Sneaky GI glitch increases risk of slow thyroid by 700%

“For more than half my patients with thyroid slowdowns, suboptimal bile health is at the root,” says Sandra Cabot, M.D., author of Your

Thyroid Problems Solved. Indeed, scientists in Finland discovered that people with reduced bile flow are seven times more likely to have hypothyroidism. Why? The digestive fluid breaks down dietary fats, releasing an enzyme crucial to the production of active thyroid hormones. Without enough bile, thyroid function slows, triggering fatigue, thinning hair, weight gain and more.

The cause of sluggish bile: Toxin buildup from pollution or chemical exposure thickens the fluid, reducing its ability to break down thyroid-revving fats, says Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., author of Eat Fat, Lose Weight. Plus, stress hormones hinder bile production, increasing the risk of thyroid slowdowns.

Two simple tests can ID the problem. Ask for a blood test to assess levels of

bilirubin (a compound excreted by the liver that can signal bile trouble) and a thyroid antibody test. And consider the steps below to improve bile health and reboot the thyroid gland.

Sip 8 oz. of hot water mixed with the juice of half a lemon. Gittleman says the fruit’s citric acid stimulates bile flow and helps the liver flush out toxins that thicken the fluid. Another bile-thinning tip: Drink 8 oz. of water mixed with 1 oz. of unsweetened cranberry juice four times throughout the day.

Enjoy 11⁄ cups of fiber-rich veggies

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(like sweet potatoes) or non-gluten grains (like brown rice) daily. This helps the body clear toxins to keep bile thin, says Gittleman. Also smart: Adding 1 Tbs. of lecithin powder (available at drugstores) to smoothies, salads or cereal daily. As Gittleman explains, “This fatty compound is the primary agent in bile that breaks down fats.”