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Underactive thyroid
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Underactive thyroid symptoms
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The thyroid glands manufacture thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism is the term used to refer to an underactive thyroid. Insufficient thyroid hormones causes the metabolism rate to slow down, resulting in unnatural fatigue and weight gain.
Initially it is not immediately apparent that you have a deficiency, the symptoms of underactive thyroid are so vague as to be unnoticeable. This phenomenon is referred to as subclinical hypothyroidism.
Consult your doctor if you experience a combination of the following:
- Excessive fatigue and drowsiness
- Swelling at the base of the neck, creating what is termed a goiter
- Pallid skin tone
- Dry and fragile nails and hair
- Painful muscle and joint movements
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sudden increase in weight
- Inability of the body to adapt to reduced temperatures
- Depression and anxiety
- Heart rate decrease
o Drastic change in menstrual cycle
As with all chronic conditions, diet plays a major part in restoring reasonable health. The underactive thyroid sufferer should adopt a routine diet of foods that encourage thyroid hormone production, to accompany any supplements that are being administered.
Given that the glands are composed mostly of protein, it makes sense to eat foods daily that are high protein, like fish. As for fatty acids, the benefit of these is a higher immune and hormonal system, so look for leafy green vegetables like spinach, lean meat, milk, almonds, whole grain cereals and egg whites need to be eaten daily in your underactive thyroid diet.
Insufficient iodine is what causes the thyroid to be underactive, therefore, to make up for this shortage your food plan for underactive thyroid, should include sea salt, cheddar cheese, eggs and milk, fish (cod and haddock) and fish oils.
Another immune system booster is the mineral and antioxidant selenium. It is easy to get a substantial supply of selenium from some of the foods mentioned above, like cheese and eggs. Selenium is also found in onions and garlic, soybeans and cereals. Be warned that it is possible to have too much selenium in the body, and there can be side effects such as hair and nail loss, and elevated cholesterol levels.
Your underactive thyroid diet should consist of foods rich in Vitamins A, B2, B3, B6 and C to keep the hormone. For these, you can use thyroid supplements or use what nature has provided. Carrots, figs, cantaloupes, bok choy, bananas, oranges are all foods of which you should partake regularly as they are good sources of vitamins and fibres as well.
In the best weight loss plan for underactive thyroid, there are foods that should be limited, as excessive consumption would set you back considerably in your quest for repaired health. Too much alcohol, mustard and cauliflower, some milk products and too much sugar should be avoided.
Try the above diet plan, make regular exercise a part of your routine,
keep in touch with your medical practitioner, and feel good.
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external links
wikipedia: underactive
thyroid diet