Graves’ disease is one of the most common clinical hyperthyroidism. There are a great number of symptoms of the disease, for example, rapid or irregular heartbeats, anxiety, nervousness, weight loss, fatigue, tired muscles, trembling arms and legs, changeable mood, uneven menstruation, googly eyes, enlarged thyroid gland, dry skin, and insomnia.

So is it necessary to design a healthy Graves disease diet? Scientists have pointed out that a diet that boosts the treatment of Graves’ disease does not exist. In other words, for therapeutic methods, Graves’ disease is only allowed to follow the medication prescribed by the doctor. Nevertheless, it is possible that a good diet will partly support to reduce the symptoms and the discomfort caused by Graves’ disease. Here are some food suggestions for the people with Graves’ disease.

Must-avoid food for Graves’ disease diet

Food with high iodine content

Because the iodine is the main material necessary for the thyroid gland to synthesize hormones, the patients with Graves’ disease should avoid the food rich in iodine such as seafood and seaweed.

Red meat

Red meat is often high in saturated fat and cholesterol. There is a high probability that eating much red meat while you have Graves’ disease causes cardiac disease and type 2 diabetes. The reduction of red meat in every meal can help to relieve the symptoms of Graves’ disease.

Milk and dairy products

For some people, Graves’ disease makes their body stop absorbing lactose or unable to digest milk and dairy products. As a result, if you have troubles with digestion and suffer from flatulence or fatigue after drinking milk or eating cheese, ice cream and yogurt, you are advised to lower the intake of these foods when Graves’ disease persists.

Sugar

The high blood sugar also contributes to increasing the level of anxiety of the patients. Therefore, it is important for them not to consume high-sugar foods such as cake, soft drink, and jam.

Spicy and hot spices and stimulants

Spicy and hot spices such as pepper, ginger, and drinks containing stimulants such as coffee and soft drink will stimulate the thyroid gland to secrete too much thyroid hormones. It makes the body apparatus run fast in a usual way, leading to the release of a lot of heat. Consequently, the patients always feel uncomfortable and become hot-tempered.

Alcohol

If Graves’ disease exists in your body, this type of drink can break down the energy level, aggravate the matter of sleep and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Accordingly, the patients have to keep away from some beverages such as alcohol, beer, cocktail and other alcoholic beverages as well.

Diuretic beverage

It is quite challenging to help the patients to maintain the weight and minerals. Therefore, in addition to providing more energy for the body, the patients have to say “no” to diuretic drinks such as coffee and soft beverage in order to prevent nutrient excretion through the urinary tract.

Powder

In comparison with whole grains, the powder consists of few nutrients and is not beneficial to digestion. This food is also high in blood sugar; thus, affecting blood sugar as well as hormones in the body. The patients are advised to reduce the consumption of types of cookies and margarine.

Hydrogenated vegetable oil

This kind of oil is commonly used for the manufacture and the process of numerous types of food. This oil is rich in trans fat which can cause harm to the amount of good cholesterol in the body and exacerbate the symptoms of the disease. For this reason, the people with Graves’ disease should minimize the intake of types of cookies and margarine.

Necessary food for Graves’ disease diet

Food with protein and calorie

The most obvious manifestation of the patients suffering from the disease is weight loss and fatigue. The cause is that the patients usually have a higher metabolic rate. To prevent weight loss and declining physical fitness, you should maintain a diet that is rich in protein and calorie and drink much water. In addition, soft, liquid and cool food types (watermelon, lablab bean, water celery and golden needle mushrooms) that are of great advantage to the digestive tract. Besides, it will be better if you have several small meals in a day. You are also advised to eat a lot of fruits, especially banana and coconut milk, which contains much potassium and phosphorus. Besides, goitrogenic-rich foods such as cabbage, cauliflower, curry leaves, turnips are relatively beneficial to health.

Food with low sugar

The consumption of foods with high in sugar can restore healthy hormones in the body, including thyroid hormones. The best diet for the patients with Graves’ disease should include brown rice, barley and wheat cake as essential parts.

Food with zinc and calcium

Graves’ disease depletes zinc from the patient’s body and changes the calcium metabolism. As a result, it is crucial to supplement the diet with zinc-rich foods such as lean meat, amaranth, bok choy, spinach, banana, and kiwi.

Vitamins

Graves’ disease probably causes tiredness; therefore, the supply of antioxidants is essential. The foods rich in vitamins C, E including orange, apple, carrots, papaya, and mango will significantly contribute to fighting against the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

Types of herbal

Apart from taking thyroid hormone inhibitors, some words of advice from many experts are that the patients should take advantages of herbs for eating or drinking. Turmeric is one of the best foods that promote the effect of enzyme bromelain, increase the resistance and aid the digestion. A positive result will be brought if the patients eat some turmeric after each meal. Particularly, the average amount per day is 500 milligrams of turmeric. In addition, the dandelion extract is quite useful in regulating the function of the liver and the thyroid hormones, thus relieving the signs of the disease. It is recommended that you drink dandelion tea twice a day for six weeks, then stop doing that for a month and start it again.

Berry

Some berries like blackberries and strawberries contain a high content of antioxidants, which is able to strengthen the immune system. The advice to the people with Graves’ disease would be to regularly consume these fruits.

Foods rich in vitamin D and omega 3

Vitamin D and omega 3 is included in some foods such as salmon, mushroom, walnut, olive oil and flaxseed oil. This food will provide a fair amount of fatty acids for the body and enhance the health of the patients. Another function of the food with much vitamin D is to prevent osteoporosis.

Conclusion

On the whole, a balanced diet plays an important role in limiting the severe symptoms. The tips above are some dietary advice for those who have Graves’ disease. Hopefully, with these recommendations of Graves’ disease diet, the patients can reduce the symptoms and significantly improve the uncomfortable state.

References:

[1] https://carekees.com/graves-disease-diet/

[2] https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/graves-disease/how-eat-well-when-you-have-graves-disease