Low Thyroid in 21 Lessons (Article 17)

Hello,

I am Dr Michael Teplisky, a holistic medical doctor from Low Thyroid Doctor.com and this is lecture 17 in our seminar about hypothyroidism called “Hypothyroidism in 21 Lectures.” 

In the last lecture we talked about a diet that’s good for low thyroid. Today I would like to talk about specific foods that may help people with hypothyroidism and foods that can hurt the thyroid. 

I mentioned before that thyroid gland, just like any other organ, needs all the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids and antioxidants. At the same time, thyroid needs more iodine than other organs. It needs zinc, selenium, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12. It needs a lot of amino acid tyrosine and a few other things. 

I told you general principals about a good diet for low thyroid, mostly what not to eat. Now I would like to mention specific foods that might be useful and helpful.

Helpful is the key word here. Most people with low thyroid, regardless of how good their diet is, will need thyroid medication. The role of the diet is to reduce the destruction of the thyroid by the immune system and to help the repair process. Supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, probiotics and herbs have the same function. 

To make the thyroid hormones your thyroid gland needs an amino acid tyrosine. It can come from food, or we can make it ourselves from another amino acid called phenylalanine, which also comes from food. Fortunately, both of these amino acids are plentiful in all the natural foods containing protein. Meat of any kind, fish, eggs, beans are good sources. 

Whole eggs are not only a good source of protein, they also contain lots of vitamins and minerals, including iodine, selenium and vitamin D.

Fruits and vegetables usually contain very little protein, if any. But they are still very important for good health because they contain many vitamins, minerals, fiber, bioflavonoids, and other beneficial substances that are good for your health.

Thyroid gland needs a lot of iodine, which is found in abundance in the ocean and the coastal areas. Seafood and the plants growing in the ocean and the coastal areas contain good amounts of iodine. Plants growing inland usually don’t have much. That’s why about 100 years ago they decided to add iodine to salt. 

Seaweed (kelp, arame, nori, dulse and others) have a good amount of iodine, especially kelp which can have as much as 2000 mcg or more per gram, depending on where it is grown. Fish and shellfish are good sources. Eggs, baked potato, cranberries are also good. RDA for iodine is 150 mcg, higher in pregnant and breastfeeding women. 

Seafood, such as tuna fish, cod, salmon, sardines, mackerel are good sources of iodine, protein, selenium, and omega 3 fatty acids. Oysters and crabs are a good source of zinc.

Nuts and seeds are good for thyroid. Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium, one nut has up to 100 mcg.  Other nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, pecans have selenium, zinc, vitamin E. Pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds are good sources of zinc, selenium, magnesium and copper. 

Beans and lentils are good sources of protein, iodine and small amounts of zinc. 

Spinach is a good source of vitamins A, K, Folic acid and minerals iron and magnesium. It’s also high in antioxidants plus lutein and zeaxanthin (good for the eyes). Most leafy vegetables are good. 

Berries – blue, black, red – are high in vitamin C and antioxidants.

Fermented foods, like yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, sourcrout, fermented pickles, miso, kombucha, sourdough bread provide good intestinal bacteria, also known as probiotics. 

Foods that can affect thyroid negatively.

There are foods that may have a negative effect on the thyroid, especially when used in excess. They are called goitrogens. The reason they are bad is because they may interfere with the absorption of iodine and with the production of the thyroid hormones. 

These foods mostly affect people who are low in iodine and are not as harmful for people with normal iodine levels. As you know, iodine is essential for normal thyroid hormone production.

Surprisingly, some of these foods are the same that are considered good for the thyroid, so it’s a matter of the amount.

Certain cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens, which can interfere with iodine uptake, especially when consumed in large amounts. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, bok choy, turnips, mustard greens are in this category. Cooking these vegetables reduces the goitrogenic effect.

Soy and soy-based products contain isoflavones, chemicals that may interfere with iodine absorption and thyroid hormone production, especially in people who are iodine deficient or have existing thyroid issues. Use edamame, soy milk, tofu, tempeh and soy sauce in moderation or not at all.

Some grains (millet), fruits (pear, peaches), nuts (pine nuts, peanuts), beans (lima beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans), lentils, sweet potato, flaxseeds and a few other foods can be goitrogenic, especially in large amounts.

Paradoxically, taking large amounts of iodine could interfere with thyroid function. Eating a lot of kelp or taking large amounts of iodine supplements can reduce thyroid hormone production. 

A few important points about goitrogenic foods. Cooking usually reduces goitrogenic effect. Eating foods in moderation does the same. And negative effects are less pronounced or may not even manifest at all in people who are not iodine deficient. 

Click here to download free report on how to check yourself for iodine deficiency.

And remember, foods that are not goitrogenic can still be harmful. That’s why anything that irritates and inflames the lining of the stomach should be avoided – processed foods, chemicals, excessive alcohol, pain killers, fertility and other drugs, especially antibiotics, too much sugar and especially gluten and milk products. We have discussed this in the previous lecture.

Please make sure to subscribe to my newsletter which you will get about once a week. If you know someone who might benefit from this information, please forward it to them. Also, if you have questions or comments, please email them to info@LowThyroidDoctor.com. I try to read and answer all of them, time permitting.  

Also, please keep in mind that if you suspect that you have low thyroid or you are being treated and are not getting better, you can get a free, no obligation 30 min phone consultation with me to see if I can help you get better. Just book it online or call my office at 718-769-0997. 

I’ll see you in the next lecture. 

Until then, I am Dr. Michael Teplisky from LowThyroidDoctor.com wishing you the best of health.