This vitamin will heal your thyroid!

Foggy? Fatigued? Hair thinning? A slow thyroid can cause symptoms easily confused with aging, says Sara Gottfried, M.D., author of Younger. “It is not normal to get fat, feel flat and lose your hair as you get older!”

1 Say yes to protein!

Chicken, beef and eggs are top sources of copper, a crucial trace mineral needed to keep your thyroid energized. Vegetarian? Nuts and seeds boast lots of dietary copper, too, says Dr. Gottfried.

2 Take D! Up to 72% of folks with thyroid disorders are deficient in vitamin D. Your body should make enough of its own D if you spend 10 to 15 minutes in the sun—but there’s no harm in supplementing with 1,000 IU daily, too, to keep your bases covered. Eager to revitalize your thyroid? 3 Filter your water!

Yes, it’s important to drink plenty of H20. But tap water can contain compounds that accelerate aging, including fluoride, which can block iodine absorption, a mineral needed for thyroid function, says Dr. Gottfried. Filtering tap water removes these compounds.

4 Be smart about seafood!

Fish is a super-healthy source of protein, unless it’s a variety that contains a lot of mercury, such as ahi tuna, swordfish or tilefish. “Mercury is a heavy metal that can harm thyroid function and interfere with thyroid hormone production,” Dr. Gottfried explains. Low-mercury picks include cod, salmon and sardines.