Diet & Thyroid Health (September 2012)
I often times have clients ask me if there are food that can support their thyroid? This can be tricky as it is most important to have their endocrinologist or internist regulate their thyroid if the individual has hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
The Thyroid Gland is described as a butterfly shaped gland about the size of a walnut which weighs less than an ounce, sits above the Adam’s apple and is part of the endocrine system. The thyroid gland uses dietary iodine to produce the hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which is also known as T3 and T4. Thyroid hormones affect every cell in the body from protein synthesis and enzymatic activity to playing a critical role in the determination of energy expenditure. An overactive thyroid can result in weight loss and in some people excess bowel movements. An underactive thyroid gland which results in hypothyroidism may be associated with weight gain and frustration. I often times hear clients ask me if they should have their thyroid check due to their weight gain but it is actually their relationship with food when everything has checked out fine.
As many as 30 million Americans may be suffering from undiagnosed or misdiagnosed thyroid conditions. A particular concern is women who have a higher occurrence of thyroid disease than men and whose symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, irregularity with bowel movements, menstrual irregularities, depression and anxiety are not diagnosed as thyroid disease. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Grave’s disease and Hashimotos Disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Both are autoimmune diseases.
Cruciferous vegetables, sweet potatoes, and soyfoods contain goitrogens which interfere with thyroid hormone production or utilization. Goiter can be a response to an overactive or underactive thyroid gland. Unless there is an Iodine deficiency, these foods are of no clinical significance according to the Institute of Medicine. Goitrogens are inactivated by heating and cooking. The potential exception is millet. The nutritious gluten free grain may suppress thyroid function even with people who have adequate iodine intake. It may be wise to eat a different grain if a dietary recalls indicates frequent millet consumption.
Clients will also speak to me about their supplements and calcium intake. This is important to tie in with thyroid health. Calcium supplements have the potential to interfere with proper absorption of thyroid medications, so patients must consider the timing when taking both. It has been recommended that calcium supplements and thyroid medications are spread out by at least four hours. Also coffee and fiber supplements lower the absorption of thyroid medication, so patients should take them one hour apart. Also Chromium picolinate which is marketed for blood sugar and weight loss impairs the absorption of thyroid medication. If a patient chooses to take it they should take it three to four hours apart from their thyroid medication.
If the patient has hypothyroidism this would result in the patient pay closer attention to their hunger and fullness signals. This individual has noticed that they have the tendency to gain weight and since it really comes down to learning how to develop a healthy relationship with food, it is important that the patient does not feel like they are depriving themselves.
For the patient who has hyperthyroidism this patient most likely will feel hunger more often since metabolically they are burning off faster the nutrition they are taking in. Their energy needs are actually increased 50-60% in this condition and 10-30% in mild cases.
Overall the patient with a thyroid condition must have their thyroid regulated by their doctor before they address their nutrition and “joyful movement”.
