Fermented soya/Afib query: Does anyone have Afib... - Thyroid UK

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Fermented soya/Afib query

infomaniac profile image
23 Replies

Does anyone have Afib?

I'm looking for natural alternatives to blood thinners and have seen Nattokinase and Serrapeptase recommended. However Natto is made from soya which I know is a no-no for us but is fermented soya OK?

I've just started taking NAC but am concerned that taking K2 (with my D3) will cancel it out.

I also read that K2 is in broccoli and other green veg and I obviously don't want to cut this out of my diet so wonder if I should ditch the K2 supplement?

Really confused!!

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infomaniac
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23 Replies
Wetsuiter profile image
Wetsuiter

I m no expert, but i believe fermented soya is ok for us thyroidies. I can't help at all about the K2.

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply toWetsuiter

Thanks 😊

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Actually, the jury is still out on fermented soy. Some people believe it is ok, but others believe that the acti of fermentation increases the bad contents rather than reducing them.

The way soy affects you is to impede the uptake of thyroid hormone by the cells. So, you can have really good/high levels according to your blood test, but still feel hypo. If this is happening to you, you'll be able to tell by listening to your body and getting your FT4 and FT3 tested, not just TSH.

I've just started taking NAC but am concerned that taking K2 (with my D3) will cancel it out.

Why would K2 do that? I don't know much about NAC but I do believe it has a negative effect on conversion of T4 to T3.

I also read that K2 is in broccoli and other green veg and I obviously don't want to cut this out of my diet so wonder if I should ditch the K2 supplement?

Yes, there is K2 in broccoli, and lots of other green veggies. But, the question is: can you absorb enough of it? Hypos tend to have low stomach acid, so digesting and absorbing nutrients is difficult, which is why we need to take nutrients in large quantities in supplements, to make sure enough gets through.

You need to take K2 with vit D because taking vit D increases absorption of calcium from food, and the K2 makes sure it gets into the bones and teeth, and doesn't build up in the soft tissues. So, enjoy your broccoli AND continue with your K2 supplement to make sure you get enough. :)

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac

Thanks for that greygoose.

I've read so much stuff I don't know if I'm coming or going! I didn't know about the NAC/conversion issue...back to the drawing board I fear. I just thought if NAC thins the blood and K2 helps blood clot they might cancel each other out? I get what you're saying about absorbing nutrients. I eat loads of veg but my folate and iron are both low so I probably don't absorb very well. I'll keep on with them and hope for the best.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toinfomaniac

Ahhhhhhhhh I see your reasoning! lol Bit thick this evening.

But, the question is: does K2 help blood clot? K1 does, but K2 is a completely different vitamin. And, opinions on whether or not it clots blood are divided. I've never been able to get to the bottom of that one.

Are you vegetarian? Because veg is not the best place to get iron! And certainly not spinach, as we've all been lead to believe, because the human gut cannot absorb iron from spinach. So, that could be why your iron is low. Or one of the reasons, anyway.

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply togreygoose

No I'm not vegetarian-far from it. I went through my life being a veg-dodger but in the last few years I have made myself eat veg and now a meal isn't complete without it. My mother would be so proud!Everyone seems to say that you must take K2 with D3 so that's why I've always taken it but if it doesn't then that's a bonus I guess.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toinfomaniac

Sorry, but if what doesn't what? I don't understand your last sentence.

m7-cola profile image
m7-cola in reply togreygoose

Thank you, GG for clarifying the K1 K2 vitamins and the ‘blood clotting issue. Most helpful!

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply tom7-cola

Well, I'm not sure I have clarified it. :)

m7-cola profile image
m7-cola in reply togreygoose

The bit that helped me was that K2 is not implicated in blood clotting.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply tom7-cola

But that's not what I said. I said I don't know if it is. Opinions are divided: some people think it is, some think it isn't. And I just don't know one way or another.

And, opinions on whether or not it clots blood are divided. I've never been able to get to the bottom of that one.

Incoguto profile image
Incoguto

Hey infomaniac, have a read here on fermented soy and thyroid (with references): boostthyroid.com/blog/2019/... think it depends. Some people are absolutely fine with soy and some not. I eat fermented soy products and I like natto, never had any negative impact on my health.

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply toIncoguto

Thanks. I've always avoided it so not sure if it affects me or not to be honest.

bookish profile image
bookish

Hi, no Afib but I do use natural vitamin E as a blood thinner (although I also avoid pufa and get the best E I can raypeat.com/articles/articl.... Have you tried magnesium (and maybe potassium) for the Afib? Dad has Afib so I've bought him some magnesium for Christmas! Best wishes

livingwithatrialfibrillatio... ahajournals.org/doi/full/10...

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply tobookish

Hi, I used to take Magnesium every now and then but since seeing the doc and trying to sort myself out without taking prescription meds I have taken it every night, and it's doing wonders for my sleep and ermmm...bowels! I'm also considering vitamin E and potassium. Something must work surely!

bookish profile image
bookish in reply toinfomaniac

Yep, keeps me regular too! Best wishes, I'm sure you will improve. The body has an amazing capacity to do so, given a bit of appropriate help. x (PS I use food sources for the potassium that I need, I don't supplement. You'll see Ray Peat mentions aspirin in the link I sent)

PS an extra link re magnesium which you may find interesting drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Partner20 profile image
Partner20

Before taking anything like VitK1 or K2, which play a part in helping blood to clot, you should speak to your cardiologist. They will also advise on natural alternatives to anticoagulants. Please seek qualified advice on this from those who know your medical history. I would not offer my opinions on such a serious matter.

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply toPartner20

I know what you're saying and I agree that in an ideal world it is best to get advice from professionals but since my cardiologist suggested low dose aspirin, which apparently fell out of favour ages ago, she doesn't instill me with a lot of confidence on that score I'm afraid. I am more than happy to take advice from people who have actually experienced the same problems as me and I particularly appreciate the advice given on this forum.

Partner20 profile image
Partner20 in reply toinfomaniac

Low-dose aspirin was recommended by our haematologist, and is currently still on the agenda for heart conditions, with alternatives used for those unable to use aspirin, or require a specific medication such as clopidogrel. Certainly not an out-of- favour recommendation from what I both hear and read. Be careful, too, with the suggestions regarding elements such as potassium that I am seeing here. Never supplement with potassium unless you have had your level checked and you jnow you need it. If you do decide in favour of it, monitor your level regularly, to prevent damage to kidneys and liver. Treating one thing by certain methods often causes harm elsewhere, unfortunately, so caution is needed.

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply toPartner20

Thank you. I was going to start on low dose aspirin but then read it can cause bleeding so decided against it but I appreciate it may be OK for some.

in reply toinfomaniac

I agree with you about the Cardio Docs just focusing on pills. Im using some of their pills (1 or 2 out of 10.) Im mostly supplementing my way to health. Btw, Vitamin K1 is a blood clotting nutrient. Vitamin K2 does the opposite (thins the blood and removes calcium plaque from the arteries.)

Partner20 profile image
Partner20

Yes, certainly not recommended for anyone with a history of stomach ulcers, for instance, but in a low dose, generally tolerated well by most. It all depends whether the benefit outweighs the risk. I hope you find something that is the best fit for you.🙂

in reply toPartner20

If you feel the need to take Aspirin, at lest take it would food. 👍

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