Hypothyroidism:food with Essential Nutrients to Cure; Food to Avoid

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Hypothyroidism affects millions of people around the world. Apart from congenital hypothyroidism, there are many factors which cause the lazy functioning of the thyroid glands.

Many people do not even know that they have hypothyroidism and they treat the symptoms of hypothyroidism like obesity, hair fall or skin ailments by consulting various doctors and specialists.

The deficiency of the following nutrients in the daily diet causes hypothyroidism: Selenium, zinc, omega 3 fatty acids, iodine, vitamin B12, Vitamin A and tyrosine

These with a low calorie diet help activate the thyroid glands and help normal functioning, secreting the hormone, thyroxin, which regulates the metabolic activity in our body.

Selenium:

Minimal doses of selenium are required for healthy eyes, skin and hair. It is proved to be toxic in high taken in high doses. The normal intake recommended by dietitians is 55 micrograms, for an adult.

Tuna fish, kidney, liver and oysters are good sources of selenium.

Sunflower seeds, wheat germ, corn cereals and cashew nuts also contain optimum selenium.

Zinc:

Zinc is the mineral that helps healing, strengthens the immune system and stimulates the activity of enzymes.

Foods that are rich in zinc are seafood, especially oysters, egg yolk bran, wheat germ, legumes and cheddar cheese.

Iodine:

Iodised, the essential trace element, can be had from iodised salt, seaweeds-arame, kelp, dulse and Kombu, sea foods and vegetables and food grains grown in iodine rich soil. During pregnancy and lactation iodine is not to be taken in excess. 150 micrograms of iodine is recommended by doctors and during pregnancy and lactation this can be slightly increased with the doctor’s advice.

Tyrosine:

Tyrosine is an amino acid which helps in long term memory. Protein rich foods, egg white, poultry, lean meat, seafood and lentils provide tyrosine in adequate quantities.

Omega 3:

Omega 3 fatty acids can be had from salmon, walnuts and flax seeds.

Vitamins B12 and A:

Lean meat and shell fish are good sources of vitamin B12. Eggs, liver, carrots, red radish and sweet potatoes are good sources of Vitamin A.  

Take plenty of green tea and it boosts metabolism.

Food that should be avoided by persons having hypothyroidism:

Soy and its products, Brussels’ sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, peanuts and spinach.

Food rich in gluten should be avoided. White bread and pasta can be substituted with wheat bread and broken wheat. Intake of sugar should be minimised.

Consumption of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco in any form should be avoided.