What Is A Good Diet For Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. Approximately 1 percent of people in the United States have this health problem, according to 2006 information provided by the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service; women are 5 to 10 times more likely to develop hyperthyroidism than men. If you have hyperthyroidism, ask your doctor about the risks, benefits and limitations of diet in treating your condition.

About Hyperthyroidism

Numerous factors or conditions may cause hyperthyroidism including Graves' disease, thyroiditis, thyroid adenoma, an excessive amount of iodine in your diet, aggressive metastatic cancer and certain diseases associated with your ovaries or testicles. Frequently experienced symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism include elevated blood pressure, reduced fertility, insomnia, decreased skin thickness, tremors and an elevated resting pulse, or heart rate.

An Effective Diet

An effective diet in treating hyperthyroidism may involve consuming increased quantities of certain foods and eliminating or reducing your consumption of other foods or beverages. According to Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," if you have hyperthyroidism you should consider increasing your intake of mustard greens, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, kale, turnips, spinach, soybeans and rutabagas. Consider reducing your intake of dairy products, soft drinks, coffee and tea.

A Helpful Food

Cauliflower may be a helpful food in treating your hyperthyroidism. Balch notes that cauliflower helps mitigate, or suppress, your thyroid's production of thyroid hormones. Though cauliflower has historically been used in treating hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid, nutritionist and biologist George Mateljan, author of "The World's Healthiest Foods," notes that this vegetable has also long been used in promoting optimal health and heart health. Avoid consuming cauliflower that has brown spots, is dull in color and has small flowers.

Warning

Hyperthyroidism is a long-term health problem that is best managed by a competent health care provider. A heightened risk for osteoporosis, elevated heart rate and congestive heart failure are some of the more serious health complications associated with hyperthyroidism. If you develop the common signs and symptoms of this ailment, do not delay seeking treatment from your primary care provider. Your doctor can counsel you on the appropriate foods to consume or avoid in treating your hyperthyroidism. Further clinical research trials are necessary to further study the effects of certain foods for this health purpose.