Over 12% of Americans develop thyroid disease as adults. Thyroid disorder is a common problem that can cause symptoms because of over- or under-function of the thyroid gland. It’s a serious condition that affects overall health and quality of life.
The thyroid disease can be effectively controlled with a proper diet, medications and lifestyle changes.
Here are the 5 bad habits that are harmful for your thyroid health and how to solve them.
1. Smoking
Smoking cigarettes increases the severity of thyroid problems mostly because of the cyanide content in tobacco smoke. The cyanide is a chemical that disrupts the thyroid function by inhibiting the gland to synthesize hormones that bond to their receptors.
Quitting smoking can be very hard, still you can try some natural alternatives, such as stevia leaves, to satisfy your cravings.
2. Stress
Too much stress can also interrupt the proper thyroid function and can cause long-term memory impairment.
Keeping stress in control is crucial for proper management of thyroid dysfunction.
3. Eating Soy
If you suffer from thyroid condition you should eliminate soy from your diet. Soy contains a range of anti-thyroid components such as goitrogens that seriously affect this gland and prevent it from synthesizing hormones and metabolizing iodine.
Avoid eating soy, because it reduces the effectiveness of the thyroid treatments.
4. Over-Eating Of Raw Cruciferous Vegetables
Some cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and turnips disrupt thyroid function. These vegetables contain glucosinolates, which, once ingested, are converted to goitrin – a compound that affects thyroid hormone secretion.
Reduce eating raw cruciferous vegetables in order to manage the thyroid gland disorder.
5. Not Following Doctor’s Advice
If thyroid dysfunction is left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications. That’s why it is so important to follow your doctor’s advice and recommendations. He will prescribe you an effective treatment to improve your thyroid health.