Brazil Nuts: Proven Benefits, How Many to Eat Per Day, Nutrition Facts, Calories

Brazil nuts are a delicious, healthy treat that have many health benefits including keeping your immune system strong. The high selenium content in Brazil nuts has been linked to cancer prevention, maintaining a healthy thyroid, and protecting you against heart disease. You only need to eat 1 or 2 Brazil nuts every day to get the recommended daily allowance of selenium.

Apart from containing a healthy level of selenium, the proven benefits of Brazil nuts are also due to calcium, magnesium, and potassium in every nut. Brazil nuts are also an important source of healthy fatty acids that have antioxidant properties. So, eating one or two Brazil nuts at the start of each day is a great way to give your general health a great boost.
In this article, I will look at what scientific research has discovered about the link between Brazil nuts and good health. You will also find out about the side effects of regularly eating too many Brazil nuts.
What Are Brazil Nuts?

Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) are actually a seed from the Brazil nut tree that grows in South America. The Portuguese name for Brazil nuts is semilla de Brazil, or Brazilian seed.

The seeds or Brazil nuts from the Brazil nut tree are encased in a large fruit that has a hard shell like a coconut. Each fruit from the tree can contain between 3 and 24 Brazil nuts that are contained in triangular-shaped shells. These nuts look like segments of an orange when you open the fruit.

Eating raw Brazil nuts is the healthiest way you can consume them. When comparing the nutrient content of other tree nuts, Brazil nuts have the highest levels of selenium and they contain more potassium, calcium, and magnesium than most other nuts.
Brazil Nuts Nutrition Facts

Brazil nuts offer a lot of nutritional value as they are packed with healthy fats, fiber, protein, and a wide range of minerals and  vitamins.

The nutritional content of Brazil nuts means that they are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat. Here are a few facts on the nutritional value of nuts from the Brazil nut tree.

Brazil nuts contain 60–70% oil and 17% protein. Brazil nuts contain abundant dietary antioxidants, especially selenium (Se). One single Brazil nut provides 160% of the US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of selenium. It is the best source of selenium from plant-based foods. Brazil nuts are also a rich source of phenolics (phytochemicals that account for most of the antioxidant activity in plants). They are also a rich source of flavonoids

One Brazil nut (5 g) contains just under 33 calories.

A study of the health benefits from consuming nuts has revealed that Brazil nuts are high in clean protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and folate. Eating 4 – 6 Brazil nuts a day can provide you with 27% of your magnesium RDA as well as providing calcium, iron, copper, zinc, and potassium.

To find out more about improving your health naturally, please read my article on the amazing health benefits of nuts and seeds.
Brazil Nuts and Selenium

One of the most important reasons to eat a couple of Brazil nuts daily is because they contain selenium.

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that protects our body against damage by acting as an anti-oxidant.
A 2017 study on the nutritional value of Brazil nuts found that they are the food with the richest source of selenium available.

In fact, research carried out in 2008 found that eating just 2 Brazil nuts per day provided selenium for your daily requirements. After a 12-week period, plasma selenium levels in people who ate 10 grams of Brazil nuts (about 2 nuts) increased by over 60%. The researchers concluded that eating 2 Brazil nuts daily can prevent the need to take selenium supplements.

Other studies on the nutritional benefits of consuming Brazil nuts have shown that just one Brazil nut can provide 160% RDA of selenium.
Why selenium is important

Doctors from the National Institutes of Health say that selenium is critical in protecting the body from infection and oxidative damage. Selenium is also necessary for proper DNA synthesis and keeping your thyroid healthy.

Low selenium levels in humans have been linked to increased risk of various diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.

Apart from Brazil nuts, other dietary sources of selenium are seafood, grains, meat, eggs, and poultry. As expected, the best plant-based source of selenium is Brazil nuts.

Please read this article to find out the warning signs of selenium deficiency.
Calories in Brazil Nuts

The good news when it comes to eating Brazil nuts is that you don’t have to worry about calories.

One Brazil nut (5 g) contains just under 33 calories. When you consider that 1 – 2 of these Amazonian nuts meet your selenium requirements, it is not difficult to see why Brazil nuts are so nutritionally beneficial.

Many nutritionists agree that consuming moderate amounts of nuts don’t increase body weight. In fact, eating the recommended amounts of Brazil nuts may even help you lose weight.
How Many Brazil Nuts to Eat Per Day? Brazil Nuts Serving Size

Most studies show that you should eat one or two Brazil nuts per day to get the best health benefits. The serving size for Brazil nuts should be around 10 grams (or, 0.35 oz) of these healthy nuts.
 
