The Best Foods to Eat to Help with Thyroid Function

The thyroid is one of the most important glands in the body. According to Web M.D., the thyroid performs the following functions:

“The thyroid secretes several hormones, collectively called thyroid hormones. The main hormone is thyroxine, also called T4. Thyroid hormones act throughout the body, influencing metabolism, growth and development, and body temperature. During infancy and childhood, adequate thyroid hormone is crucial for brain development.”

As you can see, that puppy does a lot! So, what are some foods to eat that can help you to keep your thyroid happy and healthy? Here are some, but remember: moderation is everything. If you eat too much of any of these, it could negatively affect your thyroid as well as possible other glands in your body.

Thanks to womentowomen.com, listed below are the nutrients that help with the thyroid, along with the foods in which they can be found.

Iodine Primary sources: Sea vegetables: kelp, nori, kombu, dulse, arame, wakame, hijiki
Seafood: haddock, clams, salmon, shrimp, oysters, sardines, Iodized sea salt

Iodine Secondary sources: Eggs, spinach, garlic, asparagus, Swiss chard, mushrooms, summer squash, sesame seeds, lima beans

Selenium: Tuna, mushrooms, beef, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, organ meats, halibut, soybeans

Zinc: Beef, turkey, lamb, fresh oysters, sardines, soybeans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, pecans, almonds, split peas, ginger root, whole grains, maple syrup

Copper: Crabmeat, oysters, lobster, beef, nuts, sunflower seeds, beans (white beans, chickpeas, soybeans), shitake mushrooms, pearled barley, tomato paste, dark chocolate

Iron: Organ meats, oysters, clams, spinach, lentils, soybeans, white beans, pumpkin seeds, blackstrap molasses

Vitamin A (beta-carotene): Broccoli, asparagus, lettuce, kale, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, liver, winter squash/pumpkin, cantaloupe

Vitamin C: Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, greens (mustard, collard, kale, turnip), parsley, peppers (chili, bell, sweet), strawberries, guava, papaya, citrus, kiwifruit

Vitamin E: Peanuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, beans and soybeans, asparagus, leafy green vegetables, whole grains, liver

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): Egg yolks, organ meats, wild rice, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, mushrooms, almonds

Vitamin B3 (niacin): Poultry (white meat), peanuts (with skin), wheat bran, rice bran, liver, brewer’s yeast

Vitamin B6 (pyroxidine): Fish (tuna, trout, salmon), liver, bananas, brown rice, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, walnuts, beans (navy beans, garbanzos, pinto beans, soybeans, lima beans), brewer’s yeast

Do you suffer from low or high thyroid function? Have you found any foods that really help you?