Thursday, January 24, 2013

Support Under-active Thyroid with Food Choices


The physical body is a complex interconnected system. Often I find the recommendations and suggestions I receive from physicians and recognized experts to be contradictory. The scientific research seems contradictory as well. Objective review of my needs seems contradictory—what is a person to do?

For cancer prevention, a diet filled with brightly colored vegetables, dark green vegetables, alliums, vegetables like onions and garlic, and cruciferous vegetables are recommended. Cruciferous describes vegetables that display a cross-like pattern made by the four-petal formation of the vegetables. This can be seen on a Brussels sprout, a head of cabbage and a broccoli bud. Mustard greens, kale, radishes, turnips, cauliflower and kohlrabi are also members of the cruciferous family.

However, cruciferous vegetables can have a depressing effect on thyroid function.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) exists when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones. This upsets the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. In the early stages it seldom causes symptoms, however over time untreated hypothyroidism can cause health issues such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

Symptoms tend to develop slowly over a number of years. One might attribute the fatigue and weight gain simply to getting older.  As your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and symptoms, which include: Fatigue, Increased sensitivity to cold, Constipation, Dry skin, Unexplained weight gain, Puffy face, Hoarseness, Muscle weakness, Elevated blood cholesterol level, Muscle aches/tenderness/stiffness, Pain/stiffness or swelling in your joints, Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods, Thinning hair, Slowed heart rate, Depression, and Impaired memory.

Untreated hypothyroidism signs and symptoms can gradually become more severe. Constant stimulation of the thyroid gland causes a release more hormones leading to enlarged thyroid (goiter). Over time one becomes more forgetful, thought processes slow, and depression may occur. Myxedema, advanced hypothyroidism, is rare but life threatening. Symptoms of advanced hypothyroidism include low blood pressure, decreased breathing, decreased body temperature, unresponsiveness, and even coma.
Anyone can develop hypothyroidism, however increased risk include if you:
            Are a woman older than age 60
            Have an autoimmune disease
            Have a close relative with an autoimmune disease
            Have been treated with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications
            Received radiation to your neck or upper chest
            Have had thyroid surgery (partial thyroidectomy)
            Have been pregnant or delivered a baby within the past six month
Complications for untreated hypothyroidism can lead to these health concerns:
            Goiter. Although generally not uncomfortable, it can affect your appearance and may interfere with swallowing or breathing.
            Heart problems. Hypothyroidism may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, even sub clinical hypothyroidism, a more benign condition than true hypothyroidism, can cause an increase in total cholesterol levels and impair the pumping ability of your heart. Hypothyroidism can also lead to an enlarged heart and heart failure.
            Mental health issues. Depression may occur early and may become more severe over time. Hypothyroidism can also cause slowed mental functioning.
            Peripheral neuropathy. Long-term uncontrolled hypothyroidism can cause damage to your peripheral nerves for example your arms and legs. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include pain, numbness, tingling and muscle weakness or loss of muscle control.
            Myxedema. A rare, life-threatening condition is the result of long-term, undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Symptoms include intense cold intolerance, drowsiness followed by profound lethargy and then unconsciousness. A myxedema coma may be triggered by sedatives, infection or other stress on your body. Signs or symptoms of myxedema require immediate emergency medical treatment.
            Infertility. Low levels of thyroid hormone can interfere with ovulation, which impairs fertility.
            Birth defects. Babies born to women with untreated thyroid disease may have a higher risk of birth defects
Life style and dietary choices that will help support thyroid function include eating several small, well-balanced meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar consistent and help with energy. You should eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes and proteins. Snack on raw seeds, apricots, prunes, and dates and avoid refined sugars. When cooking use good quality extra-virgin olive, or coconut oil.
Snack on Brazil nuts--natural source of selenium, which reduces damaging thyroid inflammation, and build the powerful thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3),
Cook your cruciferous vegetables—to break down the goitrogens that block thyroid's iodine. Iodine is essential to make energizing thyroid hormones. Broccoli, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables are loaded with this iodine-blocking compound, however, cooking cruciferous for little as two minutes destroys goitrogens as they are quite heat sensitive.
Some experts suggest rotating your dark green and cruciferous vegetable family choices in order to get their benefits while avoiding a build up of the goitrogens that can block the thyroid's iodine absorption. Four vegetable family groups: 1.  Kale, collards, arugula, turnip, cabbage, bok choy, radish greens, mustard greens, broccoli; 2.  Spinach, chard, beet, lambs quarters; 3.  Dandelion, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce; 4.  Parsley, cilantro.

Eat lean protein with every meal to slow the absorption of carbs and prevents insulin spikes which are a proven thyroid suppressor. Protein is rich in the amino acid tyrosine, which is an essential building block of thyroid hormones. Iodine is directly related to thyroid function and is found in sea salt and foods made with seaweed.
There is a debate about whether or not soy products should be consumed by those with hypothyroidism since the isoflavones (phytoestrogens) in soy have adversely affect the thyroid. Soy can negatively affect the body's ability to absorb synthetic thyroid medications. Wait 3 or 4 hours before consuming soy products after taking medication. Also wait before calcium supplements, iron and antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum as they interfere with medication absorption. However, too much iodine can be bad for your health. Excess fiber intake can have an adverse affect on thyroid medication as it interferes with medication absorption.
Scratched or damaged nonstick pans increase the risk of thyroid problems because the coatings interfere with the ability of thyroid hormones to bind to the tissues that desperately need them. Exposure to second-hand smoke cigarette smoke increases your risk of thyroid problems. Tobacco's cyanide clogs the receptor sites on your thyroid, interfering with the gland’s ability to absorb the nutrients.

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