Dietary Factors To Help With Thyroid Problems
A thyroid imbalance means that the thyroid gland is not working properly, and this can affect many different aspects of your health. It is a fairly common problem, suffered by thousands of people.
There are two common imbalances of the thyroid; too much of the thyroid hormone being produced, called hyperthyroidism, and not enough of the hormone, which is called hypothyroidism. These are two completely different conditions, with very different treatments. The hormone released into the body by the thyroid gland acts as a regulator of the function of the body’s organs and tissues, controlling metabolism. This is why so many parts of the body are affected by thyroid dysfunction, like the heart rate, blood sugar, fluid balance, muscle tone, appetite, growth and energy levels.
Hyperthyroidism, an over active thyroid, may produce such symptoms as an enlarged thyroid gland in the neck, insomnia, shortness of breath, diarrhea, increased appetite, weight loss, hot flushes and heart palpitations.
Those with an under active thyroid, hypothyroidism, may have brain fog, low temperature, weight gain, constipation, fluid retention and an irregular menstrual cycle as some of their symptoms, as the decline in the thyroid hormone affects all parts of the body. Extreme tiredness is caused because the body isn’t completely digesting food and so nutrients aren’t being made available to the body.
Treatment is aimed at normalizing the balance of thyroid, and this can take a short time or up to a year. Medication is prescribed by doctors to increase the amount of thyroid hormone for hypothyroid patients, and to block the production in hyperthyroid patients. As well as taking this medication, you can help to alleviate symptoms and speed your recovery through your diet.
Foods which support patients with hyperthyroidism include the cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage. Green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach and mustard greens are beneficial as are soy beans and other legumes. Increasing your daily calorie intake can help to reverse the weight loss you may be experiencing, and by increasing lean protein and calcium, you will help to reverse muscle and bone weakening.
Limit saturated fats, fast food and extra sugar – you should do this as part of a balanced diet anyway. Keep away from stimulants like caffeine and alcohol because they adversely affect the immune system. Add probiotics with live cultures to your daily diet, either with yogurt or supplements, to keep your gut healthy and functioning well.
If you have been diagnosed with an under active thyroid, increasing your iodine levels will be helpful. Seaweed or kelp is one of the richest sources of iodine; it can be eaten or taken as a supplement in tablet form. Other iodine-rich foods include iodized salt, oats, garlic, bananas, eggs, yogurt, meat, fish and other seafood, potatoes, parsley and radishes.
Patients with hypothyroidism are often lacking in other substances besides iodine. Supplement your diet with selenium, tyrosine, zinc and vitamin A, C and E. Foods that boost your immune system will also help, so eat lean beef, sweet potato, mushrooms and blueberries and drink green tea. Regular, moderate exercise has been proven to boost your immune system, and will also help you feel better.
Would you like to learn more about thyroid gland and diet? Read other articles at thyroid disease
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