Your thyroid gland -- a large, hormone-producing gland in your throat -- is essential to your overall health. The gland secretes a number of hormones, and controls a number of physiological processes, including your metabolism. Hypothyroidism can occur if your thyroid cannot produce adequate thyroid hormones, or your body no longer appropriately responds to thyroid hormones. This condition requires medical attention and medical treatment, but some nutritional factors might help support proper thyroid functioning and help to alleviate hypothyroidism.
Protein
One nutrient that might aid thyroid function is protein, a type of macronutrient. Proteins are made up of long chains of amino acids; 20 related chemicals that contribute to protein shape and function. During digestion, your body breaks down protein into its individual components, providing a source of individual amino acids to your tissues. One of these amino acids is tyrosine, which is used to make thyroid hormone. Consuming sources of tyrosine, like meat or fish, or consuming tyrosine supplements, may help improve thyroid hormone output and ease hypothyroidism in some cases.
Iodine
Consuming iodine as part of a healthy diet also contributes to thyroid hormone synthesis, and might help ease some cases of hypothyroidism. Your body incorporates iodine from your diet into thyroid hormones, and a lack of iodine intake can hinder your body's ability to make these hormones. In addition, iodine deficiency can lead to thyroid goiters. Consume codfish, cow's milk or iodine-enriched salt as dietary sources of iodine to help support proper thyroid hormone production.
Selenium
Another essential nutrient that may help relieve some cases of hypothyroidism is selenium, a mineral. Selenium contributes to the function of several enzymes, including iodothyronine deiodinases, a group of enzymes that help produce the thyroid hormone. Selenium-based enzymes help to generate active forms of thyroid hormones to help promote thyroid signaling, and a deficiency in selenium can impair thyroid signaling, potentially contributing to hypothyroidism. Consume Brazil nuts or crab meat to increase your selenium intake and relieve some cases of hypothyroidism.
Considerations
While maintaining a balanced diet and consuming adequate nutrients can help improve thyroid function, it may not help all forms of hypothyroidism. For example, if you have thyroid injuries or a congenital disorder causing your hypothyroidism, consuming the nutrients required for thyroid hormone production may not help improve thyroid function. If you suffer from hypothyroidism, talk to your doctor about the best course of action to treat your condition, and do not take any mineral or tyrosine supplements without your doctor's permission.
