The Thyroid Diet Protocol: The Best + Worst Foods for Hypothyroidism

The Naturopathic Thyroid Diet: The Best Foods for an Under-Active Thyroid

Hypothyroidism negatively impacts metabolic rate and weight management. If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the foods you eat can dramatically affect how you look and feel. Fortunately, the nutrients needed for optimal thyroid function are easily available in your local grocery store. Here are the top functional foods to include (or avoid) when dealing with an under-active thyroid gland:

• Increase consumption of sea vegetables: I typically recommend that my patients with thyroid disease consume organic seas vegetables 2-3 times per week. Seaweeds contain iodine (100-200mcg per serving), which is one of the main ingredients needed by the thyroid gland to synthesize thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormone is made up of iodine and an amino acid called tyrosine – the ‘3’ and ‘4’ in thyroid hormones even refers to the number of iodine atoms bound to tyrosine. Low dose iodine consumption from food also reduces the activity of thyroid peroxidase which can be damaging to the thyroid gland. The following foods contain bioavailable iodine in an appropriate dose:
  • • Kelp flakes: found at health food stores, these flakes can be sprinkled on food in place of salt (Maine cost sea seasonings).
    •  Kombu: the easiest way to consume kombu is as a broth, To make one quart of broth, fill a pot with 4 cups of water and a 4-6″ strip of kombu. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add soy sauce if desired.
• Limit consumption of giotrogenic foods (or only eat them cooked): Goitrogenic foods are those that contain substances that interfere with the thyroid gland uptake and utilization of iodine, which is necessary for thyroid hormone production.  They include: soybeans (and products made from them), millet, peanuts, and cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, brussels sprouts, rutabaga, turnips, and cabbage. If you’re going to eat these foods make sure you cook them thoroughly to inactivate most of their thyroid disrupting properties.
• Avoid gluten:  The molecular structure of gliadin, the protein portion of gluten, closely resembles that of thyroid hormone. When gliadin breaches the protective barrier of the gut, and enters the bloodstream, the immune system tags it for destruction. These antibodies to gliadin may cause the body to attack thyroid tissue leading to hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disease. In vitro studies have even shown that this negative immune response can persist for up to 6 months after consuming gluten.
• Eat Brazil nuts: Three brazil nuts daily contain approximately 250mcg selenium. Selenium is a critical nutrient when it comes to improving thyroid function. It has been shown to lower TSH and increase the conversion of inactive/precursor hormone T4 to metabolically active T3. It can also reduce thyroid peroxidase antibodies, thereby reducing autoimmunity against the thyroid gland.
• Eat more Tyrosine-rich foods: L-tyrosine is an amino acid that is essential for optimal thyroid function. Thyroid hormone is made out of tyrosine and a deficiency in this protein can cause low thyroid hormone output from the thyroid gland.  Tyrosine is found in protein-rich foods and is especially abundant in animal proteins like chicken and turkey. Vegans can increase their tyrosine levels by eating almonds, avocados, bananas, lima beans, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds.

References:

• Wilson, et al. ‘Evidence-Based Approach to Restoring Thyroid Health’ April 2014.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29569622
• Kachouei, et al. ‘The Effect of Levothyroxine and Selenium versus Levothyroxine Alone on Reducing the Level of Anti-thyroid Peroxidase Antibody in Autoimmune Hypothyroid Patients.’ Adv Biomed Res. 2018 Jan 22;7:1
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15244201

Looking to connect with a Naturopath in Oakville to discuss your health goals and help you improve your thyroid health? Book your appointment here or visit my website for more information. 

If you’d like to work together and you’re not a resident of Ontario*, or if you do live in Ontario and you’d just prefer an online consultation you can book online with Dr. Sarah here. 

*Note: online services provided by Dr. Sarah to those of you living outside of Ontario are delivered as a Certified Functional Medicine practitioner consult and not as an Naturopathic doctor appointment & as such they will not be eligible for reimbursement through private insurance.

This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your Naturopathic doctor or primary care physician. Do not use the information in this document for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Always speak with your Naturopathic doctor before taking any medication or nutritional or herbal or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read online.