America’s obsession for raw kale is at an all time high -Raw kale juice, smoothies, kale chips , kale powders, salad bars, and gourmet raw take out options are everywhere .
Even though Kale is a nutritionally dense ,green leafy vegetable , it happens to be part of the cruciferous family. Raw Kale should not be consumed if there is any suppressed thyroid gland or even thyroid gland removal .
I have discovered that women over 40+ who are in their hormonal declining years who may have any of the following symptoms : abdominal weight gain, thinning hair, dull skin, memory challenges , a diminished sex drive , anxiety , sleep disorders, cold hands & feet, bruising ,anemia should avoid kale and the rest of the cruciferous vegetables in their raw state.
Kale is part of the Brassia family of cruciferous vegetables . This family of foods includes popular vegetables that “fight cancer” but they can also inactivate your thyroid function.
Cruciferous vegetables contain “goitergenic enzymes: that inhibit iodine uptake on the thyroid gland. Many time an under active thyroid will grow larger ( goiter-like) to attract additional iodine sources in the body. The doctors love to remove goiters ,but this surgery may cause lifetime weight gain and mental and cardiovascular problems for that individual .
Our aging thyroids need iodine to function. This important tiny butterfly gland is critical to hundreds of biochemical processes and healthy brain activity . Many women are telling me they just don’t fell right but their thyroid tests show up normal, leaving them in frustration of where to turn . Others are prescribed high does of Levothyroxine or Synthroid that offer in complete chemical pathways . Some doctor may recommend an anti-depressant or anxiety drug and start to layer the prescriptions furthering a reduction in thyroid activity .
Other “healthy” foods that will trigger similar responses when eaten raw include : Broccoli , Bok choy , Brussels sprout,cabbage , collards, kohlrabi , mustard greens, rutabaga and turnips . These veggies contain the highest amount of goiter expansion and thyroid suppression activity . So no broccoli slaw, Cole slaw, kale chips or salad bar selections for people with any type of hypo thyroid disorder, including goiters. Eat these foods cooked and rotate your intake .
The goiter active compounds are heat sensitive and many of them may be reduced up to 50% when cooked over 118 degrees .The very popular kale chips ( they are yummy!) are only at cooked at 115 degrees, rendering them a raw food. Please eat them sparingly!
For those who know they have a hypo-thyroid challenge or who currently use any thyroid medications, please limit these cooked foods to about 2-3 x’s per week. If you notice any of the unpleasant symptoms creeping back in , then cut them out all together.
The opposite is true for Hyper thyroid folks. I know one young lady who eats Brussels sprouts 3 x’s a week to keep her thyroid functioning at normal levels because she has the opposite problem. Over active and she can barely sit still .
Foods that will help to speed up thyroid function and to regulate our bodies temperature include the following : Healthy Fats like butter, ghee( Purity Farms ) , coconut oil ( Kelapo brand is the very best ) , avocados, dark chocolate 75% or more , buttermilk , cheeses and raw unprocessed
see salt ( Himalayan or Celtic ) not the commercial high heat table salt.
Supplements include using higher doses of Vitamin D 3 up to 10,000 iu unless other wise prescribed by your health professional , selenium, magnesium , copper , bladder-wrack and potassium liquid iodide drops like Luggol’s .Healthy spices include cayenne pepper, turmeric, rosemary , parsley, cilantro and fennel. Thyroid combination supplement products that work include Dr Venessa’s Thyroid Balance , Terry Naturally Iodine and NF factors Thyro-sense.
So this spring, watch the frequency of the cruciferous vegetables and switch to artichokes, green beans, asparagus , beet tops , Swiss chard, spinach , summer squashes and peas.Drink lots of water with your pinch of raw salt in it.
A healthy thyroid means a healthy brain and body ; it is one of the keys to aging well.
In continued health ,
Sally Byrd
