Soy Lecithin protien powder ?

[Bigsi]

I am on a low calorie high protien diet, and have been using protien powder to supplement my diet. However I have become aware of articles saying that one of the ingredients ( Soy Lecithen ) is believed to interfere with thyroid hormone production !

What are people's thoughts on this, as I am very confused and don't want to endanger my health ?

Thanks in advance, Simon.

[Bigsi]

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Effect of Soy on Thyroid Function

nature.com/articles/s41598-...

[ Admin added title of linked paper so that people know what it links to. ]

[greygoose]

Well, for a start, if you're taking thyroid hormone replacement - levo - your thyroid isn't functioning. So, forget that.

But, what soy does is affect the absorption of thyroid hormones at a cellular level. So, you could have good levels in the blood, but very little getting into the cells and therefore still feeling hypo.

There are also a hundred other good reasons not to consume soy, but we won't get into that. I'm just very, very anti-soy.

[Nomad12]

I take a sunflower Lecithin powder by Nutrigold. I was advised to take it by a nutritionist and she said make sure I didn't take the soy version of it.

The product is expensive but the the tub will last a while I think 😊

nutrigold.co.uk/sunflower-l...

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Nomad12]

What is sunflower Lecithin beneficial for Nomad12?

[Nomad12 in reply to RedApple]

I believe it is for gut health and in my case, to protect my gallbladder. I did the genetic test to find out the root cause of my hypothyroidism and had a consultation with a genetic specialist, who is also a nutritionist, to interpret the results (was so interesting). She recommended taking it.

[radd in reply to Nomad12]

Nomad12,

I take this exact powder also, for the choline believed to enhance brain health amongst other things.

       Bigsi Soy lecithin does not affect thyroid hormone uptake. It is the soya beans that do this.

Soy lecithin is found in many poccessed foods (eg chocolate) and tablet capsules (eg Utrogestan progesterone HRT). It has had the soy proteins removed leaving only the fat, and is just called soy lecithin to identify it from other forms, eg sunflower or egg yolks.

It will not be providing you with any protein but likely used to emulsify other ingredients in your protein shake.

[Nomad12 in reply to radd]

Glad to hear it might be actually helping brain health too 😊

[Bigsi in reply to radd]

Thanks that is so reassuring 😁

[Bigsi in reply to radd]

Thanks that is so reassuring 😁

[buddy99]

I asked ai and this was the answer (which mostly also aligns with what I have gleaned looking at different science backed publications):

Soy has been a topic of interest regarding its potential impact on thyroid hormone absorption and function. The main concerns stem from soy's isoflavones, which are plant-based compounds that can have estrogen-like effects in the body. Here are key points regarding soy and thyroid hormones:

Isoflavones and Thyroid Function: Soy isoflavones, such as genistein and daidzein, can inhibit the activity of thyroid peroxidase (TPO), an enzyme crucial for the production of thyroid hormones. This inhibition could potentially reduce the synthesis of thyroid hormones if iodine intake is insufficient.

Absorption of Thyroid Medication: Some studies suggest that soy might interfere with the absorption of synthetic thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) when taken simultaneously. This is particularly relevant for individuals taking thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The fiber content and the presence of other compounds in soy can affect the gastrointestinal absorption of these medications.

Thyroid Hormones at the Cellular Level: While most concerns about soy focus on its effect on hormone production and medication absorption in the gut, there is limited direct evidence on its impact on thyroid hormone absorption at the cellular level. Cellular uptake of thyroid hormones generally involves transport proteins and receptors, and current research does not strongly suggest that soy isoflavones significantly impact this process.

Population Studies: Epidemiological studies in populations with high soy consumption, such as in some Asian countries, do not show a significant increase in thyroid dysfunction compared to populations with lower soy intake. This suggests that, under normal dietary conditions, soy does not have a major adverse effect on thyroid function for most people.

Individual Variability: Sensitivity to soy's effects can vary based on individual factors such as iodine status, genetic predispositions, and overall diet. Those with existing thyroid conditions or those on thyroid hormone replacement therapy should monitor their soy intake.

In the end it is your decision, based on your findings and your concerns, whether you want soy in your life or not. Soy is in the top 3 (together with dairy and gluten) on the list of allergens, but it also has a great number of benefits. With thyroid issues intake of soy has to be balanced with intake of iodine. Iodine is a whole other discussion point. As you can see, this is another complex issue to tackle on top of all the other thyroid issues we already have to navigate. I hope you'll find the best path for yourself.

P.s.: Also soy lecithin is probably highly processed soy, which could have totally different effects than other soy products. This I have no knowledge about.

[Bigsi in reply to buddy99]

Thanks for the indepth info 👍

[buddy99 in reply to Bigsi]

Any time.