Goitrogenic Foods - Two Big Anti-Thyroid Foods To Avoid

By Scott McLeod


Have you heard the term "goitrogenic" or goitrogenic foods? These are foods or dietary components that induce stress and inflammation of the thyroid gland (goiter), thus inhibiting its proper function. Now, what is considered "goitrogenic" to people suffering from hypothyroidism, typically has no negative thyroid consequences to those not suffering from hypothyroidism. With that in mind, let's begin and address the two big dietary groups actually contributing to the worsening of your hypothyroidism.

Culprit #1 - Soy

There is monumental evidence demonstrating why high soy diets are catastrophic to hypothyroidism sufferers, YET so many are advising their patients or clients to consume a diet as such. This is POOR, uninformed advice that should be avoided at all costs if you suffer from hypothyroidism and I'll tell you why.

Soy is known to be estrogenic, meaning that the human body reacts to it much like it would estrogen in the body. Among other consequences this sets in motions a cascade of hormonal imbalances. Estrogen inhibits the thyroid gland from secreting its thyroid hormones. Here is a list of foods that are high in soy: soybeans, edamame, soy milk, tofu, soy burgers and other products derived from soy. Avoiding products containing soy will also help you avoid the negative consequences they cause to your thyroid.

Offender No. 2 - Polyunsaturated Fats

Media exposure has been given to the body of research that shows such great benefits polyunsaturated fats can create by incorporating into your diet. This research ignores or is ignorant of just as much evidence demonstrating the catastrophic effects polyunsaturated fats can have on sufferers of hypothyroidism.

Polyunsaturated fats actually block the ability of the thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormone. They also block the transportation of thyroid hormone in circulation which doesn't allow it to be effectively distributed throughout the body. Not only that, these fats block your cells from being able to utilize thyroid hormone once they get it.

Polyunsaturated fats isolated by themselves are liquid at room temperature so besides some sources that contain amounts of them, many of the following AVOID list are oils. Avoid corn oil, safflower oil and soybean oil. Avoid mayonnaise (I'm sorry sandwich fans). Try to not consume walnuts, sunflower seeds and flax seeds (or flax seed oil). My final recommendation is to take a look at any salad dressing you plan on consuming because most of them are very high in polyunsaturated fats... many are comprised of soybean oil.




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