Goitrogenic Foods - Two Big Anti-Thyroid Foods To Avoid

By Scott McLeod


You may have not heard of the term "goitrogenic" or "goitrogenic foods," however these foods and dietary components that can cause inflammation of the thyroid gland (goiter) and thus inhibit its proper functioning. Most foods that are considered "goitrogenic" are only harmful to those suffering from hypothyroidism and not those with normal functioning thyroids. Having said that, let us take a look at two MAJOR dietary groups contributing to the worsening of your hypothyroidism.

Offender No. 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 components when consumed in the diet and enter the body are known to be estrogenic. This means that the body responds and reacts to them like estrogen. It mimics estrogen. Your body will try to adjust to elevated levels and subsequently cause hormonal imbalance. Aside from that estrogen inhibits the thyroid gland from from secreting thyroid hormone. Avoid the following: edamame, soy milk, tofu, soy burgers and other soy derived products. Staying away from soy based foods will enable a better functioning thyroid gland.

Transgressor #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.

The ability of the thyroid gland itself to secrete thyroid hormone is inhibited by polyunsaturated fats. They not only block the transportation of thyroid hormone not allowing it be distributed efficiently to the tissues throughout the body, they block your cell from being able to use thyroid hormone when its finally received.

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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