Mondays, we build your grocery list with one food, focusing on this month’s main topic. For your thyroid, you may want to consider adding this last food to your grocery list:

SHELLFISH.

For those who wish to know the ‘why’ behind this idea, I’ll give you three things to think about.

FOR THE IODINE

Supplementing with iodine when your thyroid is struggling is not recommended, unless you are being followed very closely by a Naturopath, Medical Doctor or Functional Medicine Doctor who can measure how your system is faring + doing with this supplementation. Iodine supplementation is tricky business - I would not recommend doing this on your own, nor with an under-qualified practitioner (*ahem that would be me.)

But the food version? It’s just food! Iodine is one of those key nutrients you need as a backbone for thyroid hormones, namely T3, T4 and calcitonin. Incidentally, the ‘3’ and ‘4’ at the end of those hormone names refers to the number of iodine atoms that are on the hormone. T3 has 3 iodine atoms, whereas T4 and 4! It’s no surprise that one of the reasons one might get a diagnosis of under-active thyroid is due to a lack of iodine, as you can’t make the hormones without it. (1)

FOR THE ZINC + OTHER KEY MINERALS

Seafood, and shellfish in particular, are rich sources of key minerals necessary to your thyroid’s function, and in the ingredients needed to effect the impact your thyroid has on the cellular level. They help regulate the thyroid itself, and all of the processes it governs down the line. Zinc especially is needed to make the active versions of your thyroid hormones. Zinc for the metabolic win!

Not only that, but the minerals provided in shellfish + seafood are in balance with the way it works in your body; when in balance, the work happens much more smoothly. Think about it: this is the way our ancestors accessed the nutrients it took to get through their days; our genetics evolved with nutrients in this way. Let’s mimic what has worked for millenia, in order to support our own body’s best function!

FOR THE PROTEIN

Protein is an essential nutrient for those struggling with a thyroid diagnosis. You need protein to build each and every thyroid hormone for starters; but you also need protein for other important functions in the body that, when they are not working properly, can have a negative impact on the thyroid itself. For example, gut health: when the thyroid is struggling, it is often a call to look at how gut health is. Know what helps keep integrity at the gut lining? Important amino acids, which you’ll find in protein rich foods.

When the thyroid is struggling, it’s a sign the body is in a stressed state. Know what gets negatively impacted in this scenario? Your immune system. Your immune system runs solely on protein: why not feed your body top notch goods to help her get through the day as she needs to?

*caveat here: make sure to also have a root or fruit every time you reach for protein, as the combination of protein + carbohydrates is needed to ensure proper blood sugar regulation.

Shellfish + seafood are brilliant allies when it comes to deep nutrition for the thyroid.

Aim for 1-2 servings a week, and you’ll be well on your way to providing those important nutrients that are essential to your thyroid’s function!

Sourcing good quality seafood + shellfish is a key piece of the puzzle here: consider purchasing from a reputable fish monger in your area, or connecting with a community-supported fishery like Skipper Otto’s. Read through to this article for good tips when looking for good quality fish + shellfish + seafood.

Aiming for a return to thyroid vitality? Looking to support your metabolism + energy levels? Need some help in feeling real good?

Get in touch by clicking here. Let’s meet up to start drawing up your road map to support you in both quantity and quality of life.