Brazil Nuts Benefits

Most of the health benefits of Brazil nuts come from the selenium content. Let’s look in more detail at scientific research that shows how regular consumption of Brazil nuts is good for you.
 
Brazil Nuts Have Strong Antioxidant Properties
One of the greatest benefits of Brazil nuts is that they are full of antioxidants that kill off free radicals in your body. Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that free radicals are connected with premature aging, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses.

Research carried out in 2016 found that Brazil nuts are among the healthy foods needed to help prevent certain diseases. It was found that a diet rich in antioxidants (including nuts from the Brazil nut tree) can help to lower your risk of developing chronic diseases.
One study showed that consuming 2 or 3 Brazil nuts a day provided enough antioxidants in people and it helped to lower blood pressure and fat lipids in blood.

Other studies into the reasons Brazil nuts are good for you have shown that regular consumption increases glutathione.  Glutathione is the most important antioxidant your body produces.

You can also increase this antioxidant levels by taking N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplements.

Brazil Nuts May Prevent Cancer

Helping to prevent certain cancers is an extremely compelling reason to eat a few Brazil nuts daily.

In a 2000 Canadian study performed by scientists from the University of Montreal, researchers found that heightened levels of selenium—a key component of Brazil nuts—was associated with a reduced risk of developing colon cancer. (28) Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States and you must be aware of its 10 warning signs.

Another study found that consuming Brazil nuts along with other natural ingredients could help to reduce the risk of certain cancers. The study into the effects of Brazil nuts and green tea extract found that these ingredients can help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in humans.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition claims that “Brazil nuts are a convenient source of selenium and were shown to prevent mammary cancer in rats.”

In 2018, researchers discovered that supplementing your diet with Brazil nuts to prevent cancer is better than taking inorganic selenium supplements (sodium selenite). Research uncovered the fact that organic sources of selenium (i.e., Brazil nuts) are more effectively absorbed in your small intestine.

Studies into the bioavailability (the amount the body can absorb) of selenium in Brazil nuts have found that a couple of Brazil nuts are just as good as selenium supplements. Researchers found that the levels of selenium in the body were directly linked to the number of Brazil nuts consumed. Researchers report that Brazil nuts can be just as effective as taking selenium supplements for cancer prevention.

As well as consuming a couple of Brazil nuts daily to help reduce your risk of cancer, you should also learn about other foods that can help prevent cancer development.
 
Brazil Nuts May Help Reduce Inflammation
Another health problem that Brazil nuts are good for treating is to reduce inflammation in your body.

Doctors from the Cleveland Clinic say that that chronic inflammation is connected with almost every chronic disease. This includes cancer, heart disease, depression, and diabetes. Controlling inflammation can help to reduce your risk of these chronic health conditions.

A study into the nutritional benefits of consuming Brazil nuts found that even a single dose of these tasty nuts reduces inflammatory markers. Consuming between 4 and 10 Brazil nuts was effective in decreasing inflammation in the body. Researchers concluded that eating a few Brazil nuts daily could have the potential to reduce chronic inflammation.
To help reduce your risk of developing chronic disease, please read my article on the best foods to lower inflammation.

Brazil Nuts Can Improve Thyroid Function

The selenium in Brazil nuts can also help to maintain your thyroid health and prevent the complications of thyroid disease.

Thyroid function plays a crucial role in many bodily processes, including effective metabolism and emotional regulation (mood and mental changes are one of the signs of a thyroid disorder).

A selenium-containing enzyme is responsible for transforming a less active thyroid hormone called T4 into the more active T3. In addition, selenium and iodine work together to keep thyroid function strong and consistent.

If you have thyroid disease, there is a high probability that you have lower than normal levels of selenium. Doctors agree that organic-based selenium supplements are necessary to help prevent thyroid disease.

Scientific research has shown that eating just one Brazil nut per day is enough to raise T3 hormone levels naturally. In one study, patients with poor thyroid function were given one Brazil nut daily for 3 months. At the end of the 3 months, thyroid hormone levels were significantly increased and levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) reduced. 

Brazil Nuts Can Increase Testosterone Levels in Men

Brazil nuts are healthy for men because they can increase testosterone levels and improve the quality of semen.

Low levels of selenium in men have been linked to low testosterone which can impact on male fertility. Researchers have discovered that the testicles contain high levels of selenium. Therefore, the quality of sperm is greatly affected by selenium levels in men.

