Habits That Make Thyroid Problems Worse

1. Not Managing Stress

Stress and thyroid diseases are the devil’s combination, and can lead to actual memory loss in the long run. High stress levels have a tendency to restrain the thyroid gland and, in turn, impact its hormone secretion.

Patients with thyroid diseases should pay extra attention towards stress management. However, stress is an unavoidable phenomenon these days. One may not be able to necessarily eliminate all stress, but they can learn to manage it. Meditation or physical exercise are great options to do so.

2. Smoking

As we all know, smoking is generally injurious to health. But people with thyroid problems need to take extra care of their thyroid glands by giving up smoking completely. Smoking directly affects the thyroid gland and can lead to worsening of an already existent thyroid condition.

Additionally, the ‘thiocyanate’ present in tobacco can mess with the functioning of thyroid glands, thereby hampering hormone secretion. Thiocyanate is a well-known anti-thyroid agent that doesn’t allow the thyroid gland to synthesize hormones

3. Consuming Soy

Soy or soybeans are usually seeds or legumes rich in proteins and a plant-based estrogen called ‘phytoestrogen.’ Soy is a popular food choice all over the world due to it being a good substitute for animal-derived protein. This protein-rich food option is consumed in the form of soya milk, tofu, protein supplements, etc.

Though it is known for its healthy properties, it is not at all a good option for people with thyroid problems. Soy is known to have ‘goitrogen,’ a substance that promotes a thyroid condition where the thyroid gland gets enlarged. This condition is called goiter

4. Overconsuming Cruciferous Vegetables

Vegetables like cabbages, turnips, cauliflower, broccoli, and other green leafy vegetables belong to the Cruciferae family of plants and are known as cruciferous vegetables.

All these vegetables are healthy for consumption in general, but when overconsumed by people with thyroid problems, they can add to already existing iodine deficiency and hamper the overall thyroid function.

This occurs because of a substance called ‘glucosinolate’ that is found in these vegetables. While processing glucosinolate, the body converts it into another compund called goitrin. Goitrin, in turn, disrupts the thyroid gland and hampers hormone secretion

However, cruciferous vegetables are not a complete no-no for thyroid patients. It is advisable to focus on practicing an overall balanced and a healthy diet regime than to stop consuming them altogether or to have them in abundance.

5. Ignoring The Doctor’s Advice

Taking one’s thyroid condition for granted and ignoring it can lead to serious and permanent damage. Which is why taking advice from doctors and dieticians regarding this problem is a must! It is very important to follow your doctor’s advice and take the prescribed medication on time.

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