Natural Remedies for Low Thyroid Levels

It is a shocking fact to know that more than 10 million American people suffer from at least one health problem that has direct connection to thyroid. Low thyroid levels prove to be dangerous if not treated with good low thyroid diet. Here is some information on food for low thyroid. Foods for Low Thyroid Levels – Low Thyroid Diet Thyroid hormone which is produced by hypothalamus, pituitary glands and mainly thyroid gland which is situated just below the larynx. Thyroid gland is the key function of the endocrine system. The basic function of the thyroid gland is to change iodine from the food into the thyroid hormones, that are essential in regulating the metabolism of the body. Thyroid, secreted in more than required amount as well as lesser than its demanded creates problems. Low thyroid, also referred as hypothyroidism is a disease found in living beings due to low production of the thyroid hormones. Low thyroid levels in infants is referred as ‘Cretinism’.

Symptoms of Low Thyroid Levels

Low thyroid levels are caused when the thyroid glands produce less thyroid than the required amount, this is also referred as ‘under-active’ thyroid glands. Both men and women suffer from low thyroid levels. There are many symptoms of this silent disease, hypothyroidism, some of them include:

•  Weakness and fatigue
• Immune system problems
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Poor memory or dementia
• Nervousness
• Cold hands and feet
• Depression
• Obesity
• heavy menstrual periods in women

These and many more are the initial symptoms of low thyroid levels that people often tend to ignore. These symptoms might sound very casual at start but if not evaluated early, they can prove harmful later on. Hypothyroidism is primarily caused by incorrect eating habits. So, if one has some of the above symptoms then without further delay, consulting the physician and opting proper healthy diet plan gets very essential.
Low Thyroid Diet
People suffering from the problem of low thyroid must follow a strict thyroid enhancing food pattern. Under active thyroid diet mainly bank upon the hormonal supplements. It gets very essential to improve the functions of thyroid glands. Foods for low thyroid includes the following:
Protein and Fatty Acids
Food rich in protein proves very useful when it comes to control weight and thyroid levels. The main reason behind this is that most of the glands are made of protein, so food that is rich in protein must be constitute part of the daily diet. The fatty acids help the body to maintain its hormonal system, so, vegetables, especially green and leafy vegetables, food rich in fatty acids such as almonds, walnuts, whole grains, lean meat, milk and egg whites must be a part of the daily diet.
Iodine Rich Foods
More than 2/3 of the body iodine is secreted in the thyroid gland. Hence iodine deficiency is the most basic reason behind ‘under active thyroid glands’. Consumption of iodine must be appropriate to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Food products like iodized salt, sea salt, most fresh fishes mainly cod fish and haddock fish, fish oil, sea weeds like see kelp, eggs, cheddar cheese etc. are rich in iodine percentage.
Selenium Rich Foods
Selenium is a great antioxidant with high amount of essential anti-aging and cancer enzymes. Selenium also helps to rebuild the immune system. Selenium is present in various natural forms such as cereals like rice, Brazil nuts and walnuts, onions, garlic, soybeans, animal products like cheese, eggs, chicken and beef and also in some fishes like tuna. Selenium is also present in other products like cod fish, turkey and oat. There are chances of side effects of selenium, if it exceeds 400mg in the body.
Fibers and Vitamins
Food products that contain vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, are very essential to maintain good hormonal levels. These vitamins could be taken in the form of natural thyroid supplements. Certain natural food products like carrots, spinach, egg yolks, oranges, cantaloupe, figs, banana, broccoli, bok choy etc. are rich sources of vitamins and fibers, and must be a part of daily diet as per their availability.

Food to Avoid During Low Thyroid Levels

It is very essential to keep in mind about the food you should not eat when suffering from hypothyroidism. Patients suffering from low thyroid levels must avoid food products that can cause thyroid problems. So one must avoid excessive use of following food products:

• Excessive amount of sugar intake can actually destroy the thyroid as well as adrenal glands.
• So, sugar intake must be minimal. Sometimes the casein present in milk products can harm the endocrine system.
• Junk food, fast food, alcohol and vegetables like cauliflower and mustard that contain high amount of iron must be avoided.

