The study published in the journal Nutrients explored how women manage thyroid disorders through diet, hydration, and supplementation, focusing on how educational background affects their knowledge and dietary habits.
The authors in Poland found that women with higher education levels possess greater dietary nutrition awareness, underscoring the importance of customized educational programs to support effective thyroid disorder management.
Thyroid health in women
The thyroid gland produces essential hormones, including thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which regulate metabolism, cardiovascular and nervous system functions, and overall homeostasis.
Disruptions in thyroid function – either from excess or deficient hormone production – cause metabolic imbalances, which can lead to obesity or extreme weight loss.
According to the American Thyroid Association (ATA), women are five to eight times more likely than men to develop thyroid disease, with one in eight women affected during their lifetime.
While the exact cause is unclear, research suggests a link between thyroid disease and autoimmunity, which occurs more frequently in women than men.
Thyroid dysfunction can often lead to comorbidities, including insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and hyperlipidemia.
Nutritional management is essential; for example, hypothyroidism requires support to counteract slowed metabolism and weight gain, while hyperthyroidism needs dietary adjustments to manage symptoms like postprandial hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.
However, according to the current study’s researchers, most research only provides general dietary recommendations, lacking focus on women’s unique needs in managing thyroid disorders.
Notably, the role of essential nutrients such as selenium, zinc, and vitamin D in thyroid health, particularly in autoimmune thyroid disorders like Hashimoto’s, remains underexplored.
Therefore the new research aimed to address the knowledge gaps by examining dietary practices, educational influences, and supplement use in women with thyroid disorders.
Protein, vitamins, and mineral supplements for thyroid health
The researchers recruited 297 women aged 18 to 45, all diagnosed with thyroid disorders, from GP practices and hospitals in Katowice, Poland, between March and August 2023.
They used a structured questionnaire with 31 questions in two sections: demographic details and dietary assessment. The dietary section covered meal frequency, food choices, hydration, and supplements like vitamin D, selenium, and zinc, and evaluated participants’ understanding of thyroid-friendly nutrients and food–drug interactions.
Data on education and comorbid conditions were also collected via self-reports, capturing participants’ educational levels and co-existing health issues such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases, to provide a comprehensive health profile.
Results showed that only 24% of women understood the importance of protein intake in managing hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease, with 64% unaware of its role in supporting muscle mass, regulating blood sugar, and maintaining energy levels. Similar gaps were evident in carbohydrate intake knowledge.
While nearly half of the participants reported taking vitamin D supplements, only 2% said they use minerals like selenium and zinc, which are crucial for thyroid function.
Selenium has been shown to aid the conversion of thyroid hormones and protect the thyroid from oxidative damage, while zinc supports hormone synthesis, receptor function, and overall thyroid health.
Additionally, only 28% of women reported knowing that vitamin C enhances thyroid medication absorption, which it does by supporting absorption processes, iron metabolism, hormone conversion, and reducing oxidative stress.
The majority of participants reported relying on the internet (66%) and social media (31%) for dietary guidance, with only 20% consulting scientific sources. The results also showed that women with higher education were significantly more likely to understand the role of protein and carbohydrates in managing thyroid health.
“This suggests a need for tailored educational efforts, particularly for the women with lower levels of education, to improve dietary management of thyroid disorders,” wrote the authors.
They noted that as the overall use of selenium and zinc remains low, increased awareness of these nutrients is necessary for comprehensive thyroid health management.
“There is a clear need for targeted educational programs that address diet, hydration, and supplementation for effective thyroid management,” they concluded.
Source: Nutrients 2024, 16(22), 3862; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16223862
“Dietary Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Their Impact on Thyroid Health in Women: A Cross-Sectional Study”
Authors: Gwizdak, P. et al.