According to one study, selenium supplementation is often recommended to address problems of male infertility. In one trial, men received 200 mg of selenium and 600 mg N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) supplements daily. After 26 weeks scientists found that sperm concentration and sperm motility were increased.

If you are concerned about infertility, please read my article on how to improve the lifespan of sperm.

Brazil Nuts May Lower Cholesterol

Another important reason for having a dose of one or 2 Brazil nuts every day is to reduce your cholesterol.

A small study on 10 volunteers found that consuming a number of Brazil nuts had a great impact on LDL cholesterol. This is the type of cholesterol that doctors say is “bad” cholesterol. Consuming Brazil nuts reduced “bad” cholesterol in a 6-hour period. At the same time, levels of HDL (or, “good” cholesterol) actually increased.

To help reduce your risk of stroke or heart disease, please read my article on how to lower cholesterol naturally.

Brazil Nuts Help Improve your Cardiovascular Health

The health benefits of regularly eating a small serving of Brazil nuts (2 – 4 nuts) daily also extend to your cardiovascular health in general.

A study on obese women found that the bioactive compounds and unsaturated fatty acids in “semilla
 de Brazil” (Brazil nut) improved vascular health. The women consumed 3 – 5 Brazil nuts per day. 

After 16 weeks, red blood cell health was improved, selenium levels were increased, cholesterol was down, and microvascular function was improved.

In a study published in LWT – Food Science and Technology in 2009, researchers found that people who ate Brazil nuts were at a reduced risk of developing atherosclerosis (thickening of arterial walls due to plaque buildup) thanks to the antioxidant effects of selenium in these powerful seeds.

To help reduce your risk of a heart attack, please read my article on foods to eat to keep your heart healthy. You should also consider making some lifestyle changes to prevent a heart attack.

Adding nuts to your daily nutrition is also one of the 70 habits featured in my e-book 70 Powerful Habits For A Great Health which will guide you how to take positive steps to improve your wellness and overall health.

Brazil Nuts Could Help to Lower Blood Pressure

Because Brazil nuts have such a positive impact on your cardiovascular health, it should be no surprise that these South American nuts can help lower blood pressure.

Research published in 2015 found that regularly consuming Brazil nuts can help produce enzymes in the body that could lower blood pressure. As well as lowering “bad” cholesterol, Brazil nut supplementation helped to boost “enzymatic antioxidant activity” that has the effect of lowering blood pressure.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, you can learn about other ways of lowering hypertension.

Brazil Nuts Fight Depression or Anxiety
One of the many benefits that Brazil nuts can give you is to help reduce feelings of depression or anxiety.

When studying the effects of selenium supplementation on mood, scientists found that increasing selenium helped to lift a person’s mood. People consumed the equivalent amount of selenium daily that is contained in one Brazil nut. Low levels of selenium were directly related to feelings of tiredness, depression, and anxiety. When selenium levels were in increased, participants reported positive changes in mood.

If you are under emotional strain or battle with anxiety, please read this article to learn about ways of dealing with stress and anxiety naturally.
Brazil Nuts Can Help You Lose Weight

Even though Brazil nuts contain a relatively large number of calories, consuming a few Brazilian nuts daily can help you lose weight.

Nutritionists have found that nuts containing healthy fats (like Brazil nuts) can help improve metabolism and assist in weight loss. Researchers have discovered interesting facts about the influence of nuts in losing weight. For example, eating a few Brazil nuts in the morning can increase your feeling of satiety and reduce snacking. Consuming unsaturated fats has also been linked to better resting metabolic rate.

If you want to lose weight fast, try eating a couple of Brazil nuts every morning, increase your physical activity, and eat more fiber to boost metabolism. These are just a few tweaks to help shed extra pounds.
Brazil Nuts Side Effects

There are very few side effects when consuming a few Brazil nuts daily or eating a large number at one time. However, some reported dangers of “semilla de Brazil” can include selenium toxicity and nut allergy reactions.
Brazil nut allergy

Although Brazil nuts are technically a seed, nuts from the Brazil nut tree can also cause symptoms of nut allergies.

A study into the allergy potential of Brazil nuts found that they contain proteins (forms of 2S albumin) that can result in allergic reactions. In some people, eating Brazil nuts can cause side effects like itching, hives, wheezing, swelling, diarrhea, and even anaphylactic shock.

