World Thyroid Day: Foods to avoid and adopt if suffering from hypothyroidism

A thyroid disorder is a condition that affects the thyroid gland a butterflyshaped gland which is located in front of the neck below Adamrsquos apple Thyroid has several important roles to play mainly in regulation of the metabolic process throughout the body Thyroid gland is controlled by the hypothalamus gland and pituitary gland and any disorders with these tissues can affect thyroid function and cause thyroid problemsTwo of the most common problems of the thyroid gland is hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism both of which involve the abnormal production of thyroid hormonesOn World Thyroid Day let us browse through a list of foods that one should avoid and adopt while suffering from hypothyroidismFoods to Eat in HypothyroidismFishSince iodine is found in soils and seawater is a good source of this nutrient Fish is also an important food item because of the high level of essential fatty acid content Oily fishes like Salmon Tuna and Sardines have a high constitution of omega three fatty acids which help to lower the risk of heart disease and lowers inflammation in people suffering from hypothyroidismNutsNuts are a good source of selenium hence it is an important food to be included in the diet for people suffering from Hypothyroidism One of the healthiest nuts available with high selenium content is the Brazil NutsWhole GrainsOne of the common symptoms of hypothyroidism is constipation and one of the best ways to solve this problem without the use of laxatives is by introducing fiber to the diet in the form of whole grains Some of the healthiest whole grains are quinoa bulgur oats and brown riceAntioxidants rich fruits and vegetablesFruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants are beneficial for people suffering from Hypothyroidism It helps keep the weight in check which is one of the many symptoms seen in hypothyroidismSeaweedSeaweed is a rich source of iodine ndash which is an essential nutrient for thyroid function It works like a precursor for the production of thyroid hormoneEggsEggs can be a super food for individuals suffering from Hypothyroidism One large egg contains around 16 of the iodine and 20 of the selenium the daily requirement for an individual for the dayYogurtGreek yogurt or lowfat yogurt is a good source of iodinemdashit can constitute up to about 50 of the daily intake of iodineMilkDrinking 1 cup of lowfat milk can constitute to about onethird of the daily iodine needsFoods to avoid in HypothyroidismCruciferous vegetablesPeople suffering from Hypothyroidism should avoid eating cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli as it can interfere with the production of thyroid hormone in an individual Especially people who have iodine deficiency It could be a challenge for such individuals to digest these vegetables as it can block the thyroids ability to absorb iodine which is essential for normal thyroid functionJunk FoodsFried foodsIt is advised that individuals with hypothyroidism should avoid consuming fried foods as fats may interfere with the thyroids ability to produce hormoneAlcoholAlcohol consumption can come in the way and wreak havoc on the thyroid hormone levels in the body It can also cause a challenge in the ability of the thyroid to produce the hormone Alcohol has a toxic effect on the thyroid gland which suppresses the ability of the body to use thyroid hormone People with hypothyroidism should completely cut the intake of alcoholToo much fibreConsuming fibre is considered good but getting too much can complicate the hypothyroidism treatment So the intake of high fibre foods must be in moderation and done with the advise of the doctorFoods rich in iodineFoods with iodine content should be taken only if one suffers from hypothyroidism due to lack of iodine in the body This is a rare phenomenon since eating too much of the iodine will result in hypothyroidismFoods with glutenA food with gluten tends to trigger autoimmune responses in sensitive people and hence hinders the production of thyroid hormones in the bodyArtificial SweetenersSince artificial sweetener contains aspartame which can cause autoimmune disorders in people Artificial sweeteners are also known to cause thyroid inflammationInputs By Dr Nikhil Nashikkar Consultant Endocrinologist K J Somaiya Hospital Super Specialty Centre