Can you eat for better thyroid health? Discover the 3 best thyroid nutrients to improve your thyroid gland health. Plus, why a healthy diet in hypothyroidism beneficial foods can be the key to a healthy thyroid? Healthy thyroid function can also be improved with these 3 powerful nutrients that I discuss in detail. So, let’s discuss a thyroid diet and what foods are good for the health and function of your thyroid.
Thyroid function is powerful and far-reaching. It controls our most vital functions and organs, such as the heart, brain, liver, kidney, and skin.
It is also responsible for healthy and balanced human growth and development. As widespread as the areas where the thyroid reigns, the causes and triggers of thyroid dysfunction lie much closer together.
There are many nutrients that will help support thyroid function and balance your hormones, especially if you struggle with a thyroid disease like hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, Grave’s or hyperthyroidism.
Discover the Best Thyroid Nutrients for a Healthy Diet & Thyroid Gland Function
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Many factors can cause hypothyroidism, including poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, and certain medications.
Your diet plays an important function when it comes to hypothyroidism.
What Causes Hypothyroidism and Can a Pro Thyroid Diet Help?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S., with women three times more likely to be affected than men.
The condition is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own thyroid gland, causing inflammation and damage to the thyroid tissue.
Hashimoto causes hypothyroidism by destroying the thyroid gland and reducing its ability to produce hormones.
The condition can also cause other autoimmune diseases, such as pernicious anemia (inability to absorb vitamin B12) and type 1 diabetes.
Hashimoto’s is diagnosed by testing the levels of thyroid antibodies, which are specific proteins made by the immune system to attack foreign substances.
Thyroid and Diet
Can you eat for better thyroid health? Why is your diet, thyroid, and hypothyroidism so connected? Are there foods that can heal the thyroid naturally? All these questions and more are answered below.
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate how the body uses energy.
Therefore, it’s essential that you’re eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Over time, what we eat and drink can have a huge impact on our thyroid.
A diet rich in iodine, selenium and tyrosine will help support the functioning of your thyroid gland. The right food is important for your thyroid health.
So, what food for your thyroid should you add to your diet?
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, muscle weakness and joint pain, hair loss and brittle nails.
This is why getting control of your diet is so critical to managing hypothyroidism.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Causes
The exact causes of Hashimoto’s are unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune condition. The body attacks itself and destroys its own thyroid gland, destroying its ability to produce hormones.
Although Hashimoto’s disease causes are unknown, it can be related to various other factors, such as stress, infections, and certain medications.
Pro Thyroid Diet: Eat for Thyroid Health
The main reasons you may fall out of balance in thyroid production are due to nutrient deficiencies, a build-up of toxins, infections, and a poor inner ecosystem.
These reasons are all tied together in one way or the other.
Nutrient deficiency leads to compromised immune systems, which make the body more susceptible to infections. This leads to a lower resilience against stress, which combines with all the other factors to instate a poor inner ecosystem.
This is why eating for proper thyroid health is key to your overall wellness. Poor thyroid health can affect everything from depression to sleep issues, like insomnia.
A health diet with foods that help support the function of the thyroid is key to managing these symptoms.
What About Restrictive Dieting and Thyroid Disease?
If you are currently on a restrictive diet, it is important to work with your healthcare provider before making any changes.
This includes diets that eliminate food groups, such as gluten or dairy, and even some popular diets like paleo, vegan and vegetarian.
Why?
Because some of these diets can lack certain nutrients needed for thyroid health.
For example, a diet that eliminates gluten (found in wheat, rye and barley) can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies in selenium, zinc and B vitamins.
Selenium plays a key role in thyroid hormone metabolism. Zinc is also needed for hormone production.
A diet that eliminates dairy can lead to a deficiency in calcium, which is needed for thyroid hormone production and regulation especially if you have hypothyroidism.
What’s the bottom line?
If you are on a restrictive diet, you may want to consider taking a multivitamin/mineral supplement.
Your doctor can help you choose the right one for your needs.
Can Some Foods Increase Thyroid Function?
When problems and their root causes are so closely linked, so are their solutions. If you solve one of these problems, there is a high chance there will be a chain of collateral benefit set into motion.
Which is why you must maintain a thyroid-friendly diet by swearing off foods that make thyroid function go askew and increase foods that help the thyroid do what is supposed to do.
In addition, there are nutrients that must be kept in mind while making any changes to help thyroid growth.
Vitamin B Is Important for Healthy Thyroid Function
The thyroid is a small gland in the neck, which impacts our health in many ways. The most important nutrients required by the thyroid are vitamin B12 and whole-vitamin B complex.
Vitamin B is important for the thyroid function, and it’s best to take a nutritional supplement that includes the complete vitamin B complex, which contains B vitamins A, D, E, K, and biotin.
Foods containing vitamin B include whole grains, legumes (beans), nuts (almonds), milk (cottage cheese), yogurt (dairy creamers & smoothies), meat (sirloin steak), fish (salmon), eggs, seeds and dark leafy greens.
