Nutrients for Optimal Thyroid Function
An estimated 30 million Americans are affected by thyroid disease. Most of these people are women, with one in eight women likely to develop hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, in their life.
Your thyroid is essential for thousands of important functions in your body, including:
Healthy cholesterol levels
Mental clarity
Sleep patterns
Heart function
Metabolism
Hormone balance
Digestion
Many factors affect the health of the thyroid, including stress, infections, toxin expsoure, undereating, medications, and fluoride exposure. The thyroid is so sensitive to inflammation. The good news is the thyroid can be supported with an anti-inflammatory diet, and certain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Source: Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM)
Nutrients Essential for Thyroid Function
Selenium: Selenium converts inactive hormones (T4) to active hormones (T3). Because the thyroid is sensitive to selenium deficiency, If you are deficient in selenium, you could have a less active thyroid. That can lead to hypothyroidism. Foods like organ meat, seafood and Brazil nuts are rich in selenium.
Iodine: Iodine is essential for thyroid health. The thyroid gland takes iodine and tyrosine, an amino acid, to create the thyroid hormone. Fluoride (consumed in tap water, toothpaste, and mouthwash) can interfere with critical iodine absorption. So it’s important to consume foods rich in iodine, such as seafood and seaweed.
Vitamin D: There are several autoimmune diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency, including Hashimoto’s thyroid disease. Proper vitamin D levels are essential for supporting immune cells (B and T cells) and making sure they are attacking outside invaders. Lower vitamin D levels are associated with more severe autoimmune thyroid disease and it's been shown that increasing vitamin D has been shown to decrease TPO antibodies.
Omega-3: Reducing inflammation is very important when dealing with thyroid issues. Inflammation can decrease thyroid receptor function. Essential fatty acids, like Omega 3s, can help reduce inflammation and protect your thyroid.