Hyperthyroidism (aka an overactive thyroid) can cause rapid weight loss, an unusually fast heartbeat, and anxiety; while hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) can trigger constipation, weight gain, and extreme fatigue.
Here, her four big recommendations. Your thyroid helps regulate metabolism, temperature, and heartbeat. We spoke to Gupta, MD, an integrative endocrinologist at Mount Sinai West in New York City, about how to maintain a healthy thyroid. Here's how to keep it on track.
If you don't have a thyroid problem, you probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about that butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, which helps regulate metabolism and body temperature (among other things).
Go Mediterranean
She suggests aiming for four to five servings of vegetables and three to four servings of fruit each day, along with plenty of lean proteins and fatty fish, such as salmon, herring, anchovies, and mackerel.
The most important things you can do to maintain a healthy thyroid is a well-balanced diet.
For other healthy fats, Dr. Gupta likes extra-virgin olive oil, organic canola oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, coconut oil, nuts, nut butters, and avocados. Studies show that this plays a role in the development of thyroid disease.
No surprise here: Dr. But don't panic just yet, kale lovers: The in these foods are inactivated by cooking, or even by light steaming, so you can still consume them for their valuable antioxidant and cancer-protective effects. "This is not specific to the thyroid, but the autoimmune system can affect various parts of the body."
Gupta says you should steer clear of processed foods packed with sugar and preservatives, dyes, or fat- and sugar-free substitutes. "Processed foods including trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and refined sugar can cause intestinal inflammation in turn, trigger autoimmune flare-ups," she says.
She suggests looking for over-the-counter blends that contain the active cultures and or eating natural sources like yogurt and kefir. Gupta also recommends taking probiotics, which offer a whole host of health benefits. Gupta. In fact, too much iodine can trigger hyperthyroidism in susceptible individuals, so Dr. Gupta doesn't recommend taking iodine pills without consulting your doctor.
On the other hand, if you suspect your thyroid may need a boost, speak to your doctor about taking selenium or vitamin D, both of which have been linked to improved thyroid health.
Dr. You've probably heard that there's a connection between thyroid health and iodine, which is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. "However, iodine deficiency is rare in developed countries due to supplementation in table salt and certain foods such as dairy and bread." In other words, you're probably already getting enough iodine in your diet as is
A few to be aware of are perfluorinated chemicals in some carpets, flame-resistant and waterproof clothing, and non-stick cookware, all of which were linked to thyroid disease in a 2010 study. Gupta also recommends avoiding antibacterial soaps that contain triclosan, an ingredient that has altered hormone regulation in studies of animals (human studies are still ongoing), according to the FDA.
Following some general guidelines can go a long way. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, long-term exposure to endocrine disruptors—chemicals that interfere with your body's endocrine system—may trigger endocrine problems in humans. Similarly, in 2011 researchers found that exposure to phthalates (found in products and soft plastics) and bisphenol-A (found in some hard plastics and canned food linings, although many manufacturers are removing them) could cause disruptions in thyroid hormone levels.
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