Foods That Help a Sluggish Thyroid

A sluggish thyroid, called hypothyroidism, is a troublesome condition. While not life-threatening, the condition can cause obesity, heart disease and even infertility. According to Mayo Clinic endocrinologist Todd B. Nippoldt, M.D., there is no diet that will cure hypothyroidism, and the condition should be treated with synthetic thyroid hormone as prescribed by your doctor. However, some naturalists believe that diet can be key to helping your underactive thyroid.

Foods to Remove

Wellsphere, a vitamin and supplement community, publishes on their website that certain foods can cause your thyroid to become less active, resulting is a sluggish thyroid. According to the site, diets low in salt and high in cruciferous vegetables (which flush iodine from your system) are making Americans iodine-deficient. The recommended daily allowance of iodine is 150 mcg per day, and simply taking a vitamin supplement could cure iodine deficiency and recharge a lagging thyroid.

In addition, according to Sarah Cook, nutrition and lifestyle coach with Caring Medical, cutting back on thyroid stimulating foods is another way to help your thyroid dysfunction through diet. Cutting back on caffeine, sugar, fried foods and white bread may help. Processed and refined foods are a large part of many people's diets, and they may be wreaking havoc with your thyroid. Cook writes that reducing your intake of processed foods may help your thyroid function properly.

Foods to Add

Cook also notes that organic and fresh foods should be added into you diet to help thyroid function. Consuming eggs, oats, seeds and fruits and vegetables could be the key to getting your thyroid back on track. As an added bonus, these foods have great nutritional value, impacting your overall health. Restoring your thyroid to a sense of balance may be possible simply by changing the foods you eat from processed to fresh.

Iodine-rich foods may also help. Consider eating more baked potatoes (with peel), shrimp and even tuna. Vitamin A may also help with the absorption of iodine, so increase the foods you eat that are rich with vitamin A. These include pork and turkey as well as other foods high in carotenoids, such as carrots, oranges, red peppers and yams.

Of course, always speak with your doctor before you stop taking any medications, including thyroid hormones. While diet may help with thyroid function, many medical professionals, including Dr. Nippoldt, feel that hormones are the only treatment.