Thyroid issues? Try this fiber-rich carrot, ginger and pear soup to boost your gut health

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located low on the front of your neck. This gland is mainly responsible for the body’s metabolism. If it is not working properly, people can experience symptoms that range from chronic fatigue to constipation and depression. Today, nearly 25 million Americans suffer from a thyroid problem.

Some thyroid problems can be treated with medicine, while others, such as Hashimoto’s disease, need lifestyle changes to improve common symptoms because there is no quick fix to it. If you are looking for an excellent addition to your diet for relieving symptoms of thyroid-related issues such as the leaky gut, or want to improve your gut health, consider this fiber-rich carrot, ginger, and pear soup.

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 1 pear (peeled if not organic), diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 4 cups bone broth
• 4 medium carrots, chopped
• Black pepper to taste
• Coconut milk, for garnish
• Sea salt or pink Himalayan sea salt to taste

Directions:

1. In a soup pot, heat oil on medium.
2. Add the carrots and onions. Cook until onions turn translucent. This usually takes about 10 minutes.
3. Add the pear and cook for about five minutes or until it softens.
4. Add the bone broth and bring to a boil. Then, lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until carrots are tender.
5. Add the grated ginger and blend in a blender in batches or with an immersion blender. Take note that when blending hot liquids, ensure that the top of the blender is vented to let the steam out.
6. If using a blender, return to the pot; season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Serve warm. Add a dollop of coconut milk if you want

This recipe was shared by Izabella Wentz, author of the cookbook Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology. Wentz was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism or a thyroid deficiency, at the age of 27. In her cookbook, she shares a comprehensive guide to eating in a way that improves thyroid health and the immune system. Taking care of your gut is key to good health, in general, but it is even more important for those with thyroid problems.

How carrots, ginger, and pear help with thyroid issues

The pear in the soup is a great addition because it is rich in fiber, which helps detoxify your digestive system. Fiber-rich foods like pears also help maintain healthy gut bacteria.

Carrots can lower the levels of bacterial endotoxin, estrogen, cortisol, serotonin, and prolactin — all of which are known for driving the body’s stress response. For thyroid problems like hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, all can be and often are over-produced. As a result, they disrupt thyroid function. Therefore, addressing these hormones and chemicals can greatly help improve and treat your thyroid problem.

While ginger is a common herb for cooking and baking, it is also a potent herbal medicine. Many people who suffer from thyroid issues find ginger beneficial; it contains compounds that improve thyroid function.

One of the key nutrients in ginger that help with thyroid function is magnesium. This nutrient has been shown to be important for controlling thyroid disease. It helps relax the muscles and prevent the occurrence of an irregular heartbeat. Ginger also contains potassium, a mineral important to regulating fluids in the body. In addition, ginger has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It helps regulate inflammation and prevent inflammation-related thyroid problems. (Related: Manage your underactive thyroid with these essential nutrients.)

Sources include:

MindBodyGreen.com

ThyroidNation.com

Livestrong.com