Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck. This gland is responsible for several essential bodily functions, including regulating metabolism, mood, energy, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. The thyroid regulates all of this by producing thyroid hormones.
However, when the thyroid is under active (or produces too little hormones) regular function can suffer (i.e., weight fluctuation, fatigue, and depression). This known as hypothyroidism. However, several foods can both positively and negatively impact those with hypothyroidism as well as those with normally working thyroids. Here are eight nutrient-rich foods that impact thyroid health…
1. Seafood
You may love to gobble down shrimp and fish of all kinds, but did you know that seafood is high in iodine, a mineral that is vital to a efficiently functioning thyroid, the gland that manages metabolism and growth.
If you’re deficient in iodine, your thyroid may swell and you can become lethargic, fatigued, depressed, and void of energy. However, if you suffer from hyperthroidism (when the gland makes too much thyroid hormone), a diet high in iodine can exacerbate the symptoms—including accelerated heart rate, heart palpitations, mood swings, tremors, and anxiety.
