Nutritional Supplements For Hypothyroidism Articles & Resources

Experience has taught me that there is much that can be done to arrest and reverse hair loss in women. An underlying factor in this complaint is an under-functioning thyroid gland. Apart from thinning hair, other symptoms of low thyroid function - 'hypothyroidism' - include cold hands and feet, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, weight gain and fatigue. Those suspicious that their thyroid might be sluggish should consult their doctor for a blood test.

However, even if a blood test is appropriate, it is worth bearing in mind that such tests are not foolproof, since the 'normal' ranges for thyroid hormones encompass about 95 per cent of the population. This means that only about per cent of the population can be diagnosed with hypothyroidism, whatever the condition's true incidence. As a result, those with genuinely low thyroid function can still be 'normal' in blood tests. For more information about thyroid testing and potential treatments, I recommend the website . When low thyroid function is correctly identified and appropriately treated, improvements in hair growth are usually seen in a few weeks.

Another common cause of hair loss in women is iron deficiency, common in vegans and vegetarians, and in those who have heavy periods. Symptoms include fatigue, low mood and a pale complexion. Iron levels are best assessed by measuring the level of ferritin in the blood. If this is below about 50micrograms per litre of blood, then this is quite likely to be a contributing factor in a hair-loss problem.

The best food sources of iron are meats such as liver, lamb and beef. Plant foods rich in iron include dark chocolate, seeds and seaweeds such as kelp. Kelp is also rich in iodine, which plays a key role in the manufacture of thyroid hormones. Supplementation can also bring rapid results. Maintaining good levels of iron in the body and ensuring healthy thyroid function are two strategies that are usually effective for women seeking to cut their losses.

Dear John

In a recent column you explored the best diet for diabetics. However, you did not distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. My daughter takes insulin for type 1 diabetes and has been told she needs to eat starch such as bread, potatoes, rice or pasta with each meal. What advice do you have for her?
Julie Kettle, London N1

In type 1 diabetes, not enough insulin is produced by the body and, as a result, it must be injected. With type 2, there is usually enough insulin, but the body is relatively unresponsive to its effects. Both types tend to result in higher-than-normal levels of blood sugar. Blood-sugar control is generally better when the diet is lower in foods that give substantial release of sugar,such as potatoes, bread, pasta, rice and breakfast cereals. When type 1 diabetics such as your daughter eat less of these foods, they have better blood-sugar control and need less insulin. Dietary changes without adjustment of insulin dose may cause blood-sugar levels to go too high or low. For this reason, those contemplating eating less starch-based carbohydrates should consult their doctor.

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Nutrition news

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but is also a condition that appears to be quite heavily influenced by dietary factors. For instances, studies have found that consumption of vegetables of the brassica type (also known as cruciferous vegetables) such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer.

One compound these vegetables contain that is thought to have breast-cancer protecting properties is sulforaphane. In the past, sulforaphane has been found to help the detoxification of cancer-causing chemicals known as carcinogens. However, a recent laboratory study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that sulforaphane also inhibits the replication of breast-cancer cells. This effect, known as microtubule disruption, is actually the same as the principal mode of action of some conventional cancer drugs. This latest study adds to our understanding of how the eating of brassica vegetables might help to protect women from breast cancer.