The optimal diet for healthy endocrine function approximates the Paleolithic diet
Healthy proteins & fats are the necessary building blocks of hormones
Proteins
Eat healthy protein rich food at every meal
Only eat what you can digest easily. Avoid any food that you are intolerant or allergic to.
Healthy protein sources include:
Fish, meat, poultry, eggs
Healthy vegetarian protein sources include:
Sprouted peas, beans, seeds & grains (examples include sprouted lentils, chickpeas, mung beans, adzuki beans)
Fresh nuts & seeds
Saturated Fat
Contained in foods such as eggs, liver, butter & meat
Boosts production of steroid hormones made from Cholesterol (note: excessive amounts may lower thyroid levels)
Avoid eating denatured fats. These are created when fats are cooked at high temperatures. E.g. Frying & Barbecuing
Cooking at high temperatures produces many toxic chemicals
Cooking with water or slow cooking at low temperatures (<100 degrees C ) is safe.
Carbohydrates
Fruits & vegetables are healthy carbohydrates & increase thyroid hormones
Except for large amounts of cruciferous veges (cabbage family) which can have some antithyroid activity.
Grains
Rice & wheat based foods (e.g. bread, pasta, baked goods) are not easily digested.
They can cause gastrointestinal inflammation & bloating
They can raise blood sugar too quickly
Over time high intakes of high glycaemic foods causes hormone deficiencies & premature aging.
Eating sprouted grains may avoid these problems as the grains become easier to digest
High glycaemic foods
Avoid: sweets, sugar, soft drinks, and fruit juice
Alcohol will reduce hormone levels over time & cause hormone imbalances.
Men who drink more than 1 glass of alcohol have increased levels of estradiol
Caffeinated drinks can also put stress on the hormonal balance
Milk Products
The majority of people may be healthier if they avoid milk products
Many are lactose deficient
These foods can contribute to thyroid under functioning & weight gain
Avoid unconscious eating & over eating
As important as what you eat is how you eat
Poor digestion has many adverse follow-on effects for health
Including gut inflammation, poor absorption of nutrients, imbalanced gut flora, increased toxic byproducts.
Always sit down & carm oneself before eating
‘Blessing’ the food & those who grow & prepare the food is helpful
Thoughts & feelings of appreciation signal to the nervous & gastrointestinal systems that we are ready to receive.
Eat slowly & chew carefully
If you have digestive symptoms avoid cold food & drinks (direct from fridge or freezer) these take more energy to digest
‘tune in’ to bodily signals (you may need to actively withdraw your attention from ‘outside’ activity & focus on what your body is telling you)
Many eat to ‘full a gap’ which is emotional rather than nutritional
This may be a call to nurture ourselves & our bodies in other ways
Neuroemotional technique may be helpful for this.