If you have an allergy to tree nuts, you should also avoid Brazil nuts.
Selenium toxicity

If you eat too many Brazil nuts you could end up with selenium poisoning. Although quite rare, Brazil nuts can cause a condition called selenium toxicity, or selenosis.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health report that selenium toxicity could result from eating large numbers of Brazil nuts over a long period of time. Each Brazil nut contains up to 91 mcg selenium per nut. Regularly consuming more than 400 mcg selenium a day could cause you to show signs of selenosis.

This means that regularly eating more than 6 or 7 Brazil nuts daily could put you at risk of selenium poisoning. The dangers of eating too many Brazil nuts can include gastrointestinal upset, respiratory problems, hair loss and muscle tenderness. In rare cases, Brazil nut selenium poisoning could result in kidney failure or cardiac failure.

If you want to enjoy the many benefits of Brazil nuts, limit your portion size to 2 or 3 Brazil nuts per day.

This goes to prove that age-old adage about there being such a thing as “too much of a good thing”! Mix Brazil nuts with fruits to make a tasty, healthy snack to enjoy their health benefits.

Where to Buy Brazil Nuts?
You can buy Brazil nuts in most supermarkets, health stores, or online. You can buy Brazil nuts with or without their shells.

When you have bought your supply of Brazil nuts in your kitchen, you can eat them raw, crush them up and use as toppings on desserts, or add a couple of nuts to make yourself a delicious and nutritious smoothie.
How to Select and Store Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts contain oil and, therefore, they have a tendency to spoil. As with most nuts, you should store them in an airtight container in a dark place. Some people also store Brazil nuts in the freezer to extend their shelf life.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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source-healthynnaturalworld 

Take These Health Tests When You Reach 50

It's a midlife fact: once we've hit our fifties, we are more likely to need certain medical tests and exams to maintain our health. While this can be unsettling, knowing what tests are available to us can help us make better-informed health decisions. Here is a list of tests you should consider doing once you've reached your fifties:

Routine Yearly Physical Exam
Whether you are seeing a gynecologist or a family doctor for your routine checkup, it's important to know exactly what tests you need and what to expect. Routine physical checkups take time, so book your appointment in advance, making it clear that you are coming for a complete physical. If seeing your family doctor, it's best to stick with a general physical exam, screening for chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer. On the other hand, see your gynecologist for gynecological exams.

The following tests and exams get the best snapshot of your overall health:

1. General Physical Exam
A general physical includes your doctor taking a detailed history to learn all about you and your family history. A head-to-toe physical exam includes your skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, lymph nodes, chest, breast area, abdomen, rectum, and extremities (hands and feet).

2. Waist Circumference
A larger waist circumference could put you at an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, which in turn can cause a cluster of medical conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels, which can increase your chances of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Among women, an increased waist circumference can also put you at risk of breast and uterus cancer.

3. BMI (Body Mass Index)
Your BMI is another indicator of possible future health risks. However, your waist circumference and body shape make for a more reliable estimate.

4. Blood Pressure
Once you've reached 50, your blood pressure should be tested at each visit to the doctor. According to treatment guidelines, if you have diabetes, your blood pressure target should be around 120/80.

5. Pelvic Exam
Your yearly visit to the gynecologist usually entails a pelvic exam. If you rely on your family doctor, you will most likely have to ask for this to be performed. A pelvic exam can determine the condition of your uterus, cervix, ovaries, and rectum. You should also ask for a rectal exam, as well as for a stool sample to be taken to test for the presence of blood. A regular pap smear will also examine your cervical cells, determining any changes or the possibility of cervical cancer.
Along with your pap smear, you should also ask for the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) test. Testing positive for HPV could mean that you are a chronic carrier of the virus, which is believed to be the sole cause of cervical cancer. Consequently, additional tests for any abnormal cells caused by the virus can then be carried out.

6. Blood Work
Your blood record contains a great deal of information about your health. By the time you hit your forties, it's important to run a complete series of blood tests. Doing so will allow you to find out about the state of your liver, thyroid, blood cholesterol, blood sugar and more. An overnight fast or fasting sample is critical. The following is an overview of what your doctor will test:
• Complete Blood Count: CBC measures the number, size, and shape of the different types of cells in your blood. It may be ordered as part of a complete physical examination, before surgery or if you have unexplained symptoms.
• C-reactive Protein: Women with a waist circumference of 35 inches or over should ask for this important test to determine blood inflammation and risk of heart disease.

