Is kale bad

[akwitek]

Hi. I just found this site. It's great! I was diagnosed hypothyroid in 2015. I'm still struggling with feeling good again (another story). It's summer and I love kale. But I heard it's bad if you have thyroid issues. Are the rumors true or is it fake news? Thanks.

[greygoose]

It's not fake news, no. But there's a lot of misunderstanding about it.

Kale is what is called a goitrogen, meaning it contains goitrogenic substances. What it happens is, goitrogens impede the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland so that it can't make enough thyroid hormone.

However, you would have to eat an awful lot of it AND be susceptible to that particular goitrogen. There's a long list of goitrogens and most people eat several every day without even thinking about it. And without ill effect because they don't eat them in excess.

In any case, they only affect people who rely on their thyroids for some of their hormone. If you are on thyroid hormone replacement - levo or whatever - they won't affect you. I should imagine that by now, you are on a full replacement dose, no? So, you don't need to worry about goitrogens.

Except for soy. Because soy is not only a goitrogen, but it also has an effect at a cellular level, impeding the uptake of thyroid hormone, by the cells.

So, go ahead and enjoy your kale. But, remember : all things in moderation.

[akwitek in reply to greygoose]

Thanks so much for the info!

[greygoose in reply to akwitek]

You're welcome.