A thyroid imbalance means that the thyroid gland is not working properly, and this can affect many different aspects of your health. It is a fairly common problem, suffered by thousands of people.
There are two common imbalances of the thyroid; too much of the thyroid hormone being produced, called hyperthyroidism, and not enough of the hormone, which is called hypothyroidism. These are two completely different conditions, with very different treatments. The hormone released into the body by the thyroid gland acts as a regulator of the function of the body\’s organs and tissues, controlling metabolism. This is why so many parts of the body are affected by thyroid dysfunction, like the heart rate, blood sugar, fluid balance, muscle tone, appetite, growth and energy levels.
People with hyperthyroidism, an over active thyroid, may experience hot flushes, palpitations, increase in appetite, weight loss, insomnia, shortness of breath, diarrhea and an enlarged thyroid gland, among other symptoms.
An under active thyroid, as occurs in hypothyroidism, means that food isn\’t broken down properly during digestion, so you don\’t get the complete benefit of the nutrients on your food. For this reason, most patients feel really run down. A decline in the hormone actually affects every part of the body and causes a range of different symptoms, like unexplained weight gain, constipation, low temperature, fatigue, brain fog, irregular menstrual cycle and fluid retention, among other symptoms.
Doctors treat thyroid malfunction with medication to balance the thyroid hormone in the body. This process may take several months, before the correct balance is achieved. Patients with an over active thyroid are given thyroid-blocking drugs, while those with an under active thyroid are given thyroxin, the form of the hormone that is most active. There are also actions you can take to relieve the symptoms and help yourself recover faster.
There are certain foods which are particularly supportive for hyperthyroid patients. These are the cruciferous vegetables of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and brussel sprouts; green leafy vegetables of spinach, kale, beet and mustard greens; soy beans and other legumes. Increase your calorie intake to put weight back on by eating more wholesome carbohydrates like wholegrain bread and cereal and legumes. Eat extra protein to give you improved muscle tone and strength; increase dairy products and other calcium-rich foods to reverse bone damage.
Limit saturated fats, fast food and extra sugar – you should do this as part of a balanced diet anyway. Keep away from stimulants like caffeine and alcohol because they adversely affect the immune system. Add probiotics with live cultures to your daily diet, either with yogurt or supplements, to keep your gut healthy and functioning well.
If you have an under active thyroid, increasing iodine is going to help. Kelp, a rich source of iodine, can be eaten or taken as a supplement. Foods that are high in iodine include bananas, garlic, oatmeal, iodized table salt, radishes, parsley, potatoes, seafood, meat, yogurt and eggs.
Patients with hypothyroidism are often lacking in other substances besides iodine. Supplement your diet with selenium, tyrosine, zinc and vitamin A, C and E. Foods that boost your immune system will also help, so eat lean beef, sweet potato, mushrooms and blueberries and drink green tea. Regular, moderate exercise has been proven to boost your immune system, and will also help you feel better.
Would you like to learn more about foods for thyroid? Read other articles at thyroid 101
