HYPOTHYROIDISM

HYPOTHYROIDISM

Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones to meet the needs of the body. The thyroid is under active. Hypothyroidism causes your bodily functions to slow down. Symptoms of the disorder include dry skin, intolerance to the cold, and fatigue. Women over 50 are particularly susceptible to developing hypothyroidism.

Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Early symptoms can include weight gain and fatigue. Both become more common as you age, regardless of your thyroid’s health. You may not realize that these changes are related to your thyroid until more symptoms appear. Like fatigue, depression, constipation, feeling cold, dry skin, weight gain, and muscle weakness.

Causes of Hypothyroidism

There can be several causes, including autoimmune disease, hyperthyroidism treatments, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery and certain medications. Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism may be due to several factors, including;

  • Autoimmune disease: Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system produces antibodies that attack your own tissues. Sometimes this process involves your thyroid gland.
  • Over-response to hypothyroidism treatment: The goal of these treatments is to get thyroid function back to normal. But sometimes, correcting hypothyroidism can end up lowering thyroid hormone production too much, resulting in permanent hypothyroidism.
  • Stress and Hypothyroidism: Stress is a major factor in disrupting normal thyroid function. Relieving stress in your everyday life can lead to a stronger balance in your hormone levels and can potentially reverse hypothyroidism Meditation is one easy way to alleviate stress and lessen symptoms of hypothyroidism. A full eight hours of sleep is important to handling stress, as is sleep quality.

Ways to Manage Hypothyroidism

1. Workout for hypothyroidism
  • Walking: One of the easiest workouts to do. All you need is a pair of comfortable shoes. It gets your heart pumping and burns about 280 calories an hour.
  • Strength training: Whether you lift weights or use your body weight, building muscle helps you burn more calories — even when you’re sitting still. And that can help you shed extra pounds. Strong muscles also help ease pressure on your joints.
  • Pilates: Pilates can improve core muscles and ease the back and hip pain that can be associated with hypothyroidism. People with hypothyroidism can also benefit from strength training — exercises such as lunges, leg raises, and push-ups or those involving weight-training machines.
2. Dietary recommendations for people with hypothyroidism
  • Eat a balanced diet: Your thyroid needs adequate amounts of iodine to fully function. You don’t need to take an iodine supplement for that to happen. A balanced diet of whole grains, beans, lean proteins, and colourful fruits and vegetables should provide enough iodine.
  • High-fibre foods: Dietary fibre helps control the digestion of other foods, a helpful effect since digestion can be slow when you have hypothyroidism. Although a high-fiber diet is usually recommended, too much fibre eaten right after taking thyroid medicines may interfere with their absorption. Wait two hours before you eat a high-fibre meal.
  • Minimize intake of certain vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables that are rich in fibre, like broccoli, cabbage, spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts, may inhibit thyroid medication absorption. Reducing the amounts of such produce in the morning right after taking your medication may help.
  • Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables: Blueberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, and other foods rich in antioxidants can improve overall health and benefit the thyroid gland. Eating foods high in B vitamins, like whole grains, may also help
  • Important Nutrients to Consume:
    • Iodine is an essential mineral that’s needed to make thyroid hormones. If you have an iodine deficiency, consider adding iodized table salt to your meals or eating more iodine-rich foods like seaweed, fish, dairy, and eggs.
    • Selenium helps “activate” thyroid hormones so they can be used by the body. Adding selenium-rich foods to your diet is a great way to boost your selenium levels. This includes Brazil nuts, tuna, sardines, eggs, and legumes.
    • Like selenium, zinc helps the body “activate” thyroid hormones and eat zinc-rich foods like oysters and other shellfish, beef, and chicken.

3. Sweat Therapy: Diet and exercise top the list of treatments for every disease and for good reason. Make sure to incorporate aerobic exercises, such as running, cycling and swimming into your daily routine to keep your metabolism at an optimal level. Exercise can help spark the secretion of thyroid hormones in your body and combat hypothyroidism symptoms, such as weight gain, depression and low energy levels.

Foods to eat

There are plenty of food options for people with hypothyroidism, including:

  • eggs: whole eggs are best, as much of their iodine and selenium are found in the yolk, while the whites are full of protein
  • meat: all meats, including lamb, beef, chicken, etc.
  • fish: all seafood, including salmon, tuna, halibut, shrimp, etc.
  • vegetables: all vegetables — cruciferous vegetables are fine to eat in moderate amounts, especially when cooked
  • fruits: all other fruits, including berries, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, etc.
  • gluten-free grains and seeds: rice, buckwheat, quinoa, chia seeds, and flax seeds
  • dairy: all dairy products, including milk, cheese, yoghurt, etc.
  • beverages: water and other non-caffeinated beverages
  • People with hypothyroidism should eat a diet based on vegetables, fruits, and lean meats. They are low in calories and very filling, which may help prevent weight gain.

Foods to avoid

Fortunately, you don’t have to avoid many foods if you have hypothyroidism.

However, foods that contain goitrogens should be eaten in moderation and ideally cooked.

You should also avoid eating highly processed foods, as they usually contain a lot of calories. This can be a problem if you have hypothyroidism, as you may gain weight easily.

Here is a list of foods and supplements you should avoid:

  • millet: all varieties
  • highly processed foods: hot dogs, cakes, cookies, etc.
  • supplements: Adequate intakes of selenium and iodine are essential for thyroid health, but getting too much of either may cause harm. Only supplement with selenium and iodine if your healthcare provider has instructed you to do so.

Here is a list of foods you can eat in moderation. These foods contain goitrogens or are known irritants if consumed in large amounts.

  • soy-based foods: tofu, tempeh, edamame beans, soy milk, etc.
  • cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, kale, spinach, cabbage, etc.
  • certain fruits: peaches, pears, and strawberries
  • beverages: coffee, green tea, and alcohol — these beverages may irritate your thyroid gland.

Medication for Hypothyroidism

Medications are used to treat hypothyroidism only when absolutely necessary, and as a last resort after addressing root causes. For some patients, medication may be helpful during treatment if administered properly. The great thing about medication with a functional approach is that you don’t have to use only Synthroid.

Supplements for Hypothyroidism

  • Vitamin B: Vitamin B is important for people with hypothyroidism because B vitamins have many interactions with thyroid function and hormone regulation. Good food sources of vitamin B include whole grains, legumes, nuts, milk, yoghurt, meat, fish, eggs, seeds, and dark leafy greens.
  • Iodine: You need an adequate supply of iodine to make thyroid hormone. Good food sources include milk, cheese, and eggs.
  • Selenium: This is essential for thyroid hormone metabolism. Selenium may also reduce levels of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase, an enzyme that plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones.
  • Vitamin D: This improves thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. You can get vitamin D from fortified milk, yoghurt, and orange juice.
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