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Cruciferous
vegetables such as kale, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are full of nutrients
that help keep you healthy.
However
if you have thyroid problems and are taking vital steps to recover your thyroid
health you may want to strictly avoid these vegetables, especially in their raw
state.
What’s
the go with cruciferous vegetables?
Cruciferous
vegetables are also known as Brassica vegetables. These green vegetables are
members of the Cruciferae, or mustard family. Their name is based on the shape
of their flowers which have four equal sized petals that form the shape of a
crucifix.
The
most commonly consumed cruciferous vegetables include; kale, broccoli,
cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, broccolini, Chinese cabbage, kohlrabi,
radish, mustard greens, collard greens, choy sum, horseradish, turnips, rocket
and wasabi.
The
health protective effects of cruciferous vegetables
One
of the unique things about cruciferous vegetables is that they are rich sources
of glucosinolates. These sulphur containing compounds give these vegetables
their pungent aroma and spicy taste.
Glucosinolates
break down into several biologically active compounds that are being studied
for their promising anti-cancer effects. For most people consuming cruciferous
vegetables may help lower their risk of developing cancer.
However
for people with thyroid problems or a low thyroid these vegetables should be
strictly avoided, particularly in their raw state or in excessive amounts.
Cruciferous
vegetables block healthy thyroid activity
The
word ‘goitrogen’ is derived from the word ‘goitre’, a condition in which the
thyroid gland becomes enlarged. The term is also used to describe a food that interferes
with proper thyroid function. The most common goitrogenic foods are vegetables
from the cruciferous family, and soy foods.
Goitrogenic
foods may not necessarily cause a goitre, but they do have the potential to
block proper thyroid activity by inhibiting the action of iodine and causes
thyroid problems. This goitrogenic effect is far more noticeable when a person
has an iodine deficiency.
The
kale craze and green smoothies
Kale
has become a very popular ingredient in freshly prepared green smoothies. This
means some health conscious individuals could be consuming kale on most days.
The fact is, consuming too much of this cruciferous vegetable can shut down the
thyroid and causes thyroid problems.
Whenever
you over consume one vegetable you are also taking in a greater quantity of the
anti-nutritional factors of that particular plant. Plants have different
chemicals to deter animals, including plant eating humans, from over grazing on
them.
Can
you return to eating cruciferous vegetables?
When
your thyroid health is restored it is possible to re-introduce small amounts of
a variety of cooked, or lightly steamed cruciferous vegetables to your daily
diet. This should be done along with providing your thyroid with the nutrients
it requires to function properly.
One
of the most important nutrients to support ongoing thyroid health is iodine.
Zinc, selenium, tyrosine and B group vitamins are also very important.
Read
the following related articles:
Author Bio:
Louise O’ Connor,
the author of The Natural Thyroid Diet –The 4-Week Plan to Living Well, Living Vibrantly, who
is a specialist in Thyroid Health. She is a highly regarded Australian
Naturopath and founder of Wellnesswork.
The Natural Thyroid
Diet goes beyond diet advice and offers practical and effective ways to achieve
healthy thyroid levels within just a short period of time. For more details,
Click on
The-Natural-Thyroid-Diet.com
