Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. Also known as underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism can be a tricky condition to manage. You may not notice symptoms in the early stages, it can lead to other health problems over time, including high cholesterol and heart problems. 

In order to diagnose hypothyroidism, doctors will draw blood. Once you know that you have the condition, you can take steps to manage it appropriately. In addition to taking medication or using natural remedies, you should also avoid certain foods. The reason for this is because some nutrients can either influence or inhibit the efficacy of the thyroid gland. Some factors of the condition may be out of your control, but the foods you choose to eat are well within your control. 

Below, we detail foods that you should avoid if you have hypothyroidism. Some of the items on this list may surprise you because they are healthy. You may be able to enjoy these foods, but only in moderation.

Gluten From Bread And Pasta

One research review found that hypothyroidism and celiac disease are often present together. Although no research has found that a gluten-free diet treats thyroid disorders, you may want to consult your doctor to determine if eliminating gluten will help your condition. If you opt to eat gluten, choose whole grain breads or pastas. These are higher in fiber and other nutrients that support bowel regularity, which can prove tricky if you have hypothyroidism. If you take hypothyroidism medications, make sure to take them several hours before or after eating high-fiber foods to avoid interference with the absorption of synthetic thyroid hormone.

Sugary Foods

If you have untreated or under-treated hypothyroidism, your metabolism can slow down. That is why weight gain is common in people with this condition. Dietitians recommend avoiding foods that contain lots of sugar because they also contain a lot of calories with minimal to no nutrients. Ideally, reduce your overall sugar intake or try to eliminate sugar completely from your diet, save for some natural sugars found in fruit. 

Foods Containing Soy

Soy contains certain compounds, specifically isoflavones, that may negatively affect thyroid function. Some researchers believe that eating too much soy can increase a person’s risk of hypothyroidism. One study, however, could not find a link between soy consumption and soy’s effects on thyroid hormones. For this reason, there are no specific dietary guidelines about, but some research suggests that eating soy may interfere with the body’s ability to absorb thyroid medication. If you want to consume soy, health experts advise waiting four hours after eating soy to take the regular dose of thyroid medication. 

Excess Fiber From Beans, Legumes, And Vegetables

Fiber is a key nutrient in a healthy diet, as it aids digestive function and can improve bowel regularity. The recommended daily intake (RDI) of fiber is 25-38 grams for most adults. You can find fiber in varying amounts in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, and legumes. The amount of fiber in some of these foods go above a level that affects digestive function and that can interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormone replacement drugs. If you want to consume more fiber-rich foods, consider asking your doctor about increasing the dosage of thyroid medication. 

Alcohol

Alcohol is not kind to thyroid hormone levels, and it can also impact the body’s ability to produce thyroid hormones, according to one study. Researchers note that alcohol has a toxic effect on the thyroid gland and suppresses the body’s ability to use thyroid hormone. People with hypothyroidism should cut out alcohol completely or drink in moderation. 

Processed Foods 

Word to the wise: if you have hypothyroidism, avoid packaged processed foods, including frozen meals. Processed foods contain a lot of preservatives, excess sodium, and added sugars. Doctors suggest that people with hypothyroidism should avoid sodium because an underactive thyroid increases a person’s risk of high blood pressure. Eating lots of salt can further increase that risk. Always read the nutritional label on food packaging, making sure to keep an eye out for lots of sodium, cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats. 

Coffee

If you enjoy a little caffeine hit to start your morning, be careful if you have hypothyroidism. Studies show that people who took thyroid medication with their morning coffee had uncontrollable thyroid levels. For that reason, doctors tell people to take thyroid medication with water. Wait at least 30 minutes after taking medication to have a cup of coffee.

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As of now, the general treatment for hypothyroidism is taking a daily thyroid hormone replacement medication. Naturally, medications invite a long list of side effects, some of which do or don’t affect people. Forgetting to take the thyroid medication, however, can lead to other unwanted symptoms. 

If thyroid medication causes side effects, you may want to experiment with natural remedies. Some of these remedies may cause fewer side effects and better suit your overall lifestyle. That  said, they may not be able to replace a thyroid medication, so consider talking with your healthcare professional about the natural remedies in this article. 

Natural Remedies

The primary reason to experiment with natural remedies is to see if they address the root cause of the problem. Thyroid problems typically start because of the following reasons: 

• Stress
• Poor diet
• Lacking nutrients in the body

If you change your diet and start taking certain supplements, you may benefit your thyroid health. Those options tend to have fewer side effects than taking a thyroid medication. Additionally, taking an herbal supplement to address an under-active thyroid may be an alternative option if you do not respond positively to medications. That said, if you have Hashimoto’s disease, the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S., alternative remedies may not be effective. If you want to experiment with natural remedies, consider adding the following to your treatment plan. 

