How to help hyperthyroidism with food

If you suffer from hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, you can manage your condition with medical treatment. To complement your treatment plan, consider adding these foods to your diet for additional support.

• Rapid heartbeat, insomnia, weight loss and sweating are hallmarks of an overactive thyroid
• The condition occurs when excess thyroid hormone is manufactured and released by the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland, which surrounds part of the windpipe
• This vital gland maintains a delicate balance of energy-regulating thyroid hormone in the blood that influences metabolism
• A surplus of hormone accelerates energy metabolism, speeding up body processes
• Women are far more likely to suffer from hyperthyroidism than men
• With proper treatment (including prescription drugs) the condition is quite manageable

An overactive thyroid may have one of several origins.

• In Grave's disease (a form of hyperthyroidism), an autoimmune disorder leads to an overproduction of thyroid hormone
• Excess thyroid hormone may also be caused by abnormal nodules present in the thyroid gland or by inflammation of the gland.
• In rare instances, a cancerous growth or a dysfunctional pituitary gland, which influences thyroid hormone synthesis, may lead to hyperthyroidism

• To maintain adequate energy and weight, an individual with hyperthyroidism may need to consume 15 percent to 20 percent more calories than a healthy person. Once prescription drugs take effect, this additional caloric requirement may diminish
• Protein and nutrient-dense foods are recommended to protect body muscle stores from being depleted by an accelerated metabolism
• Goitrogens, substances that interfere with iodine absorption, may benefit hyperthyroidism. They are found in raw (cooking deactivates them) cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage. Research is scant, but some anecdotal prescriptions call for half a head of raw cabbage each day to help manage the condition
• Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormone, and limiting this mineral is believed to suppress the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormone
• Experimental research suggests that the antioxidant vitamins E and C may combat oxidative damage linked to hyperthyroidism.
• An accelerated metabolism may speed up the generation of destructive free radicals
• Foods high in the healing nutrient beta-carotene, such as carrots, pumpkin and sweet potatoes, may benefit individuals with an overactive thyroid; beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A, which is believed to modify iodine utilization in the body

New research suggests that excess thyroid hormone may increase the risk for bone-thinning osteoporosis. In a preliminary study, women with a history of an overactive thyroid had double the risk for hip fracture, compared with healthy women. Scientists believe elevated thyroid hormone hastens bone turnover, thus weakening bones.

• Evidence is accumulating that an overactive thyroid may alter calcium metabolism in the skeleton. An always-changing tissue, bone is in a constant state of being remodelled, and excess thyroid hormone appears to reduce bone mass through this process, raising the risk for bone-thinning osteoporosis
• A calcium-rich diet may help combat this risk by improving bone density
• Vitamin D promotes bone strength by enhancing calcium absorption
• Other nutrients important for bone strength include vitamin K (in leafy greens such as kale); omega-3 fatty acids (in fatty fish and walnuts); and minerals such as magnesium, manganese and potassium (in fruits and vegetables)
• Vitamin C, in addition to improving bone density, is essential for the connective tissue (collagen) matrix that holds bones together.
• Researchers believe that estrogen-like plant compounds, isoflavones (in soy) and lignans (in flaxseed), promote bone strength as well, staving off fractures.

• Broccoli
• Cooking greens
• Dairy products
• Figs
• Berries
• Citrus fruits
• Melons
• Peppers
• Avocados
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Whole grains

Paying attention to your diet and incorporating the foods listed here may go a long way to helping you manage your hyperthyroidism.