Nearly 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid dysfunction, and nearly 60 percent of the people who have it don’t even know it. Women are five to eight times more likely to have a thyroid disorder than men, and most of those women have hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid.
As the “master gland” of the body, the thyroid is essential to growth and development. Our metabolism is dependent on it, and a too-slow thyroid can lead to weight gain and trouble losing weight, fatigue, brain fog, and a slower heart rate.
What does the thyroid do?
The thyroid produces the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). T4 is produced around 90 percent more than T3 because when T4 reaches the body’s organs and tissues, it converts to T3. T3 is the active form of thyroid hormone, but a deficiency in either of these hormones can cause hypothyroidism.
While it’s necessary to receive a blood test to determine the exact levels of your thyroid hormones — and you may have to supplement your thyroid with prescription medication — there are a number of foods right in your pantry or refrigerator that can help correct your thyroid dysfunction. With time, you may be able to avoid medication altogether, although that’s a decision that should only be made with your doctor.
Support your thyroid with these nutrients
The thyroid needs a balance of nutrients to function properly. These nutrients include iodine, copper, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and D, and zinc. Iodine and omega-3 fatty acids are required to produce thyroid hormones, while selenium helps convert inactive T4 to T3. To enable T3 to bind to its receptor and switch it “on,” your body needs vitamins A and D, and zinc.
Get plenty of iodine
The thyroid is the only part of the body that absorbs iodine, so any iodine you consume goes directly to the gland. While a lack of iodine is rarely the cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries, it’s still a good idea to make sure you’re eating enough iodine-rich foods, like:
- Potatoes
- Navy beans
- Organic cow’s milk
- Cage-free eggs
- Wild-caught seafood
- Sea vegetables like seaweed, nori wraps or kelp granules
If you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis — a specific type of hypothyroidism — speak with your healthcare provider before eating more iodine. In some cases, though rare, more iodine can irritate the thyroid.
Don’t skimp on the copper
Copper helps the thyroid function properly by working with the trace minerals zinc, potassium, and calcium to balance its activity. Copper-rich foods can help maintain thyroid function and keep fatigue at bay. Try to eat some of the following foods each week:
- Liver
- Oysters
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Sustainably-farmed or wild-caught fish
- Wild-caught seafood
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
Carefully consume selenium
Unlike the other nutrients needed for proper thyroid function, selenium is one that you always want to consume in food form. Selenium supplements can cause hair loss, fatigue, digestive issues, irritability, and, in men, and increased risk of prostate cancer. However, food-based sources supply ample selenium for even the most severe cases of hypothyroidism, and include:
- Brazil nuts
- Mushrooms
- Grass-fed meat
- Sustainably-farmed or wild-caught fish
If you choose to eat Brazil nuts for selenium, eat only one nut per day. Each nut contains 68 to 91 mcg of selenium per unit. If Brazil nuts are eaten too often, they can result in a toxic amount of selenium in the body.
Eat your protein
Protein transports thyroid hormones around the body, so eating it at every meal helps ensure T4 gets everywhere it needs to be. Look for a variety of proteins from animal and plant-based sources. The best sources of protein include:
- Nuts
- Nut butters
- Quinoa
- Grass-fed meats
- Cage-free eggs
- Sustainably-farmed or wild-caught fish
- Legumes
Wild-caught seafood boasts high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are not only beneficial to the thyroid but support all the systems of the body.
Get enough fats
Along with the omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood, other fats can help balance every type of hormone in the body, including those of the thyroid. To make sure you’re getting enough, be sure to eat:
- Olive oil
- Ghee
- Avocados
- Flaxseeds
- Organic full-fat cheese
- Organic full-fat yogurt
- Nuts
- Nut butters
Eat your vitamins
The good news is, if you’re eating a wide variety of the foods mentioned above, you’ll also get enough vitamin A and D, and zinc. Liver and fish oils, milk and eggs are some of the best sources of vitamin A. Add plenty of leafy green vegetables, tomato products, and orange and yellow vegetables to your diet and you’ve got vitamin A covered.
For vitamin D, 10 to 15 minutes in the sunshine each day is all that’s needed to ensure you’re getting enough. Take a walk around the block or read a few pages of your current book in the sun. If you’re going to be out for longer than 15 minutes, though, be sure to apply sunscreen. Food sources of the vitamin can be found in tuna, salmon, vitamin D-fortified dairy products and juices, egg yolks, and full-fat cheese.
Oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, and a variety of nuts provide enough zinc for a thyroid-healthy diet. Remember to eat red meat in moderation and only choose grass-fed sources for your steaks.
Enjoy your food
Rather than focus on what you can’t have, like gluten or processed sugar — both should be avoided if you have hypothyroidism — concentrate on all the healthy, delicious food you can eat. Oysters on the half shell, warm organic brie cheese on apple slices with walnuts, or a spinach salad with olive oil, grilled chicken, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and whole-fat cheese are just a few options for truly delicious, thyroid-healthy meals and snacks.
Above all, don’t stress out about your thyroid dysfunction. Stress can only make things worse, but with a few changes to your diet and lifestyle, you’ll be feeling better in no time.
Have you found food that improves your thyroid function? Let us know in the comments!