Hypothyroidism is a condition where your body does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This can cause a number of adverse symptoms, including cold sensitivity, depression, fatigue, joint pain, weakness and unintentional weight gain. If your hypothyroidism is severe, your physician may recommend taking thyroid hormone replacement pills. In support of this medication, you can incorporate a few foods into your diet to relieve symptoms.
Iodine-containing Foods
Iodine is a mineral required to produce thyroid hormone. Without enough iodine in your diet, your body cannot manufacture thyroid hormone. Many foods naturally contain iodine. These include shrimp, cod, canned tuna, cow's milk, navy beans, potatoes eaten with the peel and boiled eggs. Iodine is added to iodized salt to prevent iodine deficiencies as well. However, limit your sodium intake to about 1 g per day.
Foods with Selenium
Selenium is another mineral the body requires to produce thyroid hormone. It is considered particularly helpful in protecting the thyroid from chemical and social stress on the body. Incorporate selenium-containing foods like tuna, brown rice, Brazil nuts and salmon --- all good selenium sources.
Zinc and Copper
Iodine and selenium tend to be the predominant minerals in your diet that are needed to produce thyroid hormone. However, trace minerals like zinc, iron and copper play a supporting role in the manufacture of thyroid hormones and in keeping your body healthy. Hypothyroidism can contribute to a zinc deficiency in the body, which reduces thyroid hormone production further. Zinc-containing foods include beef, lamb, soybeans, split peas, whole grains, pecans, almonds and maple syrup. Copper is needed to manufacture thyroid-stimulating hormones in the body. This includes beef, oysters, lobster, dark chocolate, tomato paste, beans and sunflower seeds.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods can interfere with thyroid replacement medications you are taking. One example is soy products, which include soybeans, tofu, soy milk and soybean flour. Eating these foods and taking thyroid medications can affect your body's ability to absorb the medications. Other foods to avoid include walnuts and cottonseed meal. An extremely high-fiber diet also can cause your stool to pass through your body too quickly, preventing the medication from absorbing. While some fiber in your diet can be very beneficial, avoid excess intake. Discuss your current diet with your physician to pinpoint potentially harmful foods in your diet.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Hypothyroidism Diet: Can Certain Foods Increase Thyroid Function?; Dr. Todd Nippoldt; November 2010
- NewsMax.com; Hypothyroidism: How Your Diet Plays a Role; March 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute; Iodine; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; March 2010
- Women to Women; The Simplest Way to Support Thyroid Health - Food!; Marcelle Pick, Ob/Gyn N.P.; May 2011
