5 Healthy Foods To Keep Thyroid Under Control

Healthy thyroid is a must for the overall health of the body. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate mood, metabolism, energy levels, body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Thyroid hormones also help control growth and cell repair. If you have an underactive thyroid, the gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone. This health condition is termed as Hypothyroidism. People with hypothyroidism may experience tiredness, hair loss, weight gain, feeling cold, and feeling down, among many other symptoms.

Hypothyroidism affects 1–2% of people worldwide and is ten times more likely to affect women than men. Taking daily thyroid hormone replacement medication can help restore your thyroid hormone levels and take control of your symptoms. In addition to the daily recommended dosage of the thyroid medication, it is advisable to bolster up the function of your thyroid with food high on the right nutrients.

Here is the list of 5 nutrient-rich food which you should include in your diet for a healthy thyroid:

* Fatty Fish, Eggs and Meat

Unmanaged hypothyroidism can increase the risk for heart disease as a result of higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol.The omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as wild salmon, trout, tuna, or sardinesis great to lower the risk of heart diseases. Additionally, omega-3s are known to decrease inflammation and help with immunity. Fish is also a good source of the nutrient selenium, which is most concentrated in the thyroid and helps decrease inflammation.
Whole eggs are best, since much of their iodine and selenium are found in the yolk, while the whites are full of protein.
Meats life lamb, beef and chicken are a good source of zinc, another key thyroid nutrient.

* Nuts

Nuts are another great source of selenium and come in very handy as all-time snacks.They also go well in salads or stir-fries. Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, and hazelnuts are all particularly high in selenium, which, according to a review published in 2017 in the International Journal of Endocrinology, helps the thyroid function properly. Nuts are also very high on fat, therefore it is important to keep a check on the daily consumption. While a small handful of other nuts can be sufficient to provide essential daily nutrients, it is best to limit consumption of Brazil nuts to one or two a day. It is also advisable to avoid eating walnuts at the same time as your medication since it can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption.

* Gluten-free Whole Grains

Constipation is a common symptom of hypothyroidism. Adding gluten-free whole grains such as rice buckwheat, quinoa, chia seeds, and flax seedsare high in nutrients in addition to fibre, which can help with bowel regularity. However because of their high fibre content, whole grains, quite like walnuts, can interfere with the absorption of synthetic thyroid hormones. Therefore, taking your thyroid medication several hours before eating foods rich in dietary fibre is highly recommended.

* Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

An early symptom of hypothyroidism is weight gain. Low-calorie, high-density foods such as fresh produce can be helpful in maintaining ideal body weight. Specific foods such as blueberries, cherries, sweet potatoes, and green peppers are also rich in antioxidants, nutrients that are known to lower risk for heart disease.You can include all fresh vegetables in your diet, however, it is advisable to have cruciferous vegetables in moderation and only when cooked properly. Cruciferous vegetables tend to interfere with the absorption of iodine which is essential for normal thyroid function.

* Dairy Products

Vitamin D may help improve thyroid levels, according to a study published in 2018 in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, which found that vitamin D supplements improved TSH levels in subjects with hypothyroidism as well as thyroid antibodies in people with autoimmune thyroiditis.Fortified milk not only has added vitamin D, but also significant amounts of calcium, protein, and iodine.