Natural Food for Your Thyroid

The thyroid gland regulates how your body gets nutrients from food. It controls your heart rate, body temperature and helps to regulate the production of protein in your body. Maintaining a healthy thyroid requires eating the right foods that provide the right nutrients.

Iodine

• Iodine is important for maintaining a healthy thyroid. The body needs iodine and the thyroid gland stores a very small amount of iodine, so replenishing iodine through food is important. Foods such as seaweed, cow's milk and seafood contain iodine and help to keep the levels of iodine at a healthy level.

Fatty Acids

• A great source of fatty acid are coconuts and coconut oils. The body can metabolize and convert the fatty acids from coconut into energy and is great for regulating the thyroid.

Selenium

• Selenium is a mineral found in soil and can be found in plants. Selenium is used in the metabolism of thyroid hormones and helps with under active thyroids. Selenium helps to produce hormones that control weight and energy levels. This mineral can be found in turkey, eggs, Brazil nuts and crabs.

Copper

• In order for your thyroid to perform properly, certain amounts of copper are necessary. To get more copper in your diet, you should eat foods such as oysters, cashews nuts and sunflower seeds.

Foods to Avoid

• There are foods that can inhibit the function of the thyroid gland and are called goitrogens. They interfere with thyroid function. Some foods in this category are cauliflower, broccoli, mustard, cabbage, turnips, soy, peanuts and strawberries.