Iodine Is Needed For Thyroid Function
Iodine has a major significance in the production of thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, as well as the thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thyroid cells absorb iodine and combine it with the amino acid tyrosine to create T3 and T4.
Since the human body cannot produce iodine, primary sources are the food and supplements you take.
Increasing foods that are good sources of iodine can be beneficial, but you should not do this if you are taking thyroid extract medication.
Foods rich in iodine include:
- Seaweed/sea vegetables (all types)
- Seafood (shellfish, oysters, crab, shrimp, etc.)
- All fish
- Egg yolks (contain selenium and iodine)
- Animal-based protein
- Chicken
- Sea salt. Pink Himalayan salt doesn’t contain as much iodine as sea salt.
Other halogens like bromine, fluorine, and chlorine can mimic iodine and prevent it from producing T3 and T4. So, avoid:
- Pre-washed salads (they may have been washed in chlorine)
- Chlorinated swimming pools
- Toothpaste with fluoride
- White flour packaged processed bread – containing bromine
See Yalda’s Instagram post on the above!
Selenium Supports Thyroid Function
Selenium is another micronutrient that supports thyroid function. Wang et al. (2023).
Aside from metabolism and growth-related physiological processes, the thyroid gland is also involved in the antioxidant systems. Thyroid cells help catalyze ROS (reactive oxygen species), preventing cell damage.
Like iodine, you can get selenium from animal-based protein foods, certain nuts, and seafood.
Selenium-rich foods:
- spinach
- chicken
- all poultry
- Eggs
- Tuna, halibut, sardines, and shrimp
- cashews
- bananas
- Brazil nuts
- mushrooms.
Avoid Goitrogenic Foods
Avoid goitrogenic foods:
- raw kale, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, and Chinese cabbage. They contain goitrogens that may disrupt the thyroid if consumed in large quantities. However, cooking these veggies reduces goitrogen levels by a third. You can have them cooked in moderate amounts, but avoid them in their raw form. Kale smoothies aren’t so good for your thyroid, basically! Generally, one tends to consume more kale in a smoothie than in solid form, so be careful here.
- radishes
- horseradish
- rutabagas
- collard greens
- Cassava, lima beans, linseed, sweet potato. Again, cooking these can reduce their goitrogen levels. If you do choose to eat these vegetables, then limit the amount to a total serving of one cup cooked per day.
Limit Soy Consumption
Avoid foods with soy as they contain isoflavones. Products include soymilk, tofu, edamame, and miso. The Eat Burn Sleep lifestyle is about moderation, so do not over-obsess. You can have a little soy sauce with your sashimi, as the quantities are small, but avoid soy milk as the amounts consumed tend to be significant, and they impact your health! Having one miso soup when you eat Japanese food is fine, but try not to cook with miso daily.
Consume Vitamin A & C-rich Foods
- Vitamin A-rich foods include sweet potato, bell peppers, butternut squash, kiwi, papaya, spinach, carrots, eggs, tomatoes, melon, mango, and salmon.
- Vitamin C-rich foods include strawberries, kiwi, lemon, grapefruit, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and small potatoes. Eastman & Zimmermann (2018). & Far et al. (2023). Ensure the broccoli, sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage are cooked first to reduce their goitrogen levels.
Avoid Gluten
Hypothyroidism and celiac disease are often diagnosed together. Following the Eat Burn Sleep meal planning guidelines will help! Again, it does not matter if soy sauce contains gluten, as the amount is minimal. Remember that it is not about perfection but about damage limitation.
Watch Your Intake of Fat
Fats may also interfere with the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones. Some healthcare professionals recommend that you cut out all fried foods and reduce your intake of fats from sources such as butter, mayonnaise, margarine, and fatty cuts of meat. Adhering to the Eat Burn Sleep meal planning guidelines will help you consume adequate amounts of healthy fats and support liver detoxification for improved hormonal function.
Essential Fats at Every Meal
Essential fats at every meal are key, as they make cell receptors more sensitive to the thyroid hormone.
- Olive oil
- Avocado
- Flax seeds
- Fish oil
- Nuts
Include Good Carbs In Your Diet
Make sure to include good carbs in your diet. Very low-carb diets are known for lowering thyroid function. Keep good sources of carbs like sweet potatoes, butternut squash, Jerusalem artichokes, carrots, jicama, yams, plantain, bananas, and berries in your diet.
Consume Tea & Coffee In Moderation
Consume tea and coffee in moderation, as they interfere with thyroid function and raise cortisol. Again, the coffee advice applies here. Limit your intake to 2 espresso shots a day, even if you are tired. If you are taking thyroid replacement therapy, follow the guidance regarding coffee and your medication.
It’s advisable not to drink caffeinated fizzy drinks.
Alcohol Can Be A Disruptor
Avoid too much alcohol. Alcohol consumption can wreak havoc on both thyroid hormone levels in the body and the ability of the thyroid to produce hormones. The alcohol consumption advice in the treat system is moderate and will allow you to have fun without damaging your system.
Iron Deficiency
Check your iron status. Have a blood test. It’s important not to take a supplement without a blood test.
Avoid Chlorine, Fluorine & Bromine
Iodine reacts similarly in the body as Chlorine, Fluorine, and Bromine as they are all halogen elements. It is best to lower the consumption of products with Chlorine and Fluorine as they can potentially impair the formation of T3 and T4 in the thyroid. You can:
- Switch to fluoride-free toothpaste
- Avoid pre-washed / pre-packed salads and vegetables (generally washed in Chlorine)
- Avoid swimming in pools (high in chlorine, which gets absorbed through the skin)
- Bromine is found in flour and certain sodas. By following the food advice, you will naturally be avoiding bromine-rich foods.
No comments