Your thyroid gland consist of two lobes that form a butterfly shape in the front of your neck below your larynx. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism and affects every other system in your body. Your thyroid gland functions best when you consume a healthy diet that provides certain key nutrients.
Selenium
Selenium-containing foods, such as Brazil nuts, tuna, turkey, brown rice and walnuts, support thyroid function by helping convert T4 to its active form, T3. Low selenium levels are associated with increased risk for thyroid enlargement, according to a study published in the April 2011 issue of the "European Journal of Endocrinology." Selenium deficiency can cause a hypothyroid condition. Your body requires this mineral in minute doses, known as micrograms.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil improves the activity and effectiveness of thyroid hormone, according to Dr. Jeffrey Morrison, author of the book "Cleanse Your Body, Clear Your Mind: Eliminate Environmental Toxins to Lose Weight, Increase Energy, and Reverse Illness in 30 Days or Less." Coconut oil, a saturated fat, counteracts certain thyroid-inhibiting effects of polyunsaturated fats. Coconut oil also promotes energy production and discourages oxidation of fats. Some experts assert that coconut oil can improve hypothyroidism and, in some cases, cause full recovery, according to Mary Shomon, author of "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss." You can also increase your coconut oil consumption by including coconut milk and, to a lesser extent, coconut meat into your cooking.
Seaweed
Seaweeds contain no calories, yet provide an abundance of fiber and minerals, including iodine, which your thyroid uses to make thyroid hormone. Some of the commonly used edible seaweeds include nori, which forms the wrapping for sushi; kelp, also known as kombu; various species of brown seaweed; and dulse. Iodine content varies considerably among seaweeds, depending on type, location and season. In a study published in the October 2004 issue of the journal "Thyroid," 12 species of seaweeds analyzed for iodine content ranged from 16 micrograms per gram to more than 6,500 micrograms per gram. Iodine is water-soluble and may leach into cooking water or be lost to vaporization of stored in humid conditions.
Vitamins A, D and Zinc
Vitamins A, D and zinc help thyroid hormone bind to cells where it can exert its effects. Obtain vitamin A from bright orange fruits and vegetables and dark green leafy vegetables, such as mustard, spinach and kale. Vitamin D is found in fortified dairy products and fatty fish. Zinc is abundant in beef, pork, lamb, peanuts and legumes, though plant sources of this mineral are not as absorbable as animal sources, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
References
- "Thyroid"; Variability of Iodine Content in Common Commercially Available Edible Seaweeds; J. Teas, et al.; October 2004
- "Cleanse Your Body, Clear Your Mind: Eliminate Environmental Toxins to Lose ..."; Jeffrey Morrison; 2011
- "Living Well with Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You ... That ..."; Mary J. Shomon; 2005
- "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss"; Mary J. Shomon; 2004
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Selenium
- "European Journal of Endocrinology"; Selenium Status, Thyroid Volume, and Multiple Nodule Formation in an Area with Mild Iodine Deficiency; L. Rasmussen, et al.; April 2011
- "The Everything Health Guide to Thyroid Disease: Professional Advice on ..."; Theodore Friedman, et al.; 2006
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