things, consult a doctor right away. He/she will order blood tests to confirm whether or not you have thyroid and prescribe a course of treatment accordingly.;
Role Of Thyroid Gland In Your Body
The thyroid gland is one of the most important endocrine glands in your body. It is located under your voice box at the front of the neck. It regulates body functions by continually releasing thyroxine hormones into your bloodstream. Thyroxine acts as a catalyst for maintaining the rate of oxidative metabolism in most tissues of your body.
If your body needs more energy in certain situations like pregnancy, recovering from illness, etc., the thyroid gland produces more hormones. The pituitary gland helps the thyroid gland to make the right amount of hormones.
Cells in your body receive their ‘cue’ from thyroxine. Thyroxine stimulates cells to perform their functions quickly and upregulates cellular utilization of energy. The thyroid gland’s functional defects result in
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
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/6boat Pose Or Navasana
Step 1: Sit down on the floor with your legs stretched in front of you and arms by your side.
Step 2: Slowly lean your upper body slightly towards the back. Keep your spine straight and tuck your chin towards your chest.
Step 3: Bend your knees and balance on your body weight on your sitting bones. Gently lift both your legs into the air. Your toes should be 1 foot above the ground and body in ‘V’ shape.
Step 4: Stretch your arms in front of you. They should be parallel to the floor with your palms facing each other.
Step 5: Engage your core muscles as you breathe in and out.
What Is The Link Between Thyroid And Hair Loss
Skin is the most extensive tissue of your body, making it one of the crucial targets for thyroid hormones. Hair follicles are skin appendages that can periodically and stereotypically undergo cycles of physiological regeneration.
The hair follicles’ ability to renew is due to stem cells’ presence at the hair follicles’ bulges. Stem cells are responsible for hair cycling and contribute to the regeneration of tissues after wounding.
Thyroxine hormone signaling is a significant regulator of the mobilization of stem cells in the hair bulge. Thyroid disease decreases the metabolic rate of bulge stem cells resulting in hair loss.
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Natural Ways To Treat Thyroid
If you suffer from thyroid problems, you might have been painted a very bleak picture. While it is a chronic problem, having thyroid issues doesnt spell the end of the world. Many people have curbed the disease from progressing to more severe stages by regulating their diet and their lifestyle.
What we eat and how we live have far more significant consequences on our well-being than we can imagine. Not only have people halted the progress of thyroid disorders in their track, but some have also even reversed the issues and are living a healthy life. Here are eight tips for treating thyroid problems.
How To Do Viparita Karani
- Lie still on your back, with your elbow rested firmly against the ground.
- Using your hands to support your hips, slowly lift your legs upward.
- Pull your;shoulder blades toward each other.
- Keep your head straight against the floor and feel the stretch in your neck.
- As an alternative, rest your legs against a wall.
- Hold the position for 5 minutes.
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Ujjai Pranayama Is The Most Beneficial Pranayama For Thyroid
Sit in Padmasan and keep your neck and spine straight.
Rest both the hands on the knees in Gyan mudra pose.
Twist the tongue inward by touching the palate.
Press the throat a little and contract the pelvic region by exhaling.
Start inhaling through the nostrils in such a manner as if one is producing a sweet snoring sound from the throat.
Exhale deeply, slowly, steadily and evenly, producing the same continuous frictional melodious sound from the throat.
Remember that breath should go from the throat up to the heart and vice-versa.
Dont put any effect on the ribs and pelvic region while performing this pranayama.
Start this pranayama for 15 to 20 times in the begging and then increase the numbers of breaths.
How Does Yoga Affect Thyroid Glands
Women of this era are very conscious of their weight gain. One of the causes of weight gain is Hyperthyroidism. An abnormal presence of thyroxine hormone can cause a lot of damages to organs as it controls the metabolism of the body. This insufficient release of thyroxine can affect the tissues and can also be a threat to life. The ways in which yoga can affect thyroid glands are
- Yoga provides relief from fatigue and stress on the muscle aches caused due to thyroid.
- The neck region around the thyroid gland stretches and relaxes due to the thyroid issues.
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Best Natural Supplements For Hypothyroidism
Dietary supplements can be a useful tool in how to cure hypothyroidism permanently and treat the underlying causes of Hashimotos thyroiditis.
