Hypothyroidism and a Ketogenic Diet

Not too long ago many people didn’t know what hypothyroidism was. Hypothyroidism however in today’s society, is becoming frequently more common in Western countries and around the world.

When your thyroid gland has an abnormally low activity, it results in retardation of mental as well as physical development in both, children and adults.

As we all know, a lot of illnesses, diseases, and conditions can be taken care of with the help of the right kind of diet.

The question is: Is a low-carb or ketogenic diet good for hypothyroidism? Or what type of diet plan should you adhere to support the health of your thyroid gland?

Health Benefits of Low-Carb Diets

One of the benefits of a low carb diet is it promotes faster weight loss. One of the worst things about having hypothyroidism is your metabolic rate reduces drastically. Due to low metabolism, you are just not able to lose weight the way you hoped to.

Hence, most of the people with hypothyroidism go through the problem of obesity as well, after a certain period of time.

If looking for a diet to help fight obesity and disease, it is good to shift to a diet high in fats such as a ketogenic, LCHF diet or a typical low-carb diet. If not just for health reasons of being in ketosis but for the sake of maintaining a healthy figure.

Promoting weight loss allows people with hypothyroidism to avoid inviting other diseases.

Eating turmeric can be good for your thyroid. The Curcumin contained in the yellow spice inhibits aggression and metastasis in thyroid cancer cells.(1)

Hypothyroidism and Eating a Ketogenic Diet

People with hypothyroidism need more whole, nutritious, healthy foods in their body to support the thyroid gland.

With the help of vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish, vitamins and minerals requirements are met. Following on a ketogenic diet gives your body the different duel sources of ketones instead of glucose.

Focusing on eating fruits and vegetables help you improve nutrition and aid cancer prevention.(2)

You gain weight naturally if you don’t focus on a healthy diet plan.

Increased weight is quite a common problem for all those suffering from hypothyroidism.

One way to focus on losing or controlling weight is a low-carb diet. A meal filled with veggies such as spinach, lettuce and olives drizzled with coconut oil, sprinkled with sea salt will do wonders for your waistline.

You have to reduce or cut down raw cruciferous vegetables containing goitrogens such broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Goitrogens interfere with thyroid production and must be limited.

A well maintained and balanced diet allows you to improve your sugar levels. People with hypothyroidism are bound to go through the problem of increased sugar levels.

To avoid such a problem, shifting to a LCHF ketogenic diet allows you to pull down your sugar levels. A healthy diet lets you stay fit, despite your hypothyroidism issue.

Low Carb Good for Thyroid

Low carb and high-fat diets help with losing weight. For those with an underactive thyroid, it is particularly useful when pounds don’t seem to budge.

Studies show dietary carbohydrates are a major regulatory factor in T3 the active thyroid hormone. It’s also responsible for metabolic and hormonal adaptations of brief fasting.(3)(4)

At first, all is well with dropping weight. However, over time, instead of feeling more energetic you may develop fatigue, cold sensitivity, and hair loss.

Only when you reintroduce carbohydrates do the symptoms subside.

Therefore, a long-term low carb or keto diet may not be ideal to improve thyroid health for those with hypothyroidism.

If changing to a low carb diet, it is necessary to cut carbs slowly and let your body adjust to a new regime.

A good way to do this is to focus on food ratios chart whereby you increase fat and protein percentage gradually.

Include more green leafy vegetables and whole natural foods in your diet.

Probitic and fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, or kefir provide great nutritional support.

With everything involving medication, it’s important to consult with your doctor so you can monitor your thyroid hormone when changing diets.

Do you suffer from hypothyroidism? What are your opinions on a low carb diet and thyroid health?