Hypothyroidism is a condition caused by the malfunctioning of the thyroid gland, a gland responsible for the effective functioning of the endocrine system and for maintaining the metabolism of your body. If left untreated, this condition can be life threatening. Here is a list of a few effective ways to treat hypothyroidism without medication.

Say no to caffeine, sugar and refined carbohydrates

One of the major causes of hypothyroidism is poor diet.  You should reduce or eliminate all those foods that inhibit thyroid function. These include sugar and all the products that have caffeine as their active ingredient. You should also avoid refined carbohydrates such as flour, because the body treats these foods like sugar. Instead, include non-starchy vegetables to your daily diet. Seafood, seeds, nuts and whole grains are also rich in nutrients that are important for the efficient working of the thyroid gland.

Increase your protein consumption

Protein plays a key role in the transportation of thyroid hormones to all your tissues. Including protein rich foods in all three meals of the day can help normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland. Nuts and nut butters, legumes, organic animal products, fish and quinoa are all rich sources of protein.

Say no to processed foods

Processed foods contain unhealthy enzymes that can disrupt the functioning of the thyroid gland. Eliminate all processed foods from your diet chart and say no to artificial flavors and high fructose syrup, since these foods pose a potential threat to your already weakened immune system. Instead switch to natural diet, increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables. You can also include grass-fed meats in your daily diet but stay away from inorganic meats.

Increase fat consumption

If you are suffering from hypothyroidism, then fat is your friend, and moderately high cholesterol levels can help treat any disorder in the hormonal pathways. Insufficient intake of fat and cholesterol can further worsen the hormonal imbalance. Natural sources of healthy unsaturated fats include olive oil, avocados, nuts and nut butters, fish and hormone and antibiotic-free full fat dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese.

Increase your iodine intake

Iodine deficiency in your body is one major cause for hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland needs sufficient amount of iodine to function properly. If you want to treat this condition without medication, simply increase your iodine intake. Bladder wrack and kelp supplement are two very good sources of iodine. However, never try this remedy if you are allergic to iodine.

Say no to soy and its products

Soy also has the ability to inhibit thyroid hormone secretions, thus causing hormonal imbalance. Soy is often associated with enlargement of the thyroid gland, a condition called goiter. Soy products include soy milk, tofu, energy bars and fake meats.