Your thyroid gland is a shield-shaped endocrine gland situated at the front of your neck, near your Adam's apple. Disproportionate to its small size, your thyroid gland carries out some very important functions as the regulator for your body's metabolism. Fish oil, a food and nutritional supplement known widely for its anti-inflammatory and other health benefits, may play a role in thyroid function.
Fat Metabolism
Too much fat can easily promote weight gain in people with decreased metabolic rate from hypothyroidism, according to Ridha Arem, M.D., author of the book "The Thyroid Solution: A Revolutionary Mind-body Program." Your body is able to speed up its metabolic rate when you eat carbohydrate and protein foods, but it cannot do that for fats. Additionally, fat metabolism uses thyroid hormone, which is in short supply in hypothyroidism. If you take fish oil supplements, decrease your saturated fat consumption by at least an equal amount in order to maintain a healthy weight, says Arem.
Hormone Interaction
Fish oil may improve cholesterol levels in people with hypothyroidism, according to a Brazilian study published in the July 2011 issue of the "Journal of Endocrinology." The laboratory animal study found that fish oil's cholesterol-lowering ability depends, in part, on the activity of thyroid hormone. Fish oil decreased triglyceride and cholesterol levels and reduced body fat. However, in hypothyroid animals, fish oil was able to lower cholesterol but not triglycerides or body fat. Researchers concluded that thyroid hormone influences lipid metabolism and hypothyroidism has a detrimental effect on cholesterol levels. Human clinical trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
EPA
Hypothyroid patients with high levels of eicosapentanoic acid, or EPA, one of the essential fatty acids in fish oil, may develop less severe hypothyroid symptoms than their counterparts who have low levels of the fatty acid, according to a study published in the November 2001 issue of the "Journal of Endocrinology." The laboratory animal study showed that fish-oil-derived EPA improved hypothyroidism by helping to maintain thyroid hormone levels and preventing damage to thyroid-hormone-producing structures within the thyroid gland. Human trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Inflammation
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help hypothyroidism by reducing inflammation and boosting your immune system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Doses of up to 2 tbsp. per day are commonly used. As a precaution, fish oil has a blood-thinning effect and will interfere with any blood-thinning medications you may be taking. Consult your doctor for guidance and supervision to determine if fish oil is appropriate for you and, if so, the best dose for your needs.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hypothyroidsm; 2011
- "Journal of Endocrinology"; Thyroid Hormone Contributes to the Hypolipidemic Effect of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids from Fish Oil - in Vivo Evidence for Crosstalking Mechanisms; L. Souza, et al; July 2011
- "Journal of Endocrinology"; Effect of Eicosapentaenoic Acid Ethyl Ester on Hypothyroid Function; M. Makino; November 2001
- "The Thyroid Solution: A Mind-Body Program for Beating Depression and ..."; Ridha Arem; 2000
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