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Nutritional Strategies for Optimizing Thyroid Function and Metabolic Health

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2026) | Viewed by 1086

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Guest Editor
Department of Family Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-569 Poznan, Poland
Interests: obesity; diabetes; hypertension; metabolic syndrome; obesity in pregnancy; leptin; VEGF
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Maintaining optimal thyroid function depends strongly on adequate intake of specific dietary nutrients. The thyroid gland requires iodine to synthesize essential hormones, making iodized salt, seafood, and seaweed key contributors to hormonal balance. Selenium supports the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to the active triiodothyronine (T3) and protects the gland from oxidative damage; rich sources include Brazil nuts, fish, and eggs. Zinc and iron also play important roles in hormone production and enzyme regulation, while vitamin D and B vitamins help modulate immune responses, particularly in autoimmune thyroid disorders, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. A balanced diet emphasizing whole foods, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, and sufficient antioxidants may reduce inflammation and support long-term thyroid health. Conversely, excessive consumption of goitrogens from raw cruciferous vegetables or ultra-processed foods may impair function if not balanced with proper nutrient intake. Overall, dietary precision is crucial in preventing dysfunction and supporting metabolic well-being.

Dr. Damian Skrypnik
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • thyroid function
  • iodine
  • selenium
  • nutritional deficiencies
  • autoimmune thyroid disorders
  • hormone regulation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

19 pages, 1384 KB  
Review
The Gut–Skin and Gut–Thyroid Axis in Autoimmunity: Roles of Dysbiosis, Microbial Metabolites, Immune Dysregulation, and Diet in Psoriasis and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
by Sabīna Ribačuka, Sabīne Upmale-Engela, Ieva Vaivode, Ilze Konrade and Māra Rone-Kupfere
Nutrients 2026, 18(10), 1501; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18101501 - 8 May 2026
Viewed by 583
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Psoriasis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are chronic immune-mediated disorders affecting distinct target organs but sharing overlapping pathogenic mechanisms, including gut dysbiosis, impaired intestinal barrier function, and systemic immune dysregulation. Growing evidence highlights the gut–skin and gut–thyroid axes as important interfaces linking microbial [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Psoriasis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are chronic immune-mediated disorders affecting distinct target organs but sharing overlapping pathogenic mechanisms, including gut dysbiosis, impaired intestinal barrier function, and systemic immune dysregulation. Growing evidence highlights the gut–skin and gut–thyroid axes as important interfaces linking microbial alterations to immune-mediated inflammation. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on gut microbiota alterations in psoriasis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, with particular emphasis on intestinal permeability, immune pathways, and microbiome-derived metabolites. Methods: A narrative review of experimental and human observational studies was conducted to evaluate evidence on gut microbiota composition, intestinal barrier integrity, immune regulation, bile acid metabolism, and dietary influences in psoriasis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The relevant literature examining mechanistic pathways and clinical associations was included. Results: Both conditions are associated with altered gut microbial composition, including reduced abundance of short-chain fatty acid–producing taxa, which may impair epithelial barrier integrity and promote systemic immune activation. Increased intestinal permeability and enhanced Th17-driven inflammatory responses are reported in both diseases. Recent studies suggest that dysregulated bile acid metabolism may influence intestinal permeability and immune balance along the gut–skin–thyroid axis, although direct clinical data remain limited. Dietary patterns, particularly anti-inflammatory and Mediterranean diets, are consistently associated with increased microbial diversity, improved metabolic profiles, and reduced systemic inflammation. However, most human evidence is observational. Conclusions: The gut microbiome represents a potential mechanistic link connecting diet, intestinal barrier function, immune regulation, and organ-specific autoimmunity in psoriasis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. While microbiome-targeted interventions show biological plausibility, well-designed, mechanistically informed randomized controlled trials are required to establish causality and clinical relevance. Full article
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