Category Archives: Food

Foods to Avoid With Hypothyroid Problems

Hypothyroidism is the condition or state when your thyroid gland does not produce some of the essential thyroid hormones, specifically triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The condition is also known as the underactive thyroid problem. The primary task of thyroid hormones is to “run the body’s metabolism”. As a result, the people with hypothyroid problems are suffering from the slow metabolism, and people become fatty most of the time.

Hypothyroid problem is not preventable, but it is curable. You should consult the doctor regularly and take the right amount of medicine. In spite of taking supplements, one should also follow some rules to control thyroid problems such as quitting smoking, avoiding potassium, excessive salt, etc. If you are want to heal your thyroid problems naturally or want to control your thyroid gland, you should avoid the following foods. Most of these foods are rich in goitrogens which disturbs the production of thyroid hormones.

Foods to avoid in hypothyroid problems:

1. Vegetables:

• Cruciferous Vegetables like Arugula, Broccoli, Bok Choy, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Kale, Mustard Greens, Radishes, Turnips, Watercress, etc. These veggies are rich in goitrogens.

• Vegetables rich in thiocyanates such as bamboo shoots, cassava, corn, flax, Lima beans, sweet potato, etc.

2. Foods rich in Gluten:

• Try to avoid Grains and Starches like wheat, wheat germ, rye, barley, bulgur, graham flour, farina, etc. However, you may take gluten-free grains like brown rice, wild rice, rice cakes, rice noodles, rice crispies, buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa, oats, cereal, etc. You can also enjoy pasta and baked products made from these gluten-free grains.

3. Fruits:

• Peaches

• Pears

• Strawberries

4. Nuts and Beans:

• Soybeans

• Soy sauce

• Peanuts

• Linseed

• Pine Nuts

• Millet

5. Oils:

• Canola

• Soybean oil

• Flaxseed Oil

• Fish Oil

• Safflower Oil

• Corn Oil

• Vegetable Oil

• Seed Oils

6. Alcohol

7. Processed foods

8. Others: Raw onion, Parsley, Chamomile, etc.

The Reasons for avoiding these foods:

The above mention foods include goitrogens which are the chemical substances that can block your thyroid from producing essential thyroid hormones properly especially when taken raw.

Avoid Goitrogen rich foods: Goitrogen rich foods prevent your body from absorbing iodine. It interrupts the functions of the thyroid gland and blocks the growth of thyroid hormones. All types of Cruciferous vegetables are rich in two different goitrogens: isothiocyanates and thiocyanates.

• Be aware of Soy Protein: Soy protein contains isoflavones which are the type of phytochemicals that can trigger thyroid antibodies. It creates an internal war of inflammation. Isoflavones also block iodine by triggering a goiter. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reveals that isoflavones found in soy increase the hypothyroid problems. The study expresses that soy converts the patients from subclinical hypothyroidism to overt clinical hypothyroidism.

• Stay away from Gluten rich foods: Research reveals that 90% thyroid problems are autoimmune. The molecular structure of thyroid and gliadin, one of the proteins found in Gluten, is similar. As a result, when you eat foods rich in gliadin, your immune system mounts an attack from the protein. As thyroid has the similar molecular structure, your immune system starts to attack against your thyroid.

• Avoid Polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs): Polyunsaturated fats like flaxseed oil, canola, fish oil, etc hinder the proteolytic enzymes which is involved in the digestion of food. Apart from digesting foods, proteolytic enzymes take part in the removal of clots, in the formation of thyroid hormone, and many other essential psychological processes.

• Stop Drinking Alcohol: Alcohols like beer, wine and liquor contain phytoestrogenswhich promote the conversion of testosterone to estrogen through aromatization. Alcohols also reduce progesterone production while increasing prolactin.

• Avoid Processed foods and foods Containing sugar: Processed foods and foods containing sugar causes inflammation in your body and convert T4 to T3.

However, cooking, soaking, fermentation, or boiling goitrogen, cyanide and thiocyanate rich foods inactive their anti-thyroid properties. The researchers from the University of Maryland reported that cooking slightly decreases the thyroid effect of these vegetables. So, you may try cooked cabbage or try a baked strawberry pie or jam instead of raw fresh salad.

