Nutrients for Thyroid Health

Unexplained fatigue. Brain fog. Moodiness. Weight gain. Hair loss. Brittle nails.... all of these can be signs of suboptimal thyroid function.

There can be many different factors that can disrupt thyroid function (I shared a post about this earlier this month), but one possibility is insufficient nutrient status. So, let’s take a look at some of the most important nutrients for thyroid health.

1⃣Tyrosine. L-tyrosine is an amino acid present in many protein-rich foods. Your body can also make it from other amino acids. Tyrosine is a building block required for the synthesis of thyroid hormone.

2⃣Iodine. Iodine is a trace mineral in seaweed, seafood, and iodized salt. It binds with tyrosine as another essential building block of thyroid hormone.

3⃣Selenium. Selenium is a trace mineral found in especially high amounts in Brazil nuts. Your thyroid gland concentrates more selenium than any other organ of the body. Selenium acts as an antioxidant and also supports thyroid hormone production.

4⃣Zinc. Zinc is a mineral found in meats and many other foods. It supports enzymes involved in thyroid hormone production and function.

This is not an exhaustive list of nutrients needed for thyroid function. You also need B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, and more. One of the best ways to get the range of nutrients your thyroid needs is through a nutrient-dense diet.

Nutrition and supplements can be a powerful way to support thyroid health, but they are best used under the direction of a qualified healthcare provider. Want a personalized assessment and plan for thyroid health? We’re here to help.