Thousands of people are diagnosed with thyroid disease every year, the majority being women. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that sits in your throat area. Its role is to control your metabolism. There are two types of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Hypothyroidism occurs when there is too little thyroid hormone to meet your body’s needs. Some symptoms include:
- Weight gain
- Fatigue/exhaustion
- Depression
- Dry thinning hair/hair loss
- And many more
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too many hormones. Some symptoms include:
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Shakiness
- Eye sensitivity or bulging
With a holistic approach to treating thyroid disease, including assessment of diet and lifestyle, sufferers can enjoy optimised health.
Nutritional support for your thyroid
- Eat a wholefoods diet rich in good quality fats that support your body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E. Some great additions are, coconut oil, avocadoes, extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed butter.
- Ensure an adequate intake of iodine and selenium rich foods. Examples include brazil nuts and seaweeds.
- Limit eating raw vegetables that belong to the goitrogen family. These can have a negative effect on the thyroid. Steaming or boiling them is ok. Some of the vegetables that have a goitrogenic effect are; broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower.
- Avoid iodised salt. Replace it with a good quality sea salt.
