Diet For Thyroid Health: Foods To Improve Thyroid Function

An alone diet for the thyroid probably won’t cure it. However, a combination of the right nutrients and medications can help improve thyroid function and ease the worst symptoms.

Certain foods can have a significant effect on hypothyroidism or thyroid symptoms, while others can make them worse or interfere with thyroid function.

Thyroid Function

Like any other part of the body, it is very important to control and regulate thyroid function.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in front of the windpipe in the neck.

Thyroid-related diseases such as Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism occur due to disturbances in the thyroid gland. Thyroid glands are one of the largest endocrine glands found in the human body.

This biceps structure is located in our neck at approximately the same level as the cricoid cartilage below the larynx. The thyroid gland plays a special role in the metabolic process of the body.

This thyroid gland secretes hormones called Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyrocalcitonin. These hormones affect the body’s metabolic rate and other growth mechanisms. The thyroid hormone controls the speed of all the processes of the body.

People with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) may experience a number of health problems, such as fatigue, puffy face, increased sensitivity to cold, hair loss, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, and weakness, among many other symptoms.

In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland produces fewer hormones. In such a situation, the following hypothyroidism diet along with medicines can be beneficial.

A Balanced Diet for Thyroid Function

Several foods are important to a balanced diet for hypothyroidism.

Iodine

Iodine has an important role in the growth and metabolism of the body as well as very important for making thyroid hormones. It needs to vary with each stage of life. (study)

According to the US National Institutes of Health, adults need 150 micrograms of iodine every day. During pregnancy 220 micrograms per day, while breastfeeding women need 290 micrograms of iodine daily.

Our body does not naturally manufacture iodine, so we have dietary options to obtain this nutrient. Iodine is found in a variety of foods such as:

• Fish
• Eggs
• Nuts
• Meat
• Seaweed
• Dairy products
• and iodized salt etc.

Selenium

Selenium is another essential mineral that is needed to “activate” thyroid hormones as well as helps in the proper functioning of the thyroid glands. It is a type of antioxidant, which protects the thyroid gland from damage caused by free radicals. Brazil nuts, tuna, sardines, eggs, and legumes are some good sources of selenium.

Due to the deficiency of selenium, the body is unable to use the thyroid hormone. The body uses selenium to make an antioxidant called glutathione. This antioxidant protects the thyroid gland from inflammation.

However, avoid taking selenium supplements and selenium can be toxic in large amounts.

Zinc

According to the International Journal of Endocrinology, zinc is essential for healthy thyroid function, as it supports thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism as well as regulates TSH.

Zinc is important for affecting both the thyroid and immune systems. It also affects the production of hormones that, when zinc levels are low, cause TSH not to be made, resulting in altered thyroid hormones.

Zinc is also an essential part of the enzyme deiodinase. If zinc is low, T3 levels are low.

To overcome the deficiency of zinc and selenium, you should include things like eggs, whole grains, pulses, kidney beans, desi gram, chickpeas, linseed seeds, oysters (seafood) in your diet.

Copper

Copper is also an important mineral for the thyroid gland. If there is less copper in the blood, then there is a side effect on the thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Due to the deficiency of copper, the patients stop feeling cold.

Other Tips for Thyroid Diet 

• Include healthy fats in your daily diet.
• Do not drink water immediately after eating or do not drink water while eating.
• Consult a doctor before consuming vitamins and minerals.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Do not eat too much spicy and fried food.
• Avoid consuming foods or beverages containing high sugar.
• Don’t drink alcohol.
• Avoid consuming processed food.
• Adopt a healthy routine like exercise and yoga.

Conclusion

Taking care of food is very important for the thyroid. Some nutrition can have an effect on both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. It can even affect the medicines being taken during this time.