Raw Broccoli Affects the thyroid?

[Rawchick]

I have been reading about cruciferous veggies is, do they suppress the thyroid when eaten raw?

Most articles or info in books just state that we need to cook cruciferous veggies because otherwise they negatively affect the thyroid. This article is very odd, but it's the most comprehensive I've come across so far. It implies that all cruciferous, whether cooked or raw, are not good in large amounts:

"At low concentrations, the goitrogens in cabbage and other crucifers inhibit the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland; this effect can be overcome by an increased dietary intake of iodine. At high concentrations, however, these chemicals inhibit the incorporation of iodine into thyroid hormone. In this case, even the iodine that makes it into the thyroid gland cannot be used; dietary iodine therefore cannot overcome the effect of very large amounts of crucifers" (Gaitan E. Goitrogens in Food and Water. Ann Rev. 1990; 10: 21-39.)

What "very large amounts" of cruciferous veggies means is not clear.

Here's the whole article: http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/crucifers.html#goitrogens.

Does anyone know the facts on this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[HolyGuacamole]

That is my understanding, yes, that they are goitrogenic. I don't know tons about it, though - I'm certainly no expert.
I unfortunately have thyroid troubles, and I still eat cruciferous vegetables, just less of them than I used to.
(Soy is hugely bad for the thyroid, and over 20-some-odd years of being vegetarian, I consumed truly massive quantities of soy. *sigh* :( )

[Clare]

Yes. I used to be a big sauerkraut maker and eater (up to 2 cups/day!) in my days of low-carb candida fighting. My tiny thyroid dose had to be quadrupled after a year of that...not sure that it wasn't caused by the low carbing as well, though. I have hope that it will heal. I try not to use them in my green smoothies (kale, turnip greens, etc) and stick with baby spinach, romaine, and other lettuces now.

[Cherrango]

Well now, this is news to me! Interesting, too! Don't let it deter you, though....all things in moderation is a good credo to help keep one in check. Just so you know, though, all seaweeds and sea vegetables are hugely thyroid supportive. They will help with any iodine worries you may have! No need to sweat it. With a wide variety of foods, everything will balance out.

[toots]

I have to echo what Cherrango said......sea greens have a natural form of iodine, and they can actually normalize a hypothyroid, upping your metabolism. If you like cruciforous veggies, I'm not sure what "too much" is....but I would be careful about juicing them. Since you're juicing them raw, of course that means you're getting the most concentrated nutrients...but also these thyroid-slowing properties, which is not good for hypothyroid. Cruciforous veggies in their raw state have these compounds, not when they are cooked. (which doesn't apply to us!) Yeah, I'd stay away from juicing them, and only eat small amounts of them in their whole form.
Small amounts of seaweed/sea vegetables are very good for a slow thyroid. (they're also high in minerals, beta-carotene, and vegetable protein).
Don't eat large amounts of these sea veggies-you can have trouble sleeping due to a revved-up metabolisim!
Hope this helps.

Blessings,
suz;)

[Veganforlife]

My thyroid was totally non-functioning 6 years prior to going 100% raw. All doses for lowest to highest could not help me. In less then a year, eating raw, my thyroid is functioning perfectly.

I rarely do broccoli - just because it's not one of my favorite veggies, but I do cabbage fairly often. I have never had any negative effect from this. But, every BODY is different.

All I know is six years of traditional meds did squat. In less then one year eating 100% raw - I healed my thyroid.

That says a lot! :D

[girl81]

My thyroid was totally non-functioning 6 years prior to going 100% raw. All doses for lowest to highest could not help me. In less then a year, eating raw, my thyroid is functioning perfectly.

I rarely do broccoli - just because it's not one of my favorite veggies, but I do cabbage fairly often. I have never had any negative effect from this. But, every BODY is different.

All I know is six years of traditional meds did squat. In less then one year eating 100% raw - I healed my thyroid.

That says a lot! :D
Do you eat sea greens or seaweeds?