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"Doctor, I really don't understand, I usually eat a healthy diet, why do I still get thyroid disease?"
Xiao Wang looked at Dr. Li, an endocrinologist in front of him, with a puzzled expression. As a senior engineer in the IT industry, Xiao Wang has always regarded himself as a "health expert", insisting on drinking milk, eating eggs every day, and not forgetting to supplement various vitamins and minerals. But who knew that during the recent physical examination, he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.
Dr. Li smiled slightly, and his tone was gentle but a little helpless: "Xiao Wang, you may not know that some seemingly healthy foods may aggravate the symptoms of thyroid disease."
When Xiao Wang heard this, he immediately became interested: "Really? Can you tell me more about that?"
Dr. Li nodded and began to elaborate, "In fact, thyroid disease is closely related to our eating habits. Some foods, while highly nutritious, can be a 'double-edged sword' for thyroid patients. "
Xiao Wang listened attentively and couldn't help asking, "Then what specific foods should be avoided?"
Dr. Li held up his fingers and listed them all: "There are four main categories: seafood with high iodine content, cruciferous vegetables, soy products, and caffeine-rich beverages."
When Xiao Wang heard this, he immediately exclaimed: "Oh my God! Isn't that my favorite food?"
Dr. Li smiled and comforted, "Don't worry, let's take our time and analyze." Let's talk about seafood first, such as kelp and seaweed, which are foods with high iodine content, although they are a good source of nutrition for ordinary people, they may stimulate the secretion of thyroid hormones and aggravate the condition of thyroid patients. "
Xiao Wang suddenly realized: "No wonder I always feel my heart beat faster and sweat more after eating kelp recently."
Dr Lee adds, "Yes, this is the typical hyperthyroid symptom. Iodine is an important raw material for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and it is necessary for normal people to consume iodine in moderation. However, for patients with hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is already in an excited state, and too much iodine will stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more hormones, aggravating the symptoms. "
Xiao Wang nodded thoughtfully: "Then will I not be able to eat seafood at all in the future?"
Dr. Li shook his head: "It doesn't have to be so extreme. The key is to control your intake. You can eat fish in moderation because the iodine content in fish meat is relatively low. However, seaweed foods such as kelp and nori are best avoided for the time being. "
Dr. Lee then went on to explain: "Let's look at cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. These vegetables contain a substance called 'glucosinololated', which interferes with the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Although this substance will be partially destroyed after cooking, it is still necessary to properly control the amount of food consumed by patients with hyperthyroidism. "
Xiao Wang asked curiously: "Then how does this substance affect the thyroid gland?"
Dr. Lee patiently explains, "Glucosinolates are broken down into isothiocyanate in the body, which inhibits iodine uptake by the thyroid gland. In patients with hypothyroidism, symptoms may worsen; For patients with hyperthyroidism, although there may be a certain 'suppression' effect in the short term, long-term consumption may cause thyroid enlargement. "
Xiao Wang nodded thoughtfully: "I see, I always thought that eating more vegetables was good for my body, but I didn't expect that there would be so much attention."
Dr. Lee continued, "As for soy products, especially soybeans, they contain a substance called 'isoflavones' that may interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormones. However, this does not mean that you should completely quit soy products, just that you need to limit the amount of food you eat, and it is best to avoid eating them before and after taking thyroid medications. "
Xiao Wang asked: "What are the specific aspects of the impact of soy products on the thyroid gland?"
"Soy isoflavones have estrogen-like effects that may affect thyroid peroxidase activity, thereby interfering with thyroid hormone synthesis," Dr Lee explains. It may also affect the binding of thyroid hormones to their receptors, reducing the effects of hormones. However, it is important to note that this effect mainly occurs in the case of large consumption, and moderate consumption is usually not a problem. "
Xiao Wang suddenly realized: "I see, it seems that eating soy products in the future will be in moderation."
Dr. Li nodded in agreement: "That's right, moderation is the key."
Xiao Wang couldn't help but interject: "What about caffeine?" Am I going to give up my favorite coffee?"
Dr. Li smiled and shook his head: "It doesn't have to be so extreme. Although caffeine may stimulate the sympathetic nerves and aggravate the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, it is still okay to drink it in moderation. The key is to get the right amount and avoid excessive intake. "
Xiao Wang asked: "Then how should it be controlled?"
"For patients with hyperthyroidism, it is recommended that caffeine intake should not exceed 200 mg per day, which is equivalent to about two cups of regular coffee," Dr. Lee advises. And it is best to avoid drinking it at night so as not to affect the quality of sleep. "
After listening to this, Xiao Wang couldn't help but sigh: "I didn't expect that my usual eating habits would have such a big impact on thyroid health." So how do I adjust my diet in the future?"
"In addition to properly controlling the intake of these four types of food, you should also pay attention to a balanced diet. Eat foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. It's also important to get enough sleep and exercise moderately. "
Xiao Wang nodded thoughtfully: "I understand." It seems that you really have to pay attention to your diet in the future. "
Dr Lee adds, "It is also important to monitor thyroid function regularly. Based on the results of the examination, we can adjust the treatment plan and dietary recommendations in a timely manner. "
Xiao Wang asked curiously: "So apart from these, are there any other foods that are good for thyroid health?"
Dr. Lee smiled and said, "Good question! In fact, there are many foods that are beneficial for thyroid health. For example, selenium-rich foods such as Brazil nuts, tuna, chicken, etc. Selenium is a trace element necessary for the metabolism of thyroid hormones and can help protect thyroid cells. "
Xiao Wang was surprised: "It turns out that there are so many exquisite!"
