When it comes to having a healthy, well functioning thyroid there are many things that must be in place. Environmental toxins can block receptor sites and interfere with the proper use of minerals needed to make the hormones. Long-term low grade infections are common culprits for disturbing thyroid health. Weak digestive function can hurt the thyroid. Even if there were no negative influences for the thyroid, it still can’t do it’s complex job without the right nutrients. Each nutrient has a specific job to do. If you follow the standard American diet and/or follow the FDA food pyramid then you are setting yourself up for thyroid problems and since no organ in the body works alone, eventually other endocrine organs will respond to the weakness. Trying to enhance thyroid health with synthetic supplements is like expecting an improvement in health while eating ding dongs and donuts. The human body was created to survive and thrive on food. Variety, quality, and moderation are key to be effective.
Here are the nutrients needed for thyroid health. I’m talking about the whole food versions of each of these, not lab made vitamins.
Vitamin B
Liver, avocado, salmon, grass fed beef, organic free-range chicken, lentil beans, pinto beans, sunflower seeds, almonds
Vitamin C
Guava, bell pepper, strawberries, orange, papaya, broccoli, tomatoes, snow peas, kale
Fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
Egg yolks, cod liver oil, fatty fish, fish eggs, liver, organ meat, poultry, shellfish, cheese, butter
Essential fatty acids
Herring, salmon, Bluefin tuna, fatty fish, flax, chia, hemp seeds, walnuts, pmpkin seeds, hazelnuts
General trace minerals and iodine
Celtic sea salt ¼-1 tsp/day
Nuts, seeds, vegetables, legumes, fruits, buckwheat, and other unrefined grains
Selenium
Brazil nuts, yellowfin tuna, oysters, pork chops, skirt steak, and chicken breast
Magnesium
Spinach, pumpkin seeds, lima beans, brown rice, almonds, and chocolate (85% or higher)
Iron, zinc, copper
Iron…skirt steak, shellfish (oysters), dried fruit (apricots), white beans, spinach, and quinoa
Zinc…Oysters, chuck steak, chicken leg, pork chops, pumpkin seeds, and lentils
Copper…Oysters, shitake mushrooms, sweet potatoes, sesame seeds, cashews, and chickpeas
I realize there is a lot going on here. To simplify, eat good quality meats, organic vegetables and fruit, grains other than wheat (buckwheat and quinoa), nuts and seeds, and real salt. By the way, grass fed butter is wonderful for the thyroid. Put it (or ghee) on your vegetables.
Enjoy nourishing your thyroid!
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