Your thyroid requires iodine to function effectively and produce adequate thyroid hormones for your body’s requirements, as outlined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“I Healed My Slow Thyroid With Sea Kelp — Now I Feel Better Than Ever!” –Vivian Nosti
Check out this Thyroid gland study with Ashwaganda. You might be interested in the DYMA Thyroid supplements after reading this.
The results revealed that the induction of hypothyroidism by propylthiouracil induced a significant increase in serum TSH level but it induced significant decreases in the levels of total T3, free T3, free T4, and total T4 hormones compared with the control values. Also, serum glucose, Il-6, and body weight gain increased significantly while Il-10 and blood hemoglobin levels showed significant decrease. Induction of hypothyroidism increased also the levels of hepatic and renal MDA and NO and decreased significantly the values of GSH, GPx and Na+/ K+-ATPase. Both AME and the anti-hypothyroidism drug significantly ameliorated the changes occurred in the levels of the above parameters and improved histological picture of thyroid gland but with different degrees; where ashwagandha methanolic extract showed the strongest effect. We can conclude that ashwagandha methanolic extract treatment improves thyroid function by ameliorating thyroid hormones and by preventing oxidative stress.
Role of ashwagandha methanolic extract in the regulation of the thyroid.
Insufficient iodine intake can lead to conditions like hypothyroidism or a goiter, where the thyroid gland enlarges to compensate for the hormone deficiency, as noted by Medline Plus.
In the United States, most people dont meet their iodine needs easily because table salt is not typically iodized. Check does your salt have iodine in it? No? then go buy some.
Vegans Pay Special Attention To Iodine Levels
Vegans, or people on low-sodium diets for heart health reasons or those following vegan diets might need to ensure they obtain sufficient iodine from other sources.
According to Mira Ilic, RD, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, various types of seaweed are rich in iodine, though the iodine content can vary significantly among different species. The NIH reports that iodine concentrations in commercially available seaweeds, whether in whole or sheet form, range widely from 16 mcg/g to 2,984 mcg/g. Check out Dyma Kelp with iodine supplements.
Despite its iodine benefits, consuming seaweed excessively can be detrimental to thyroid health, potentially causing or worsening hypothyroidism due to iodine overload.
Iodized salt
Iodization Salt in America is not common, but has been added to table salt by salt manufacturers since the 1920s, although participation in this practice remains voluntary. Check to see is your salt iodized salt? If not make sure to buy iodized salt.
Specialty salts like sea salt, kosher salt, Himalayan salt, and fleur de sel are typically not iodized. Product labels specify whether these salts are iodized or contain iodide. For instance, nonionized sea salt provides no iodine.
Dietary supplements
In dietary supplements, iodine is often present as potassium iodide or sodium iodide [20]. Supplements containing kelp, a seaweed that contains iodine, are also available. A small study found that people absorb potassium iodide almost completely (96.4%).
What foods to avoid?
What food should I avoid to keep my thyroid healthy? Gluten free foods, minimal sugars, and no processed foods is a great start.
Gluten
- Autoimmune Thyroid Conditions: There is a known association between celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten) and autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. People with celiac disease have a higher risk of developing autoimmune thyroid conditions. In these cases, adhering to a gluten-free diet may be beneficial for managing overall autoimmune health, including thyroid function.
- Inflammation: Gluten can contribute to inflammation in the gut, which may indirectly impact thyroid health. Chronic inflammation can potentially worsen autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland.
- Nutrient Absorption: Celiac disease, which requires strict avoidance of gluten, can lead to malabsorption of nutrients such as iron, calcium, and B vitamins. Some of these nutrients are essential for thyroid function. Therefore, untreated celiac disease could potentially affect thyroid health due to nutritional deficiencies.
- Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: Some individuals without celiac disease may experience symptoms related to gluten consumption, known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity. The impact of this condition on thyroid health is less clear, but managing overall gut health and inflammation could indirectly benefit thyroid function.
Sugar
Excessive sugar consumption does not have good benefits for your thyroid health. Below are problems sugars can make for your thyroid.
- Blood Sugar Regulation: High sugar intake can lead to spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. Chronic instability in blood sugar levels may stress the adrenal glands, which are involved in hormone regulation and can indirectly affect thyroid function.
- Inflammation: Diets high in sugar and processed carbohydrates can promote inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation may contribute to autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
- Weight Gain: Excessive sugar consumption, particularly from sugary beverages and high-calorie snacks, can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Obesity is a risk factor for hypothyroidism and can complicate the management of thyroid conditions.
- Nutrient Imbalance: Diets high in sugar often displace nutrient-dense foods that are important for overall health, including thyroid function. For example, deficiencies in nutrients like selenium and zinc can affect thyroid hormone production and metabolism.
- Insulin Resistance: Excessive sugar intake can contribute to insulin resistance over time, where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin. Insulin resistance is associated with metabolic syndrome, which can impact overall health and potentially affect thyroid function.
Processed foods
Processed foods are not healthy for thyroid glands for several reasons:
- Nutrient Density: Processed foods often lack essential nutrients that are important for thyroid function, such as selenium, zinc, and iodine. These nutrients play critical roles in the production and regulation of thyroid hormones.
- Additives and Preservatives: Many processed foods contain additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients that may contribute to inflammation and disrupt overall hormonal balance, potentially affecting thyroid function.
- High Sugar and Salt Content: Processed foods, including snacks, fast food, and packaged meals, often contain high amounts of added sugars and salt. Excessive sugar intake can impact insulin sensitivity and may contribute to inflammation, while high salt intake can affect iodine absorption and thyroid function.
- Trans Fats and Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Some processed foods are high in trans fats and omega-6 fatty acids, which can promote inflammation and have been linked to various health issues, potentially impacting thyroid health as well.
- Gut Health: Processed foods may negatively impact gut health by altering the composition of gut bacteria and increasing intestinal permeability (leaky gut). Healthy gut function is important for immune system regulation, including autoimmune thyroid conditions.
Sources
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11033-019-04721-x