LIVING BETTER WITH YOUR THYROID PROBLEMS THANKS TO FOOD

Thyroid diseases affect a fairly large portion of the population. There are two main types:

• Hypothyroidism : The thyroid has trouble keeping up and doesn't produce enough hormone. One of the causes is a condition called “Hashimoto’s disease”, which is an autoimmune disease. People who are prone to it have abnormally high levels of antithyroid antibodies that attack the thyroid. The most common symptoms are fatigue, chilliness, paleness, constipation, weight gain, and a slower heart rate.
• Hyperthyroidism: the thyroid is in overdrive, it produces too many hormones. The main symptoms are fatigue, sleep and mood disorders, weight loss, excessive sweating, changes in the menstrual cycle and intestinal transit.

Around 200,000 million people suffer from thyroid disease worldwide. Drug treatments exist to regulate the functioning of the thyroid, but it is essential to adapt your diet, because many nutrients interact with the thyroid and the hormones it secretes.

Diet basics

• For people suffering from hypothyroidism , health and diet advice is based on a balanced diet with a good intake of fiber and water to prevent constipation. Be careful when consuming soy-based foods, as it reduces the absorption of thyroxine, a hormone essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid.
• For people suffering from hyperthyroidism , a special diet must be implemented, because of the symptoms previously mentioned. The diet should be high in calories, while maintaining the same balance, and associated with plenty of rest, to moderate weight loss. To this, we add good hydration, to compensate for water losses, and we pay particular attention to our intake of micronutrients, particularly calcium, to preserve bone mass. Also be careful with the consumption of caffeine, alcohol and salt, to avoid further stimulating the body.

What are the nutritional tips for living better with your thyroid disease?

#1 – Consume foods rich in iodine

Iodine is a trace element essential for the production of thyroid hormones. Therefore, it is very interesting for people with hypothyroidism, but also for those with hyperthyroidism. Excess iodine occurs very rarely, and even less so due to dietary intake. The foods that contain the most are:

Wakamé seaweed, seafood (especially langoustines, shrimps, mussels, oysters, etc.), fish (especially haddock, haddock, cod, etc.). To a lesser extent, it is found in certain vegetables, such as spinach, certain cereals and dried fruits.

#2 – Consume foods rich in zinc and selenium

These two trace elements regulate the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Their sources are diverse:

Selenium recommendations are easily achievable! In fact, Brazil nuts contain so much that you only need two nuts to meet your daily intake.

#3 – Avoid cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are a family of vegetables that contain natural antithyroids; they prevent the proper synthesis of hormones and should therefore be limited. Among them, we find cabbage, broccoli, watercress, arugula, radish and turnip.

#4 – Avoid grapefruit

It has been shown that this citrus fruit can block the functioning of enzymes allowing the metabolism of many drugs. However, people suffering from thyroid problems are very often under treatment. The list of medications incompatible with this fruit is long and not exhaustive, which is why it is better not to consume it, as it could cancel out the effects of the treatment, or worse, make it toxic.

#5 – Pay attention to endocrine disruptors

Easier said than done, but being interested in the endocrine disruptors that can be hidden in our products is essential when you are subject to thyroid pathology. To have more peace of mind, it is preferable to eat organic. Tracking labels is another option, we eliminate additives classified as endocrine disruptors, such as BHA (E320) and BHT (E321), but also bisphenol A, etc.

Be careful though, endocrine disruptors are also widely present in hygiene and cosmetic products.

#6 – Consume probiotics!

Recent studies agree: there is a thyroid-intestine axis. The composition of the microbiota influences the availability of micronutrients, including those essential for the thyroid. Probiotic supplementation has shown multiple benefits on thyroid function, and research is increasingly optimistic about the integration of probiotics in the management of patients with thyroid pathologies.

At DIJO, we created Essential Probiotics , a concentrate of good bacteria bringing together 8 strains and 28 billion CFU, with multiple benefits.

Sources:

[1] Burman, K., & Wartofsky, L. (2000). Iodine effects on the thyroid gland: biochemical and clinical aspects . Accessed December 28, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11704988/

[2] Ihnatowicz, P., Drywień, M., Wątor, P., & Wojsiat, J. (2020). The importance of nutritional factors and dietary management of Hashimoto's thyroiditis . Accessed December 29, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32588591/

[3] Knezevic, J., Starchl, C., & Amrein, K. (2020). Thyroid-Intestine Axis: How does the microbiota influence thyroid function? Accessed December 29, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32545596/