What has been listed above is arguably the best diet plan for people with under active thyroid glands. Following a healthy diet, proper exercise, timely diagnosis, medication and mental peace are the best ways to avoid the troubles of low thyroid levels.
Here is a expert from the Worlds Healthiest Foods Website about Goitrogens that can affect thyroid function:
Goitrogens are naturally-occurring substances that can interfere with function of the thyroid gland. Goitrogens get their name from the term “goiter,” which means an enlargement of the thyroid gland. If the thyroid gland is having difficulty making thyroid hormone, it may enlarge as a way of trying to compensate for this inadequate hormone production. “Goitrogens,” like circumstances that cause goiter, cause difficulty for the thyroid in making its hormone.
Foods that contain goitrogens.
There are two general categories of foods that have been associated with disrupted thyroid hormone production in humans: soybean-related
foods and cruciferous vegetables. In addition, there are a few other foods not included in these categories – such as peaches, strawberries and millet – that also contain goitrogens. The table below shows a list of some foods that contain goitrogens.

Soybean-related foods

Included in the category of soybean-related foods are soybeans themselves as well as soy extracts, and foods made from soy, including tofu and tempeh. While soy foods share many common ingredients, it is the isoflavones in soy that have been associated with decreased thyroid hormone output. Isoflavones are naturally-occurring substances that belong to the flavonoid family of nutrients. Flavonoids, found in virtually all plants, are pigments that give plants their amazing array of colors. Most research studies in the health sciences have focused on the beneficial properties of flavonoids, and these naturally-occurring phytonutrients have repeatedly been shown to be highly health-supportive.
The link between isoflavones and decreased thyroid function is, in fact, one of the few areas in which flavonoid intake has called into question as problematic. Isoflavones like genistein appear to reduce thyroid hormone output by blocking activity of an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase. This enzyme is responsible for adding iodine onto the thyroid hormones. (Thyroid hormones must typically have three or four iodine atoms added on to their structure in order to function properly.)

Cruciferous vegetables

A second category of foods associated with disrupted thyroid hormone production is the cruciferous food family. Foods belonging to this family are called “crucifers,” and include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard, rutabagas, kohlrabi, and turnips. Isothiocyanates are the category of substances in crucifers that have been associated with decreased thyroid function. Like the isoflavones, isothiocyanates appear to reduce thyroid function by blocking thyroid peroxidase, and also by disrupting messages that are sent across the membranes of thyroid cells.
Examples of foods that contain goitrogens Cruciferous vegetables including:

• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Mustard
• Rutabaga
• Turnips

Goitrogens and health

In the absence of thyroid problems, there is no research evidence to suggest that goitrogenic foods will negatively impact your health. In fact, the opposite is true: soy foods and cruciferous vegetables have unique nutritional value, and intake of these foods has been associated with decreased risk of disease in many research studies. That’s one of the reasons we’ve included both types of food among the World’s Healthiest Foods!
Because carefully controlled research studies have yet to take place on the relationship between goitrogenic foods and thyroid hormone deficiency, healthcare practitioners differ greatly on their perspectives as to whether a person who has thyroid problems, and notably a thyroid hormone deficiency, should limit their intake of goitrogenic foods. Most practitioners use words like “overconsumption” or “excessive” to describe the kind of goitrogen intake that would be a problem for individuals with thyroid hormone deficiency. Here the goal is not to eliminate goitrogenic foods from the meal plan, but to limit intake so that it falls into a reasonable range.
Limiting goitrogenic intake is often much more problematic with soy foods than with cruciferous vegetables, since soy appears in so many combination and packaged food products in hidden form. Ingredients like textured vegetable protein (TVP) and isolated soy concentrate may appear in foods that would rarely be expected to contain soy. A standard, one cup serving of cruciferous vegetables 2-3 times per week, and a standard, 4-ounce serving of tofu twice a week is likely to be tolerated by many individuals with thyroid hormone deficiency. It’s worth it to try and include these foods in a meal plan because of their strong nutritional value and great track record in preventing many kinds of health problems.

The effect of cooking on goitrogens

Although research studies are limited in this area, cooking does appear to help inactivate the goitrogenic compounds found in food. Both isoflavones (found in soy foods) and isothiocyanates (found in cruciferous vegetables) appear to be heat-sensitive, and cooking appears to lower the availability of these substances. In the case of isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, as much as one third of this goitrogenic substance may be deactivated when broccoli is boiled in water.

Practical tips

Although for many people goitrogens do not seem to pose a health concern, certain individuals who have thyroid problems may be advised by their healthcare practitioner to limit excessive consumption of foods that contain these compounds. As cooking seems to help to inactivate the goitrogenic compounds found in food, it seems reasonable to conclude that for individuals with deficient thyroid hormone production, steaming of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli makes good sense, as does consumption of tofu in cooked versus raw form.