Austin says that foods that fight inflammation can help with joint pain and depression, both of which can be caused by hypothyroidism. Tina Beaudoin, ND, president of the New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors and medical director of HealthStrong Integrative Medicine in Manchester, New Hampshire, says that anti-inflammatory foods can help calm the immune system, which is often working too hard in people with hypothyroidism. “An anti-inflammatory diet can help calm the immune system and excessive inflammation, and support the adequate intake of the essential nutrients needed for healthy thyroid function, including magnesium, B vitamins, zinc, selenium, iron, and vitamin C.”
Foods that help fight inflammation include leafy greens, tomatoes, fatty fish, nuts, fruit, and olive oil. She also says that this diet makes it easier for the liver to break down highly processed foods. “Healthy liver function is essential because the liver is responsible for converting 60% of T4 [the thyroid hormone thyroxine] to T3,” explains Beaudoin.
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A thyroid that doesn’t work well is often caused by stress. Getting rid of stress can help keep your hormone levels in balance. If you fix your thyroid, your metabolism will speed back up. Stress has been linked to weight gain in general, not just with hypothyroidism. This is mostly because they have been exposed to too much cortisol over time. Some way to manage and reduce stress is to turn off all your devices before bed. For example, your sleep quality will improve if you avoid blue light for an hour before bed. You can also try meditating to relieve stress and stop your body from producing too much cortisol.
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Hypothyroidism can cause slow digestion, trouble going to the bathroom, and bloating. Even though these things don’t make you heavier, they can feel like they do. Since fiber makes stools softer and bulkier, eating more of it can make it easier to get rid of extra material your digestive system might be holding on to. Diets high in fiber also help keep blood sugar stable and keep you full between meals. In addition, researchers have found that eating more fiber helps people lose weight and stick to low-calorie diets. It also lowers the risk of gaining weight and body fat. This makes it one of the simplest ways to lose weight.
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