12 Dietary Approach to Treat Hyperthyroidism Naturally
Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid) occurs when your Thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone Thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can accelerate your body’s metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. This is opposed to Hypothyroidism where the gland is underactive.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include increased appetite but unintentional weight loss, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), palpitations, anxiety, tremor, fatigue, insomnia, fine brittle hair, irritability, and many more. Generally, people dealing with this condition feel wired, anxious, and unable to relax.
An enlarged Thyroid gland (Goiter) can appear as a swelling at the base of the neck.
A large number of cases of Hyperthyroidism are caused by autoimmunity. The biggest factors causing autoimmunity are causing poor gut health (leaky gut, poor digestion ), heavy metal and pesticide exposure and oxidative stress (chronic inflammation). For further information please see blogs on Gut Health, Leaky Gut, and Inflammation.
Exercise: Regular exercise can make you feel better and is good for your long-term health. You can benefit from mood-lifting cardiovascular exercise, as well as increased bone density from strength training. If you have Hyperthyroidism it may be better to start with lower-intensity exercises such as walking, yoga etc.
Stress: Stress is known to take its toll on the body and mind in a variety of ways, but it can aggravate Hyperthyroidism symptoms (Anxiety and Irritability), making them much worse. Manage your stress.
Yoga and Meditation: Yoga is known to calm the mind and body and control stress so please include it for managing stress. Likewise, meditate daily to help calm your mind. (Yoga Health Benefits on the Body)
Sleep: Sleep-related symptoms of Hyperthyroidism include insomnia, frequent waking, restlessness, restless leg syndrome, and tremors. Our body repairs during rest. Sleep is very important to balance the thyroid gland.
Sleep in a darkened room. Establishing a regular time to go to sleep and to wake up, even on weekends and holidays is important in establishing good, restful sleep.
1. Non-iodized Salt: Excessive iodine intake may trigger Hyperthyroidism, so please shift to non-iodized Salt like Himalayan Pink Salt or Rock Salt. Also avoid seaweeds, kelp and other seafood rich in iodine.
2. Cruciferous Vegetables: These vegetables are not good for Hypothyroidism but are good for Hyperthyroidism. So include Bok choy, Kale, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Cauliflower and Cabbage in your diet.
3. Caffeine and sugar: Avoid these stimulants as they aggravate Hyperthyroidism symptoms.
4. Milk and Dairy products: Avoid high-fat milk and dairy. Consume skimmed milk and low-fat dairy products which are easy to digest.
5. Gluten: Even if you do not have a gluten intolerance, it is beneficial to restart or limit Gluten. This is because Gluten may harm the thyroid by causing inflammation.
6. Avoid Processed foods: These are acidic and increase inflammation. Our body needs to be Alkaline.
7. Iron: Low levels of Iron are linked to Hyperthyroidism. So include dried beans, green leafy vegetables, lentils, nuts, and seeds in your diet.
8. Spices: Add spices such as turmeric, pepper, and other spices. They are anti-inflammatory.
9. Red Meat: Avoid Red Meat because of its Inflammatory properties.
10. Healthy Fats: Focus on healthy fats such as ghee, sesame oil, extra virgin olive oil, and flax seed oil.
11. Protein-rich foods: Protein-rich foods such as fish, legumes, eggs, and nuts are good for Hyperthyroidism as protein transports thyroid hormone through the body.
12. Alcohol: Alcohol can disrupt the energy levels of the body and tamper with sleep thus affecting hormone levels. Abstain from alcohol.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include increased appetite but unintentional weight loss, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), palpitations, anxiety, tremor, fatigue, insomnia, fine brittle hair, irritability, and many more. Generally, people dealing with this condition feel wired, anxious, and unable to relax.
ALSO READ: 6 Common Health Issues that Cause Unexplained Weight Loss
An enlarged Thyroid gland (Goiter) can appear as a swelling at the base of the neck.
A large number of cases of Hyperthyroidism are caused by autoimmunity. The biggest factors causing autoimmunity are causing poor gut health (leaky gut, poor digestion ), heavy metal and pesticide exposure and oxidative stress (chronic inflammation). For further information please see blogs on Gut Health, Leaky Gut, and Inflammation.
Non-Dietary Remedies For Hyperthyroidism
Exercise: Regular exercise can make you feel better and is good for your long-term health. You can benefit from mood-lifting cardiovascular exercise, as well as increased bone density from strength training. If you have Hyperthyroidism it may be better to start with lower-intensity exercises such as walking, yoga etc.
Stress: Stress is known to take its toll on the body and mind in a variety of ways, but it can aggravate Hyperthyroidism symptoms (Anxiety and Irritability), making them much worse. Manage your stress.
Yoga and Meditation: Yoga is known to calm the mind and body and control stress so please include it for managing stress. Likewise, meditate daily to help calm your mind. (Yoga Health Benefits on the Body)
Sleep: Sleep-related symptoms of Hyperthyroidism include insomnia, frequent waking, restlessness, restless leg syndrome, and tremors. Our body repairs during rest. Sleep is very important to balance the thyroid gland.
Sleep in a darkened room. Establishing a regular time to go to sleep and to wake up, even on weekends and holidays is important in establishing good, restful sleep.
SEE ALSO: Top 4 Foods for Thyroid Health
Dietary Approach to Treat Hyperthyroidism Naturally
1. Non-iodized Salt: Excessive iodine intake may trigger Hyperthyroidism, so please shift to non-iodized Salt like Himalayan Pink Salt or Rock Salt. Also avoid seaweeds, kelp and other seafood rich in iodine.
2. Cruciferous Vegetables: These vegetables are not good for Hypothyroidism but are good for Hyperthyroidism. So include Bok choy, Kale, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Cauliflower and Cabbage in your diet.
3. Caffeine and sugar: Avoid these stimulants as they aggravate Hyperthyroidism symptoms.
4. Milk and Dairy products: Avoid high-fat milk and dairy. Consume skimmed milk and low-fat dairy products which are easy to digest.
5. Gluten: Even if you do not have a gluten intolerance, it is beneficial to restart or limit Gluten. This is because Gluten may harm the thyroid by causing inflammation.
6. Avoid Processed foods: These are acidic and increase inflammation. Our body needs to be Alkaline.
READ MORE: How to Cure Thyroid Forever: How To Cure Your Thyroid Gland With Just One Ingredient
7. Iron: Low levels of Iron are linked to Hyperthyroidism. So include dried beans, green leafy vegetables, lentils, nuts, and seeds in your diet.
8. Spices: Add spices such as turmeric, pepper, and other spices. They are anti-inflammatory.
9. Red Meat: Avoid Red Meat because of its Inflammatory properties.
10. Healthy Fats: Focus on healthy fats such as ghee, sesame oil, extra virgin olive oil, and flax seed oil.
11. Protein-rich foods: Protein-rich foods such as fish, legumes, eggs, and nuts are good for Hyperthyroidism as protein transports thyroid hormone through the body.
12. Alcohol: Alcohol can disrupt the energy levels of the body and tamper with sleep thus affecting hormone levels. Abstain from alcohol.
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