7. Blood Chemistry
The state of your blood chemistry can be determined by a series of tests that can be conducted quickly and inexpensively. Here's what your doctor will test:

• Glucose: This test will determine whether you have diabetes. A fasting glucose of less than 100 is normal, while a level of 100 to 125 is abnormal and called impaired glucose tolerance. Meanwhile, a level of 126 or greater indicates diabetes.
• Blood Urea Nitrogen and Chloride: This tests your kidney function.
• Sodium, Potassium, and Chloride: These are your blood salts or electrolytes. This test is especially important if you are taking diuretics (water pills) for hypertension or heart disease.
• Uric Acid: Determines the waste product of all cells. If elevated, it may indicate kidney disease or gout.
• Albumin: A blood protein produced by the liver. If low, it can indicate liver or kidney disease.
• Globulin: A blood protein produced by your immune system. A high count can indicate chronic inflammation, infection or blood disorders such as multiple myeloma.
• Calcium: A component of your blood that helps all the cells in your body function normally. A high count in your blood can point to hyperparathyroidism, which predisposes you to kidney stones and low bone density.
• Serum Glutamine Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) and Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT): Determines the enzymes (proteins) produced by the liver and red blood cells.
• Lactate Dehydrogenase: This enzyme is produced by many cells in the body. If high, your doctor will likely do additional tests to rule out malignancy.
• Bilirubin: A chemical in bile that gives it its yellow color. If high, the bile passages from the liver to the intestine are blocked, indicating gallstones or liver disease.
• Gamma Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT): An enzyme produced by the liver. Obesity and excessive alcohol use are the most common factors for a GGT increase. It may also be elevated due to liver disease.
• Alkaline Phosphatase: An enzyme produced by the liver and bones. If elevated, determining the levels of GGT may help understand why - in which case, if both GGT and Alkaline Phosphate are high, the liver is likely to be the reason.

8. Blood fats and lipids
The levels of your blood fats and lipids determine whether heart disease is present. This is generally what your doctor should test for:
• Total Cholesterol: This determines the sum of your LDL and HDL (more on this below). High total cholesterol levels are linked to heart disease. Your total cholesterol level should be below 200.
• High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL): HDL indicated your good cholesterol levels. Your HDL should be at least 30 percent of your total amount. In men, an HDL greater than 40 is normal, while in women, an HDL greater than 50 is normal.
• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL): LDL determines your bad cholesterol levels. If your LDL is high, it puts you at risk for heart disease. Your doctor will likely recommend a change in diet and medication to get your LDL cholesterol below 130. If you suffer from diabetes or heart disease, your treatment goal for LDL should be below 100.
• Triglycerides: This determines the form of fat in your blood. Your triglyceride levels are much more likely to be higher after a meal. Elevated levels indicate an increased risk of heart disease and could also be a sign of early diabetes. Your triglyceride levels should ideally be under 150.

9. Thyroid Function
Women over the age of 50 should be tested for an under-active thyroid. A thyroid function test measures the level of the two hormones produced by the thyroid glands: thyroxine 3 (T3) and thyroxine 4 (T4), both of which regulate your metabolism. If your thyroid hormone levels are low, the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) level will be high, whereas if the thyroid hormone levels are too high, then the TSH will be low or immeasurable.

10. Bone Density
An x-ray, known as the DXA scan, measures your bone density. The lower your bone density, the greater your risk for bone fractures. The most important score detected by a DXA scan is your T-score, which indicates how well your bones compare to that of a healthy 35-year-old-woman. If it falls between -1 and -2.5, you likely have mild protein and mineral loss in your bones, called osteopenia. If your T-score is -2.5 or lower, then you have osteoporosis and thus are exposed to a significantly increased risk of fractures.

11. Mammogram
This X-ray can detect breast cancer early, often before a lump can be felt. It is ideally scheduled a week after your period, a time when your breasts are least tender and glandular. Women over 50 should take this test yearly, while women at high risk of breast cancer should ask about a digital mammogram and an MRI.

12. Colon Cancer Screening
Once you've hit 50, talk to your doctor about a colon cancer screening. If colon cancer, colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease or other cancers such as breast, ovarian, endometrial or prostate cancer run in your family, it is important to get screened. Have an annual rectal exam and check the stool for hidden blood once a year. Get a colonoscopy done once at age 50, then depending on your family history, once every 5 to 10 years.

13. Dental
Every six months, get your teeth and gums checked for decay or plaque buildup as well as signs of inflammation and infection, particularly if you are at risk for heart disease, metabolic syndrome or diabetes, or if you have a waist circumference over 35 inches.  

