The thyroid gland – a key regulator of health
The thyroid gland plays a huge role in the overall health of the body. It produces hormones that control how the body uses energy and affect almost every organ. When the gland is not working properly, a number of symptoms appear – from constant fatigue to digestive disorders. Nutrition is one of the factors that has the greatest impact on thyroid function.
How the thyroid gland works
Located in the front of the neck, covering the trachea, the thyroid gland produces two main hormones – T3 and T4, for the synthesis of which iodine is required. These hormones are the “master switches” of metabolism: they affect breathing, heart rate, brain activity, motor activity, sleep, even the digestive system and the work of other glands.
Hormone deficiency  slows metabolism by up to 40%, leading to lethargy and weight gain.
An excess  speeds it up by 60–100%, which also creates problems.
The most common disorder is hypothyroidism, often associated with Hashimoto’s syndrome.
