Have you noticed an interesting phenomenon: for many diseases, doctors are most concerned about how to treat them, while patients are often most concerned about how to eat. For most chronic diseases, a proper diet is the prerequisite and foundation of treatment, and in order to control the disease, one must first learn “how to eat”. In the endocrinology department, I think the first question asked about eating is how to eat for diabetes and the second is how to choose food for hyperthyroidism. Today, let’s talk about how to advise hyperthyroidism patients “how to eat”.
Hyperthyroidism, known as “hyperthyroidism”, is caused by the production of excessive thyroid hormones in the body. The main physiological functions of thyroid hormones are to increase basal metabolic rate, accelerate carbohydrate absorption, and promote fat and protein breakdown. Typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism include increased calorie consumption, accelerated protein breakdown, increased fat consumption, and decreased cholesterol levels, etc. Typical symptoms include increased appetite, excessive food and hunger, increased stool frequency, fear of heat and sweating, irritability, and insomnia.
From the diet, how should patients be instructed to cope with it reasonably?
Avoid iodine ban can not be partial
Since iodine is the basic raw material for synthesizing thyroid hormone, in order to reduce hormone synthesis at source, we should first of all “avoid iodine diet”, including the prohibition of iodine-rich food and medicine.
1.Foods with high iodine content, goodbye
According to the amount of iodine per 100 grams of food, we can classify high iodine foods into three categories.
The first category contains thousands to tens of thousands of micrograms of iodine, including seaweed, nori, moss, jellyfish, etc;
The second category contains hundreds to thousands of micrograms of iodine, including sea crab, mussels, shrimp skin, etc.;
The third category contains tens to hundreds of micrograms of iodine, including sea fish, sea shrimp, etc.
During hyperthyroidism, patients should be instructed to say bye bye to these high iodine foods.
2. Avoid iodized salt
In addition, you should use “non-iodized salt” when cooking a diet for hyperthyroidism. Due to the widespread use of iodized salt, hyperthyroidism patients should minimize the number of dinners out.
3. Do not use drugs and cosmetics that are high in iodine
In terms of medication, amiodarone, iodine, iodine-containing vitamins, lozenges and contrast media should be banned. Cosmetics such as facial cleansers and masks containing seaweed should also be avoided.
4. Is it necessary to avoid iodine diet after hyperthyroidism is cured?
The answer is no.
After hyperthyroidism is cured by drugs or isotopes, the ban on iodine is lifted, and iodized salt and seafood can be put on the table. However, since excess iodine in the body is a trigger for hyperthyroidism, you should avoid eating too much food with high iodine in a short period of time to prevent the recurrence of hyperthyroidism.
Adequate nutrition to ensure supply
Hyperthyroidism is a state of high metabolism, and the breakdown of protein and fat is accelerated, so the patient will show signs of overeating, easy hunger, and thinness. Accordingly, it is necessary to adopt a high-carbohydrate and high-protein diet to ensure adequate supply of calories and improve the nutritional status of the whole body.
1. Maintain body weight and increase side meals
The amount of food varies from person to person and from condition to condition, and stabilizing body weight at the right level is a simple indicator to measure. The specific method of operation can be based on the standard three meals a day, in addition to 2-3 additional side meals.
2.These foods are suitable for selection
Milk, eggs, lean meat, poultry, fruits, low-fiber vegetables (such as cucumbers and tomatoes) and soy products are all ideal foods for hyperthyroidism patients.
3. Pay attention to prevent high blood sugar
Since thyroid hormone promotes glucose absorption and accelerates glycogen synthesis and decomposition, it is generally a “glucose-raising hormone”, and is often accompanied by high blood sugar in hyperthyroidism. Therefore, patients should be advised to optimize their food structure, eat less refined food and avoid excessive intake at one time to prevent high blood sugar. This is especially important for hyperthyroid patients with combined diabetes.
4. Reduce food intake after disease control
It is especially important to remind that as hyperthyroidism improves after treatment, the body’s metabolic rate will gradually return to normal. During this period, if you maintain the habit of eating a lot under hyperthyroidism and do not reduce the amount of food accordingly, a tragic scene will easily occur: the person becomes a fat person after being cured of hyperthyroidism.
1. Increase the intake of minerals and vitamins
In the state of hyperthyroidism, vitamins, especially B and C vitamins, are consumed in large quantities, which can easily lead to deficiency. At the same time, minerals such as potassium, calcium and phosphorus are also easily excreted through diarrhea, causing malnutrition. Therefore, it is important to choose foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, and to take calcium and vitamin D supplements if the patient is at risk of osteoporosis, and to ensure sufficient daily water intake to compensate for water loss due to heavy sweating, rapid breathing and diarrhea.
2, limit the intake of dietary fiber
Dietary fiber is an important nutrient, rich in coarse grains, fruit peels and coarse fiber vegetables, which helps slow down digestion, relieve constipation and prevent fat accumulation, and has important health value. However, because hyperthyroidism patients often have varying degrees of increased bowel movements and diarrhea, foods with high dietary fiber content should be moderately restricted.
3. Avoid stimulating foods
The typical symptoms of hyperthyroidism include panic attacks, fear of heat and agitation. At this time, it is important to avoid stimulating foods such as spicy foods, strong tea and coffee to prevent the aggravation of these symptoms.
In general, it is necessary to fully understand the characteristics of hyperthyroidism and to be familiar with what foods are appropriate and what foods are contraindicated in dealing with it. Not only should patients understand that the idea of “food instead of medicine” is often an unrealistic fantasy, but they should also know that “proper diet” is the best partner with medication.