For example, if your Hashimotos disease is caused by leaky gut, a supplement that promotes gut health should alleviate thyroid disease.
Always seek medical advice before starting a new dietary supplement for hypothyroidism treatment. Each supplement on this list is appropriate in specific types of cases, based on root cause.
Here are the 7 best natural supplements for hypothyroidism:
Iodine
Found primarily in seafood, iodine is a mineral nutrient that our bodies need to produce thyroid hormones. Our bodies dont make iodine naturally.
Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of goiters, a thyroid disorder. If your iodine levels are low, replenish them quickly either with dietary changes or iodine supplements.
According to scientific research, iodine seems to be paramount in treating and even preventing autoimmune diseases, like Hashimotos thyroiditis.
It is important to note that excessive iodine supplementation can also be detrimental and actually increase antibodies to the thyroid gland. Its best not to exceed the recommended daily intake of 150 mcg per day.
Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria. Antibiotic medications can wipe out the good and bad bacteria that live in your gut leading to leaky gut. Its important to replenish these good bacteria with probiotics and restore your gut health.
Selenium
Vitamin D
Curcumin
Taking Supplements For Hyperthyroidism
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Setubandhasana Or Bridge Pose
This asana is wonderful for stretching the neck, increasing blood flow in the throat region. It activates the thyroid gland to regulate metabolic processes. By improving the function of the thyroid, this reduces anxiety and improves digestion. It also relaxes the brain area to bring down stress and depression.
The Following Yoga Asanas Can Be Practiced In Hypothyroidism Treatment:
- Shoulder Stand is the most recommended posture in this condition. It stimulates the thyroid gland to function properly because of the pressure effect and also helps stimulate other glands in the head region, such as pituitary and pineal glands, which also have an indirect control on the functioning of the thyroid gland.
- Inverted Pose
- One-legged Forward Bend
- Fish Pose
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How to cure thyroid disorders permanently? Akshar Yoga founder offers some solutions
The Akshar Yoga founder says that Yoga asanas are comparatively less intense exercises which help maintain good health and cure thyroid problems permanently.
It is learnt that almost every third Indian suffers from one or the other kind of Thyroid disorders. Thyroid problems are one of the main factors which often cause weight gain and hormonal imbalances. Most commonly, this condition is more prevalent in women than men.
There are mainly two types of thyroid disorders – Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism . One of the main causes of this disorder is believed to be the inordinate stress in our daily lives.
Yoga is one of the oldest healing techniques known for controlling diabetes, hypertension, back pains, along with countless other disorders. The various stretching, twisting, and compressing yoga asanas stimulates the thyroid gland and instruct the body to release thyroxin, thereby helping in bringing back a healthy metabolism.
It’s always good to consult a physician before you start practicing yoga to check which kind of thyroid disorder you are suffering from. However, Yoga asanas are comparatively less intense exercises which can help you maintain good health.
Sarvangasana : Sarvangasana helps in stimulating thyroid glands and controls thyroxin. This asana increases the blood flow from the legs to the head region, which helps in mitigating thyroid problems.
Can Thyroid Related Hair Loss Be Reversed
Thyroid related hair loss is temporary. Hair loss is naturally reversible if you take the right treatment for thyroid problems. The most common medicine used for thyroid disease is levothyroxine. Hair loss is one of the side effects of synthetic thyroid hormones.
In Ayurveda, the role of ‘Agni’ in your body is foremost to interpret hypo/hyperthyroidism’s pathogenesis. Ayurvedic herbs nourish ‘Agni’ to achieve the thyroid gland’s wholesome regular activity while supporting stem cells replenishing hair growth.
Thyroid related hair loss is reversible by controlling the excessive imbalance of thyroid hormones. It is a slow and steady process to return complete stability to your thyroid gland. Meanwhile, you can strengthen your hair follicles to resist hair loss.
The stress of the imbalance prolongs your hair follicles’ resting phase, ceasing your hair growth temporarily. Ayurvedic essential oils rejuvenate the outermost part of the skin cells to reactivate your hair life cycle.
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Yoga For Both Hyperthyroidism And Hypothyroidism
Yes, yoga for thyroid problems is appropriate for the treatment of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. As mentioned above, the role of yoga in the treatment of thyroid is to maintain the stability and balance of thyroxine hormone in the body. It neither lets it increase or decrease in any cases of thyroids.
