Expert Advice
Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC., is partnering with Lindy Ford, RD, LDN to bring greater awareness to the importance of thyroid care and education. This post is part of a paid sponsorship by Acella Pharmaceuticals and should not be construed as medical advice. Please talk to your doctor about your individual medical situation.
Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider before beginning any exercise, fitness, diet, or nutrition routine.
I’ve said it before and I will say it again: chronic inflammation is the root cause of most serious illnesses, including heart disease, many cancers, thyroid disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.
The best way to combat inflammation is with food. Along with disease prevention, an anti-inflammatory diet will help you with weight management or weight gain (if needed), improvement in mood and gut health.
What are the best foods to fight inflammation? Here is a short list of my favorites:
1. Organic Berries
These anti-inflammatory powerhouses are filled with polyphenol flavonoids such as quercetin, resveratrol and anthocyanins that fight chronic disease by lowering free radical damage. Blueberries are especially high in anti-inflammatory antioxidants. Organic berries should be purchased because of the increased use of pesticides on this fruit.1
2. Dark Leafy Greens
Greens such as spinach, kale, Swiss chard, dandelion and collards are extremely high in the antioxidants vitamin A (carotenoids), E, C and vitamin K. These all protect our organs against oxidative stress that’s caused by free radical damage from pro inflammatory molecules. Leafy greens also contain an abundance of protective minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. Organic is always best.2
3. Wild-Caught Fatty Fish
Alaskan salmon, cod, sardines, mackerel and rainbow trout contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Research reveals that omega-3s yield consistent relief from inflammation and may help lower the risk of heart disease, cancer and arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids also show a protective function in the brain and are important for mood, memory and brain function.3
4. Avocados
Not only do they contain a significant amount of fat for better nutrient absorption, avocados also contain about 20 vitamins and minerals. Most significantly, they contain twice the amount of potassium as a banana. Potassium keeps sodium in check and helps to flush it out of the kidneys. Unhealthy sodium levels exacerbate any inflammatory condition.4
5. Nuts
Nuts also contain significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and other phytonutrients. This is especially true of walnuts. Studies associated nut consumption with reduced markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein, or CRP. The lowered inflammatory markers show a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.5
6. Garlic and Onions
They both contain anti-inflammatory compounds that limit the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemicals that increase inflammation. Onions also contain significant amounts of quercetin, an amazing anti-inflammatory flavonoid.6
7. Turmeric/Curcumin -
Turmeric spice is what gives curry its yellow color. Curcumin is a poloyphenolic curcuminoid and the most potent anti-inflammatory part of turmeric. Curried foods are beneficial, but to get the best effect from the anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, I give my patients a highly absorbed curcumin supplement. Please consult with a health care practitioner. For more information, watch my curcumin video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdIfUR4Kk-k&t=267s 7
8. Organic Coffee
A 2015 study in Greece found that people who drink coffee are half as likely to develop type 2 diabetes.8 Researchers found that coffee lowered levels of serum amyloid, an inflammatory marker in blood. The reason could be that coffee contains polyphenols and other anti-inflammatory compounds. Coffee is one of the most pesticide-ridden plants in the world, so make sure you buy organic.
There are many more examples of anti-inflammatory foods that will help you in the battle to prevent disease and increase the quality of your life. Almost any non-starchy vegetable and most fruits are anti-inflammatory. Keep adding them daily; remember, the more, the better. If you start with the list above, you will be well on your way to fighting inflammation.
