Eat salmon for a healthy thyroid
11/19/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield
It may be small, but the thyroid’s importance to your body can’t be stressed enough. This tiny gland produces the hormones responsible for your metabolism and energy, meaning your brain, liver, heart, and all other parts of your body rely on the thyroid to function properly. This is why you need to take care of your thyroid. One of the best ways to do this is to incorporate thyroid-friendly foods into your diet, and salmon just so happens to be one of those foods.
Caring for your thyroid is a balancing act that salmon pulls off with aplomb. Salmon, notes MindBodyGreen.com, is rich in selenium, a nutrient that regulates immune responses, prevents chronic disease, and reduces inflammation. Just as impressive about salmon is that it’s a fish that’s dense with healthy fats that have been linked to preventing thyroid disease and maintaining the performance of your thyroid. Add to this the abundance of B-vitamins, amino acids, zinc, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, and you’ve got yourself a fish that packs a lot of good stuff in a delicious package.
While salmon is good on its own, the high amounts of fat need to be offset by equally nourishing foods. Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, and arugula are perfect for this, as well as their microgreen counterparts. Vitamins, antioxidants, and health-enhancing phytonutrients are all found in these vegetables that bring balance and flavor to a salmon dish. As a plus, greens are some of the best sources of dietary fibers, which are necessary for normal bowel movements and great for weight loss.
There are many kinds of salmon ready for purchasing at your local grocery store. The ones that you should look out for are wild Alaskan and Norwegian salmon. Alaskan salmon, in particular, is an excellent choice because these fish were caught using environmentally sound techniques that help promote a healthy population. Choose wild fish because farmed salmon can be awash with antibiotics, pesticides, and toxins. Wild Alaskan Coho, Sockeye, Chum, King, Pink and Silver are some of the best varieties. (Related: Fish farming killing off native species; boycott farmed salmon before it’s too late.)
With a fish this varied, you can bet that there’s more than one way to enjoy it. Baking is a cooking technique that uses little oil and a lot of heat, so consider baking your salmon. You can make it as simple or as sumptuous a dish as you like. Feel free to complete your oven-baked salmon with healthy carbohydrates such as quinoa, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice. If you’ve got little ones running around your home, you can introduce them to the wonders of salmon by making tasty mini salmon cakes and salmon burgers. Salmon is also an excellent food to have during the summer, especially when grilled to perfection or tossed into a savory chowder.
Giving your thyroid some tender loving care has never been easier. And not just your thyroid either, your whole body can benefit from salmon. So what are you waiting for? Go on down to your favorite grocery and see if you can find this fish that does wonders your thyroid and more.
You can learn more about salmon and other superfoods by visiting SuperFoods.news.
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