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The Thyroid

The thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck. The thyroid releases hormones that control metabolism, and if this process becomes interrupted it can lead to heart disease, osteoporosis, infertility and, even coma and death.

Women over 50 are the most likely to have hypothyroidism.

The thyroid produces two main hormones thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3), which are responsible for:

  • Maintaining the rate at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates
  • Aids in control of body temperature
  • Aids in regulation of the heart rate
  • Aids in regulation of protein
  • Aids in regulation of calcium that is released into the blood

Hypothyroidism is The Most Common Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease can cause your thyroid to use energy more quickly (hyperthyroidism) or more slowly (hypothyroidism) than it should.

Hypothyroidism accounts for 80% of thyroid disease cases. In hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland is not active enough, leading to:

  • Weight gain
  • Fatigue
  • Sensitivity to cold
  • Muscle weakness
  • Pale, dry skin
  • Sluggishness
  • Constipation
  • Depression
  • Swelling of your joints
  • A puffy face and hoarse voice
  • Brittle fingernails and hair

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto thyroiditis, which may be caused by a virus, bacteria, genetics, or a combination of environmental factors. Thyroid surgery, radiation therapy for cancer and certain medications (such as lithium) can also lead to hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is generally diagnosed using a blood test that measures your levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Conventionally, hypothyroidism is treated by taking a synthetic or natural thyroid hormone daily.

Thyroid disease affects 27 million Americans.

Foods Can Affect the Thyroid

Naturally occurring substances known as goitrogens exist in certain foods and are known to interfere with thyroid function. Foods that contain goitrogens include:

  • Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, turnips, etc.)
  • Millet
  • Peaches
  • Peanuts
  • Radishes
  • Soybeans and soy extracts
  • Spinach
  • Strawberries

If you're healthy, there's no need to limit goitrogen-containing foods, however if you have hypothyroidism some health care practitioners recommend against excessive consumption of these foods.

That said, because research studies showing a link between goitrogenic foods and thyroid hormone deficiency have yet to be conducted, you probably don't need to eliminate these foods entirely, just eat them in reasonable quantities.

Generally speaking, the food that could be most problematic would be soy. This is because soy exists in many forms in most processed foods. So if you eat a lot of processed foods, you could be inadvertently consuming a lot of soy. Therefore, people with hypothyroidism may want to limit their intake of processed foods.

Cooking is also known to help inactivate goitrogenic compounds in foods, so if you enjoy cruciferous veggies but are concerned about your thyroid, eating them cooked may be preferable.

As for foods that may HELP your thyroid function, those rich in selenium, iodine and animal-based omega-3 fats may all be beneficial.


Healthier Harvest Nutrition Center
9201 Wesley Street Suite C-2
Greenville, TX 75402

1-888-834-9811

¾ Last Edited 02/02/2010

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