Selenium is a mineral that protects the thyroid from oxidative stress. Fish such as cod and tuna are rich in iodine, dairy products and iodized salt. Zinc is a mineral crucial for the production of thyroid hormones.
Sources rich in zinc include poultry, eggs, and seafood, as well as whole grains and milk products. Iron is absolutely necessary for the thyroid to convert T4 into T3.
Lastly, but certainly not least importantly, are the B vitamins! These vitamins are essential for metabolic processes, including energy production. B vitamins are also important for supporting thyroid health.
An underactive thyroid can cause a host of symptoms, such as lack of concentration, weight gain and depression.
An overactive thyroid can cause many symptoms, such as heat intolerance, weight loss and anxiety.
Let’s Talk About B Vitamins Health Benefits and Importance
Vitamin B is important for the thyroid gland’s overall health. It should be included in your diet if you are experiencing any symptoms related to your thyroid function.
Let’s find out about B vitamins and your thyroid. B vitamins are essential for the production and release of thyroid hormone. They also help regulate metabolism, which is important because your body burns calories faster when you’re under stress.
The B vitamins include: vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B6.
Vitamin B6 is important for a healthy thyroid because it helps regulate the production of T3 and T4. These hormones regulate your metabolism, which helps you maintain a healthy weight.
Vitamin B2 also helps your thyroid by regulating the production of T3 and T4 hormones, but also has other functions in your body. It helps with the formation of red blood cells and helps your body metabolize fats.
B vitamins are found in various foods, including: lean meat, whole grains, dairy products, and leafy, you lose weight.
Also, B vitamins also support the health of your nervous system, so they’re important for your mood and energy levels.
B vitamins are found in a wide range of foods, including: whole grains, beans, nuts and leafy green vegetables.
Eating for Thyroid Health – What 3 Key Nutrients Should You Include?
These 3 powerful nutrients are the best at helping improve your thyroid function.
Not only are these nutrients available in supplement form, but they are also commonly found in foods that might surprise you.
A healthy diet can help especially if you are knee deep in your struggles with hypothyroidism.
Health Foods for Thyroid Function & Support
Here at Eat Your Nutrition, our nutrition philosophy is exactly that, eat your nutrition.
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Aim to get your daily nutrients from whole foods. However, in certain circumstances, one must reach for supplementation.
Always try to get those nutrients from your daily dietary intake.
Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) Keeps Your Thyroid Healthy
The body takes in food in forms that are useless to the functions it wants to perform – it must convert food into useful bits and pieces.
Methylcobalamin is one of the tools used to accomplish that. It is a form of vitamin B12, which helps transform food into energy. Energy used for regeneration and creation of red blood cells, proteins, hormones, and new DNA.
However, as with any function being carried out, the work environment matters. Stomach cells must secrete a protein called the intrinsic factor to absorb vitamin B12, which cannot happen in a body with a poor internal ecosystem and gut health.
Methylcobalamin is relatively low-maintenance and can get the job done without needing the intrinsic factor for absorption – proving useful in the fight against thyroid-induced fatigue, which is most frequently reported by patients of thyroid dysfunction and Hashimoto’s, a form of autoimmune thyroiditis.
Some Food Sources of Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12)
So, what are the best food sources that contain fair amounts of vitamin B12 for the body?
Here are a few of my favorite suggestions.
- Eggs
- Cottage cheese
- Yogurt
- Fortified cereals
- Beef liver
- Oysters
- Sardines
- Fortified nutritional yeast
- Tuna
Selenium – Health Food Nutrients for Thyroid Disease & Better Function
Thyroid function produces two key hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
However, thyroxine needs to be converted into its biologically active counterpart, triiodothyronine, which is responsible for the regulation of your metabolism and other thyroid-related essentials.
Selenium brings you this conversion. Selenium plays a dual role by also protecting your body’s normal cell function, by supporting the body’s very own defense system and hunting down harmful free radicals.
The recommended form of selenium for thyroid conditions is selenium methionine.
Selenium is a trace mineral that’s important for human health. It’s found in many foods, but some foods are better sources of selenium than others.
Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium — one cup provides more than 100% of the Daily Value (DV) for selenium.
Tuna and halibut are both good sources of selenium, providing about 40% of the DV per serving.
Other seafoods, such as salmon and shrimp, are also good sources of this nutrient.
Selenium Is Essential For Thyroid Hormone Metabolism
The thyroid gland is responsible for the production of hormones that regulate metabolism.
These hormones are essential for a healthy body and must be metabolized through the selenium-iodine pathway to function correctly.
Selenium is an important part of this process and helps reduce antibodies against the thyroid peroxidase (an enzyme necessary in hormone production).
While it is clear that selenium is vital for thyroid hormone metabolism, the relationship between selenium, iron and iodine status has not been confirmed by randomized controlled trials.
