The thyroid gland secretes hormones that help to regulate metabolism, protein synthesis, temperature regulation, growth and oxygen consumption of cells in the body. When your gland does not secrete enough hormone you can suffer from fatigue, gain weight easily, depression, muscle aches, menstrual abnormalities, low libido, swollen feet and legs or brittle nails. You can impact the secretion of this hormone by some of the foods you eat and do not eat.
Sea Salt
Salt is a common dietary supplement that is used at the dinner table and in processed foods purchased at the grocery store. According to MarcoNews.com, switching your regular table salt to sea salt will give your body a complement of a full range of minerals to make the hormone more efficiently. According to MayoClinic.com, the salt is made by evaporating sea water with little processing. And, while table salt has iodine added to support thyroid function, sea salt naturally has iodine included.
Minerals
In order to produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormone, your body requires specific minerals, according to MarcoNews.com. People who suffer from reduced levels of zinc, iodine, selenium, copper and magnesium have difficulty making thyroid hormone that is active. Most foods have trace amounts of copper that is involved in the storage and metabolism of iron and the formation of red blood cells, according to Health Alternatives 2000. Fruits and vegetables grown in iodine rich soil will be rich in iodine and foods high in magnesium include avocado, blackberries, cherries, dates, figs, sprouts, peas and many meats.
Foods to Avoid
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, you should avoid some foods that can negatively affect the function of your thyroid gland. These foods can include broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, spinach, turnips, soybeans, peanuts, linseed, pine nuts, cassava and mustard greens. These foods contain goitrogenic chemicals that affect the use of the thyroid hormone in the body. Limit soy products and supplements such as alpha lipoic acid that can interfere with the amount of active thyroid hormone your body makes.
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