Consider Some B Vitamins

As you will learn in this article, there are certain vitamins and minerals that positively affect the thyroid. Low thyroid hormones can affect the body’s B-12 levels, so taking a B-12 supplement may help repair some of the damage done by hypothyroidism. Additionally, taking a vitamin B-12 supplement may counteract the tiredness that is common with hypothyroidism, which can also affect B-1 levels. Consider eating more peas, asparagus, beans, sesame seeds, wild caught tuna, and eggs if you want to add more B vitamins to your diet. 

Adopt A Gluten-Free Diet

Many people with hypothyroidism tend to maintain a gluten-free diet because a significant number of them also have celiac disease. If you have celiac disease, gluten triggers an immune response in the small intestine. As of now, research does not support a gluten-free diet as a viable treatment option for hypothyroidism. That said, many people with Hashimoto’s disease tend to feel better after adopting a gluten-free diet. More research is necessary about the relationship with gluten and hypothyroidism. 

Take Selenium

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that selenium is a trace element that plays a part in thyroid hormone metabolism. In Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid and typically reduces the amount of selenium in the body. Researchers note that supplementing with selenium may help balance thyroxine (T4) levels in some people. If you decide to take a selenium supplement, consult your healthcare professional because every person requires a different amount. If you want to eat more selenium, focus on flaxseeds, chia seeds, broccoli, cabbage, lima beans, Brazil nuts, spinach, sunflower seeds, and brown rice. 

Sugar-Free Diet

Although people with hypothyroidism may be sensitive or allergic to gluten, they are not necessarily allergic to sugar. Upon eating sugary or processed foods, you can develop higher inflammatory markers in the body. Inflammation slows the conversion of T4 into triiodothyronine (T3), which is another thyroid hormone. If this conversion is slow, then you may experience worse symptoms. Sugar only leads to bursts of short-term energy, so eliminating it from your diet may regulate energy levels. Removing sugar from your diet may also help regulate stress levels, which can impact thyroid function. 

Add More Probiotics To Your Diet

One NIH study found a link between hypothyroidism and problems in the small intestine. Study authors noted that altered gastrointestinal motility that was common with hypothyroidism caused small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. That ultimately leads to chronic digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea. Researchers suggest that probiotics promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach and intestines. Although there are probiotic supplements available, many dietary sources offer beneficial probiotic strains. Fermented vegetables, kombucha, miso, natto, kefir, and some yogurt are useful probiotic foods.

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On the latest episode of Vegan101, we’ll go over the foods you should be avoiding if you have hypothyroidism!

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The American Thyroid Association estimates that 20 million Americans have a thyroid disorder. Generally speaking, thyroid disorders result from an overproduction or underproduction of thyroid hormones. Standard treatment tends to involve some form of medication to establish a healthy hormonal balance. Some doctors even convince people to remove the thyroid, and they end up taking thyroid hormones for the rest of their lives. 

With more and more attention on alternative medicine and treatment options, people have a growing interest in remedying the thyroid without conventional medicine. According to Ayurvedic medicine, many herbs can help create balance in the thyroid. In Ayurveda, the thyroid connects with the increase in kapha dosha and vata in the body. Doshas are essentially biological energies that maintain the body’s mental and physical processes. If the kapha and vata doshas are out of balance in the body, it’s possible to experience thyroid problems. 

Since the thyroid regulates and monitors metabolism, heart rate, and other key functions in the body, optimizing thyroid health is paramount to overall health. Failure to balance the thyroid can lead to poor immune function, low energy, mood swings, and extreme weight loss or weight gain. Some of the Ayurvedic herbs (below) complement conventional thyroid treatments. If you don’t understand proper dosage or recommendation for your thyroid condition, consult with your doctor about taking the following herbs.

Guggul

Guggul has a reputation for regulating thyroid function, but it also has positive effects on blood lipids. Guggul’s antioxidant properties work to protect the thyroid gland from oxidative stress. This ultimately decreases lipid peroxidation in the liver and increases the liver’s ability to transform thyroxine (T4) into triiodothyronine (T3). One animal study found that guggul has strong thyroid stimulating actions, and may even increase iodine uptake. 

