You know that little butterfly-shaped thing in the front of your neck? That’s your thyroid. The thyroid is important because it helps control your metabolism. Two hormones produced by your thyroid, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, help ensure regulation of how fat and carbohydrates are used, how much protein is produced, as well as body temperature and heart rate.

Twenty-seven million Americans are affected by thyroid disease, which impacts the rate at which your thyroid uses energy. Hypothyroidism, characterized as an “underactive” thyroid, includes symptoms such as fatigue, high cholesterol, depression and weight gain. Hyperthyroidism — or an overactive thyroid — could cause a person to have trouble sleeping, have feelings of anxiety and irritability, feel overheated and experience weight loss while having an increased appetite.

Hormonal imbalances are a trigger of thyroid disease and over 20 percent of menopausal women in the U.S. are diagnosed with it. Hypothyroidism is more prevalent, constituting about 80 percent of thyroid disease cases, and is also commonly diagnosed during perimenopause and pregnancy. Diagnosis of hypothyroidism usually comes as a result of a blood test measuring thyroid-stimulating hormones (TSH). It is often treated by taking a synthetic or natural thyroid hormone on a daily basis.

Foods containing naturally occurring substances called goitrogens may impact thyroid function. These include cruciferous vegetables, soybeans and soy extracts, millet, peaches, strawberries, radishes, spinach and peanuts. Those diagnosed with hypothyroidism may be cautioned against overconsumption of these foods. Limiting your intake of processed foods and consuming cooked, rather than raw, cruciferous vegetables are other ways to cut down on goitrogenic foods.

Supplements and foods rich in selenium, iodine and animal-based omega-3 fats, like ocean fish, Brazil nuts, beef and sea kelp, may boost the health of the thyroid gland.

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