Foods and Supplements for Better Thyroid Function

Feeling sluggish and fatigued all the time? Achy muscles and joints, dry skin, unexplained weight gain, gut issues and even depression are all symptoms of low thyroid function.

Last year when I was having all these symptoms, I did some research on how to heal my thyroid naturally. (I am not a medical professional--just a person who does whatever I can to improve my own health. This list is just my personal list, and reflects my own experience.)

Below are the six "big ones" I wrote in my own notes and implemented to stimulate better thyroid function. (And incidentally, from my research I found that everyone's thyroid tends to produce at gradually lower levels as they age, especially in women. It doesn't mean you have hypothyroidism necessarily, but if you're starting to notice a grouping of the symptoms to a bothersome degree, it might be time to try some small changes.)

1. Reduce caffeine.

I love me some coffee, but when I need to reduce caffeine, I drink decaf versions of my favorite drinks with relative peace and happiness. For a little spot of caffeine just to wake up a bit, I tend to feel pretty good with cups of steaming mate sweetened with 1/8 teaspoon powdered stevia. (The NuNaturals huge cannister of stevia lasts me several months and I use it constantly.)

2. Increase (healthy) protein in your diet.

My favorite vegan protein options include edamame, this hemp protein powder, tempeh, and tofu.

3. Exercise more regularly.

Walking, yoga, jumping on a rebounder (you can get these for under $100 on Amazon,) and exercising on treadmills and elliptical machines are good exercises for anyone dealing with muscle and joint pain, fatigue and weight gain.

4. Try some supplements that assist thyroid function.

Iodine, L-tyrosine, and Ashwagandha all helped me overcome low thyroid symptoms quickly and noticeably. I found them in doing thyroid research online and man was I glad I did.

5. Eat foods that are good for low thyroid function.

Best vegan foods for thyroid:

• Brazil nuts
• Coconut oil
• Seaweed (my fave is nori)
• Kombucha
• Sauerkraut
• Asparagus
• Garlic
• Avocado
• Walnuts
• Flaxseed
• Squash
• Broccoli
• Spinach

All I can say is...YUM. No problem.

6. Diffuse or rub on some essential oils for thyroid.

I rubbed myrrh, clove, peppermint, and lemongrass on my throat, in the location that was my best guess for where the thyroid glands are, every morning for about a month. (I got that list of oil ideas from an essential oils "pocket reference" guide that I've owned and used for years.) The clove eventually started to blister my skin a little, so I switched to diffusing the oils instead, but the morning rub session really felt good and smelled good too, and I would definitely do it again for at least a few days if the low thyroid symptoms ever return. You should probably dilute the oils with a neutral carrier oil like almond before rubbing them on your skin, but I'm just too lazy to do that. :)

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