On the other hand, cooking does not destroy soy isoflavones. So, try to avoid soy foods such as soy oil, soy milk, soybean, etc. as much as possible from your diet.

Finally, it can be said that by avoiding these foods, you can minimize your risk. Remember, every time you eat, you are either feeding or fighting against your thyroid gland. As a result, it will be wise to avoid the foods that increase hypothyroid problems.

Foods to Consume and Avoid for Oral and Genital Herpes

Herpes simplex virus could result to a viral infection known as cold sores. This condition can trigger the surfacing of painful red blisters within the mouth area or the area of the genitals. These blisters are normally accompanied by itching, tingling and burning sensation within the affected regions. The outbreak of the sores is typically concentrated on the mucous membranes of the genital region and the lip, although this may occur in various parts of the body as well.

There are antiviral medications that can be opted for in order to control the outbreak and reduce its frequency. However, these medications are not capable of eliminating the virus. This is due to the fact that once you get infected by HSV; you will have the virus all your life. What an infected individual can do is to alleviate the symptoms of the condition and this can be done using medications and natural remedies. However, experts do believe that foods play a huge role in controlling cold sore conditions.

Foods that should be Avoided

Basically, there are two different types of amino acids that can help regulate the occurrence of cold sore outbreaks. These are amino acids L-arginine and L-lysine. In order to alleviate the symptoms of the condition, doctors normally recommend a diet that is high in L-lysine and low in L-arginine. Lysine is helpful in inhibiting the metabolism of amino acid arginine, which is the primary compound that herpes virus needs to replicate. The list of foods rich in arginine and should be avoided includes the following:

Foods to Avoid for Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is considered as a highly contagious condition that occurs in the genitals due to HSV. This condition can be transmitted sexually and the symptoms include the presence of watery and reddish blisters on the penis, vagina, anus or buttocks and the scrotum. Although antiviral medications can be prescribed to reduce the severity of the symptoms, it is also necessary to learn about the foods that can actually worsen the condition. Some of the foods that should be avoided when suffering from genital herpes include the following:

  • Dark leafy vegetables like mustard greens and spinach
  • Shrimp
  • Lobster
  • Crabs
  • Caffeine
  • Brown rice
  • Gelatin
  • Nuts and other nut products
  • Chocolate
  • Caffeine
  • Oatmeal
  • Sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds
  • Raisins
  • Whole wheat bread
  • Sugary snacks

Foods to Avoid for Oral Herpes

Oral herpes is due to herpes simplex virus type 1 and the symptoms include the existence of painful cold sores on the gums, lips, roof of the mouth, tongue and the inside part of the cheeks. These are ulcerative lesions within the mouth that is normally accompanied with muscular aches and fever. Aside from the consumption of OTC medications and certain numbing products, dietary changes are considered as natural cures for oral herpes and the foods that should be avoided are as follows:

  • Brazil nuts, hazel nuts, peanuts, walnuts, pistachio nuts and almonds
  • Cocoa powder
  • Sesame seeds
  • Peanut butter
  • Cashews
  • Oatmeal
  • Tomatoes
  • Carob powder
  • Pecans
  • Chickpeas
  • Brown rice
  • Onions
  • Citrus fruits
  • Peas
  • Goat’s milk
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cow’s milk
  • Lamb
  • Dried beans
  • Squash

Aside from these, foods containing sugar, chocolate, vinegar, animal proteins, cola drinks and coffee should also be avoided. Such food and beverage products can put strains into the body’s immune system and trigger cold sores or fever blisters.

Foods to Eat for Oral and Genital Herpes

Aside from the foods that should be avoided, there are certain foods that should be consumed as well. These foods are high in lysine and are helpful in alleviating the symptoms of both conditions and in shortening the duration of the outbreak. Some of the foods that can be very helpful against oral and genital herpes include the following:

  • Chicken
  • Fresh fish
  • Pork
  • Beef
  • Soybeans
  • Cheese
  • Broccoli
  • Eggs
  • Cabbage

Apart from these, fresh fruit juices are also capable of boosting the immune system of the body and preventing various diseases. As much as possible, reduce the consumption of caffeine and sodas, and opt for herbal teas instead. With increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, and consuming 6 to 8 glasses of water per day, it will be a lot easier to treat oral herpes or genital herpes.