Seven Signs Your Diet is Ruining Your Thyroid Gland
One of the most commonly feared ailments that anyone can experience is a low functioning thyroid gland. This important organ, which is a part of our endocrine system, regulates weight loss, metabolism and other normal hormonal functions to ensure that we have optimal health. However, many of us make the dreadful mistake of consuming the wrong foods or developing bad eating habits that lead to a low-performing thyroid gland. Here are seven signs that your diet is running your thyroid gland.
1. Too Few Calories
While it is necessary to cut back calories to lose weight; consuming too few calories can actually slow down your thyroid gland’s ability to keep your metabolism pumped. If you have hit a weight loss plateau, try incorporating re-feed days into your diet.
2. Not Enough Carbs
Although it’s not necessary to gorge on carbohydrates all day long (unless you are an elite professional athlete), do not make the mistake of cutting out carbohydrates from your diet cold turkey. While it might be necessary to cut down on your carb intake during the dieting process, eliminating them completely can slow down your thyroid gland and lead to loss of muscle mass.
3. Electrolyte Imbalance
Salt has gotten a bad rap in the media for the last few decades, however, having optimal sodium levels is necessary for a healthy functioning thyroid gland. Do not completely eliminate essential electrolytes out of your diet like sodium, potassium and magnesium. Sodium is crucial for an optimal thyroid gland.
4. Too Much Gluten
Recent research studies have shown that individuals with celiac disease have low-performing thyroid glands if there is a high presence of glutenated grains and products in their diet. Although the average person does not have this disease, gluten intolerance is very intolerant. Limit your grain and gluten intake in order to maintain a healthy thyroid gland.
5. Consuming Processed Foods
Sometimes we can’t help it, but we have a tendency to eat a lot of processed foods like deli meats, junk foods, etc. However, these foods can wreak havoc on your metabolism and make it incredibly difficult for your thyroid gland to function properly. These foods contain high amounts of processed soy, dyes and preservatives that make them at times incredibly difficult to digest.
6. Cycle Supplements
Avid gym goers typically take a boat load of supplements, however, sometimes its necessary to cycle off of these supplements to give our thyroid gland, liver, kidneys and adrenal glands a break. Many of these supplements contain powerful stimulants that can eventually slow down your thyroid gland’s ability to secrete normal amounts of T2, T3, and T4.
7. Too Much Caffeine
Continuously drinking copious amounts of coffee and caffeinated beverages can also slow down your thyroid gland. The average person should only consume no more than 400 miligrams of caffeine a day.
7 Bad Habits That Make Thyroid Problems Worse
