goitrogen

Goitrogens are substances that suppress the function of the thyroid gland by interfering with iodine uptake which can, as a result, cause an enlargement of the thyroid.

Goitrogenic drugs

Chemicals that have been shown to have goitrogenic effects include:

• Sulfadimethoxine, propylthiouracil, potassium perchlorate, and iopanoic acid.^[1]
• Thiocyanate overload in Central Africa, especially if also in conjunction with selenium deficiency.^[2] Reliance on cassava as a carbohydrate provides a source of thiocyanate in some areas.^[3]

Goitrogenic foods

Certain foods have been identified as goitrogenic. These foods include:

• Soybeans (and soybean products such as tofu)
• Pine nuts
• Peanuts
• Millet
• Strawberries
• Peaches
• Spinach
• Bamboo shoots
• Radishes
• Horseradish
• Vegetables in the genus Brassica
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Broccolini (Asparations)
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Chinese cabbage
  • Choy sum
  • Collard greens
  • Kai-lan (Chinese broccoli)
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Mizuna
  • Mustard greens
  • Rapeseed (yu choy)
  • Rapini
  • Rutabagas
  • Tatsoi
  • Turnips

Foods stimulating thyroid tissue

Some foods and drinks have an opposite effect on the thyroid gland--that is, they stimulate thyroid function rather than suppressing it; examples being caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate) and also avocado, coconut,^[4] and saturated fat.^[5]. Indeed some studies on rats suggest that excess caffiene in conjunction with a lack of iodine may promote the formation of thyroid cancers.^[6]

Footnotes

External links

• Goitrogen page
• Goitrogen page from The World's Healthiest Foods site

See also

• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Thyroid

Donate to Wikimedia