Thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland situated under Adam's apple in the neck. It produces two hormones known as T4 and T3 whose absorption by the cells play a key role in regulating body's metabolism.
Body's metabolism manages your blood pressure, heart pulse rate and weight. Any malfunctioning of thyroid gland will therefore impact your heart functioning and affect your weight. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces less hormones. Although there is no real cure available for it, you can control hypothyroidism with home remedies, diet and exercise.
Iodine deficiency generally slows down thyroid functioning leading to hypothyroidism. Doctors usually recommend iodine supplements as well as magnesium and selenium supplements which stimulate hormone release. Diet alone may not be sufficient so you may have to take these supplements under doctor guidance.
Dietary Control for Hypothyroidism
Diet has a very important role to play to transport the vital elements of energy to the cells. Since thyroid is producing less T4 and T3 hormones due to hypothyroidism, it is important that the produced hormones though less in quantity is efficiently transported to the cells.
This efficient transport will help reduce the symptoms of fatigue and pain. Therefore your diet must contain food items that help energy transportation to cells and should avoid those food items that hamper thyroid functioning.
1. Avoid Caffeine and Sugar
The fatigue and body pains may lure you to eat sugary substances and drink caffeine for instant relief. You don't only have to avoid this temptation but also go slow on all refined carbohydrates including starchy vegetables. Eat full grain carbohydrates instead.
2. Eat Protein Rich Diet
Protein helps transport energy to cells. Therefore, your protein rich diet will help you get the best of underperforming thyroid gland. Eat nuts, legumes and other known sources of proteins. You can eat meat too, but too much of meat will have a negative effect on your heart and weight so balance your proteins. You can add milk and cheese to consume both calcium and proteins. Baked potatoes will be a good source.
Since only vegetable based proteins may not be sufficient eggs can be added to your diet. Take proteins in all three of your meals.
Soy proteins have been debated for years as harmful for hypothyroidism but there is no conclusive evidence to prove it. However, since there are many sources to eat protein you can avoid soy based products if you feel comfortable that way.
3. Exercise
Since hypothyroidism itself causes muscle pain, you may not want to do exercises as they will also cause muscle pain initially if you have been living a sedentary life. But exercise is a necessity for two reasons; one because improved blood circulation will send oxygen to tissues so there is energy that inefficient thyroid gland needs to compensate and two muscles will become stronger.
Start with low intensity exercise and gradually increase the pace over a period of time that suits you the best. Start under the guidance of a physical fitness instructor.
In addition to all this eat iodine rich food. Foods that contain magnesium and selenium. If you are able to control your diet, do regular exercise and have a good frame of mind about the condition, then hypothyroidism will not give you a tough time. Keep making regular visits to your doctor to see the progress.