Thyroid disease affects millions of Americans, primarily women. The butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck regulates your body's metabolism, which determines how efficiently you burn calories for energy. When your thyroid is out of whack, your body can struggle to regulate your weight, body temperature, skin moisture, heart rate or moods. There are no known alternative medicines to cure thyroid disease without hormone therapy, but some dietary changes can help prevent symptoms in minor cases.
Replacement Hormones
If you suspect you have hypothyroidism, which is an inefficient thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, which is an over-worked thyroid, see your doctor for a diagnosis. Moderate to severe cases of thyroid disease may be corrected with thyroid hormone therapy. Your doctor can prescribe a synthetic hormone, such as levothyroxine, or an anti-thyroid medication. It may take six months or longer for your body to respond positively to the new treatment. Severe cases of hyperthyroidism could require surgical removal of the thyroid gland.
Avoid Soy And Iron
Iron supplements and soy products can keep your body from fully absorbing your thyroid hormone medication. Check labels on packaged foods for soy-based ingredients including tofu, soy milk, soy flour and soy nuts. Also, Worcestershire sauce and some vegetable broths, cereals, baby formulas and baked foods may contain hidden soy. Iron traces in normal foods, such as dark greens and red meat, can be consumed, but supplements could affect your medication. Your doctor should approve any iron supplements.
Limit Goitrogens
Raw broccoli, various cabbages, peanuts, mustard greens and spinach contain goitrogens, a natural substance that blocks iodine to your thyroid. The thyroid needs iodine to produce thyroid hormones. Limit your intake of these raw foods to four cups per week if you have been diagnosed with thyroid disease, have a family history of thyroid complications or are a woman near menopause. Most nutritionists believe cooking limits the goitrogens' activity.
Eat Tyrosine-Rich Foods
Tyrosine is an amino acid your body uses with iodine to produce appropriate amounts of thyroid hormones. Salmon, white fish, dairy products, oats, almonds, bananas and avocados are rich in this amino acid, which also helps regulate your moods and emotions. Mustard greens, spinach and cabbage have high levels of tyrosine but should be cooked to avoid ingesting their goitrogens.
Vitamins and Minerals
Common vitamins B2, B3, B6, B12, A, C, and E and the mineral zinc aid production of thyroid hormones. Adding seafood, shellfish, eggs and raw fruit to your diet can give you a balance of these vital nutrients. Cooking with olive oil adds extra vitamin E to your diet. Add fresh berries or cherry tomatoes as garnishes on breakfast or lunch dishes to work in extra antioxidants throughout your day.
Raise Your Metabolism
If you have a sluggish thyroid, your inefficient metabolism can cause weight gain, low energy and depression. Incorporate small lifestyle changes to increase your metabolism and counteract the effects of hypothyroidism. Drink a minimum of eight glasses of water each day. Break your meals into five or six mini-meals, four hours apart, throughout your day. Increase your activity levels to burn extra calories and also raise your metabolic rate during rest. Add weight training to your workout; muscles burn more calories throughout the day.
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