The Connection between Walnuts and Thyroid

Taking care of thyroid health is more important than you think it is. The butterfly-shaped gland located in your lower neck, is involved in many body process and functions. The gland’s foremost function is production of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) hormones that control metabolism. Among other things, the thyroid hormones are also responsible for helping regulate your body temperature, blood calcium levels and brain development.

How Walnuts Boost Thyroid Health?

Diet has a key role in the health of your thyroid. There are some certain foods and nutrients that your thyroid depends on. One such food is walnut. Walnut, sometimes referred to as the healthiest of all the nuts, is an excellent source of selenium that supplies body walnut with the trace mineral to keep thyroid in balance. How selenium is associated with thyroid function is still being researched.

Over the years, it has been found that selenium concentration is higher in the thyroid gland than in any other organ in the body. Just like iodine, selenium has important functions in thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism.

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, low selenium levels have been linked to hypothyroidism and may be a causal factor for this condition (particularly when combined with low iodine levels). Moreover, the sufficient levels of selenium may also reduce your risk for swelling of the thyroid or goitre.

Things to Consider

Since there is no conclusive evidence to relate walnuts and thyroid health, it should not be considered the sole food to boost thyroid function. Further research is needed to deduce whether selenium supplements can treat thyroid conditions or prevent them.

Walnuts can be an important part of any healthy diet, being a good source of healthy fat, protein and antioxidants. If you have a thyroid condition, you should see a doctor to know about the role your diet plays in your overall health. Talk to your doctor about how walnuts fit into your diet and can help in your thyroid treatment.

If you are on medication, there may be a chance that you have to avoid walnuts altogether. Similar to any high-fibre foods and infant soya formula, walnuts are not easy to be absorbed by the body. Moreover, high intakes of selenium can have negative effects that you should be wary of. Make sure to ask your doctor to make walnuts a part of your thyroid treatment.

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