Short Answer: Fish oil is good for hyperthyroidism. Because it has EPA and DHA, which are anti-inflammatory and can help reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by excess thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition that affects your thyroid gland, which is located at the front of your neck.
In hyperthyroidism, your body produces too much thyroid hormone, which speeds up your metabolism and affects many organs and systems.
This can lead to various health problems, such as weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, tremor, insomnia, and eye problems.
One of the key factors in managing hyperthyroidism is diet.
What you consume can affect your thyroid function, which can impact your hyperthyroidism symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage hyperthyroidism, you should consume foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, cruciferous vegetables, and vitamin D, such as fish, eggs, and mushrooms.
These foods can help protect your cells from damage and inflammation caused by excess thyroid hormone.
You should also consume foods rich in calcium, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, to prevent bone loss and osteoporosis.
You should avoid foods rich in iodine, such as seaweed, kelp, and iodized salt, as they can worsen your hyperthyroidism by stimulating more hormone production.
You should also limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, as they can increase your heart rate and blood pressure and aggravate your symptoms.
Now, fish oil is a dietary supplement that contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for your brain, heart, and immune system.
People usually take fish oil capsules or liquid to get the benefits of omega-3s.
Fish oil is good for hyperthyroidism because it contains EPA and DHA, which are anti-inflammatory and can help reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by excess thyroid hormone.
Fish oil can also help lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can be elevated in hyperthyroidism and increase your risk of heart disease.
Fish oil may also help improve your mood and cognitive function, which can be affected by hyperthyroidism.
One gram of fish oil can give you about 300 mg of EPA and DHA, which is about 20% of your daily needs.
EPA and DHA can help reduce the production and activity of thyroid hormone by interfering with its receptors and enzymes.
They can also help modulate your immune system and prevent it from attacking your thyroid gland, which is the case in Graves’ disease, the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
Furthermore, fish oil is a type of polyunsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fats are good for hyperthyroidism.
Because, they can help lower your thyroid hormone levels by inhibiting the conversion of T4 to T3, the more active form of thyroid hormone.
You can take up to 4 grams of fish oil per day safely.
More than that can cause bleeding, bruising, and fishy breath and taste.
Also, you shouldn’t take fish oil if you have a bleeding disorder, a fish allergy, or are taking blood thinners, to prevent excessive bleeding.
Because, fish oil can interfere with your blood clotting and increase your bleeding risk.
You can buy fish oil online or offline.
To buy it online, there are many brands and marketplaces to choose from.
But as a nutritionist, I recommend Nordic Naturals Omega-3 from Amazon.
Because, it is a high-quality product that is third-party tested for purity and potency.
It also has a natural lemon flavor that masks the fishy taste.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care, is key to managing hyperthyroidism effectively.
I always recommend my hyperthyroidism patients to follow a hyperthyroidism-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being and enjoy a longer and healthier life.