14. Vision
Getting your eyes checked on a regular basis can determine your vision, cataracts, and even glaucoma. If you suffer from metabolic syndrome or diabetes, you should have an annual ophthalmology exam done by an ophthalmologist, to check the retina too.

15. Skin Examination
Ask your doctor for a head to toe check of your skin on an annual basis. Melanoma is one of the most serious forms of skin cancer, that arises due to excessive sun exposure.

16. ECG (Electrocardiogram)
A baseline ECG assesses your heart's electrical activity. Be sure to get this test done by age 50, particularly if you are at increased risk for heart disease. For an accurate picture of your heart ask for a CT scan, a stress test which uses a heart ultrasound or special dye to get more accurate pictures of your heart. It may be a good idea to ask your doctor for a printout on a copy machine, which you carry with you along with your emergency health card.
In case an emergency crops up in the future, your doctors will be able to compare a new ECG with your old one, enabling them to determine how best to treat you.

17. Prostate Cancer Screening

Once you've hit your 50s, it is important to discuss screening for prostate cancer with your doctor. If you have a family history of prostate cancer among first degree relatives, you should discuss screening at age 45.

In Summary
You know you are healthy at 50-60 if you have:
• Waist circumference under 35 inches
• Blood pressure <120 br="">• Blood lipids: LDL cholesterol <100 hdl=""> 50, TG (triglycerides) <150 br="">• Fasting blood glucose <100 br="">• ECG: baseline and CRP blood test if WC over 35 inches
• Sleep 7-8 hours at night
• Eat fruits, veggies, grains and healthy fats
• Don’t smoke
• Reduce stress in your life
• <1 br="" daily="" glass="" wine="">• Exercise/walk 30 minutes or more daily.

What Every Woman Should Know About Her Thyroid Gland

Your heart and brain get all the attention, but your thyroid—that butterfly-shaped gland situated below your voice box and above your collarbone—is the true unsung hero of your body. It produces two main hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), that travel in your bloodstream, influencing physiological functions from head to toe. “Every cell in your body needs thyroid hormones to work correctly,” says a Dr. “They regulate everything from metabolism to bone health. So much depends on your thyroid being perfect.”

When it’s not, problems arise. If your thyroid gland is underactive, for example—a condition known as hypothyroidism  levels of T3 and T4 can sink too low; because the hormones influence neurological function, you might feel forgetful or depressed. If your thyroid is overactive, a condition called hyperthyroidism, T3 and T4 creep too high, and you may experience irritability or anxiousness, explains a Dr. Hyperthyroidism can also speed up your metabolism, and may lead to weight loss, while hypothyroidism can cause weight gain.

A thyroid dysfunction can throw off your menstrual cycle, too, and might explain peekaboo periods. Your thyroid even affects the regularity of your No. 2s: Hypothyroidism is linked to constipation, and hyperthyroidism can bring on frequent, loose BMs.

There’s a risk of more serious health issues as well. When thyroid hormones climb too high, the body destroys old bone faster than it can be replaced, which hastens osteoporosis. An overactive thyroid can also trigger the heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation. An underactive thyroid, on the other hand, can make you more prone to high cholesterol and complications with your blood pressure.
But the biggest tip-off that your thyroid isn’t functioning right is feeling “wiped,” says an endocrinologist. “You’re so tired that you’re not able to carry out your daily tasks or get through your normal workout routine.” And the tiredness doesn’t go away after a good night’s rest. That kind of overwhelming fatigue is a symptom of both hypo- and hyperthyroidism.

Risk Factors

Just being a woman raises your likelihood of developing a thyroid problem. Why that is remains somewhat of a mystery. “Estrogen definitely plays a role in some way,” says a Dr. “Thyroid cells have a lot of estrogen receptors,” he explains, which would make them especially sensitive to the effects of the female hormone.

There’s also the fact that many thyroid conditions are autoimmune disorders. The most common cause of an underactive thyroid, for example, is Hashimoto’s disease, while the most common cause of an overactive thyroid is Graves’ disease. And those are more likely to affect women too. Your genes may factor in as well: A 2017 study  found that almost half of Hashimoto’s patients have a family history of the disease.

The good news is, most thyroid disorders are treatable once you have a diagnosis. Your doctor can get a picture of what’s going on with an exam and a blood test that measures your level of TSH—or thyroid-stimulating hormone. This hormone is released by your pituitary gland to trigger the thyroid to produce T3 and T4.

In people with hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland doesn’t respond well to TSH, and the pituitary gland churns out more and more of the hormone in an effort to stimulate the release of T3 and T4. Conversely, when the thyroid is in overdrive, your brain senses that levels of T3 and T4 are too high, and the pituitary gland makes little to no TSH.

