Metabolism: is a series of complex processes by which the human body converts food, water, and oxygen into the tissue, energy, and waste products. The thyroid glands are part of the endocrine system and diseases of these glands are most commonly attributed to reduced or excessive intake of iodine and tyrosine. Causes of thyroid problems may be because of Pitta imbalance. Hence, patients may experience a variety of different symptoms such as sensitivity to cold, dryness of the skin, Constipation, Anorexia, Angina pain, Anemia, and disordered menstrual function due to the underlying thyroid imbalance. It is a continuous process and goes on in every cell of the body. It comprises the breaking down of substances into simpler parts and their shuffling and recombination into countless new substances that compose the body. For example, carbohydrates are broken down by enzymes and acids and converted into pure sugar or glucose.
The constructive chemical and physical process by which food materials are adapted for the use of the body is known as anabolism, and the destructive process by which energy is produced with the breaking down of tissues into waste products is called catabolism. The two processes together are called metabolism.
Basal Metabolic Rate is the rate at which energy is consumed when a person is at complete rest. When a person is placed in a state of complete rest, the metabolic rate can be measured by measuring the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchanged during breathing under certain standard conditions. The BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is an index of a person’s health.
Endocrine glands: Metabolism is controlled by the endocrine glands–a term applied to certain organs whose function is to secrete into the blood or lymph, a substance that plays an important role in relation to general chemical changes or to the activities of the other organs at a distance. The chief endocrine glands are the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pituitary body, parathyroid glands, pancreas, ovaries, and testes.
The thyroid gland is situated in the front of the neck and produces the hormone thyroxine which plays a very important role in regulating the general metabolism of the body. When it is defective, the conditions are known as myxoedema (in adults) and cretinism (in children) result. An excess of its secretion is associated with a condition known as exophthalmic goiter or thyrotoxicosis or Grave’s disease. The ayurvedic treatment provides a natural remedy for the Thyroid with customized herbal medicines, diet, and lifestyle plans which address the root cause of the problem.