According to thyroid.org, it’s estimated that approximately 12% of the population in the United States will be affected by a thyroid disorder at some point in their lives. Therefore it’s important to discuss the proper diet for thyroid disease.
Before bringing in the topic of our discussion, let’s learn about the thyroid. The Thyroid is a gland that secretes thyroid hormone, which is a hormone vital for the growth and metabolism of the human body.
Glands are organs that release hormones, saliva, sweat, milk, or digestive juices into the bloodstream. The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland (a ductless gland) and secretes three hormones into the bloodstream: Thyroxin (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3), and Calcitonin.
The thyroid gland works in coordination with the pituitary gland (controls the functioning of other endocrine glands), which governs how much hormone must be released in order for the body to function optimally. The hormones released by the thyroid regulate metabolic activity according to the body’s need for energy. It controls the functions of many organs, such as the heart, muscles, and digestion. Bone maintenance and development of the brain and nerves are also included.
Thyroid disease occurs when the thyroid either fails in making the required quantity of hormone or it does not release it in the quantity needed. If the thyroid produces hormones in excessive amounts, it is called hyperthyroidism. It makes your body consume energy quickly or increases your heartbeat; you can lose weight without intending to. You can also experience symptoms like palpitations, anxiety and trouble sleeping.
If the thyroid produces fewer thyroid hormones than our body’s requirements, the condition is referred to as hypothyroidism. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, brittle hair, depression and water retention.
There are some complications that may arise from thyroid diseases; a few of them are listed below:
- Heart Problems
- Mental health issues
- Infertility
- Eye Problems
Causes
As previously mentioned, there are two main types of thyroid diseases named hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Both of them are caused by various different reasons. Some are given below:
Thyroiditis: This condition causes the swelling of the thyroid gland, which in turn decreases the amount of thyroid hormone produced by the gland. Thyroiditis commonly occurs after the resolution of a viral illness.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: It is an autoimmune disorder (a condition in which the immune system attacks its healthy tissues)in which the body’s cells damage or destroy the thyroid gland causing the deficiency of hormones produced by it.
Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy is used to treat neck and head cancer, which can affect the way your thyroid gland functions, resulting in hypothyroidism.
Grave’s Disease: Much like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, this is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the gland. The thyroid gland in this condition may be more active than needed and produce hormones in excess amounts (in contrast to reduced amounts in Hashimoto’s).
Toxic adenomas: In this condition, many nodules may develop in the thyroid gland resulting in increased production of hormones. Some of the goitres may contain these nodules. Goitre is an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Noncancerous Tumor: There are some rare cases in which the noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland can cause hyperthyroidism.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism may vary from each other; that’s why we will mention them separately.
Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are as follows:
- Weight gain
- Muscle weakness
- Decreased memory
- Increased blood cholesterol level
- Coarse skin
- Depression
- Numbness in hands
- Cold intolerance
- Swelling of eyes and face
- Constipation
Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are as such:
- Agitation
- Weight loss
- Nervousness
- Vision problem
- Enlarged thyroid gland
- Poor sleep
- Increased heartbeat
- Heat intolerance
Diet for Thyroid Disease
Patients suffering from thyroid-related diseases should have a balanced intake of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein in their diet. The diet should be according to the type of thyroid disease the patient suffers from because the diet that is advisable for the patient to follow is different for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
The main goal of the diet is to reduce damage to the thyroid and control the disease in the best possible manner. For this purpose, you should drink plenty of fluids, choose healthy fats, and starchy foods rich in fiber and ensure that you are getting an adequate amount of protein.
Apart from these general recommendations for overall health, when it comes to thyroid disease, the most important thing is to look at the minerals. These minerals include iodine, zinc and selenium. These are the minerals that play a role in either thyroid hormone manufacturing or signalling.
As we have discussed before, the two types of thyroid diseases have different causes and symptoms, so the diet for the two conditions will also be different.
Diet for Hypothyroidism
- The minerals that are essential for a patient with hypothyroidism are as follows:
Iodine
Iodine is necessary for producing thyroid hormones, so people with a deficiency of iodine will be at risk of hypothyroidism. Hence it’s imperative to get a sufficient amount of iodine.
Foods that are rich in iodine include seaweed, eggs, chicken, beef liver, dairy and fish/shellfish. The good news is that table salt has iodine added to it, so make sure you sprinkle a bit more salt into your food if you don’t consume meat (if you’re concerned about iodine levels).
Selenium
Selenium is a micronutrient that activates the thyroid hormone. It also has some antioxidants (artificial or natural substances that may prevent or delay some types of cell damage) that help the body against free-radicals.
Free radicals are produced as a byproduct of many metabolic reactions, but they are harmful to the body if they are increased in number. Adding selenium to your diet can reduce the risk of thyroid diseases.
Foods that are rich in selenium include Chicken, Brazil nuts, eggs, tuna, beef, shrimp, brown rice and oatmeal. Although not very commonly observed, including too much selenium in your diet for thyroid disease can also be toxic. Selenium toxicity usually results in gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and nausea.
Zinc
Zinc is necessary for the metabolism of thyroid hormone. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland to produce hormones and Thyroid-Releasing hormone (TRH) is necessary for the release of thyroid hormone into circulation. Zinc is a factor in the production of both TSH and TRH; hence a deficiency in zinc will result in less TSH and TRH being formed. This can lead to hypothyroidism and even exacerbate existing hypothyroidism.
