Thyroid function is one of the main misdiagnosed conditions nowadays. Even worse, most patients miss getting the proper diagnosis and care for their condition as the needed labs were never ordered.
As explained by Dr. Hyman, when he hears patients suffer from dry skin, acne, fatigue, weight-loss, problems with menstruation or fertility, high cholesterol or blood sugar levels, and inability to focus, he immediately questions their thyroid function.
There are various reasons why so many people are suffering from a low functioning thyroid and hypothyroidism. They range from environmental toxins to low nutrient status, which impairs the conversion of T4 to T3. Considering that each body is different, Dr. Hyman uses lengthy checklists and labs to determine person`s root cause of low thyroid.
What are Goitrogens?
- Many experts claim that veggies containing goitrogens have a negative effect on the thyroid.
- They can inhibit iodine from entering the thyroid and eventually lead to goiter or swollen thyroid.
- Considering that iodine is of utmost importance for proper thyroid function, many believe that eating a lot of goitrogens might cause an underactive thyroid.
- The active form of the thyroid hormone is known as triiodothyronine, emphasizing the importance of iodine in proper hormone function.
- The truth is that one needs to eat large amounts of these veggies for their goitrogenic substances to have an effect on their thyroid.
- More significantly, one needs to consume them raw!
- Given that most people roast, bake, steam, boil or bake their cruciferous veggies, the body receives small amounts of goitrogens due to the impact of cooking.
- So, don't worry about eating moderate portions of these veggies and even aim at getting 1-2 portions of them a day for their role in disease prevention.
If you are still worried about how eating these veggies effect your thyroid then follow some of these instructions:
- Cruciferous veggies are not the only foods including these substances.
- Sweet potato, soy, millet, yuka, and certain medications also contain goitrogens.
- The goal is not to avoid certain foods, but rather consume a variety of them in moderate amounts.
- In fact, several studies have shown that food containing goitrogenic substances is nothing to fear in terms of thyroid function.
- Focus on those foods that have been shown to trigger thyroid disorders.
- Examining those like gluten, dairy foods, processed soy, and sugar is a good idea.
- Try an elimination diet and see how it works for you, suggesting whether these triggers affect your thyroid or not.
- In other words, remove them from your diet for a certain period and after that re-introduce them once again.
- Removing healthy foods like kale or broccoli is not the best way to prevent thyroid dysfunction, however, to eat plenty of real, whole and nutrient-dense foods that contain nutrients like iodine, selenium, B-vitamins, tyrosine, and omega-3 fats.
Consume more of these:
- Iodine: sea veggies, (nori, wakame, etc.), seafood, grass-fed dairy.
- Selenium: Brazil nuts, seafood, eggs.
- B Vitamins: eggs, legumes, wild meat, poultry, green leafy vegetables.
- Tyrosine: avocado, poultry, grass-fed dairy.
- Omega-3 Fats: fatty fish like sardines and wild salmon; walnuts, hemp seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds.
Cook your cruciferous veggies to reduce the number of goitrogenic substances. However, the longer veggies are cooked, the more water-soluble nutrients are lost at the same time. For that reason, you need to steam or cook lightly and not at high temperatures or for too long.
Source: http://infantway.com/
