Foods that Impact Thyroid Health

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common hormone imbalances affecting women today.  Thousands of women are diagnosed with low thyroid function every year, and it is estimated that there are thousands more who go undiagnosed.

The chances of developing hypothyroidism are increased during pregnancy, after pregnancy and as we age, with rates of diagnosis highest in women aged 40-60.

An imbalanced thyroid can leave you feeling exhausted, unmotivated and unhealthy.  The symptoms of hypothyroidism vary but can include:

• • Feeling cold, especially in the hands or feet or an intolerance to cold
  • Constipation
  • Thinning of the eyebrows
  • Weight gain or inability to lose weight
  • Dry hair or skin
  • Hair loss
  • Swelling or puffiness around the eyes
  • Heavy periods
  • Decreased libido
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Poor concentration

If you suspect you may have low thyroid function you should see your Medical Doctor or Naturopathic Doctor to have thyroid function testing done.  Discuss your results with your doctor because even mild disturbances in thyroid functioning can have significant impacts on your quality of life.

Foods that Impact Thyroid Health

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine by thy food” – Hippocrates

What we eat can impact our thyroid health in both positive and negative ways.  Learn which foods support healthy thyroid functioning and which ones can interfere with thyroid health.

See if you know which foods are good for your thyroid and which ones are bad.

Pumpkin Seeds – GOOD

Pumpkin seeds are a source of tyrosine, an amino acid our body uses to manufacture thyroid hormone.  If we don’t get enough tyrosine in our diet hypothyroidism can develop.

Other food sources of tyrosine: almonds, avocados, bananas, plain natural yogurt, sesame seeds (including tahini), lima beans

Seaweed – GOOD

Seaweeds are a rich source of iodine, a mineral necessary for production of thyroid hormones.  Iodine combines with tyrosine to produce thyroid hormones.  A diet deficient in iodine is the most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide.

Other food sources of iodine: table salt, fish (sea bass, cod, haddock), shellfish and sea vegetables including seaweed (Nori, Wakame, Arame, Dulse) and kelp.

Brussels Sprouts – BAD

Brussels sprouts are members of the Brassica family of vegetables.  This family of vegetables can have goitrogenic effects – they can induce an iodine deficiency by combining with iodine and making it unavailable to produce thyroid hormone.

Cooking the Brassia family of vegetables can lessen their harmful impact on the thyroid – and if your diet is rich in iodine they are unlikely to have a significant impact.

Other Brassica vegetables: cabbage, turnips, Brussels sprouts, kale, mustard greens, radishes, horseradish, rutabaga, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy)

Peanuts – BAD

Peanuts also have goitrogenic effects, similar to the Brassica family of vegetables.  Other foods that have this effect are: millet, cassava and pine nuts.

Mushrooms – GOOD

Mushrooms are a source of selenium which is needed for the conversion of T4 to T3 (active thyroid hormone) in the body.  People with low intake of selenium may have high levels of T4 and TSH but low levels of T3, resulting in symptoms of hypothyroidism.  Selenium deficiency can also lead to elevations in thyroid antibody levels.

Selenium content of food depends on the selenium-richness of the soil that the food is grown in.  Southern Ontario soil tends to be low in selenium.  It is estimated that selenium is deficient in about 50% of diets.

Other food sources of selenium: brown rice, oats, Brazil nuts, shellfish, garlic, onions, broccoli, tomato, radishes

Soy – BAD

The main isoflavone in soy – genistein – is goitrogenic – it can bind to iodine and make it unavailable to the thyroid for thyroid hormone production.

If you have an underactive thyroid gland you do not need to completely avoid all soy products – but you do need to make sure you are getting enough iodine to counter any negative impacts from soy consumption.

Wheat – May be BAD

If you are sensitive to wheat, dairy or any other food avoiding these foods is important for maintaining thyroid health.  Individuals with autoimmune thyroid disease are more susceptible to food sensitivities or allergies.

Because many people do harbour food sensitivities to wheat, dairy and other foods, an elimination diet or food sensitivity test may be useful to determine sensitivities and restore balance to the immune system and thyroid gland.

Hormone imbalances like hypothyroidism respond best to an integrative approach to treatment.  Dietary changes, like those discussed here, in combination with lifestyle changes, supplements, and medications where necessary can improve your condition and your quality of life.  It’s all about finding that perfect balance for you, and your health.

Disclaimer

The advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only.  It is meant to augment and not replace consultation with a licensed health care provider.  Consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor or other primary care provider is recommended for anyone suffering from a health problem.