Ms. Liu, 38, in order to earn more working hours, always rushes to work night shifts in catering companies, and is busy until three or four o'clock in the morning before she has time to rest.
In March this year, the company organized a routine physical examination, and Ms. Liu's B-ultrasound report said "thyroid nodules, abnormal morphology", and recommended going to the hospital for in-depth examination.
With apprehension, she walked into the nearby tertiary hospital, and the results after the re-examination were not optimistic. "Papillary thyroid cancer", when this cold diagnosis was placed in front of her, Ms. Liu only felt five thunderbolts.
She couldn't figure it out, the nodule that was detected a few years ago, and the doctor kept saying that it was good to observe, why did it suddenly become cancer?
Her mind flashed the days of working in a beef hot pot restaurant, and she always happily packed the uneaten beef home. Could it be that eating too much beef during that time caused the nodules to become cancerous?
In recent years, with the improvement of people's health awareness, the problem of nodules has attracted more and more attention. Thyroid nodules, in particular, have a high incidence that is unsettling for many people. Although most nodules are benign, there is a possibility of malignant transformation.
So, is there some kind of connection between diet and nodules, especially foods like beef, are they really the "catalysts" for nodules?
01
What is a nodule
A thyroid nodule is a small cyst or lump that forms inside the thyroid gland and is mostly benign and does not pose a direct threat to health.
According to clinical statistics, the incidence of thyroid nodules is increasing, especially in middle-aged and elderly women.
Although benign nodules are stable in most cases, malignant transformation may occur in some special cases, especially when there are changes in the characteristics of the nodule, such as irregular nodule morphology, undefined edges, or hypoechoic phenomena, which may be a sign of deterioration of the nodule.
02
Is beef a "nodule catalyst"?
There is currently no direct scientific evidence that beef directly causes nodule formation or worsening.
Beef, a type of red meat, is rich in nutrients such as protein and iron, which are essential for maintaining good health and promoting development.
However, excessive intake of foods high in saturated fat, including beef, is thought to have adverse health effects.
In particular, beef may contain hormone and antibiotic residues, which may have the potential risk of promoting the formation of nodules in the body when ingested in excess.
In addition, consuming hormone-treated meat may affect the hormonal balance in the human body.
03
Eat less of 4 kinds of "hair products"
In addition to beef, there are certain foods that can adversely affect thyroid nodules.
Especially in high-iodine foods, excessive iodine may interfere with thyroid function, especially in people with pre-existing thyroid problems, and iodine intake must be strictly controlled.
Seafood such as kelp and seaweed, although nutritious, is high in iodine and should be consumed in moderation.
Foods high in animal protein may also be a burden on the thyroid gland.
Pickles and other high-salt foods may indirectly adversely affect thyroid function by affecting the body's water balance and blood pressure due to their high salt content.
Alcohol-based foods should also be avoided as it may exacerbate symptoms associated with thyroid nodules through its combined effects in the body, posing a potential threat to thyroid health.
04
How to prevent nodules
Non-smoking is an essential condition for the prevention of many diseases, including malignant transformation of thyroid nodules. Smoking has been shown to negatively affect the thyroid gland and may contribute to the onset and progression of thyroid disease.
Changing cooking habits is also an important aspect of preventing malignant nodules. For example, reducing the consumption of fried foods and high-fat foods and increasing healthy cooking methods such as steaming and boiling can not only help reduce the risk of malignant nodules, but also improve overall health.
Maintaining regular physical activity can benefit thyroid health by enhancing the body's metabolism and improving the balance of the endocrine system.
Maintaining a regular routine is equally important to slow down the development of thyroid nodules. Getting enough sleep, having a regular pace of life, and avoiding excessive stress are all important factors in supporting thyroid health.
Although these lifestyle adjustments cannot directly eliminate nodules, they can effectively reduce the possibility of malignant transformation.
05
Today's summary
Although more scientific research is needed to confirm the effects of specific foods on thyroid nodules, a sensible diet and a healthy lifestyle are key to managing thyroid nodules.
We can't control the natural occurrence of nodules, but we can reduce the risk of malignant nodules by adjusting our eating habits and lifestyle.
In addition, we should also have regular thyroid function tests to monitor the status of the nodules and the health of the thyroid gland.
Through proactive preventive measures and reasonable lifestyle modifications, we can effectively manage thyroid nodules and maintain a healthy quality of life.