More studies are needed to determine the public health implications for populations worldwide.
Until then, it is important to ensure you get enough selenium in your diet to support optimal thyroid health.
Some Sources of Selenium for Happy Hormones
So, what are the best food sources that contain fair amounts of selenium for the body?
Here are a few of my favorite suggestions.
- Pastured eggs
- Brazil Nuts
- Tuna
- Shrimp
- Halibut
- Liver
- Chicken
- Chicken
Thiamine for Thyroid Health
It may surprise you the intermingled effects that nutrients create.
Thiamine, also known as B1, is one such nutrient. It carries the responsibility of releasing the stomach acid HCL, which is hydrochloric acid.
HCL is a prerequisite for the conversion of carbohydrates into usable energy, as well as the breakdown of proteins and fats during digestion.
Research has found that chronic fatigue that comes in tow with inflammation and autoimmune diseases may result from thiamine levels depleting.
Another health food for thyroid contains adequate sources of thiamine.
Sources of thiamine include rich protein, such as beef liver, eggs, nuts, seeds, legumes, and pork, as well as dried milk and fortified grains.
If you experience digestive issues that prevent you from living on a thiamine-rich diet, you may also take supplements that contain the fat-soluble thiamine vitamin called benfotiamine, as well as ascorbyl palmitate, which is vitamin C, soluble in fat.
Best Food Source Types of Thiamine Nutrients (Vitamin B1)
So, what are the best health food sources that contain fair amounts of thiamine for thyroid?
Here are a few of my favorite suggestions.
- Beef liver
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Legumes
- Pork
- Fortified grains
- Brown rice
- Tofu
Nutrients And Foods To Heal The Thyroid And Balance Hormone Levels
A diet with a good balance of nutrients is important for thyroid health especially hypothyroidsim.
A diet that includes various whole foods, including fruits, vegetables and nuts, will provide the body with all it needs to maintain good thyroid health.
The following health foods are particularly beneficial to the thyroid.
Can Certain Foods And Nutrients Increase Thyroid Function And Improve Lifestyle?
As mentioned earlier, selenium is a key nutrient, found in nuts and seafood, and flaxseed, whole grains. Iodine, found in milk products, is also important to keep the thyroid running optimally. Iodine can also be found in seaweed.
In addition to the above nutrients, zinc and vitamin A are also important to include in the diet. Zinc is found in whole grains, nuts and legumes.
Vitamin A can be found in leafy greens, carrots and sweet potatoes.
In addition, a diet rich in fiber and low in saturated fats is recommended if you have hypothyroidism or other thyroid diseases.
What else is important to know about the thyroid?
You may also be interested in learning more about the common problems women face when ti comes to a malfunctioning thyroid. Check out this article:
Potential Risk of Thyroid Medication Interactions to Be Aware of and Take Note
Take note when taking your thyroid hormone simultaneously with these foods and supplements.
When you’re taking thyroid hormone medication, it’s important to avoid potential interactions. This means avoiding certain dietary supplements and medications, as well as coffee.
Some dietary supplements can interfere with the measurement of thyroid hormone, so it’s best to take them several hours before or after you take your medication.
This includes walnuts, soybean flour, cottonseed meal and iron supplements.
However, biotin has no effect on healthy thyroid hormone levels and should not be taken with thyroid replacement medication.
Coffee can also interfere with the absorption of your medication, making it less effective.
If you drink coffee regularly, consider taking your thyroid medication at bedtime instead of in the morning – but talk to your healthcare provider first!
You must wait at least four hours after taking your thyroid medication before consuming calcium-fortified juice, soy products or certain other medications.
Make sure to communicate with your healthcare provider about any changes in the supplements or medications you are currently taking to avoid absorption issues.
Let’s Discuss Nutrients Needed for Good Thyroid Healthy Function!
I would love to hear how your experience with your thyroid health has been, and what foods you eat for healthy thyroid function. Did you try any lifestyle and dietary modifications to improve your health? Do you want to learn more about maintaining a healthy thyroid? Let me know in the comments below.
You can also connect with me @EatYourNutrition on Instagram. I love seeing your photos. #EatYourNutrition #LauraVillanueva
Holistic Health Programs Can Lead to Healthy Thyroid Function
I have several holistic health programs, challenges, and meal plans that can help get your health in order. Eating the right foods for thyroid function, especially a diet to help in hypothyroidism, can improve your overall wellness. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, have you ever tried healthy diet changes and saw a drastic improvement?
If you would like to check them out, visit the store to join today. A healthy thyroid is only one step away. You desperately want to make a change in your life. But you shouldn’t have to do this alone. Maybe you’re afraid you’ll fail or you won’t stick with it. Or maybe you’re unsure of what foods are okay to eat and what foods you should avoid. I know how to help. If you are interested in personal one-on-one coaching, send me a message and I can discuss this further. https://eatyournutrition.store/
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