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The Best 6 Nutrients for Thyroid Health

• Posted by Amelia Grant October 28, 2020 Filed in Health #health  #Thyroid Health  105 views
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  Your thyroid is your body’s thermostat since it’s responsible for the regulation of your hunger, temperature, and energy levels. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck that produces hormones that act to increase basal metabolic rate, regulate bone growth and protein synthesis, among other vital functions. 

  Thyroid disorders are common, so it’s essential to know how to keep the thyroid healthy and prevent problems. Thyroid disorder is a condition in which your thyroid gland is not functioning properly. One example of a thyroid issue is hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones. Hashimoto’s disease is often the result of hypothyroidism. This is an autoimmune condition, meaning your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland. 

  Hypothyroidism is accompanied by lots of symptoms, most of which are non-specific. Let’s look at them: 

  • Weight gain 
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Fatigue 
  • Goiter (enlarged neck nodules)
  • Constipation 
  • Feeling cold
  • Hair loss
  • Kidney issues
  • Heart issues
  • Inflammation
  • Infertility 
  • Irregular periods
  • Dry skin 

  Hypothyroidism can be caused by a variety of factors such as:

  • Genetics. Hereditary hypothyroidism is uncommon. It occurs in only 1 out of 4,000 newborns.    

  • Emotional stress. Emotional stress can provoke any health problem, including hypothyroidism.  

  • Lack of iodine and selenium. Your thyroid needs a certain amount of iodine and selenium to function properly. 

  • Hormone imbalance. Your pituitary gland produces a thyroid-stimulating hormone. But when it doesn’t work well, your thyroid gland also stops to function properly which results in hypothyroidism. 

  • Vitamin B deficiency. B Vitamins are also responsible for proper thyroid function and hormonal regulation.  

  • Inflammatory thyroid diseases. The most common thyroid disorder is Hashimoto’s disease.

  As you can see, many causes of thyroid problems are related to nutrient deficiencies. That’s why it’s essential to follow a nutritious diet to keep your thyroid gland healthy. Here are six nutrients you need to eat regularly: 

  1. Iodine

  You need to get enough iodine to make thyroid hormones. The recommended daily iodine intake for most adults is 150 micrograms a day. Foods like milk, cheese, poultry, eggs, kelp, and other seaweeds are great sources of this mineral. But it’s important to be careful with iodine supplements since getting too much iodine can result in hypothyroidism. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any iodine supplements as they may have adverse effects.  

  2. Vitamin B

  Vitamin B is another necessary nutrient that’s used to treat hypothyroidism. B vitamins play a big role in thyroid function and hormone regulation. Try taking a nutritional supplement that includes the entire vitamin B complex. You might need additional vitamin B12 if your blood test shows you have low levels. Vitamin B is found in whole grains, legumes, nuts, milk, yogurt, meat, fish, eggs, seeds, and dark leafy greens.

  3. Selenium 

  Selenium is needed to support thyroid synthesis and metabolism. This mineral might also lower levels of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase. Peroxidase is an enzyme that plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones. Foods rich in selenium include tuna, shrimp, salmon, sardines, scallops, lamb, chicken, beef, turkey, eggs, and shitake mushrooms. Another possible way to get enough selenium is supplementation.  

  4. Zinc 

  Zinc plays a big role in the conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 to T3. Selenium and zinc improve thyroid function and regulate your hormone levels. Zinc improves T3 levels significantly in people with thyroid dysfunction. To get enough zinc consider eating shellfish, mollusks, meat, legumes, and nuts. The recommended daily dose of zinc is 8 to 11 milligrams for both women and men.

  5. Tyrosine (in combination with iodine)

  Tyrosine is a nutrient involved in thyroid hormone production and conversion. Consuming enough protein is the best way to get more tyrosine. Aim for 10 to 35 percent of your calories from protein each day.

  6. Vitamin D 

  Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in people with hypothyroidism. It turns out that vitamin D supplements can boost TSH levels in hypothyroidism sufferers and thyroid antibodies in people with autoimmune thyroiditis. The best way to ensure your body with vitamin D is to spend 20 minutes in sunlight. But that’s not the only thing you can do to get this vitamin. 

  Some foods are rich in vitamin D. These include fatty fish, seaweed, mushrooms, fortified milk, yogurt, egg yolks, and orange juice. But food sources of vitamin D are often not adequate. You can try supplements with vitamin D. 

  The Bottom Line 

  As with any chronic issue, a healthy and nutritious diet can help treat hypothyroidism and improve your thyroid function. Consider eating anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and unprocessed products, and limit your sugar consumption.