Thyroid & Diet

Medical practitioners remind us that an effective thyroid and diet are intricately linked. "Healthy thyroid function depends on a range of nutrients, especially selenium, folic acid and iodine," according to Marcelle Pick, an OB-GYN nurse practitioner and founder of the Women to Women Health Clinic in Maine.

Iodine

• Foods rich in iodine include yogurt, soy milk, seaweed, shellfish, saltwater fish, ice cream, eggs, cow's milk, cheese, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach and iodized table salt. "Iodine is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone," the American Thyroid Association says. "The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of your diet."

Vitamin B

• Indulge in foods naturally high in B vitamins such as nuts, seeds, whole grains and iodine. Good sources for these include root vegetables, fish and seaweed.

Selenium

• Selenium-based enzymes and proteins help regulate thyroid activity. Tuna, halibut, organ meats, beef, mushrooms, Brazil nuts, soybeans and sunflower seeds are all excellent sources of selenium.

Zinc

• Low levels of zinc reduce the presence of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the body. Fresh oysters, sardines, beef, lamb, turkey, soybeans, split peas, whole grains, sunflower seeds, pecans, Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts, ginger root and maple syrup all help supply zinc.

Copper/Iron

• A lack of copper and iron also contributes to low TSH. Bolster those nutrients with beef, oysters, lobster, shiitake mushrooms, dark chocolate, crabmeat, tomato paste, barley, nuts, beans, pumpkin seeds, white beans, lentils and spinach.