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What Foods Are Good for the Thymus Gland?

Fresh broccoli and sea salt
Foods that are good for the thymus gland are those that boost immune function, such as foods rich in vitamin C, foods rich in zinc, foods rich in vitamin A, foods fortified with vitamin A, and foods rich in selenium.

The thymus is a small organ located just behind the breast bone, in the space in the chest between the lungs, in front of and above the heart.

The thymus is part of the body’s immune system, but it is only active until puberty. After puberty it decreases in size and is replaced by body fat. Adults essentially live without a functioning thymus gland.  

  • The thymus gland is responsible for immune function. It is primarily involved in the production and maturation of a type of white blood cell called T lymphocytes (T cells).
  • T cells develop in the thymus and travel to lymph nodes where they help the immune system protect the body from foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria, fungus, and other types of infections.
  • The T lymphocytes produced by the thymus gland also help protect the body from itself by controlling cancerous cells. 

There is no specific diet for the thymus gland but foods that are good for the thymus gland are those that boost immune function, such as: 

  • Foods rich in vitamin C
    • Citrus fruits
      • Orange
      • Kiwi
      • Lemon
      • Grapefruit
    • Bell peppers
    • Berries  
    • Tomatoes
    • Cruciferous vegetables 
      • Broccoli
      • Brussels sprouts
      • Cabbage
      • Cauliflower
    • Dark leafy greens
  • Foods rich in zinc
    • Oysters
    • Crab
    • Lobster
    • Kidney beans
    • Breakfast cereal fortified with zinc
    • Chicken,
    • Pumpkin seeds
    • Nuts such as cashews and almonds
    • Chickpeas
    • Oatmeal
  • Foods rich in vitamin A
    • Leafy green vegetables
      • Kale
      • Spinach
      • Broccoli
    • Orange and yellow vegetables 
      • Carrots
      • Sweet potatoes
      • Pumpkin and other winter squash
      • Summer squash
    • Tomatoes
    • Red bell pepper
    • Cantaloupe
    • Mango
    • Beef liver
    • Fish oils
    • Milk
    • Eggs
    • Foods fortified with vitamin A 
      • Breakfast cereals
      • Juices
      • Dairy products
  • Foods rich in selenium
    • Brazil nuts
    • Tuna, halibut, and sardines
    • Ham
    • Shrimp
    • Macaroni
    • Turkey
    • Chicken
    • Cottage cheese
    • Brown rice
    • Ground beef
    • Egg, hard boiled
    • Whole wheat bread
    • Baked beans
    • Oatmeal

What Symptoms of Thymus Diseases?

Many people with thymus diseases have no symptoms. 

Symptoms of thymus problems depend on the cause and may include: 

What Causes Thymus Diseases?

Causes of thymus diseases include: 

  • Genetic abnormalities
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Cancer

How Is Thymus Disease Diagnosed?

In many people with thymus cancer, tumors are found by chance on imaging tests such as chest X-rays or CT scans done for other reasons. Other tests that may be performed to diagnose thymus problems include:

What Is the Treatment for Thymus Diseases?

Thymus cancer is treated with one or more of the following:  

  • Surgery
  • Removal of the thymus gland, including any tumor (thymectomy)
  • Removal of as much tumor as possible (debulking)
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy

The corticosteroid prednisone is often given with chemotherapy.

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References
Image Sources: iStock Images

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/thymus-cancer.html

https://www.thoughtco.com/thymus-anatomy-373250

https://www.scripps.edu/newsandviews/e_20150810/petrie.html

https://drjewilliams.com/blog/rejuvenate-your-thymus-gland/

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-c/

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-a/

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Selenium-HealthProfessional/