8 Most Effective Foods To Fight Thyroid Disorders!
Introduction
The thyroid gland helps to regulate the metabolic processes of the body. It produces thyroid hormones that regulate many biological functions and ensure proper health is maintained. When the thyroid gland becomes sluggish or overactive, it can lead to many problems1.
A healthy diet may help optimize thyroid gland function at times. Many components in our daily diet can help our thyroid gland stay balanced or achieve a state of equilibrium if it is not functioning correctly.
Before we take a look at the best foods to consume in order to fight thyroid disorders, it will be best to bust some common myths surrounding thyroid diet:
Did you know?
Women are more likely than men to develop hypothyroidism. source: NIH
Certain medications, such as heart and cancer medicines, can interfere with thyroid hormone production. source: NIH
Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor and adjust the dose of thyroid hormone medicine. source: NIH
Hypothyroidism can contribute to high cholesterol levels. source: NIH
Common Myths About Thyroid Health
You can’t eat cruciferous vegetables if you have a thyroid problem
These vegetables include those like broccoli, cauliflower and kale, and they might interfere with how your thyroid gland uses iodine as it plays a role in hormone production inside the thyroid gland. The truth is that you should eat these veggies as they are a part of a healthy diet. Those having a tendency to form goitre should restrict their intake as suggested by their treating physician or Endocrinologist.
You should take iodine supplements if you have an underactive thyroid
There’s no need to take these supplements if you are living in a country where other items have iodine in them, like table salt.
A gluten-free diet can help cure Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
This is a misconception, as a gluten-free diet cannot help or cure Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in any way. Those individuals with certain medical conditions might derive benefits from such a diet
Did you know that beauty products can affect thyroid health? It is believed that plasticizers found in cosmetic products might affect the regulation of thyroid hormones and alter hormone levels2.
A weight gain of 5 to 7 pounds may be linked to an underactive thyroid, but beyond this, the thyroid has nothing to do with a significant weight gain.
People with thyroid disorders need special diets
Like everyone else, it is important to have a healthy and balanced diet. Diet alone cannot cause or cure thyroid-related problems.
Researchers say Goitre and/or hypothyroidism may occur as a result of eating soybeans, cauliflower, or cabbage. These are believed to be goitrogenic foods.
Let Us Take a Look at Some of the Best Foods for the Thyroid
1. Yoghurt
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Dairy products, mainly yoghurt, are very nutritious and help to provide iodine to some extent. Iodine is needed for the optimal functioning of the thyroid gland3.
2. Fruits: Apples, Pears and Citrus
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Apples, pears, plums and citrus fruits are abundant with pectins15, which might help with detoxifying the body of mercury4. It is postulated that mercury exposure from seafood might at times contribute to the disruption of thyroid gland function5.
3. Nuts and Seeds
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Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and nuts are rich sources of zinc6. Low levels of Zinc have been associated with thyroid problems7. Add to the salads or munch on these as snacks to replenish your body with zinc.
4. Legumes and Beans
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Beans and legumes are rich, not just in Zinc but fibre as well. These help to regulate the digestive system, especially bowel movement and prevent constipation8.
5. Green Tea
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Hail the Orient. Green tea is known all over the world as an aid to boost metabolism. Green tea has catechins, a kind of antioxidant that might prompt fat cells to release the fat and help the liver burn off the excess fat9.
6. Whole Grains
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The body uses up more energy to digest whole grains. The metabolism might increase with the extra fibre as the body has to work harder to break down the whole grains. Try to eat oats, brown rice, sprouts, sprouted grain bread and quinoa as a part of a healthy diet routine.
Just like Zinc, Selenium is believed to be another micronutrient that is essential for healthy thyroid functioning. Selenium is present in food items such as eggs, fish, meat, cereals and nuts10.
Avocados are almost the wonder food of modern nutrition. Packed with antioxidants, good fats, fibre and essential nutrients, avocado is a good choice for those who have an imbalanced functioning thyroid, to support overall health and wellbeing.
