I am going to begin by stating the obvious. I’m not a physician nor pretend to be one. However, I have done research, read medical journals, new and old scientific studies, and have been to quite a few holistic and integrative health conferences — virtual and on-site, to know that foods can be the best form of poison (processed) for our health or clean (unprocessed/organic) which heals your body.

If you eat clean and organic what is the big deal with raw cruciferous and what is the connection to thyroid disease or cancer?

I am glad you asked…

See, I am passionate about prevention and have always looked for ways to enhance my family’s health with the least amount of medical intervention.  When I learned that a relative was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism I began to do some more research to find the right protocol for him as Synthroid and other medications weren’t working.   That is why I am sharing my findings with you, so you can make informed decisions when it comes to your thyroid’s health.

This time we are going to look at the correlation between eating raw cruciferous and thyroid cancer.

Remember though– vegetables are your best source of nutrients, among other nourishing foods- hands down.  That being said, If you have or suspect hypothyroidism you should be careful with Brassicas. I have updated this article with new research and the results are somewhat concerning.

Now let’s look at the correlation between raw cruciferous and Thyroid Cancer:

In this article Leyla Muedin MS, RD, CDN  says:

These vegetables are from the plant genus Brassica, which are known to be goitrogenic. A goitrogen is a thyroid antagonist found in food.  Also included in the Brassica family are turnips, rutabaga, watercress, kohlrabi and cauliflower.    As someone with hypothyroidism, should you avoid these vegetables completely? No. Make sure to eat most of these vegetables cooked, rather than in their raw state and don’t eat them every day. Always eat a variety of produce. – [2]

There is a controversy when it comes to consuming raw cruciferous like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and the like.  Some people believe that you must eat raw foods no matter what, others feel that cooked are the only way, and other simply don’t eat them.  I can see why.  So, I decided to do a little more research and the findings were concerning.

It is hard to believe that vegetables can harm us in any way right? Well, most of them don’t, and you should eat them in any way shape and form unless you are deficient in one particular mineral.

Let’s dive into some nutrition and  biology 101 shall we?

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables all contain goitrogens. These include all types of cabbages, such as napa cabbage, bok choy and Brussels sprouts; broccoli, cauliflower and kale; and collard, mustard, and turnip greens. If you have normal thyroid function and consume adequate amounts of iodine, these compounds will have no effect on your thyroid.

The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences has established the recommended dietary allowance or RDA, for iodine at 150 mcg daily. Himalayan salt for example contains 250 micrograms of iodine (167% DV. per 1/2 gram). {Buy pure Himalayan salt here}

Goitrogens

Fortunately, the goitrogenic compounds in cruciferous vegetables are destroyed by heat. Cooking these vegetables will ensure that they will not affect your thyroid.

There are different types of goitrogens; the ones in raw cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables are isothiocyanates, which block the enzyme that allows your thyroid to use iodine.

Other foods that contain goitrogens are soy, spinach, strawberries, peaches and peanuts. Fermenting soy disables the goitrogenic isoflavones found in soy foods. Also, you can limit your consumption of certain foods to avoid the goitrogenic effect.

Mary Shomon a well respected and expert in thyroid diseases warns the following:

Some common vegetables, fruits and foods with the highest concentration of goitrogens not mentioned above are:

• African cassava
• Babassu (a palm-tree coconut fruit found in Brazil and Africa)
• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Broccolini
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Chinese Broccoli
• Collards
• Daikon
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Millet
• Mustard
• Pine nuts
• Radishes
• Red Radish
• Rutabaga
• Turnips
• Watercress

On the other hand,  warnings that these foods are the cause of hypothyroidism are probably exaggerated. First, the goitrogens are destroyed when these foods are cooked. Secondly, the amount of these foods that someone needs to eat in order to get an anti-thyroid hormone effect is much larger than what most people would eat in a normal diet. Although I would not advise someone with hypothyroidism to eat lots of these vegetables uncooked, I have found no evidence that just eating normal amounts of these vegetables will cause.

Goitrogens may be helpful to include in the diet in case of hyperthyroidism.

The Role of Dietary Iodine and Cruciferous Vegetables in Thyroid Cancer

I group of researchers from the French Institute of Health and Medicine, conducted a countrywide population-based case-control study in the multi-ethnic population of Caledonian women.

Exceptionally high incidence rates of thyroid cancer have been reported in New Caledonia, particularly in Melanesian women. To clarify the reasons of this elevated incidence they decided to do further research. The study included 293 cases of thyroid cancer and 354 population controls. Based on a food frequency questionnaire, they investigated the role in thyroid cancer of food items rich in iodine-such as seafood-and of vegetables containing goitrogens-such as cruciferous vegetables.

What Researchers Found

A measure of total daily iodine intake based on a food composition table was also used. Scientist findings provided little support for an association between thyroid cancer and consumption of fish and seafood.   However, They found that high consumption of cruciferous vegetables was associated with thyroid cancer among Melanesian women with mild iodine deficiency, may contribute to explain the exceptionally high incidence of thyroid cancer in this group. Furtheremore, Iodine deficiency has been linked to other diseases and forms of Cancer.

Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

Initially, though, people may go into the doctor because they notice the following symptoms and signs:

• Lump in the Neck: Not all thyroid nodules are big enough to cause a noticeable lump. Some people, though, may notice a lump in the front of their neck. You may be able to see it, or perhaps you can’t see it but you can feel it. Other people may notice a lump in your neck when you swallow. The most common way that a thyroid lump (and potential thyroid cancer) is detected, however, is when a doctor performs a thyroid exam and feels your thyroid.
• Swollen Lymph Node: Swollen lymph nodes in the neck are another symptom of thyroid cancer (a symptom not related to thyroid nodules). Thyroid cancer can spread to the lymph nodes, which are scattered throughout your body to help you fight infection. The lymph nodes in your neck (you can feel them under your jaw) become swollen when you have a cold or sore throat, for example. When the infection is gone, they should return to their normal size, so if the lymph nodes in your neck stay enlarged for an extended period—and you aren’t sick—you should talk to your doctor.
• Hoarse Voice: Your thyroid gland sits just below the larynx (more commonly known as your voice box). A thyroid nodule (which may be thyroid cancer) may be pressing on the voice box, causing hoarseness or voice changes. This is an uncommon way that thyroid cancer is detected.
• Difficulty Swallowing or Breathing: The thyroid is on top of your trachea—the windpipe. A developing thyroid cancer may put pressure on your trachea, making breathing more difficult. Your esophagus is below your trachea, so again, a developing thyroid cancer can cause trouble swallowing. This is also an uncommon way that thyroid cancer is detected.
• Neck Pain: Pain is usually a clue that something in your anatomy isn’t working quite as it should. If you have neck pain that lasts longer than a few weeks, you should make an appointment with your doctor to figure out what’s causing it. Thyroid cancer is a rare cause of neck pain but if you have neck pain combined with some of these other symptoms, be sure to mention that to your doctor.
• Throat Pain: Similar to neck pain, if you have throat pain that won’t go away, you should go to see your doctor. It’s a possible symptom of thyroid cancer.

The above symptoms are associated with thyroid nodules of all types, not just cancerous nodules. Since most thyroid cancers develop in thyroid nodules, it’s essential to be aware of these symptoms and signs that may point to thyroid cancer.

Keep in mind, however, that the majority of thyroid nodules are not cancerous, and most adults will have a thyroid nodule (or even a few of them).

The symptoms of thyroid cancer are hard to detect—and usually the noticeable symptoms are caused not by the cancer itself but by the thyroid nodule where the thyroid cancer is developing. If you notice any of these signs or symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. [2]

The Connection Between Breast Cancer and Low Iodine Levels

While doing research on breast cancer a few months ago, this scientific study demonstrated that women who developed breast cancer had usually low- to very low levels of Iodine.  It is clear that there is a connection between low levels of Selenium and Iodine with breast of cancer.

Here is an excerpt of that study:

Scientists examined some of the evidence linking iodine and selenium to breast cancer development. Seaweed is a popular dietary component in Japan and a rich source of both of these essential elements. We hypothesize that this dietary preference may be associated with the low incidence of benign and malignant breast disease in Japanese women. In animal and human studies, iodine administration has been shown to cause regression of both iodine-deficient goiter and benign pathological breast tissue.

Iodine, in addition to its incorporation into thyroid hormones, is organified into anti-proliferative iodolipids in the thyroid; such compounds may also play a role in the proliferative control of extrathyroidal tissues. Selenium acts synergistically with iodine. All three mono-deiodinase enzymes are selenium-dependent and are involved in thyroid hormone regulation. In this way selenium status may affect both thyroid hormone homeostasis and iodine availability.

Although there is suggestive evidence for a preventive role for iodine and selenium in breast cancer, rigorous retrospective and prospective studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis

While my intention is not to create panic, I do like to raise awareness and bring up the scientific evidence to the light.  Studies are that, and there is always room for errors that perhaps “interfered” with the results on the beautiful Caledonian women and their high cancer rates. That being said, I suggest that you keep a close eye on your iodine levels especially if you have thyroid disease, or suspect you may have it.

Additionally, use common sense when it comes to your health while listening to your body and working closely with an integrative medicine practitioner. {Buy oral Lugols Iodione here}

In Conclusion

Should you stop consuming brassicas or green juices made with goitrogens? Not if you do not have Hashimoto’s/Hypothyroidism keep track of your Iodine and Selenium level,s and of course follow a diet rich in foods that support the thyroid.

However, the facts don’t lie, and studies are conducted for a reason.  It is in your best interest to work closely with a reliable Endocrinologist or Integrative Endocrinologist in order to keep your thyroid disease in check or keep it healthy.

As always raw organic foods such as fruits and vegetables are an amazing way to nourish your body, so stopping them altogether wouldn’t be healthy either.  Cook them if you must, but eat them!

At home we rotate meals with cooked and raw vegetables depending on the season and availability while monitoring not only our iodine levels, but other minerals, vitamins, and symptoms.

Thanks for reading and sharing my posts.  I hope you learned something new and that you can share this knowledge with loved ones.

What are your thoughts on the controversy with goitrogens and thyroid disease?

Do you think it is all a hype?  I’d love to hear you experiences in the comments below.

To Your Best Health,