Mara

I have elevated thyroid hormone levels, so in my search of foods to eat that would help control and lower thyroid hormone level production, conversion and so on naturally I came across Pb as an item to avoid... I still have a pb cookie once in a while but do end up avoiding it altogether because of the physical reactions , for me it's not worth it...unless the doctor puts me on an antithyroid medication again which I'm trying to avoid but think I'm losing this battle even with proper diet. Anyway, I posted the full excerpt because from what I read, for hypert's (like me) pb should be avoided, which sounds contradictory, so to clarify somewhat, read on...

GOITROGENS
Goitrogens are foods which suppress thyroid function...>>>>>>and...

>>>In normals, goitrogens can induce hypothyroidism and goiter.
>>>In hypos-hypothyroid, goitrogens can further depress thyroidal function and stimulate the growth of the thyroid (goiter).
>>>In hypers-hyperthyroids, goitrogens may help suppress thyroidal function until normal thyroidal functioning can be restored...

However, this may not be a good strategy. Goitrogens work by interfering with the thyroidal uptake of iodine. While many hypers try to limit thyroid output by iodine restriction, this strategy can backfire. Iodine restriction will cause the thyroid to increase in size (goiter) in an effort to filter more blood to get more iodine. When iodine is then re-introduced to the diet or accidentally ingested, the now larger thyroid gland has the capacity for greater thyroid hormone production.I do not believe that iodine restriction is a good long-term method for controlling thyroid hormone production. Therefore the consumption of goitrogens is not a good strategy. It is better to increase copper metabolism by supplementation of copper and the assisting nutrients. Once copper is replenished and copper metabolism is working properly, the body will tolerate iodine without increasing thyroid hormone production.
Many goitrogens are generally members of the brassica family. These include:
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Mustard
Kale
Turnips
Rape seed (Canola Oil)>>>>>>>>>>fyi-read on: TOS (toxic oil syndrome)
Other goitrogens include:
Soy
Pine nuts
Millet
Peanuts

Brassica family vegetables not only inhibit thyroid production, but they also inhibit cancer growth. We know that sulfur, copper, and iron work closely together and that excessive sulfur can deplete copper and/or iron. The following study mentions that excessive kale consumption will cause anemia in cattle. Generally anemia is the result of low iron and/or copper. Also, foods and drugs that cause anemia also reduce cancer growth, indicating that the brassica vegetables might reduce cancer by inducing anemia.

Because copper and iron are so important for thyroid function, I don't think that it is advisable to eat plants of the brassica family. We have seen that the primary pre-condition for the production of thyroid disease is the onset of anemia. Brassica vegetables, with their high sulfur content, may be foods which induce anemia and consequently thyroid disease. Don't consider this the final word on these vegetables, but we will continue to look at this possibility....

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