8. Broccoli
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Broccoli is rich in calcium and vitamin C. It is rich in fibre. Broccoli when consumed in very large amounts, can potentially add goitrogens and might cause disturbance in those with underlying iodine insufficiency11, 12. However, when consumed in moderate amounts, it can help with a healthy metabolism pattern and overall well-being.
Consult your dietician or your doctor before you incorporate the above foods into your diet.
Apart from the above, here are some other things to be mindful of if you have a thyroid problem:
Diet: Be sure to follow the above list and maintain a healthy diet. Always speak with your doctor before making any changes to your diet.
Exercise: Sweating it out is great for your health, regardless of your medical condition. Do a variety of workout routines from mild walks to intense aerobics; this will help you maintain a good metabolism. It can also help combat some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Stress: Stress releases the hormone cortisol, and too much of it can mess with your hormonal balance. Managing your stress actively can help balance your thyroid symptoms13.
Rest: Fatigue is a common symptom of hypothyroidism, especially if you decide to stay active for your health. Be sure to get enough rest and sleep daily to build up your endurance.
Avoid harmful chemicals: The body has a natural system for getting rid of toxins and other harmful chemicals, but you may overload your body if you’re not careful. The thyroid is easily affected by these kinds of toxins. Avoid pesticides, strong chemicals, and products that may introduce harmful stuff into your environment.
Medication: Take your medication on time, every day. All the above tips can support your health, but the medication is what will keep you in the best shape. Speak with your doctor if you need to take other medicines that may interact with your thyroid pills.
What are some other ways to manage hypothyroidism aside from diet?
Some ways to keep hypothyroidism under a healthy check are as follows: – Include aerobic exercises that make you sweat, such as cycling, swimming and running. – Better Stress management is essential for better overall health and thyroid hormone-related imbalances – Follow a good power-down routine every night by ensuring 6-7 hours of quality sleep to balance hormone levels. – Stay on track with your thyroid medications.
Which foods are bad for hypothyroidism?
If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, you should avoid foods like tofu, soy, fried and fatty foods, sugary foods, processed and packaged items and alcohol.
What are some signs that a person has hypothyroidism?
Some tell-tale signs that you might be having an underlying condition of hypothyroidism are14: – Fatigue – Hypersensitivity to cold – Dry skin – Puffy face – Hoarseness – Muscle weakness – Weight gain – Impaired memory – Slow heart rate
References
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). How does the thyroid gland work? InformedHealth.org – NCBI Bookshelf. 2024 [cited 2025 Apr 10]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279388/
Bereketoglu C, Pradhan A. Plasticizers: negative impacts on the thyroid hormone system. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2022 Mar 18 [cited 2025 Apr 10];29(26):38912–27. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9119869/
Eliaz I, Weil E, Wilk B. Integrative Medicine and the role of Modified Citrus Pectin/Alginates in heavy metal chelation and detoxification – Five case reports. Complementary Medicine Research. 2007 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Apr 10]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18219211/
Pamphlett R, Doble PA, Bishop DP. Mercury in the human thyroid gland: Potential implications for thyroid cancer, autoimmune thyroiditis, and hypothyroidism. PLoS ONE. 2021 Feb 9 [cited 2025 Apr 10];16(2):e0246748. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7872292/
Binitha M, Betsy A, Sarita S. Zinc deficiency associated with hypothyroidism: An overlooked cause of severe alopecia. International Journal of Trichology. 2013 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Apr 10];5(1):40. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3746228/
Jurgens TM, Whelan AM, Killian L, Doucette S, Kirk S, Foy E. Green tea for weight loss and weight maintenance in overweight or obese adults. Cochrane Library. 2012 Dec 7 [cited 2025 Apr 10];2012(12). Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8406948/
Galanty A, Grudzińska M, Paździora W, Służały P, Paśko P. Do brassica vegetables affect thyroid function?—A comprehensive systematic review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024 Apr 3 [cited 2025 Apr 10];25(7):3988. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11012840/
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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