what foods to eat to regulate the thyroid and what not

In the control of hypothyroidism caused by Alzheimer’s disease Hashimotothe most common, it is essential to take the medication (levothyroxine sodium) in the dose what the doctor tells us.

But food is also a key pillar that will help us do not decrease the effectiveness of the drug and to control the abnormal production of antibodies generated by the body against the thyroid gland.

Remember that Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid.

This causes a reduction in thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and an elevation of the TSH hormone (the normal range in blood tests is 0.5 to 2.5, but in hypothyroidism it is higher) which is triggered to alert the body that thyroid hormones are lacking.

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A reaction that causes the usual symptoms of fatiguelack of concentration, menstrual disordershair loss, constipation, anemia or weight gain (between 3 and 4 kilos).

Hypothyroidism affects a 10% of the population, and especially women in a ratio of 3 women affected for 1 man.

Marie Royale Capellpharmacist, nutritionist and psychoneuroendocrine specialist, explains how diet can help us improve symptoms.

Foods to avoid with hypothyroidism

There are a number of foods to avoid or reduce if the thyroid is working too slowly.

• Coffee.
• Gluten.
• Soy and derivatives.
• Sugar.
• Non-olive vegetable oils.
• Sausages and charcuterie.
• Salt.
• Algae.

Maximum one coffee per day

Drinking several coffees a day to fight against the typical fatigue of this disease is doubly negative:

coffee rises intestinal permeability, which is not appropriate for people with autoimmune disease as it may make symptoms worse. If the intestinal barrier is damaged, more harmful substances can pass into the blood, which would further activate the immune system, causing it to generate even more antibody against the thyroid.

Little-known factors that can affect your thyroid

It also changes the cortisol cycle (a hormone needed to feel active) which is already dysregulated in someone with hypothyroidism, so it should not be changed further.

no gluten

It has been shown that a disease autoimmune usually leads to another. This is why many celiacs also suffer from hypothyroidism.

“But even if the celiac tests are negative, we have seen that many people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity also suffers from hypothyroidism“says Maria Real.

And even if this last alteration does not exist, it is appropriate avoid glutenremembers the nutritionist.

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The raison is that gluten sets in motion some mechanisms that worsen the symptoms of hypothyroidism:

An “affected” immune system perceives gluten as a antigen tackle. But not only that, he also confuses it with the thyroid glandwith what is a stimulus to generate antibodies against it.

Therefore, when the patient removes gluten from their diet, the antibodies produced in Hashimoto’s disease decrease.

Remember that gluten is present in cereals such as wheat, barley, rye, spelled or kamut.

They should be replaced by buckwheatrice, quinoa or teff (a cereal rich in minerals and without gluten).

products based on cornalthough they are suitable for celiacs, they should not be taken because this cereal is inflammatory and alters intestinal permeability.

Soy and its derivatives are not suitable

Soy sauce, cheese or yoghurts inhibit the activity of thyroperoxidasean enzyme necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid.

In fact, soy also blocks the action of the thyroid medication (levothyroxine sodium).

reduce sugar

the sugar is inflammatory. And when there is an autoimmune disease, the first thing to do is to reduce inflammation.

This is why the consumption of ultra-processed can cause these types of diseases.

Ultra-processed foods: how much do we eat and what diseases do they cause?

The reason for this is that the inflammatory environment damages the walls of the intestine, and through them substances seep into the blood that promote the insulin resistance and disrupt many other bodily functions.

“The basis of all autoimmune diseases is inflammatory”remembers Maria Real.

avoid vegetable oils without olives

Sunflower or rapeseed vegetable oils to block the action of thyroid hormones. “Just take extra virgin olive oil“He insists.

Limit sausages and cold cuts

Its nitrite or nitrate content also blocks the thyroperoxidasethe key enzyme for thyroid function.

It is only recommended to consume ham Iberian meat or charcuterie turkey 100% natural.

caution with excess salt

Excess salt activates some autoimmune cells (a type of lymphocyte) in the intestine that promote the onset of autoimmune diseases.

Indeed, other autoimmune diseases such as lupusarthritis or Sjögren’s syndrome (the glands that produce tears and saliva are destroyed) are associated with this same mechanism.

avoid algae

They are very rich in iodineit is therefore not advisable to take them daily (there are seaweed snacks today) because they could aggravate the symptoms of Hashimoto.

That Nope to avoid are cruciferous. “There is a lot of confusion about these, but they should only be avoided when the cause of hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency (goiter), but not in the case of Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism”precise.

Foods you should increase

• Vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland and mucous membranes, so it helps repair the intestinal mucosa that may be impaired. chardmango, carrot, eggs, broccoli and animal products are rich in vitamin A. ghee (a lactose-free and casein-free clarified butter) is also rich in vitamin A and also improves the intestinal mucosa thanks to its butyrate content.
• Vitamin D. In hypothyroidism, vitamin D levels should be above 40 nanograms. Exposing the skin to the sun for 20 minutes a day and consuming dairy products, fatty fish and eggs contributes to having ideal levels, but in the event of a deficit it is advisable to take supplements.
• Zinc. It is the most important trace element because it participates in the formation and functioning of thyroid hormones. Low levels of zinc are linked to low levels of T3, which is the most active thyroid hormone. Legumes, almonds, quinoa, sesame and pumpkin seeds as well as meats are sources of zinc.
• Selenium. It is a trace element closely related to zinc because it participates in the transformation of T4 into T3. Indeed, sodium levothyroxine, the drug for hypothyroidism, provides T4 which will then be transformed into T3. Brazil nuts (a good snack), shellfish, eggs, fish and turkey are high in selenium.
• Iron. Its deficiency is linked to thyroid dysfunction. If your iron levels are low, the enzyme peroxidase (which triggers the creation of thyroid hormones) isn’t working properly. Red meat, spinach and seafood provide a lot of iron.
• Amino acid L-tyrosine. In case of early hypothyroidism, this amino acid can be taken in the form of supplements. Helps slow the rise of TSH. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to switch to levothyroxine. Meat, heavy, eggs and dairy products contain it.

Little-known factors that can affect your thyroid

As you will see, the recommended diet for people with hypothyroidism is high in meat and fish for the importance of iron and other nutrients. It is also practical dining area give the intestine a break and not further impair intestinal permeability.

Don’t forget to take the medicine properly

Food will not replace taking medication at any time, but it will be a great help. It’s more, depending on what we eat, the medicine may not have its effect.

María Real remembers that the levothyroxine sodium (the drug that replaces thyroid hormones) should always be taken young and wait 45 minutes to have breakfast.

Hashimoto’s syndrome: the most common cause of hypothyroidism

And if you drink tea or coffee you must pass at least two o’clock because its tannins block the absorption of the drug since they act as a chelating agent.