Many patients of mine are on the verge of developing Hypothyroidism and they ask if TCM and acupuncture can help. Surprise surprise, acupuncture and TCM are very helpful in regulating hormones! But if you know me, I rarely treat an issue and leave you unaccountable. So, I have written up a list a foods that are helpful and foods to avoid if you have Hypothyroidism or are concerned that your hormones and body are not functioning as optimally as possible.
The most common nutritional deficiency behind hypothyroidism is insufficient iodine. The low levels of this mineral in the diet spurred the recommendations to add it to table salt. Unfortunately, iodine has a short shelf life and table salt is heavily processed and often contains chemical residue.
The best bet is to eat foods that naturally contain iodine and other nutrients that assist with its proper absorption.
Examples of these foods are:
• Seaweed (kelp, dulse, nori)
• Cranberries
• Navy beans
• Eggs
• Himalayan crystal salt (you can get this at Costco!)
• Potatoes
• Black strap molasses
• Apple cider vinegar
It's also a good idea to consume beneficial fats, such as:
• Avocados
• Coconut oil
• Cod liver oil
Foods to eliminate
There are also foods to eliminate if you have hypothyroidism, such as those that contain goitrogens. Goitrogens are naturally occurring anti-nutrients in certain foods that interfere with production of thyroid hormones.
Examples of foods to eliminate if you have hypothyroidism include:
• Unfermented soy products
• Corn
• Raw broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, and turnips
• Mustard, millet, pine nuts, peanuts, almonds
• Canola oil
• Peaches and strawberries
Note: Soy products can be consumed if fermented (miso, tempeh) and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts) are fine if they are fermented or lightly cooked, as it has been shown that these processes effectively remove the goitrogenic compounds. It is also a good idea to avoid conventional dairy products, processed foods and flours, gluten, added sugars, caffeine, and alcohol ( I know, I know all the good stuff - but when you feel the drastic change in your body such as increased energy, weight loss, clearer thoughts and memory, etc it will be worth your efforts).
I hope you found this helpful,
Sincerely,
Rebecca Sprintz D.Ac
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