The best natural thyroid boosters

As summer turns to fall, many women notice that energy fades, mood dips and hair thins. But it doesn’t have to be that way! By fortifying your ‘master gland,’ the thyroid, you can cut your risk of tiredness, depression and even thinner hair by as much as 69%! And it couldn’t be easier— here’s how… Start your day this way

Italian investigators reporting in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Endocrinology found that sipping 1 to 2 oz. of aloe vera juice first thing in the morning can boost thyroid function by 49% in nine months— and the benefits begin to kick in within three months. Experts explain that compounds in the juice bolster the thyroid’s ability to withstand inflammation and its damaging effects.

Meditate on monarchs

Gazing at passing butterflies, cozying up on your porch swing or marveling at the turning leaves sends stress packing in as little as 10 minutes. That’s a benefit that enhances thyroid function by as much as 45% within 12 weeks if done daily, findings from India suggest. Turns out any type of relaxing pursuit lowers your body’s output of cortisol, a “fight or flight” stress hormone that can tax the gland over time.

Try a deep-sea seasoning

The thyroid relies on iodine to produce its energizing hormones, and seaweed is so rich in the nutrient that enjoying it daily can boost thyroid function by 35%, Japanese scientists say. A tasty way to get the benefits: Use 1 tsp. of seaweed gomasio, a tasty seasoning made of seaweed and toasted sesame seeds, in place of your usual salt each day.

Nibble on a nut

Sounds too good to be true, but simply snacking on a single Brazil nut each day revs thyroid function by 38% in three months, according to a Brazilian study. The nutrientdense nuts are stellar sources of selenium, a mineral the thyroid needs to pump out its energizing hormones. Not a fan of nuts? Consider taking a daily supplement that contains 200 mcg. of selenomethionine, a form of the mineral that’s easily absorbed. One to try: NOW Foods Selenium 200 mg. (Walmart.com).