Zinc deficiency is rare in developed countries because enough zinc is readily available in their food. Taking zinc supplements alone or with selenium can improve thyroid function in individuals suffering from hypothyroidism.
Foods rich in zinc include Oysters, yogurt, beef, crab, legumes and pumpkin seeds.
Iron
Iron is an essential nutrient for the proper functioning of many organs, including thyroid health. Iron helps red blood cells to carry oxygen to all the cells in the body. Various studies have linked iron deficiency to autoimmune thyroid disease. In a published study, researchers found that when women with hypothyroidism who were not responsive to thyroid hormone replacement therapy were given iron, ferritin levels were restored and their symptoms improved.
Iron-containing foods include Raisins, spinach, chickpeas, lentils, red meat, nuts and leafy green veggies.
- The nutrient that is harmful to the person suffering from hypothyroidism is:
Goitrogens
Goitrogens are those substances that interrupt the normal functioning of the thyroid if consumed in large amounts. They interfere with the ability of the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone adequately.
When the thyroid gland cannot produce enough thyroid hormone, the body’s feedback loop tells it to try and produce more. In order for production to ramp up, the thyroid gland enlarges and a goitre forms as a result.
It’s important to note that cooking the food deactivates the goitrogens that are present. People with iodine deficiency are most likely to be affected by the goitrogens. Some foods that contain goitrogens are Tofu, soy milk, cabbage, spinach, edamame, cauliflower, sweet potato and peanuts.
Diet for Hyperthyroidism
In contrast with hypothyroidism, patients with hyperthyroidism have too much production of thyroid hormone. The important thing to remember with hyperthyroidism is that you need to minimize anything that contributes to additional production of thyroid hormone. Let’s discuss some minerals that you should be aware of.
- The following minerals/supplements should be avoided if you suffer from hyperthyroidism.
Excess Iodine
This is the primary mineral to be aware of when it comes to your thyroid disease diet. Consuming food rich in iodine should be avoided because it can worsen your condition because it would provide your thyroid gland with additional factors from which it can produce even more thyroid hormone.
Excess thyroid hormone will result in increased symptoms such as heat intolerance, sweating, anxiety and hair loss. Foods with a fair amount of iodine include too much iodized salt, prawns, egg yolks and sushi.
Caffeine
Foods containing caffeine can aggravate the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as increased palpitations and heart rate, irritability, anxiety, and tremors. This occurs because caffeine has a stimulating effect on our central nervous system. This is why your morning coffee wakes you up and provides you with energy.
So, avoid the foods or drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and chocolate, and replace them with flavored water, herbal teas, and apple cider in warm water.
Gluten
For some people, gluten may be harmful to the thyroid because it can cause and contribute to inflammation. Having a gluten-free diet can increase the absorption of medication that you are taking for your thyroid, and it can also decrease inflammation.
This is especially true if your hyperthyroidism is a result of autoimmune disease. There is growing evidence that eliminating gluten and dairy helps alleviate the autoimmune attack on the body. Gluten is found in wheat, malt, oats, rye, and barley.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Over an extended period of time, hyperthyroidism causes the bones to become weak and brittle, which causes decreased bone mineral density. Calcium and Vitamin D are essential nutrients for the health of bone and bone strength. Hence it is beneficial to consume foods that have adequate amounts of both in your diet for thyroid disease.
Foods rich in calcium include milk, other dairy products, broccoli, kale, spinach, okra and other veggies.
There is a growing body of evidence-based literature that suggests that vitamin D has a pivotal role in modulating the immune system. It’s hypothesized that many autoimmune conditions including Graves and Hashimoto’s disease are due to a deficiency in vitamin D. The daily recommended dose of vitamin D is approximately 800IU per day.
The primary source of Vitamin D is the sun. Oftentimes, people tend to avoid their time in the sun because of the fear of skin cancer. Even 30 minutes of sun exposure can provide the body with an adequate amount of vitamin D. Remember to put on some sunscreen if you are going to be in the sun for an extended period of time. Foods rich in vitamin D include beef liver, salmon, tuna, mushrooms and fortified fruit juice.
Conclusion
Thyroid diseases may not always be preventable, but they can be treated. You can strongly affect the thyroid condition that you are suffering from by following an appropriate diet for thyroid disease. It’s important to note that avoiding certain foods can be just as important as consuming the right ones.
Always read the label and discuss any dietary changes with your doctor or nutritionist. The recommended foods and restrictions for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are different and should be followed accordingly.
References
- NIH, National Library of Medicine. (2018, April 19). How does the thyroid gland work? – InformedHealth.org – NCBI bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279388/
- Bradford, A. (2017, April 21). Thyroid gland: Facts, function & diseases. livescience.com. https://www.livescience.com/58771-thyroid-gland-facts.html
- Cleveland Clinic. (2020, April 19). Thyroid disease: Causes, symptoms, risk factors, testing & treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8541-thyroid-disease#:~:
- Ambardekar, N. (2001, October 1). Thyroid problems — Symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/understanding-thyroid-problems-basics
- Mayo Clinic. (2020, November 19). Hypothyroidism – Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284
- Stoppler, M. C. (2022, May 20). 30 thyroid disease symptoms, signs, types, and treatments. MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/thyroid_disease_symptoms_and_signs/article.htm
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- Raman, R. (2021, June 17). Best diet for hypothyroidism. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/hypothyroidism-diet#foods-to-avoid
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- NIDDK. (2021, August 1). Hyperthyroidism (Overactive thyroid). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hyperthyroidism
