Key Nutrients That Can Help Ensure Healthy Thyroid Function

Thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that is located in the front of the neck. It is responsible for the secretion of hormones that affect the functioning of the body in many ways. When your thyroid isn't working properly, you may experience one or more issues, depending on the type of thyroid disease. Commonly, two types of thyroid issues affect individuals, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

When your body produces too much thyroid hormone it is called hyperthyroidism. If your body makes too little thyroid hormone, you can develop hypothyroidism. These conditions can have a serious impact on your overall health and should be treated timely.

Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining thyroid health. Several nutrients assist in the functioning of the thyroid gland. Here's a list of some of these.

Essential nutrients for thyroid gland

1. Iodine

Iodine plays an important role in production of the thyroid hormone. Deficiency of iodine is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

Hypothyroidism can cause symptoms like tiredness, weight gain, fatigue, puffy face, dry skin, muscle weakness, hair fall and depression.

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D also known as the sunshine vitamin is crucial for your bones and teeth. Not many know that it can also help the thyroid gland function properly. Vitamin D deficiency can have an adverse effect on thyroid function and trigger the risk of developing thyroid issues like Hashimoto thyroiditis and Grave's disease.

3. Iron

Low iron levels can reduce the production of thyroid hormone. Iron deficiency also hinders the conversion of T4 into T3, which is the active form of thyroid hormone.

4. Selenium

Selenium is a mineral that is crucial for thyroid metabolism. Those with selenium deficiency may develop thyroid problems such as thyroiditis, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), and Graves' disease.

5. Magnesium

Magnesium is required to convert inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into the active thyroid hormone (T3). Not consuming enough magnesium may increase the risk of developing Hashimoto's disease.

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