Shigru (Moringa)

Known for regulating hormone levels and ensuring optimal thyroid function, moringa is an excellent herb if you suffer from hyperthyroidism. At the same time, hypothyroidism patients also benefit from moringa because it has a rich iodine content. More often than not, iodine deficiency is a primary cause of hypothyroidism. According to several studies, moringa extract exhibits anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. It can help to stimulate metabolism by regulating the production of T3 and T4 hormones. Finally, it may help to inhibit bone damage that results from an overabundance of T4 in the body. 

Ashwagandha

If you are familiar with Ayurveda, you know that ashwagandha has a healing reputation. It’s an adaptogenic herb, helping to naturally relieve stress and anxiety, but it also promotes internal balance in the body. In one study, ashwagandha exhibited an ability to increase T3 and T4 levels without significantly increasing iodothyronine 5’-monodeiodinase. In basic terms, ashwagandha was able to increase thyroid function. Other studies found that it helped decrease gluconeogenesis and improve antioxidant activity to protect the thyroid. Ashwagandha also stimulates the endocrine system and works to encourage lipid peroxide levels in the liver.

Piperine

Piperine is the active ingredient in long pepper and black pepper. It is an alkaloid that has been able to reduce thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and insulin to almost normal levels. This is great news for people with hyperthyroidism. Piperine’s thyrogenic activity may also help to improve levels of A-1, T3, T4, and iodine. An animal study confirmed that piperine exhibited an ability to alter lipid profiles, hormone levels, and apolipoproteins. 

Bauhinia Purpurea

Bauhinia purpurea is a flowering plant that is native to the Indian subcontinent. A study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology monitored female mice that received bauhinia purpurea bark extract for 20 days. The conclusion of the study was that the bark extract increased both T3 and T4 concentrations. In human trials, Bauhinia purpurea helped to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, while protecting the thyroid from oxidative stress. It works to enhance antioxidant enzyme secretion, which may help to reverse metformin-induced hypothyroidism.

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Thyroid Aid – Herbal supplement rich in organic iodine that works to regulate hormones and aid in a healthy thyroid gland.

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Thyroid Aid is an herbal supplement that has iodine, which is helpful in cleansing and nourishing the thyroid gland and in boosting the metabolism.

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Sea Moss Powder is a source of natural iodine. Taken in a hot or cold blended beverage, it’s intended to nurture the thyroid and the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts.

Sea Moss – St Lucia Gold and Sea Moss – St Lucia Purple are high in iodine which helps to boost the immune system, and nurture the thyroid. It is beneficial to the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts.

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Ashwagandha has a long history of use in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine. It’s an ancient herb that receives a lot of praise. Herbalists talk about ashwagandha the way comic book fans talk about upcoming Marvel shows and movies. If that doesn’t explain how special it is, we don’t know what analogy will. 

What Is Ashwagandha?

This evergreen shrub bears orange-red fruit, but most people use the roots for medicinal purposes. Also known as winter cherry or Indian ginseng, ashwagandha can help to reduce inflammation and protect against cognitive decline. It may also help to stimulate sexual health, improve memory, nourish the nervous system, and encourage better cell-immunity. Ayurveda considers ashwagandha to be a Rasayana, which translates to something that helps maintain youth, both in a mental and physical sense. 

Within the last few years, people have taken an interest in herbs like ashwagandha, in addition to other adaptogens. What is an adaptogen? It is something that improves the body’s resilience to stress. When the body encounters stress, it goes through a three-stage response: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Adaptogens work to help the body remain in the resistance phase for a lot longer than normal by way of stimulating effects that delay exhaustion. In doing so, you can avoid a sudden crash in the middle of a stressful moment. Continue reading to learn how else ashwagandha can benefit your health. 

Health Benefits

Effects On Neurodegenerative Diseases

Health experts consider neuritic atrophy, synaptic loss, and Alzheimer’s disease to be primary causes of cognitive decline. Other neurodegenerative diseases cause atrophy to neurites, but the damage is significant in those previously mentioned conditions. Studies on ashwagandha show that it can slow, reverse, and even stop neuritic atrophy and synaptic loss. Because of this, experts believe ashwagandha is a viable herb to treat early stages of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease. Ashwagandha is a nervine tonic that may help improve immunity and longevity in its users. 

Effects On Thyroid Disorders

Historically, Ayurvedic healers used ashwagandha to treat subclinical hypothyroidism. Many people hear this and think the evidence is merely anecdotal. In fact, the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a study in 2018 to back up that statement. The study monitored 50 patients with hypothyroidism. The pattens randomly received either a 600 milligram (mg) dose of ashwagandha or a placebo. The results indicated that the group that received ashwagandha saw improvements in thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), serum triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4).

