Does Diet Affect Hypothyroidism?
About ten years ago, I learned that my thyroid wasn’t producing enough of the hormones that help regulate bodily functions. My doctor assured me that it was a common condition and taking a pill containing synthetic thyroxine each day would handle the situation. I soon discovered that many people, mostly women, are hypothyroid. Several of my friends share my problem, but like most people, we didn’t think it was a serious problem. It seemed easily controlled by medication, so that was that. Until recently, I didn’t pay much attention to this condition. But, in the last year I started reading that diet might play a role in controlling or worsening hypothyroidism. Suddenly, I felt that I needed to know more about my “easily controlled” problem.
Thyroid graphic courtesy www.yourdictionary.com
The thyroid is a small gland located behind the Adam’s Apple area. It produces several hormones, of which two are key: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Both hormones help oxygen get into cells, and regulate metabolism. Reduction in thyroid activity, or hypothyroidism, decreases metabolic rate, making it impossible to assimilate food properly. It depresses the activity of other glands in the body and ultimately adversely affects every cell and tissue in the body. A variety of problems can occur, including weight problems, fatigue, fibromyalgia, constipation, frequent illness, feeling cold all the time, heart and arterial disease, and depression.
When looking at the issue of diet and hypothyroidism, there are foods that help and foods that may be detrimental. Some foods may improve hypothyroidism by supplying minerals that the thyroid needs to function properly and produce hormones.
Foods rich in the amino acid tyrosine are recommended because tyrosine combines with iodine to make the thyroxine, one of the key hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Meat, fish, turkey and chicken breast, low fat milk and yogurt, almonds, avocado, bananas, lima beans, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and lentils are examples of foods rich in tyrosine.
Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormones, but it must be handled carefully. Too much can be as bad as too little. Ideal food sources include sea salt, seaweed (sushi, nori rolls), salt water fish, and other sea food. Iodized salt is used by many but should be used in small amounts under the direction of a doctor.
Some foods have come under fire for making hypothyroidism worse. Frankly this information annoys me a great deal because these foods, termed Goitrogenic, are the very ones that we are urged to eat. And I enjoy them. The foods, brussels sprouts, rutabagas, turnips, radishes, cauliflower, potatoes, corn, millet, cabbage, peaches, pears, strawberries, and kale, have compounds in them that can negatively interact with thyroid medication, nullifying its effects. People on thyroid hormone replacement are now advised not to eat these foods in large amounts. Fortunately, many researchers believe that the goitrogenic materials are destroyed by cooking. Certainly, people with hypothyroidism will have to think twice before having coleslaw, broccoli salad, or other goitrogenic foods served raw. I admit that it annoys me a great deal to learn that my favorite fruits shouldn’t be eaten in large amounts or raw. What does “large amounts” mean? Are raw strawberries or pears my enemy now?
The biggest controversy is with soy. The very substance that has been touted as a wonder food is now viewed as dangerous for people with thyroid problems. Soy isoflavones are hormone-like substances that have been found to suppress thyroid function in some people and can even cause or worsen hypothyroidism. As a result of this, people with thyroid disease or a family history of it are advised by many researchers to limit soy intake to less than two times a week. However, other researchers believe that soy poses no danger.
Obviously, hypothyroidism is more complicated than I imagined. Each person who has the condition should talk to their doctor about the role of diet and how it might affect them. As for me, I’m still going to eat my strawberries and pears raw. I’ll give up cole slaw, but there is a limit!
aside from diet, deep breathing a few minutes a day can help relieve stress and improve thyroid health. Hope that helps somebody