Dr Lee continued, "In addition, zinc-rich foods are also important. Zinc is involved in the synthesis and metabolism of thyroid hormones. You can eat more oysters, lean meats, pumpkin seeds, etc. Also, vitamin D is also important for thyroid health and can be supplemented by sun exposure or consumption of cod liver oil. "
Xiao Wang carefully jotted down these suggestions, and then asked, "Does that pressure have an effect on the thyroid gland?"
Dr. Li nodded and said, "It does have an impact. Long-term stress may lead to thyroid dysfunction. In addition to diet, it is also important to maintain a good mindset. You can try some relaxation methods, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. "
Xiao Wang said gratefully, "Thank you, Dr. Li. I've really benefited from your advice. "
Dr. Lee said mildly, "You're welcome, it's our doctor's duty. I hope you can spread this knowledge to the people around you and let more people understand the importance of thyroid health. "
Xiao Wang nodded solemnly: "I will."
Walking out of the consultation room, Xiao Wang felt as if he had rediscovered thyroid disease. He was determined to adjust his eating habits and share this knowledge with his family and friends.
In fact, not only Xiao Wang, but many people in modern society ignore the impact of diet on thyroid health. We often think that as long as we eat more vegetables and fruits and supplement various nutrients, we can ensure good health. However, it's not that simple.
As an important endocrine organ of the human body, the thyroid gland has a vital impact on metabolism, growth and development. Our eating habits are one of the key factors affecting thyroid function.
In addition to the four food groups mentioned above, there are also some dietary habits that may affect thyroid health. For example, a long-term diet high in salt may increase the risk of thyroid nodules; Excessive dieting or overeating can interfere with thyroid hormone production.
It's important to note that while certain foods may affect thyroid function, it doesn't mean wean yourself out of these foods entirely. The key is balance and moderation. For healthy people, eating these foods in moderation usually doesn't cause problems. However, if you already have thyroid disease, you need to adjust your diet reasonably under the guidance of your doctor.
At the same time, we should also be wary of some widespread dietary misconceptions. For example, some people think that eating kelp can prevent thyroid disease, but this is actually wrong. Although iodine is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, excessive intake may cause thyroid dysfunction.
In addition, many people like to take various health supplements to "regulate" the thyroid gland, which is also debatable. Health supplements that are not backed by science may not only be ineffective, but may also interfere with normal treatment.
So, how can we take care of thyroid health through diet? In addition to the recommendations mentioned above, there are a few other points worth noting:
Ensure the right amount of iodine intake. Seafood can be eaten in moderation, or iodized salt can be used. But be aware that too much or too little is not good for thyroid health. The World Health Organization recommends that adults should consume between 150-300 mcg of iodine per day.
Supplement with selenium-rich foods. Selenium is a trace element necessary for the metabolism of thyroid hormones, and you can eat more nuts, lean meat, eggs, etc. Studies have shown that selenium supplementation in moderation can reduce the risk of thyroid disease.
Take care to supplement with high-quality protein. Protein is the raw material for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, and you can eat more fish, poultry, eggs, etc. High-quality protein also helps maintain hormone balance in the body.
Moderate vitamin A and vitamin D supplementation. These two vitamins are important for maintaining thyroid function, and you can eat more carrots, spinach, cod liver oil, etc. Vitamin D is especially important because it can help regulate the immune system and reduce the risk of autoimmune thyroid disease.
Control sugar intake. Too much sugar may affect the metabolism of thyroid hormones, and the intake of sweets should be appropriately limited. A diet high in sugar may also lead to insulin resistance, which indirectly affects thyroid function.
Take care to supplement with omega-3 fatty acids. This substance helps reduce inflammation and may be beneficial for some thyroid disorders. You can eat more deep-sea fish, flaxseeds, etc.
Eat zinc-rich foods in moderation. Zinc plays an important role in the synthesis and metabolism of thyroid hormones. Oysters, lean meats, pumpkin seeds, etc. are all good sources of zinc.
Maintain adequate hydration. Adequate hydration can help thyroid hormones be transported and metabolized properly in the body.
In addition to diet, good lifestyle habits are equally important. Getting enough sleep, exercising moderately, and avoiding overwork and stress can all help maintain thyroid health. Studies have shown that chronic sleep deprivation may affect thyroid function, while moderate aerobic exercise can help regulate thyroid hormone levels.
In addition, environmental factors should not be ignored. Some environmental pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and certain pesticides, can interfere with thyroid function. Therefore, choosing organic foods as much as possible to reduce exposure to environmental toxins is also a way to protect thyroid health.
It's important to note that while diet is important for thyroid health, not all thyroid diseases are caused by diet. Genetic factors, autoimmune diseases, radiation exposure, and more can all contribute to thyroid problems. If you notice any suspicious symptoms, such as neck swelling, abnormal weight changes, mood swings, etc., you should seek medical attention promptly.
Overall, thyroid health is closely related to our daily lives. It's not just "eaten", it's a reflection of our overall lifestyle. Only by establishing a correct health concept and arranging diet and life scientifically and rationally can we truly take care of this important endocrine organ.
Let's focus on thyroid health, start with our daily diet, and create a healthier and better life for ourselves and those around us! Remember, a healthy lifestyle isn't just about preventing disease, it's about improving the quality of life and enriching our lives.
In this era of information explosion, we should learn to distinguish information and not easily believe the various "home remedies" circulating on the Internet. The most reliable way to follow your doctor's advice, get regular check-ups, and maintain a healthy lifestyle for thyroid health. Let's work together to take responsibility for our own health and also set a good example for our loved ones. After all, health is not just a matter of the individual, it is about the happiness of the whole family.
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(The story in the article is purely fictional, if there is any similarity is purely coincidental, if the body is not well, seek medical help in time)