Can Diet Prevent or Correct Hypothyroidism?

We all know that for every medical condition, there is a diet that claims to help prevent or even reverse the condition. This is the same for conditions of the thyroid such as hypothyroidism. To boost thyroid function, the Dr. Oz Show website recommends that people eat foods high in iodine to increase thyroid function. These foods include milk, seaweed, shellfish, soy sauce, low fat yogurt and cheese, saltwater fish, and eggs.

Further more, the site recommends that people eat less of foods that supposedly can prohibit your thyroid from properly producing thyroid hormone. These foods include:

  • Almonds
  • Raw cruciferous vegetables such as kale, broccoli, and cauliflower
  • Pears and peaches
  • Millet
  • Canola oil
  • Soy
  • Spinach
  • Peanuts

But who has ever heard not to eat vegetables from their doctor?!  Will following such a diet ensure healthy, problem free thyroid function? According to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, the answer is simply no. Doctor Todd Nippoldt writes that, “generally, there’s no hypothyroidism diet.” Often, thyroid conditions are caused by genetic or environmental factors.

While it may not hurt to eat for a healthy thyroid, it doesn’t take the place of proper medical attention in the face of hypothyroidism. You should always talk to your endocrinologist before starting a diet of any type, and take your endocrinologist’s advice for you over anything you read on the Internet. If you’re concerned that you might be at risk for hypothyroidism, talk to your doctor and find out what her dietary recommendations are.

Our thyroid plays an important part in our overall health, controlling our metabolic functions and assisting our nerve function. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include:

  • The inability to stay warm
  • Sluggishness
  • Forgetfulness
  • Dry skin
  • Constipation

If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should contact a Gainesville thyroid specialist at Accent MD today to schedule an appointment. Hypothyroidism requires careful monitoring and medication to properly correct. You should not attempt to correct hypothyroidism with diet alone.