Did you know that it’s not just what you are eating but when you are eating that impacts thyroid health? This is in large part due to the connection between thyroid health and blood sugar balance.
Keeping blood sugar levels balanced is critical for thyroid health, and the opposite is also true: Thyroid health is important for maintaining blood sugar balance. Here’s why:
1. Blood sugar dysregulation is inflammatory for the body. Persistent low blood sugar (like from not eating often enough) triggers stress hormones that suppress thyroid function, and persistent blood sugar spikes and insulin surges can lead to inflammation that is damaging to the thyroid.
2. High insulin and insulin resistance reduces conversion of T4 to T3. It also promotes formation of Reverse T3. If T3 is like the gas pedal that revs the engine (metabolism) up, then reverse T3 is the brake that slows things down. We don’t want this!
3. With low thyroid status the rate of glucose uptake by cells is slowed, and glucose is not absorbed by the gut as quickly. Glucose then has a hard time getting into cells, leading to increased cortisol and even more stress on the body. Glucose transporters require T3 inside the cell to work! Even early stages of thyroid dysfunction can lead to blood sugar issues.
So, how can we combat the blood sugar dysregulation and insulin resistance harmful to the thyroid? By balancing our macros in every meal/snack and eating more regularly! While meal timing depends on a lot of factors, women that struggle with thyroid function often do better with more frequent meals. Eating balanced meals every 3-4 hours helps to reduce stress, balance blood sugar, support the metabolism, and replenish liver glycogen stores.
PMID: 25580384
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Here are a few other great thyroid health resources:
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