November 24, 2009

Thyroid Cancer – Symptoms and Preventive Diet

Posted in Category : Foods that Heal

Also called thyroid neoplasm, thyroid cancer is referred to as a malignant tumor of the thyroid gland. These tumors occur as nodules in the thyroid gland.

Thyroid cancers are of the following types:

  • Papillary Thyroid Cancer
  • Follicular Thyroid Cancer
  • Medullary Thyroid Cancer
  • Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

The symptoms of thyroid cancer include the nodule formation in the thyroid region of the neck, lymph enlargement, change in voice, and pain in the anterior region of the neck.

Hyperthyroid Diet

The specifics of a diet for thyroid cancer are as follows:

  • The patients of thyroid cancer are generally prescribed a low iodine diet. The purpose of a low iodine diet is to deplete the iodine reserves in the body so as to increase the effectiveness of the treatment administered to the thyroid gland. This low iodine diet is recommended for a short span of approximately fourteen days. As such, sea foods and sea products must be avoided in your diet as these foods are very high in their iodine content.
  • Dairy products like cheese, butter and yogurt are also rich in iodine and as such, must be avoided in your diet.
  • You may cut down on the iodine content of your diet, but not the sodium content. Salt is a major source of sodium, which is generally fortified with iodine. In order to have sufficient intake of sodium and lesser intake of iodine, it is advised to consume non-iodized salt.
  • You may consume egg white as it has very little quantities of iodine, perfectly suitable for the prescribed low iodine diet for the patients of thyroid cancer. On the contrary, egg yolk is rich in iodine content and as such, it must be avoided in your diet.
  • You are also required to avoid foods like soy products like soy milk, tofu, and soy sauce as well as chocolates, bread products, and corn.
  • You must consume a lot of water and fresh fruit juices to compensate for the lower water or fluid balance of the body.
  • You should not consume canned or processed foods.
  • Eat fresh vegetables, preferably steamed or boiled.
  • You may also eat a lot of fibrous foods like cabbage, beet and radish so as to cleanse your body of toxins, including the iodine reserves of the body.

You must complement this dietary regime with a regular fitness plan so as to cleanse your body, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment for thyroid cancer.