REFERENCES: 1. Joseph SV1, Edirisinghe I, Burton-Freeman BM. Berries: anti-inflammatory effects in humans. J Agric Food Chem. 2014 May 7;62(18):3886-903. doi: 10.1021/jf4044056. Epub 2014 Mar 17. Center for Nutrition Research, Institute for Food Safety and Health, Illinois Institute of Technology , Bedford Park, Illinois 60501, United States. 2. Fletcher, J. Anti-inflammatory diet: What to know; Medical News Today. Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, RD, LD on Dec 3, 2017. 3. Science Daily. Understanding how omega-3 dampens inflammatory reactions. Date: August 23, 2017; Source: The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). 4. Dreher, ML, Davenport, AJ. Hass Avocado Composition and Potential Health Effects. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013 May; 53(7): 738–750. Published online 2013 May 2. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.556759 PMCID: PMC3664913 PMID: 23638933. 5. Zhi Yu, Vasanti S Malik, NaNa Keum, Frank B Hu, Edward L Giovannucci, Meir J Stampfer,Walter C Willett, Charles S Fuchs, and Ying Bao. Associations between nut consumption and inflammatory biomarkers. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Sep; 104(3): 722–728; Published online 2016 Jul 27. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.116.134205; PMCID: PMC4997300 PMID: 27465378. 6. Marcela Alejandra Vazquez-Prieto, Cecilia Rodriguez Lanzi, Carina Lembo, Claudio Rómulo Galmarini, and Roberto Miguel Miatello. Garlic and Onion Attenuates Vascular Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Fructose-Fed Rats. J Nutr Metab. 2011; 2011: 475216. Published online 2011 Aug 25. doi: 10.1155/2011/475216; PMCID: PMC3163016; PMID: 21876795. 7. Susan J. Hewlings and Douglas S. Kalman. Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health . Foods. 2017 Oct; 6(10): 92. Published online 2017 Oct 22. doi: 10.3390/foods6100092 PMCID: PMC5664031 PMID: 29065496. 8. E Koloverou, D B Panagiotakos, C Pitsavos, C Chrysohoou, E N Georgousopoulou, A Laskaris & C Stefanadis. Carbohydrates, glycemic index and diabetes mellitus. The evaluation of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers on coffee–diabetes association: results from the 10-year follow-up of the ATTICA Study (2002–2012). European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 69, pages1220–1225 (2015). Published: 01 July 2015.
ML-0033
Note that DTE products, including NP Thyroid®, have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety or efficacy.
IMPORTANT RISK INFORMATION, INCLUDING BOXED WARNING & INDICATIONS
Important Risk Information
Drugs with thyroid hormone activity, alone or together with other therapeutic agents, have been used for the treatment of obesity. In euthyroid patients, doses within the range of daily hormonal requirements are ineffective for weight reduction. Larger doses may produce serious or even life-threatening manifestations of toxicity, particularly when given in association with sympathomimetic amines such as those used for their anorectic effects.
- NP Thyroid® is contraindicated in patients with uncorrected adrenal insufficiency, untreated thyrotoxicosis, and hypersensitivity to any component of the product.
- In the elderly and in patients with cardiovascular disease, NP Thyroid® should be used with greater caution than younger patients or those without cardiovascular disease.
- Use of NP Thyroid® in patients with diabetes mellitus or adrenal cortical insufficiency may worsen the intensity of their symptoms.
- The therapy of myxedema coma requires simultaneous administration of glucocorticoids.
- Concomitant use of NP Thyroid® with oral anticoagulants alters the sensitivity of oral anticoagulants. Prothrombin time should be closely monitored in thyroid-treated patients on oral anticoagulants.
- In infants, excessive doses of NP Thyroid® may produce craniosynostosis.
- Partial loss of hair may be experienced by children in the first few months of therapy but is usually transient.
- Adverse reactions associated with NP Thyroid® therapy are primarily those of hyperthyroidism due to therapeutic overdosage.
- Many drugs and some laboratory tests may alter the therapeutic response to NP Thyroid ®. In addition, thyroid hormones and thyroid status have varied effects on the pharmacokinetics and actions of other drugs. Administer at least 4 hours before or after drugs that are known to interfere with absorption. Evaluate the need for dose adjustments when regularly administering within one hour of certain foods that may affect absorption.
- NP Thyroid® should not be discontinued during pregnancy, and hypothyroidism diagnosed during pregnancy should be promptly treated.
Indications
NP Thyroid® (thyroid tablets, USP) is a prescription medicine that is used to treat a condition called hypothyroidism from any cause, except for cases of temporary hypothyroidism, which is usually associated with an inflammation of the thyroid (thyroiditis). It is meant to replace or supplement a hormone that is usually made by your thyroid gland.
NP Thyroid® is also used in the treatment and prevention of normal functioning thyroid goiters, such as thyroid nodules, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, multinodular goiter, and in the management of thyroid cancer.
Revised
10/2023
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