Effects On Stress

As we mentioned earlier, ashwagandha is an adaptogen, meaning it helps improve the body’s resilience to stress. In a 2019 study, patients randomly took either 250 mg or 600 mg doses of ashwagandha. The study concluded that both doses contributed to lower cortisol levels, with the 600 mg dose being more effective. A different 2019 study monitored a group of people who either took a daily dose of 240 mg of ashwagandha or a placebo. The subjects who took ashwagandha experienced a great reduction in cortisol, whereas the placebo group experienced nothing. 

Effects On Sexual Health

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, there isn’t sufficient evidence that concludes ashwagandha’s ability to improve symptoms of sexual dysfunction. Despite that claim, there is a lot of research that proves otherwise. A 2015 study in BioMed Research International monitored 50 heterosexual women, all of whom experienced sexual dysfunction. They either could not become aroused, have an orgasm, or they had low libido. After taking 600 mg of ashwagandha daily for eight weeks, they experienced more arousal, lubrication, and orgasms when engaging with their partners. Another study found that ashwagandha may help men with erectile dysfunction. The men in the study took ashwagandha root powder for 60 days and they saw an improvement in performance.

Effects on Arthritis

The analgesic effects of ashwagandha may be beneficial for those with arthritis, especially because it helps to soothe the nervous system from pain response. By blocking pain signals from traveling along the central nervous system, the theory is that it may have anti-inflammatory properties. For this research, ashwagandha proved effective for people experiencing arthritic symptoms. According to an animal study, ashwagandha exhibited analgesic activity on rats experiencing heat analgesia from hot plate method. 

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There are over 20 million Americans suffering from a thyroid condition, but it’s safe to assume that they majority of them don’t think about their thyroid when it comes to diet and nutrition. Having a thyroid condition is no walk in the park because various nutrients can heavily influence how they thyroid functions. The secret to improving thyroid health is to pay close attention to what you eat, because foods cause the most harm.

Regulating the metabolism and the release of hormones, the thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the front of your neck. The most common thyroid issue is hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid condition that is associated with weight gain, forgetfulness, extreme fatigue, and depression. Some factors, which lead to the development of hypothyroidism, are out your hands. You cannot control family history and environmental pollutants, but you can control what foods you put on your plate. You can either choose thyroid friendly foods, or foods that continue to damage the thyroid.

Becoming mindful of what you eat can take time, but the road to a balanced thyroid is not easy. The best place to start is by eating your colors (i.e. fresh fruits and vegetables of all colors), trying your best to purchase organic, and avoiding artificial colors and flavors. As much as it may pain you to hear, it is wise to exclude fried foods, processed foods, sugary treats, ice cream, and alcohol from your diet. To help guide you in a healthier direction, steer clear of the following foods that can worsen hypothyroidism.

Tuna And Swordfish

Swordfish, shark, kingfish, mackerel, and tuna are predator fish and tend to contain more mercury than smaller fish. The longer the life of the fish, the more chemicals it can accumulate. It is acceptable to eat about two servings per week of these predator fish. You should also cut out farmed fish like salmon from your diet. Their mercury levels are high because they are fed the chum of other fish.

Soy

Some researchers have posed the link between excess soy consumption and an increased risk of hypothyroidism. Containing isoflavones, soy has been known to interfere with healthy endocrine function, meaning that soy can disrupt hormonal balance in the body. One study found that women who ate soy products experienced the same hormone altering results as when they were given tamoxifen, a drug used for breast cancer patients. Foods that contain soy include natto, tofu, soy sauce, most fake meat products, soy lecithin, soybean oil (vegetable oil), tempeh, and soymilk.

Gluten

The American population has become accustomed to consuming a diet rich in processed white flour, so the idea of not eating gluten and grains is not typically received with a sense of joy. Increasing research is pointing towards a strong link between the consumption of gluten-rich foods and the increased percentage of autoimmune diseases. A 2017 article in the journal Endocrine Connections found that celiac disease and hypothyroidism are often present together. Someone who eats a lot of gluten increases their risk of protein particles, like gliadin, entering the blood. The immune system recognizes this as an intruder and takes care of the problem, but increased gluten consumption over years can cause the immune system to attack healthy tissue. This is essentially what happens in those with Hashimoto’s disease.

