Hypothyroidism: Follow These 5 Diet Tips to Balance Your Thyroid

Are you doing everything right but still feeling tired, gaining weight for no reason and mostly anxious? There is a possibility that you have a thyroid imbalance. There are two main types of thyroid disease; hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid gland, while hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid gland. Of the two, hypothyroidism is more common and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is its most common cause. It is an autoimmune condition and occurs more often in women than in men. Here we will reveal to you how you can regulate your thyroid through diet.

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or hypothyroidism it is usually associated with symptoms such as infertility, hormonal imbalances, weight gain, fatigue, anxiety, muscle pain and joint stiffness.

Some of its lesser known symptoms include digestive and intestinal health issues like indigestion, acid reflux, bloating, constipation and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) etc. Sound familiar? This is often, unfortunately, overlooked.

Here’s how the thyroid and gut are connected

When you eat something, digestion begins in the mouth with the help of saliva. Now, when you chew food and swallow it, it goes down into the stomach. Hypothyroidism can cause dysfunction in the movement or motility needed to move partially chewed food through the digestive system, creating the potential for indigestion and poor gut health.

It is known that about 70 percent of your immune system is located in the gut. So an imbalance in gut bacteria is a leading factor in autoimmune conditions. Therefore, there is a direct impact on hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s, which is an autoimmune condition.

Gut bacteria also affect the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3); T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone that the body uses. The enzymes needed for this conversion process are influenced by gut health and a healthy population of gut bacteria.

The composition of our gut bacteria also affects our body’s ability to break down and absorb key nutrients essential for healthy thyroid function, such as iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, B vitamins, vitamin A and tyrosine. These nutrients are often low in those with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Read also: Iodine Deficiency May Increase Your Risk of Thyroiditis: Tips for Coping

So it’s a two-way street between gut health and thyroid health. The two are interconnected and if one is not treated, it forms a negative cycle that repeats itself.

Do food and nutrition affect thyroid health?

yes! A healthy diet will help you better manage your condition and symptoms. To manage your thyroid, you should consider the following:

1. Eliminate trigger foods

Gluten is one of the key triggers for those with autoimmune disorders. It can trigger inflammation and increase thyroid symptoms. Therefore, if you have a thyroid gland, it is imperative that you eliminate it from your diet. In addition, reduce or eliminate refined and processed carbohydrates, refined sugar and artificial sweeteners.

2. Probiotics for your gut

Thyroid function depends on the health of your gut. So when you eliminate foods that cause inflammation, it can have a positive effect. In addition, working on gut bacteria with foods rich in probiotics, such as pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, kimchi, etc., are good options. These foods will keep yours digestive system on track.

3. Increase your intake of specific nutrient-dense foods

To balance your thyroid, you need to include some nutrients in your diet. These are iodine, selenium, zinc, iron, tyrosine, B vitamins and vitamin A.

• Iodine: sea vegetables, shrimp, milk, eggs, seafood
• Selenium: Brazil nuts, seafood, poultry
• Zinc: oysters, red meat, pumpkin seeds
• Iron: Red meat, celery, lentils, pumpkin seeds
• Tyrosine: meat, fish, shellfish, poultry, egg white, yogurt, pumpkin seeds, avocado
• Vitamin B: Let there be a rainbow on the plate
• Vitamin A: sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, red pepper, fish oil, egg yolks

Also add foods rich in healthy fats such as coconut oil, ghee, olive oil, nuts, avocados and omega 3.

4. Adaptogens to reduce stress

Stress can worsen the underlying thyroid condition! However, some people may benefit from adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha to support a healthy stress response and calm the nervous system.

5. Avoid exposure to toxins

Drink filtered water, maintain better air quality in the places you spend the most time, and eat clean foods to reduce the amount of toxins you are exposed to in the environment.

Beware of unhealthy food!

Thyroid problems are closely related to poor eating habits. Therefore, do not indulge in unhealthy eating habits. Be positive about your relationship with food and adopt healthy eating habits. These adaptations have the potential to fundamentally improve quality of life.