Your thyroid gland produces hormones that are essential for energy production and metabolism. Too little thyroid hormones disrupt your body's delicate balance causing hypothyroidism and related complications. Some types of foods suppress your body's production of thyroid hormones, so avoiding these foods may help minimize your symptoms, which may include lethargy, depression, constipation and weight gain. For specific diet advice, talk to your health care provider.
Soy
Isoflavones, chemicals found in soy products and in small amounts in other plant-based foods, inhibit the activity of thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme necessary for making thyroid hormones. The isoflavone content of tofu, miso, tempeh, soy milk and other soy foods was found to affect the absorption of thyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone, which can negatively affect your treatment for thyroid diseases, according to a 2006 study published in the "Thyroid" journal.
Cruciferous Vegetables
High intakes of cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, kale and broccoli could be a problem for people with a sluggish thyroid, warns the Oregon State University. These vegetables contain goitrogens, compounds that interfere with thyroid hormone production. In extreme cases, cruciferous vegetables can cause your thyroid gland to enlarge by interfering with iodine utilization, resulting in goiter.
Gluten-containing Foods
People who are gluten intolerant often find themselves suffering from thyroid disease after consuming wheat, rye and barley. Gluten intolerant individuals cannot digest and transform gluten protein into systemic proteins. This condition remits when a gluten-free diet is instituted. Patients with already impaired thyroid function should also eliminate wheat and other gluten-containing grain products from their diet altogether.
Refined Foods
People with thyroid disease should avoid refined foods and beverages with a high sugar content, like white breads, pastas, rice and fruit juices. Refined or processed foods will increase the rate at which dietary sugar enters the bloodstream. Your pancreas secrets insulin when it detects sugar in the blood. Since your thyroid gland regulates insulin hormone production, excess insulin production in response to sugar can make your thyroid symptoms worse.
References
- "Thyroid": Effects of Soy Protein and Soybean Isoflavones on Thyroid Function in Healthy Adults and Hypothyroid Patients: a review of the relevant literature; G. Redmond, et al.; March 2006
- Oregon State University: Cruciferous Vegetables; Jane Higdon; July 2005
- Today's Dietitian: Research Connects Celiac and Thyroid Diseases and Suggests a Gluten-Free Diet Benefits Both; Cheryl Harris, MPH, RD, and Gary Kaplan; November 2010
- "The Thyroid Solution"; Ridha Arem; 2000
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