Avoid These 6 Foods If You Suffer From a Thyroid Disorder

Health in general, weight and energy are affected by thyroid disorders. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland and it is responsible for producing the hormones which regulate the metabolic rate of the body, bone maintenance, brain development, muscle control and digestive and heart function.

It does not matter if you already have thyroid problems, or you are just having certain concerns, avoid the following six foods:

Sugar

Make sure not to include excess sugar. As unbelievable as it may sound, cutting down on products with cheap sugar will make strawberries the sweetest thing in the world.

In case you are afflicted with an autoimmune thyroid disorder, you need to monitor your blood sugar levels. Eating sugary foods constantly can overdrive your pancreas, thus causing insulin resistance. This can cause damage to the thyroid and can reduce the hormone levels.

Fried Foods

Foods which are high in trans fats can make the medications for thyroid hormone replacement less effective. Also, they could affect the body’s ability when it comes to producing the hormones.

People who are taking these medications are advised to completely eliminate fried foods from their diets.

Soy

Soy consumption could impede the body from absorbing the necessary treatment. This is true for those who are using synthetic thyroid hormone for treating hypothyroidism. Moreover, this is also true for some nutritional supplements like calcium pill, magnesium, and antacids that contain calcium or aluminum hydroxide.

To add, soy contains isoflavones which can impede the thyroid function in people who have an iodine deficiency.

Cruciferous Veggies

Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and broccoli are certainly very beneficial. However, not if you have a thyroid disorder.

In case you have an iodine deficiency and the cruciferous vegetables are a substantial part of your diet, there is a potential concern. However, if there is a variety of healthy foods in your diet, then you are good to have a broccoli for lunch.

Coffee

Sadly, the bigger part of the population drinks coffee first thing in the morning. However, if you have thyroid issues, this is not recommended. Nevertheless, moderate consumption of coffee is not a big problem. With time, the adrenal glands can wear out due to excessive coffee consumption. This can cause adrenal fatigue and a number of thyroid conditions.

The adrenal gland releases the norepinephrine and epinephrine hormones when you drink coffee. These are the fight-or-flight hormones.

Gluten

Gluten contains gliadin, which is a protein foreign to the human body. There is an enzyme known as transglutaminase in the thyroid, and it is very similar to gliadin.

Upon gluten consumption, the immune system starts an attack on gliadin. After gluten consumption, the thyroid is damaged for up to half a year. In case you are afflicted with an autoimmune thyroid disorder, having yourself checked for gluten intolerance or Celiac disease on regular basis is advisable.

In order to have a healthy body, you need to have a healthy thyroid. Some of the above-mentioned foods, like fried foods, must be avoided altogether. Others like cruciferous vegetables need to be consumed in moderation. All you need to do is balance the nutrients and stay away from things which are harmful to overall health.