What Actually is Thyroid: The Gland, the Disease, Causes and Effects on a Person-
Thyroid is a gland in the neck region of a human’s body. It is of butterfly shape and has the major work of releasing necessary hormones in the body called thyroid hormones that includes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones play a crucial role in regulating and maintaining the metabolism, growth, development, etc. in a person’s body. Thus, the work of these hormones in the body is non- replaceable and non- negotiable.
Thyroid diseases happen in a human body when the secretion of these hormones gets disturbed. It leads to two majorly known conditions called hyperthyroidism (When the secretion of the thyroid hormones is way too much then needed by the body) and hypothyroidism (When the secretion of thyroid hormones is way too less than needed by the body). These conditions are known as thyroid disease.
There are various causes of thyroid to occur in a person and the exact cause copl;d be one or a mixture of more than one cause. The reason could be Autoimmune disorders, Inflammation, Nodules, Thyroid cancer, Lifestyle factors, Smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, Certain Medical treatments, overconsumption of Cruciferous vegetables, etc.
Thyroid can affect a person in lot of ways including:
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Weight loss, even with an increased appetite
- Goiter, or a swelling in the neck
- Hives
- Hair loss
- Eye problems
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Cold intolerance
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Brain fog, or difficulty concentrating
- Short-term memory lapses
Why Does Diet Matters if a Person has a Thyroid Disease?
For every disease, especially a disease that is caused due to disruption in the glands and hormonal balance, diet is something that plays a very huge role in making the disease better or increasing the severity.
Thyroid also has the same response to diet and different types of food intake. There are certain food items and nutrients that need to be taken or to be avoided as they can influence various hormones in the body. For instance, if a person has hyperthyroidism, iodised salt is like a poison for him but on the other hand in hypothyroidism, iodised salt is what a doctor will recommend to be added in the regular diet plan. It is because thyroid gland function has a direct link with iodine levels in the body and the moment iodine levels get disturbed, thyroid gland also stops working properly.
The Do’s of Thyroid Diet-
To keep the hormones in balance and reduce the signs and issues caused by thyroid disease, there are some foods which intake is need to be increased in the diet like:-
Foods rich in Selenium
Certain food items like Legumes, eggs, pork, fish, shellfish, turkey, and chicken, etc., are rich in Selenium. According to a study, meals high in selenium may assist in balancing thyroid hormone levels. It also aids in overcoming hypothyroidism-related muscle weakness.
Fresh Fruits and Fibrous Vegetables
Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables should be included in the diet whether a person is suffering from thyroid disease or not. Fruits and vegetables, if taken in a balanced amount on a regular basis, can help in prevention of many diseases, especially those that occur due to deficiency of minerals and vitamins.
In thyroid disease, vitamin C is very common and fruits are the best source of this vitamin.
Excess hunger and weight gain is one of the problems thyroid disease brings along. Eating fibrous vegetables can help with keeping the person feeling fuller and not hungry for a longer time that ultimately helps with minimising carbohydrate retention. Thus, keep weight gain in check.
Some Non- Dairy Alternatives
Some nom- dairy alternatives play a good role in maintaining hormonal balance in the body like coconut milk, cashew milk, coconut yoghurt, almond milk, unsweetened yoghurt, etc. Even if the person has hyperthyroidism, it is recommended to avoid whole milk to drink.
Food Low in Iodine
If you are suffering from hyperthyroidism, taking a lot of iodine could lead to more disturbed thyroid hormone levels and can cause more issues in the body. Thus, a diet which has low iodine levels is very necessary to control the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
The Don’ts of Thyroid Diet-
There are certain foods and ingredients that a person suffering from thyroid disease should avoid:-
Alcohol
Thyroid problem and alcohol consumption are the worst combination. Studies have been done on this topic and researchers found that alcohol lowers a person’s body abo=ilty oto use thyroid hormones for necessary needs and leads to disturbed metabolism in the body.
Caffeine
Caffeine consumption affects thyroid levels in a person’s body. If a person has already disturbed thyroid levels, caffeine consumption can make the thyroid symptoms like anxiety, nervousness, irritability, and a rapid heartbeat, worsen.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, etc., are rich in goitrogens. This substance causes the body to absorb less iodine and iodine is very essential for the body especially if a person is suffering from hypothyroidism.
A thyroid specialist plays a crucial role in guiding and helping in keeping in check the diet and necessary steps to take in order to keep the hormonal levels in control and reducing the issues caused due to thyroid disease.