How To Do Ustrasana
- Kneel down with your heels facing the ceiling and your ankles touching the ground.
- Keep your upper body straight.
- Slowly arch backward;toward your toes, trying to keep your chest parallel to your legs.
- Place your hands on your heels and bend your neck backward.
- Feel the stretch in your neck and throat.
- Hold the position for 5 minutes.
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Top 8 Yoga Poses And Pranayama For Thyroid Problems
Affecting over 12 percent of the US population at some point in their lifetime, thyroid disorders are common around the world. Any dysfunction in the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck results in thyroid disorders. Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and goiter are some of the most prevalent forms of thyroid disease.
While yoga may not be able to instantly cure the condition, it can keep the glands healthy, regulate metabolism, and prevent further complications. In a study, 6 months of intense yoga practice helped women with hypothyroidism and reduced their need for thyroxine medication.12 Heres a list of yoga asanas that effectively reduce hypothyroidism. These exercises also strengthen the muscles;and reduce the effects of hypothyroidism on them.;However, if you are affected by hyperthyroidism, avoid these neck-stretching asanas and opt for simpler breathing exercises like the pranayama.
Sarvangasana Or Shoulder Stand And Halasana Or Plough Pose
This inverted pose is very effective for mitigating the thyroid gland. When practiced it increases the blood flow to the head region resulting in stimulating the thyroid. It controls the secretion of thyroxin to prevent thyroid disorders and regulate already existing diseases. To avoid damage to the neck area, practice only under the guidance of a yoga teacher. Repeat three to five times for the best results.
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Matsyasana Or Fish Pose
In this asana, the practitioner stretches the waist and neck. By pulling the neck area for a good stretch, one stimulates the thyroid gland to regulate its function. Regular practice of this asana results in the healing of existing thyroid disorders along with relieving stress and fatigue. It improves the flexibility of the lower back and midriff. Blood flow to the crown results in the prevention of mood swings and roots out depressive tendencies.
How Yoga Can Help Reduce Thyroid Disorder Symptoms:
Before you start practicing yoga for thyroid disorders, make sure to consult your physician. Also, these yoga techniques work on coping with the symptoms better and are not a substitute to medication .
Note: Although all yoga asanas are considered to be good for both hypo and hyperthyroidism patients, we recommend some of the postures below which can be particularly useful. You need not restrict your practice to only these poses; check with an Sri Sri Yoga teacher on more asanas for your condition.
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You May Have Hypothyroidism If:
- You may be slowly feeling disinterested in everyday affairs, getting lethargic and developing a laid-back attitude towards everything.
- You may be doing just the routine work as always but have started feeling more fatigued than usual.
- You just dont seem to understand why you remain constipated of late.
- Your friends have started noticing a sudden weight gain and you cant seem to explain why as you wonder that you are not even overeating!
- You look at yourself in the mirror these days and notice your face getting puffy.
- You are feeling upset seeing your long, thick hair begin to thin suddenly and there are bunches of hair lying scattered all over the house.
- Your menstrual cycles are irregular .
- You are noticing excessive hair growth on the face which is becoming embarrassing.
- You can see your throat swell up. Surely, its time to see the doc.;
How To Cure Thyroid With Yoga Or How To Cure Thyroid With Yoga
Ten years ago, I only knew of thyroid disorder through school textbooks. It was only a medical condition to me which could occur in people in the outside world, until it happened to me one day seven years ago. And it was then that it occurred to me for the first time ever that thyroid disorder can really happen to anyone, even me! In the beginning, I was a bit scared but once I found yoga and Ayurveda as safe and easy treatment options, I dont even think much about it now. Life is just as normal as it always was and daily yoga practice has only made it better, helping me cope with the symptoms better Nikhila Singh, a patient of hypothyroidism since 2006.
Yes, thyroid disorder has indeed become a household name these days, close behind hypertension and diabetes. According to the American Thyroid Association , around 20 million people in the US have some form of thyroid disorder and at least 60 percent of those who do are not even aware of it! Also, the prevalence of the condition is believed to be higher in women than men. One of the main causes of thyroid disorders is believed to be the stressful lifestyle we are leading. ;
Now, thyroid disorders can be of many types but the two most prevalent ones are:
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
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