The thyroid is an important gland in the body, and its primary function is to convert the food we consume into the hormones that maintain a healthy body. However, if this gland is not working properly, then we can experience a wide variety of symptoms, including fatigue, irritability, weight gain, hair loss, and decreased emotional stability.
Even if you know what you’re eating, there is a lot of food that can make your symptoms worse. When you have an overactive thyroid, you may be eating too many refined carbohydrates.
These foods are often low in nutrients and high in empty calories. Refined carbohydrates are foods with a flour base, such as white bread and pasta. A refined carbohydrate gives you an immediate energy rush, but it also sends blood sugar levels soaring and can trigger both hypoglycemia and hyperthyroidism.
As thyroid disease is a common condition, there is a need for many articles on “iodine-rich foods to avoid with overactive thyroid”. It is important to understand how iodine metabolism works to avoid the excessive intake of iodine.
We’re all familiar with iodine-rich fish like tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel – and plenty of other seafood too. In fact, iodine is found in some of your favorite foods like eggs, cheese, bread and milk. But, what about some of your other favorite foods – like beef, chicken, pork and bread – that are also rich in iodine? You would think that the amount of iodine in these foods would be enough to keep you healthy, right?
What is Hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone (thyroxine in this case), which in turn causes the body to break down what it can and store too much of, resulting in weight gain.
The thyroid gland is a small butterfly shaped organ located in the front of the neck, below the Adam’s apple. Thyroid hormone regulates the metabolism, and helps regulate the body’s basic functions, including metabolic rate, body temperature, heart rate, and the rate at which food is converted into energy.
What foods trigger hyperthyroidism?
While there are a number of triggers for hyperthyroidism, the most common ones are: Consuming foods that contain tyramines, like aged meats Dairy products Carbohydrates (sugars) in general.
Eating certain foods can cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These include symptoms such as disturbed sleep, shakiness, nervousness, irritability, and sweating. Hyperthyroidism is a gland problem that causes these symptoms. Some foods that can cause hyperthyroidism include:
- Milk and Dairy – Milk and dairy products have been shown to lead to the fatal disease called hyperthyroidism in some people. One study found that the amount of dairy products eaten significantly increased the risk of developing hyperthyroidism, while another found that low level of dairy intake may reduce the risk.
- Eggs – It has been known for some time that eggs may trigger or worsen hyperthyroidism in a susceptible person. However, it was not known exactly how the eggs were responsible. The most common theory is that the yolk contains a thyroid-stabilizing protein that binds to the thyroid and prevents it from shutting down, the process that leads to hyperthyroidism.
- Iodized Salt – Iodized salt has long been the source of contention in the health community, with most doctors recommending using sea salt instead. Critics of the idea have argued that the benefits of iodine are minimal and that iodine deficiency is a major cause of thyroid problems world wide. The debate has raged for years, but recently a new study has found that iodine in salt is the cause of hyperthyroidism in several patients.
What foods help heal thyroid?
If you’ve ever experienced the common symptom of thyroid gland underactive or overactive, you might be familiar with the term “thyroid imbalance”, which can be caused by many factors—some of which you can control, while others require medical intervention. But what are the foods that can help your thyroid balance?
- Fish – If you have thyroid problems, it’s likely you’ve read an article or two about the benefits of eating fish for your thyroid. It might be a fact, an opinion, or a rumor, but the one thing that’s consistent is that eating fish can help strengthen your thyroid gland. But there’s a catch, you have to eat the right kind of fish.
- Yogurt – Yogurt can do wonders for the digestive system. It’s a great source of protein for vegetarians, who can often be lacking that important nutrient. It’s rich in calcium, which helps keep bones strong. And it’s also loaded with probiotics, which can help support the immune system and possibly prevent digestive issues.
- Nuts – Nuts have been proven to help heal the thyroid and support healthy weight management, so if you’re struggling with weight management.
- Seafoods – Seafood is a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids, which are good for you. Since your thyroid is important for your health, you can eat seafood to help heal your thyroid.
There are many nutritional options for those with thyroid issues, but the most popular and widely known would be the benefits of taking natural thyroid supplements. A natural thyroid supplement is a mixture of natural herbs and nutrients that are formulated to help regulate the body’s metabolism and support the health of the thyroid gland, which is responsible for regulating the body’s metabolism.
