Pay attention to the diet of patients with hypothyroidism

　　Hypothyroidism (referred to as hypothyroidism) is a disease in which the body's metabolism is reduced due to reduced synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormone, or insufficient physiological effects. Manifestations include: pale complexion, swollen eyelids and cheeks, indifferent expression, dementia, dry, thickened, rough and desquamated skin all over the body, non-pitting edema, hair loss, yellowing of hands and feet, weight gain, and a few patients have thick and brittle nails.

　　Pay attention to the diet of patients with hypothyroidism

　　Suitable for warmth and tonic, avoid cold

　　Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Yang Qi can warm the body and promote the movement of Qi and blood. Yang deficiency will cause coldness. Patients with hypothyroidism are afraid of cold, like heat, and have fatigue. Most of them are yang deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine, so they are suitable for warming. Among meat foods, mutton, dog meat, venison, beef, etc. are warm and nourishing in nature and are suitable for patients with hypothyroidism to eat in winter. From a modern medical perspective, when protein intake is insufficient, thyroid function tends to be low. Supplying sufficient protein and calories can improve thyroid function. Among vegetables, leeks and yams can warm yang and strengthen the spleen. Among fruits and vegetables, walnut meat can nourish the kidneys and warm yang. Patients with hypothyroidism should eat more of them. However, it is better to eat less cold drinks, such as cold drinks, bitter melon, watermelon, chrysanthemum tea, etc.

　　Iodine is a raw material for the production of thyroid hormone, and seafood is rich in iodine. Patients with hypothyroidism have insufficient thyroid hormones. Eating more seafood can not only promote the synthesis of thyroid hormones, but also have the effect of softening and dispersing thyroid glands, which is helpful to inhibit goiter and nodules. Therefore, patients with hypothyroidism should eat seafood such as sea cucumbers, shrimps, oysters, kelp, seaweed, etc. However, crabs are cold in nature and it is not advisable to eat too much. We usually eat crabs dipped in ginger to avoid their cold nature. Since patients with hypothyroidism have weakened gastrointestinal function and are prone to indigestion, bloating and other problems, it is best to steam seafood, which not only maintains the delicious taste, but also avoids greasiness and reduces the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

　　Prefer low salt, avoid too salty

　　Patients with hypothyroidism often have swollen hands and feet and gain weight due to myxedema. Salty food can cause water and sodium retention and aggravate edema. Although patients with hypothyroidism are not as strict as those with kidney disease in limiting salt intake, they should also eat less salty foods such as pickled pickles.