Yoga For Thyroid Problems

(February 17, 2009)

Is thyroid is curable by doing yoga? Kindly answer this question ?

Over 10 million people in the US are estimated to be suffering from thyroid problems, while another 13 million Americans are said to have undiagnosed thyroid conditions alone. Often misunderstood, and very often disregarded or misdiagnosed, thyroid problems can – and do – have an effect on virtually every aspect of a person’s health. This is why, understanding more about the thyroid function and its problems, and its symptoms will greatly help you protect or regain good health.

The thyroid is a little butterfly-shaped or bowtie gland, situated in the neck, covering the windpipe. It is located just below the area of the Adam's Apple and produces some very important hormones, two of which are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). In a healthy condition, the thyroid gland produces adequate levels of the hormone, of which, 80% are T4 and 20% T3. T3 is biologically said to be the more active hormone. It is the one that actually functions at our cellular level and is also said to be much stronger than T4.

Causes of Thyroid Problems

Exposure to radiation, like that which happened after the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster
Over-consumption of soy products that are isoflavone-intensive, including soy capsules, soy protein and soy powders
Some drugs, like the heart drug cordarone and lithium, are said to cause hypothyroidism.
Over-consumption or iodine deficiency in food can also trigger quite a few thyroid problems. (This also holds good for iodine supplements like kelp and bladderwrack.)
Radiation therapy to the neck, head or chest, for adenoids, tonsils, thymus gland problems, lymph nodes, or acne.
"Nasal Radium Therapy," that used to be done during the 1940s right through the 1960s, as treatment for colds, tonsillitis and other illnesses.
Over-consumption of uncooked "goitrogenic" foods; these include broccoli, brussels sprouts, turnips, rutabaga, radishes, kohlrabi, African cassava, cauliflower, kale and cabbage.

Yoga for thyroid

There is no definite proof that is thyroid is cured in any specific practise by way of doing Yoga. This is a problem for which even medical science has no definite solutions. The good news, though, is that the practise of Yoga – done regularly and diligently – is said to arrest the growth of the condition.

Asanas (Yoga poses)

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) – This pose is said to rejuvenates tired legs and calm the brain. Best of all, when you perform the Shoulder Stand properly and insert your chin into the hollow of your throat, you throw open your thyroid, thereby making it more functional and helping to heal it of a variety of disorders

Kapotasana (King Pigeon Pose) – This pose is an extremely deep backbend. Though it is suitable for advanced practitioners only, it invigorates the body and gives one’s spirits a lift.

Paripurna Navasana (Full Boat Pose) – This pose is a deep hip flexor and abdominal strengthener. In this you have to balance on the tripod of the tailbone and sit bones.

Halasana (Plow Pose) – The Plow Pose is great, again for throwing open the thyroid, reducing backaches and in improving the quality of sleep.

Pranayama (Yoga breathing exercises)

The following pranayamas (breathing exercises) are bound to have a therapeutic effect on the whole body in general and in the case of thyroid problems in particular.

Kapalabhatti (Skull cleansing)
Anuloma-Viloma (Alternate nostril breathing)
Ujjayi (Ocean breath)

Yogic diet

When it comes to any disease and its cure there is no sidestepping diet. A good, healthy Yogic diet will certainly go a long way in improving and even healing your condition. So, let your diet be Sattvic (light, simple and predominantly vegetarian) with ample servings of salads and fruit. Have four frugal meals a day, get plenty of exercise and never snack between meals. Above all, especially for thyroid sufferers, please avoid all junk / fast foods, deep fried and spicy foods.

Submitted by A on February 17, 2009 at 03:57