By Duncan Reeve, Peak of Wellbeing
Today a client asked me ‘What is the thyroid gland and what does it do?’
A great question! According to Dr. Cass Ingram, author of the Body Shape Diet, the thyroid is known as the ‘master of metabolism.’ One of it’s most important roles is controlling the metabolic rate. This gland also has a role to play in immune function and circulation. Hence why most people who have a thyroid condition suffer from freezing cold hands and feet.
The thyroid needs iodine to function optimally. Iodine can be found in fish and seafood. The idea is that water runs down the rocks, collecting iodine and depositing it into the sea. Hence why fish, seafood and kelp should contain good amounts of Iodine. In the Alps for example, water runs extremely fast down steep mountains and often there isn’t enough time for large quantities of iodine to be collected. People in these regions can often suffer from thyroid issues. On top of this, in certain parts of Europe and the Alps, sauerkraut is a local dish. Extremely nutritious if you don’t have thyroid issues. However, It is known that these kinds of vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli etc. can block thyroid function when eaten raw.
How do you know if you have a thyroid issue?
Thyroid Types often have freezing cold hands and feet and they can have a puffy or slightly swollen look. Sometimes the contours of their face is lost due to this puffiness. They usually have multiple white spots on their finger nails and suffer from constipation. You may feel tired in the morning and energetic at night. Dry and coarse hair is classic of thyroid dysfunction, along with brittle nails, bags under the eyes and thinning hair or hair loss. Heart palpitations are even common.
People can actually be categorized into Thyroid, Adrenal and Pituitary Body Type shapes. Knowing which type you are and how to feed the imbalance in one of your glands, is crucial to changing your body shape, burning body fat, reducing puffiness and feeling energized.
You can fill out a simple questionnaire at one of our FREE Body Shape talks to find out if you have a Thyroid, Adrenal or Pituitary gland issue.
Author's bio
Duncan Reeve is one of the co founders of Peak Of Wellbeing. He has been in the health, fitness and wellbeing industry for over 12 years at varying levels i.e. providing gym floor, personal training, manual therapy and massage, group exercise classes.
Duncan is also a C.H.E.K Practitioner, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Holistic Lifestyle Coach and Golf Performance Specialist, and has trained extensively under the CHEK Training scheme for the last 12 years. He is now part of Team CHEK, teaching and presenting CHEK programmes throughout Europe and the UK. The CHEK system is a ‘whole’ body approach, which means a practitioner looks at the way an individual moves, breathes, eats, sleeps, thinks and hydrates.
Acclaimed for his passionate and enthusiastic teaching style and willingness to share knowledge, Duncan is an avid golfer and cricketer and works with many sports men and women, including golfers, from professionals to amateurs, as well as designing health and wellbeing programmes for all types of individuals.
He works with clients in Europe and the UK on a one to one basis, in small groups and via workshops, and his specialist areas include:
1. Golf Performance Conditioning
2. Back Pain & Core Strengthening
3. Rehabilitation & Corrective Exercise
Duncan Reeve, Dip. Sports Therapy, Premier Personal Training, Master CHEK Practitioner Level 3, CHEK HLC L3, CMTA and Golf Performance Specialist.
