The thyroid gland produces hormones that are secreted into the blood and are carried to every tissue in the body. Thyroid hormones have important roles in growth, development, and regulation of metabolism. Many factors can influence the concentration of these hormones, and the health of the thyroid gland depends on several genetic, nutritional, and immune-related influences which can lead to either excessive or insufficient activity. Several herbs have been shown to benefit thyroid function through a variety of mechanisms depending on the body’s needs. The use of herbal adaptogens, anti-inflammatories, and immunomodulators will often play an important part in a holistic approach to supporting healthy thyroid function.

The endocrine system is responsible for synthesizing and secreting hormones to maintain and regulate many bodily functions, including growth and development, metabolism, electrolyte balance, and reproduction.1 It is a complex, intricate system designed to regulate and maintain homeostasis of several different metabolic processes, but it can also be influenced by a variety of factors including nutrient intake, circadian rhythm, and exercise, underscoring the interplay between the endocrine system and nutrition.2,3 Important glands of the endocrine system include the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands, and thyroid gland.1  

Join Angela Hywood, BSc, ND, in this Masterclass about the thyroid. While thyroid hormones are often misunderstood, this presentation covers concepts and protocols from the most recent advancements in thyroid management to create a clear picture. Angela will cover various endocrine disorders, first signs of a disorder, and new ideas to help your patients.

Scientifically, stress is defined as a state of real or perceived threat to homeostasis, or internal dynamic balance.1-4 Stress has many effects on the body and is closely linked to inflammation, activating inflammatory pathways in the brain and peripheral tissues.5 Chronic stress can result in permanent physiological and psychological changes and has been strongly associated with issues such as heart disease, cancer, skeletal fractures, liver disease, migraine headaches, anxiety, depression, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes.2,4,6 Stress-induced inflammation is likely a key factor in the development of these conditions.5

Addressing what many struggle with, Dr. Nicole Rivera encourages asking better questions about various sleep issues. From causes related to blood sugar, gut health, and blood flow, Dr. Rivera discusses potential methods for improving the root of sleep problems. She ends with the encouragement to ask better questions, to do better testing, and to customize one’s individual sleep approach.

Sleep is a biological process that involves communication between multiple body systems, and its relationship with stress plays an important role. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sleep interact in multiple ways to maintain alertness as well as the body’s physiological response to stress. Dysfunction and, in particular, hyper-reactivity within the HPA axis can often be the cause of sleep disruptions as the role of hormones such as cortisol and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) are both involved in circadian-dependent wake rhythms and modulation of the stress response.

Research has long depicted the importance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis  in mediating the stress response and maintaining physiologic homeostasis. Chronic stress propagates a systemic cascade of ultimately dysfunctional metabolic events initially intended to be adaptive. HPA dysfunction appears to be a major initiating and contributing factor to this process, eventually giving rise to disruption of the normal, daily cortisol release pattern.