If your doc diagnoses you with hypothyroidism, she will prescribe a synthetic form of thyroid hormone called levothyroxine. This medication, which you take once a day, is considered very safe, says a Dr.  at the right dose, you should have minimal or no side effects.

With hyperthyroidism, the first line of treatment is usually the drug methimazole, which stops the thyroid from pumping out too much of the hormones, a Dr. says. But because there are some concerns with using antithyroid drugs during pregnancy, if you’re planning on having children at some point, you might consider having your thyroid removed instead, or taking radioactive iodine, which gradually shrinks the gland and ultimately destroys it. Once your thyroid is gone, you’ll need to take levothyroxine for life.

Stay Balanced

One thing you can do to help keep your thyroid healthy is make sure you have a good source of iodine in your diet. The mineral is a critical raw material for the production of T3 and T4. Most people consume enough iodine since it’s in fortified foods, such as breads, as well as iodized table salt—just ½ to ¾ of a teaspoon will get you to the daily target of 150 mcg. But if you are on a very-low-salt diet or only cook with sea salt, or you’re gluten-free, you might need to focus on other sources, says the Dr. Eggs, dairy, saltwater fish, and seaweed can all help you meet the requirement. People with hypo- or hyperthyroidism don’t need to consume more or less iodine than the recommended amount; there’s no evidence that the mineral can actually treat those conditions, and excessive amounts may worsen them.

If you suspect your thyroid needs a boost, you may be curious about the many “thyroid support” supplements sold in drugstores and online. These pills promise to increase your energy, rev your metabolism, and more. But they’re risky, warns a Dr.

When Mayo Clinic researchers analyzed 10 popular products, they discovered that nine of them actually contained T3 or T4, or both—and some of the supplements supplied doses that were equal to or higher than the amount of synthetic thyroid hormone a doctor might prescribe. Such a dose could cause serious side effects, including bone-mass loss or an irregular heartbeat.

Bring your thyroid concerns up with your doc before you experiment with an over-the-counter pill. She’ll help you identify the underlying problem, so you get a remedy that’s effective and safe. “Your thyroid is the engine that powers your entire body,” says a Dr. “With a little teamwork, you and your physician can make sure it’s right on track.”

Is thyroid cancer becoming more common?

In the past 30 years, diagnoses of thyroid cancer have tripled. But the spike isn’t as alarming as it sounds, says  a thyroid cancer surgeon.

Doctors are using ultrasound and other neck imaging more often, he explains: “Studies suggest much of the increase in diagnoses is due to incidental findings of small, slow-growing cancers that may not have been diagnosed in decades past.” In fact, he adds, there are many women walking around with such tumors who may never need treatment.

If your doc detects a nodule that’s less than a centimeter, she’ll likely track it to see if it’s growing, says an oncologist. (About 90 percent to 95 percent of nodules are benign.) With a larger cancerous nodule, depending on the size, the protocol is to have part or all of your thyroid surgically removed; after that, you’ll take a daily dose of the synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medication levothyroxine.

There’s unfortunately not much you can do to reduce your odds of thyroid cancer, says the Dr. “Over 95 percent of the time, there’s no associated risk factor—we just consider these cancers random genetic events.”
 this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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A Guide To the Health Effects of Soy Products

Soy has a bad reputation, as soybeans contain a substance that can supposedly mimic human female hormones. Simultaneously, soy products are the most widespread and affordable replacements for meat and dairy produce, and people following a vegan and other dairy-free diets can really benefit from this nutrient-rich source of protein. Furthermore, soybeans might be even beneficial to people suffering from high cholesterol, infertility and even menopause.

This disparity created quite a lot of controversy surrounding soy, a significant part of which is ungrounded. This article provides a full review of both the nutritional value and the health effects of soy and soy products, which will help you make up your mind on whether or not consuming soy is right for you.

What is soy, exactly?

Soybeans are a type of legumes native to East Asia, being a crucial domestic crop throughout Asia for millennia. The first mentions of the soya bean, an alternative name of the crop, are between 7000 and 6600 BC in China, but it is very likely that they have been in widespread use even before that.

Today, soybeans are a staple food throughout Asia, where they are used to prepare a wide variety of products, starting from soy milk and soy sauce, to tofu and tempeh, which are meat alternatives, and even consumed raw in the form of edamame beans, which are immature soybeans commonly used as healthy snacks (pictured below).

