Managing hypothyroidism can be difficult, and your consumption can interfere with your treatment. Certain nutrients significantly impact the thyroid gland’s function, and particular foods may hinder your body’s ability to assimilate the replacement hormones prescribed for your thyroid condition.
A thyroid disorder is no picnic, but you are not alone in experiencing this health problem. According to the American Thyroid Association, over 12 percent of the population may develop a thyroid disorder at some stage. Thyroid issues can be deceptive: up to 60 percent of the nearly 20 million Americans with the disease are unaware they have it.
As with many health conditions, you cannot control certain factors, such as your family history and the environment. But diet also plays a significant role, and because you’re in command of your plate, you can choose thyroid-friendly foods.
Foods With Soy, Including Edamame, Tofu, and Miso
Certain compounds in soy, known as isoflavones, have long been associated with the possibility of thyroid-harming effects. Some researchers believe that excessive soy consumption may increase the risk of hypothyroidism. However, according to a study published in March 2019 in Scientific Reports, soy does not affect thyroid hormones and modestly increases thyroid-stimulating hormone levels.
So, there are no specific dietary recommendations, but some research suggests that consuming soy may hinder the absorption of thyroid medication. Therefore, you may need to delay four hours after consuming soy-based foods before taking your usual dose. Consult your physician to determine what is best for you.
Cruciferous Vegetables Like Broccoli and Cauliflower
Cruciferous veggies, such as cauliflower and kale, are rich in fiber and other nutrients, but lacking iodine may interfere with thyroid hormone production. Limit your consumption of Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, turnips, and bok choy if you have an underactive thyroid, as research suggests that digesting these vegetables may inhibit the gland’s ability to utilize iodine, which is vital to normal thyroid function. According to the Mayo Clinic, you must be eating a substantial quantity of cruciferous vegetables for this to have a significant effect on iodine absorption.
If you have been identified with both thyroid and a lack of iodine, there are steps you can take to reduce the detrimental effects of these vegetables. The product that cruciferous vegetables have on the thyroid gland can be reduced by cooking them, and consuming no more than 5 ounces of these (cooked) vegetables per day appears to have no adverse impact on thyroid function.
Gluten Found in Bread and Pasta
According to Ruth Frechman, RDN, a dietitian and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson in the Los Angeles area, gluten is a protein found in foods made with barley, rye, wheat, and other grains.
If you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease, gluten can irritate the small intestine and interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormone replacement therapy.
A May 2017 piece released by the journal Endocrine Connections stated that hypothyroidism and celiac disease are frequently co-occurring conditions.
Even though no research has shown that a gluten-free diet can treat thyroid conditions, you may still want to consult a physician about eliminating gluten or getting tested for celiac disease.
A study published in Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes in July 2019 discovered that a gluten-free diet may have clinical advantages for women with thyroid disease.
If you choose to consume gluten, opt for whole-grain bread and pasta, which are rich in fiber and other nutrients and can help alleviate gastrointestinal irregularity, a common symptom of hypothyroidism.
Also, ensure that you take your hypothyroidism medication several hours before or after consuming high-fiber foods to prevent them from preventing the absorption of your synthetic thyroid hormone.
Fatty Foods like Butter, Meat, and All Things Fried
According to Stephanie Lee, MD, Ph.D., associate chief of endocrinology, nutrition, and diabetes at the Boston Medical Center and a professor of medicine at Boston University’s School of Medicine in Massachusetts, fats inhibit the body’s capacity to absorb thyroid hormone replacement medications.
Additionally, fats may inhibit the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones. Some medical experts recommend avoiding all fried foods and consuming less fat from sources such as butter, mayonnaise, margarine, and fatty portions of meat.
Sugary Foods Like This Delicious Chocolate Cake
According to Frechman, hypothyroidism can cause the body’s metabolism to slow down. That means it’s simple to gain weight if you’re not watchful.
“You should avoid sugary foods because they contain many calories but no nutrients,” she explains. Reduce the quantity of sugar you consume or attempt to eliminate it from your diet.
Processed Foods in Packages and the Frozen Aisle
“Processed foods typically contain a great deal of sodium, and separates with hypothyroidism should avoid sodium,” says Frenchman. An underactive thyroid increases a person’s risk for hypertension, and excessive sodium consumption further increases this risk.
Consult the “Nutrition Facts” label on the packaging of processed foods to identify those with the lowest sodium content. According to the American Heart Association, individuals with an increased risk for hypertension should limit their daily sodium consumption to 1,500 milligrams.
Excess Fiber From Beans, Legumes, and Vegetables
Getting enough fiber is beneficial, but excessive fiber can complicate hypothyroidism treatment. According to the government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults over 50 should consume 25 to 38 grams of fiber daily.
Over this level, dietary fiber from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, and legumes can affect digestion and impede the uptake of thyroid hormone replacement pharmaceuticals.
Ask your physician if you require a higher dose of thyroid medication if you consume a high-fiber diet. Increasing your maintenance dose may be necessary to absorb more medicine.
Coffee: Time Your First Cup Carefully in the Morning
According to a study published in the journal Thyroid, caffeine inhibits the absorption of thyroid hormone replacement.
“Patients who took the thyroid medication with coffee in the morning had uncontrollable thyroid levels, and we had no idea why,” explains Dr. Lee. “I must now be very cautious when advising others to take their medication with water.
” After taking medication, you should wait at least 30 minutes before having a cup of coffee.
Alcohol Doesn’t Play Well With Your Thyroid
According to a study released in the Indian Journal of Endocrine and Metabolism, drinking alcohol can wreak havoc on both the body’s thyroid hormone levels and the thyroid’s capacity to produce hormones.
Alcohol appears to have a deleterious effect on the thyroid gland and inhibits the body’s utilization of thyroid hormone. Those with hypothyroidism should ideally abstain from alcohol or consume it in moderation.
