Losing weight if we suffer hypothyroidism can be more difficult than we think, especially if thyroid disease does not receive the appropriate treatment, so, we tell you what science says about how our diet should be in these cases.

What is hypothyroidism?

The Hypothyroidism is underactive thyroid , ie when the thyroid does not produce enough of important hormones to the body for their involvement in metabolism.

It can happen congenitally (at birth), due to the autoimmune cause that is the most frequent, or as a consequence of medicines, thyroid surgery or other diseases as well as iodine deficiency.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism

Although the symptoms can vary from one person to another and to diagnose hypothyroidism requires analysis of thyroid hormones in the body, who suffer from the disease may experience, according to the American Thyroid Association any of the following signs:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Swelling of the face
• Cold intolerance
• Joint and muscle pain
• Constipation
• Dry skin and hair
• Abundant or irregular menstrual periods and fertility problems
• Depression
• Decreased heart rate

The symptoms are often confused with many others and may even not be due to a disease, therefore, the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is often spontaneous, before the analysis of different hormones .

The consequences of hypothyroidism

Once the hypothyroidism is diagnosed, the treatment includes the daily intake of the deficient hormone synthesized so that its presence is again normal in the organism. If the treatment is not adequate, hypothyroidism can cause higher problems and worsen over time, according to experts at the Mayo Clinic .

For example, goiter may be present, which is the enlargement of the thyroid gland due to overexertion due to reaching normal hormonal levels. Dyslipidemia and heart problems can also occur if the heart enlarges or works with beats per minute well below normal.

In pregnant women with hypothyroidism the consequences affect the baby can cause growth failure and congenital defects, as well as spontaneous abortions.

The infertility , the mental problems and muscle weakness may also be consequences of untreated hypothyroidism or controlled in time, therefore, although it seems a pathology weightless and minor symptoms, therapeutic approach is essential and should be for life once the disease is diagnosed.

This must be the diet of a person with hypothyroidism, according to science

Hypothyroidism affects the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates in our body, producing a lower caloric expenditure at rest or what is equal a reduction of the basal metabolic rate , therefore, it is very frequent that those suffering from hypothyroidism suffer some degree of over weight.

If you are one of them and try to lose the extra kilos, the first thing you should know is that it is essential to get away from the miracle or very strict diets that can alter thyroid hormones and far from helping control the disease to lose weight, worsen the situation slow down even our metabolism.

In addition, science does not recommend a particular diet but it is known that iodine favors the proper functioning of the thyroid and therefore, if we want to lose weight with a good diet, the ideal is that there are no foods rich in this mineral as seafood, seaweed, fish and vegetables.

Also, include foods of good nutritional quality, rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and water can be of great help, not only to satisfy but to protect the health of possible dyslipidemia that can cause hypothyroidism , as well as avoid fluid retention and constipation .

Thus, they can not miss in the diet fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes that are also those that predominate in a vegan diet, food that is linked to lower risk of suffering hypothyroidism as noted in a study published in the journal Nutrients .

On the other hand, eating a moderate or low sodium diet can be very helpful to control health while losing weight, and hypothyroidism can raise blood pressure in the blood and at the same time, too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure. calories , therefore, it is better to avoid added salt and of course, to base the diet on fresh foods as such, not on processed or ultraprocessed ones that may contain sodium, as well as other nutrients of poor quality in excess.

Finally, regular intake and avoidance of the fast that is so often used to lose weight is key in those who suffer hypothyroidism, as the lack of energy accentuates the “saving mode” of the organism and causes a negative stimulus on the thyroid gland , which reduces even more the activity of it and accentuates hypothyroidism.

So, although there is no diet with special characteristics, the important thing is to include quality, satiating and light foods that allow the normal functioning of the metabolism and not stress it like very low-calorie diets for example.