DIET PLANNING FOR THYROID

When it comes to thyroid health, a well-balanced diet can play a significant role in supporting your thyroid function. While I can provide some general dietary recommendations, please keep in mind that it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian who can provide personalized advice based on your specific condition and needs. Here are some dietary guidelines that may be helpful for supporting thyroid health:

1. Iodine: Adequate iodine intake is crucial for the production of thyroid hormones. Good sources of iodine include seaweed, iodized salt, fish, dairy products, and eggs. However, excessive iodine intake can also be detrimental, so it’s important to strike a balance and not overconsume iodine.
2. Selenium: Selenium is a mineral that supports thyroid function and helps to convert inactive thyroid hormone (T4) to the active form (T3). Brazil nuts, seafood, organ meats, and whole grains are good sources of selenium.
3. Nutrient-rich foods: Include a wide variety of nutrient-dense foods in your diet to ensure you get all the essential vitamins and minerals necessary for overall thyroid health. This includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
4. Goitrogens: Some foods contain compounds known as goitrogens that can interfere with thyroid function, particularly when consumed in large amounts or when the thyroid is already compromised. Examples of goitrogenic foods include cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts), soy products, millet, and spinach. Cooking these foods can help reduce their goitrogenic properties.
5. Gluten: Some individuals with thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, may benefit from avoiding gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, and some oats. However, it’s important to note that not everyone with a thyroid condition needs to avoid gluten, so consult with a healthcare professional to determine if this is necessary for you.
6. Balanced macronutrients: Ensure you’re getting an adequate balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates provide energy, proteins are necessary for tissue repair and hormone production, and healthy fats support hormone function. Include sources of healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds.
7. Limit processed foods and refined sugars: Processed foods and foods high in refined sugars can contribute to inflammation and negatively impact overall health. Opt for whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible and limit your intake of sugary snacks and beverages.

Types of Thyroid

•Hypothyroid -underactive thyroid gland is reversible by following proper lifestyle changes. And we check this with TSH, T4, and T3 levels and all these 3 are important.
•Hyperthyroid –overactive thyroid gland is reversible too
•Hashimoto’s –this is autoimmune. we need to check TPO (thyroxin peroxidase test) and ATG (anti-thyroid globulin )levels where the issue is with gut-chronic diarrhea, and chronic constipation, in this there are holes in the gut lining and the food particles leach out of these holes to the bloodstream and then they resemble thyroid gland and the body’s immune fn start attacking thyroid gland ATG goes up

Parameters or Factors to Focus On While Planning Diet for Thyroid

•Along with thyroid, we need to look into liver health as well as T4 to T3 conversion taking place in the liver.
•Poor gut health is responsible for hormonal imbalance
•Poor diet is one of the factors as the diet nutrient deficient
•Stress is one of the factors due to which the adrenal gland produces more cortisol hormone in higher amounts. We need cortisol for various functions but in higher doses, it decreases thyroxin, decreases DHEA –The immunity hormone and decreases the production of the sex hormone testosterone. Higher cortisol levels also create oxidative stress on the thyroid gland

•One should not eat too much raw cruciferous vegetables as these are high in goitrogens and impact the thyroid gland so these cruciferous vegetables should be steamed or cooked
•Oil is again the most imp factor, one should not use refined oil, PUFA Which is found in processed, frozen foods and refined oils. These blocks the production of thyroxin and communication between cell and hormone which is most important.

•Low thyroxin levels= low cell communication= low conversion of T4 to T3 and hence cells store more fat
•Low thyroxin= high estrogen= low protective hormone progesterone so you will face issues like not conceiving, PCOS
•Low thyroxin= high cholesterol in the body
•To convert fat to energy we need T4 and T3 which generate enz in the liver and this conversion is important, so bad quality fat also affects this conversion.