The thyroid is one of the most important glands of the body.
It controls how we lose or gain weight by the way in which we metabolize food.
It is in charge of the way in which you use energy, how you sleep and has many more functions.
Women are more susceptible to thyroid conditions than men.
They appear during times of hormonal flux, such as childbearing and perimenopause.
This may be why some women find it difficult to lose weight after having a child or even gaining more unwanted weight.
As we go through life's changes we must recognize we should eat to support our thyroid health.
There is a lot of confusing literature out there.
Like all cells and organs the thyroid needs specific vitamins and minerals to take care of it's everyday tasks.
If you believe you may have a thyroid imbalance you can get a full thyroid panel done by your healthcare professional.
Have your vitamin D, selenium and iodine tested as well prior to adding supplements to your diet.
A study by CDC in 2002 evaluated that 36% of childbearing aged women may have insufficient dietary iodine.
The thyroid requires iodine to make it's key hormones.
Selenium is another vital element for the thyroid.
It helps convert T-4 to the more accessible T-3, as well as keeping the proper amount of thyroid hormones in the tissues and blood.
This applies to the kidneys, thyroid gland, the brain and the liver.
Selenium also has a protective function, maintaining the thyroid when we are under all types of stress.
This includes social stress, oxidative stress and the many chemical stresses encountered on a daily basis.
The B vitamins and antioxidants help combat the oxidative stress scientists associate with aging and degenerative diseases.
Many micronutrients have similar qualities as well.
Iodine, selenium, vitamins A & C as well as vitamin E help your thyroid gland combat and neutralize oxidative stress daily.
Following is a brief list of sources to help maintain a healthy thyroid through the diet:

• vitamin A (beta-carotene) lettuce,sweet potatoes, winter squash, pumpkin, spinach, broccoli, liver, carrots
• vitamin E liver, peanuts, beans, soybeans, almonds, sunflower seeds, whole grains
• vitamin Cbrussel sprouts, broccoli, kale, guava, parsley, papaya, kale, mustard, collard, turnip greens
• vitamin B6soybeans, navy, garbanzos, pinto, lentils, lima beans, bananas, brown rice, wheat germ, salmon, trout, tuna fish, liver
• vitamin B2egg yolks, wild rice, organ meats, almonds, mushrooms
• vitamin B3liver, wheat bran, poultry white meat, brewar's yeast, rice bran
• copperdark chocolate, lobster, oysters, beef, shiitake mushrooms, crabmeat, pearled barley, nuts, beans, sunflower seeds
• selenium soybeans, brazil nuts, halibut, organ meats, sunflower seeds, beef
• Zincwalnuts, sardines, lamb, fresh oysters, beef, whole grains, ginger root, brazil nuts, sunflower seeds
• iodinekelp, wakame, arame, hijiki, dulse (sea vegetables), shrimp, clams, sardines, salmon, oysters, haddock (seafood) and iodized sea salt, eggs, sesame seeds, lima beans, spinach, swiss chard, garlic and summer squash have small amounts also

Although this list is not all-inclusive it does provide you with a basic idea of the need for variety in your diet.
Thyroid health will go a long way in maintaining a healthy body weight throughout your life.
With our busy schedules it is not feasible to eat a healthy, balanced diet all the time.
Supplementing with a goodmultivitamin-mineral complex is a good way to insure you receive the proper nutrients for thyroid health.