Sugar

Just like gluten, sugar can be a tough one to give up because it’s in so many things that people enjoy eating. Most people consume an excess amount of sugar, which contributes to excess fat storage in the body. Because hypothyroidism slows the body’s metabolism, it cannot efficiently burn the sugar you eat, which is a common reason for weight gain. In order to balance blood sugar levels, one should consume fruits with protein sources, like raw nuts, seeds, or green vegetables, to avoid glucose spikes. Solely consuming sugar from fruit is a great way to enhance thyroid function, balance blood glucose, and encourage weight loss.

Alcohol

Alcohol wrecks thyroid hormone levels; there’s no two ways about it. In addition to damaging thyroid hormone levels, alcohol can also affect the thyroid’s ability to produce thyroid hormones by suppressing the gland. In addition to affecting thyroid hormone production, the sugar in alcohol can cause glucose spikes and contribute to weight gain. People with hypothyroidism should eliminate alcohol from their diet to increase thyroid function.

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After starting a new diet or exercise program, the first thing that people do is head for the scale with high hopes of a decrease in body weight. Some people’s efforts yield successful weight loss results, but many others don’t seem to budge the scale. They are left frustrated, wondering why their hard work and newly adopted healthy habits have not paid off. So what’s up?

Depending on the diet, it’s possible that portions are too large, exceeding the number of calories that you should be eating. It might be time to stop eyeballing and start measuring correct portion sizes. If you are regularly exercising and not losing weight, you may not be working out as hard as you think you are, i.e. not maintaining a consistent heart rate to assist with weight loss. What if you followed your dietary and workout programs exactly as they were detailed? Your program may not be inhibiting your weight loss; rather, the culprit may be an underlying health condition or medication.

Medical Explanations For Weight Gain

A number of health conditions can make it difficult to lose weight. On top of that, the medications that patients are prescribed for their health conditions can also contribute to weight gain. This can put a patient in a no-win situation. A doctor may suggest that a patient lose weight to improve his or her condition, but that same doctor will prescribe medication, which can inhibit weight loss, to the patient. According to various studies, the following conditions are most likely hindering weight loss.

Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid is underactive, the body cannot produce enough thyroid hormones to burn fat that is stored in the body. A person with hypothyroidism typically has a slower metabolism, and that means that he/she is storing more fat than he/she is burning. This is especially true for people who don’t exercise and people who eat unhealthily.

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is the result of prolonged exposure to cortisol, which is made in excess by the adrenal glands. The condition is typically characterized by a fatty hump between the shoulder blades, purple stretch marks on the skin, and a rounded face. This condition commonly results in weight gain, type 2 diabetes, bone loss, and high blood pressure.

Depression

Depression affects each person differently. Some people decide not to eat and become wildly malnourished, while others resort to food to ease emotional distress. It is also common for people with depression to avoid exercise, due to the lethargy associated with the condition.

Hormonal Changes In Women

As hormonal shifts begin to happen in women, they can find it difficult to lose weight, or they may find that they gain weight with ease. These hormonal shifts can occur at puberty, during pregnancy, and before, during, or after menopause.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Affecting roughly five million adult women in the United States, PCOS is a disease that stems from hormonal imbalance. Most women with PCOS experience irregular menstrual bleeding, weight gain not caused by excessive eating, thinning hair, or difficulty getting pregnant.

A Prescription For Weight Gain?

As we mentioned earlier, medications can contribute to weight gain or prevent you from losing weight. According to a medical doctor at the Scripps Clinic of Nutrition and Metabolism Research Center in San Diego, California, 25% of his patients take medications or have conditions that lead to weight gain. The reason for weight gain may be attributed to the fact that certain medications lower metabolic rate and increase appetite. Other medications can increase hormones that store fat. Common medications that lead to weight gain can include:

• Beta-blockers (for high blood pressure or other heart conditions)
• Antidepressants
• Birth control pills
• Medications like sulfonylureas (for type 2 diabetes)
• Corticosteroids (for conditions like lupus or asthma)
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Antiepileptics (taken to control seizures)

It may be beneficial to switch to a plant-based diet and focus your dietary efforts on real food to obtain essential nutrients. Processed foods, meats, dairy products, and other junk foods can often worsen your health condition and lead to weight gain. A vegan or raw vegan diet may improve your overall health, condition, and you may even start to see your efforts reflected on the scale. Remember, everyone is different and some people may experience more visual transformations without shedding a lot of pounds. The number on the scale doesn’t mean that you are not making progress! Check your waist size. Is it smaller? Appreciate the forward strides and maintain your willpower!

If you think that your condition or medication may be preventing you from losing weight or causing you to gain weight, consult with your medical professional to see what other options are available. Above all else, don’t give up on getting in shape. It may be difficult, but this shouldn’t deter you from leading a healthier lifestyle.

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