Soy is also a key ingredient in many protein supplements, vitamins and processed foods. And finally, soybean meal is widely used to feed livestock. This means that soy products are more than simply widespread, they are quite challenging to avoid.

Nutritional Value

It is important to start from mentioning that soy products are some of the most cost-effective alternatives for both meat and dairy products. Soy products come in a variety of textures and flavors, such as milks, yogurts, cheeses, and meat substitutes, and they are usually widely available on the market.

But this is not the only reason why soy products are a great replacement for animal-derived produce, as they are also extremely nutrient-dense and provide a lot of protein, which is often lacking in meat- and dairy-free diets. Soy is a complete protein source, meaning that it contains all the essential amino acids the human body doesn’t produce.

Apart from that, soy is a good source for healthy fats, especially omega-3 fats. Finally, it contains a type of phytoestrogens called isoflavones that can also be beneficial to health. For your reference, the table above illustrates the nutritional content of one type of soy, edamame beans, but the overall nutritional value of other soy products will be similar.

Apart from being a great source of nutrients, however, soy can also be beneficial for those suffering from certain conditions, but it can also be possibly worse for others. A detailed review of the health effects of soy follows below.

1. Decreasing Cholesterol Levels

There is an extensive body of research suggesting that soy foods (but not soy supplements) may help lower the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase the levels of the good (HDL) cholesterol, especially among individuals who have higher than normal cholesterol levels.

A review study suggested that consuming only 47 grams of soy daily was associated with a 13% decrease in LDL cholesterol. This means that eating soy products can help stop the progression of atherosclerosis, as bad cholesterol is responsible for creating plaques in blood vessels, whereas HDL cholesterol helps clear those up.

2. Helps Relieve Menopause Symptoms

During menopause, women experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms (hot flashes, sleep problems, urinary symptoms, etc.) brought about by the shortage of female hormones called estrogens in the blood. Soy contains a type of phytoestrogens called isoflavones that can mimic the effect of human estrogens.

However, soy foods contain quite low levels of isoflavones, so in order to see a difference in symptoms, studies gave soy supplements to women and found that they, in fact, can be converted into estradiol (a type of estrogen) and partly compensate for the lack of estrogens observed in menopausal women.

A review article found that taking 54 mg of soy isoflavone supplements during a period of 3 months decreased hot flashes by over 20% and weakened all the symptoms by over 25%.

3. Improves Fertility in Women

Women who have difficulty conceiving or are currently undergoing a fertility treatment may benefit from soy. In a study, women who took 6g of soybean powder daily for a period of 6 months experienced more ovulations and an overall normalization of their menstrual cycles. On top of that, other studies suggest that soy supplements help women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) get pregnant.

4. The Influence on Male Sex Hormones

Since soy contains phytoestrogens, men are sometimes afraid to include soy in their diet, claiming it may lower their testosterone levels. This is a crucial issue, as many protein powders and supplements advertised to promote muscle growth are soy-based, and if soy can affect the hormone balance in men, it may render these supplements worthless or harmful.

However, a review of 15 studies showed that it is completely safe for men to consume soy foods, protein powders up to 70g per day, and even isoflavone supplements up to 240 mg daily. In addition, there is even scientific evidence suggesting that soy can potentially lower the risk of developing prostate cancer, so not only is soy safe to eat in moderation, but it may even be beneficial for men.

5. Decreases the Likelihood of Developing Breast Cancer

The evidence about soy and breast cancer is very conflicting, as there is a large and growing body of evidence from Asian studies suggesting that a higher soy intake may decrease the likelihood of developing breast cancer, whereas the Western studies did not find any link between breast cancer and foods containing soy.

Scientists believe that this might be due to the fact than in Asian countries, people usually consume more fermented soy products compared to Western countries, and it may be the case that fermented soy foods has more cancer-fighting properties than regular ones.

6. The Effect On Thyroid Function

One of the most controversial findings regarding soy is that a test-tube study reported that goitrogens, compounds found in soy, may have a negative effect on the thyroid. Human studies did not confirm this finding and suggested that individuals with an enlarged thyroid do not have to avoid soy products as long as they’re meeting their daily nutritional needs in iodine.

In summary, consuming soy products in moderation is not only safe, but also very beneficial to everyone, and especially for those who follow a meat- and dairy-free diet. What’s more, consuming soy products may even be beneficial at decreasing cholesterol levels, improving fertility, relieving menopausal symptoms and lowering the risk of developing certain cancers.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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