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Tips for Hypothyroidism
Stodgy carbohydrates like 'normal' bread, pasta and cakes are hard to metabolise and anti-thyroid - avoid.
Avoid brassica vegetables/the cabbage family - they contain substances called
'goitrogens' that are anti-thyroid, blocking your use of iodine; this
includes broccoli, cabbage, sauerkraut, cauliflower, brussel sprouts,
turnip etc - also avoid soya beans, peanuts, pine nuts and millet for
the same reason.
Hypothyroidism demands a good supply of vitamins E, A, C, B2, B3, B5
and B6 and also the minerals copper, magnesium, zinc and selenium and
the amino acid tyrosine. Chromium is known as the metabolism mineral
and those with hypothyroidism are often advised to take supplements, as it can be
hard to get enough from food.
You're advised to keep animal fats very low or to cut them out
altogether - get essential fats from seeds, oils and supplements of
evening primrose/borage or flax oils. Be aware that soya products
depress thyroid function, and if you have problems with anaemia or low
iron levels, avoid dairy products, as they interfere with iron
absorption. Vitamin C is essential for iron absorption, but be cautious
of reaching for citrus fruits - often people with hypothyroidism are
advised to avoid most citrus fruits - especially grapefruit and all
types of oranges.
It's suggested that people with hypothyroidism can't convert
Beta-carotene - the vegetable source of vitamin A - into a form of
vitamin A the body can use, therefore, be cautious if you follow a
vegan diet, as you could have a serious lack of this vitamin, which is most prevalent in animal produce -
certainly consider supplementing.
It is essential you get plenty of iodine - I mainly use seaweed - in
powders, pill form and added to salads. It's also wise to have
warming/stimulating foods like garlic, spices, different onions etc, to
perk up your metabolism. Personally I finely chop garlic pieces into oil, as a
constantly evolving salad dressing pot or for use in recipes - it makes
it more digestible.
People with hypothyroidism need to eat lightly but regularly - ideally
every 4 hours or so to keep the metabolism ticking over but not
burdened.
Remember - information can be confusingly conflicting - research and
make your own decisions on what's right for your body. There are very
good online resources to help you educate yourself about this condition
- see the Links section for more details.
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