Soy: Helpful or Harmful For Thyroid Patients?

Should soy be avoided if you have a thyroid problem? The answer is not as clear as you might think. Soy is actually somewhat controversial because there are many studies which show that it is helpful and others that suggest it may be harmful to thyroid patients.

I'm speaking specifically to thyroid patients when I talk about soy! It may be the case that soy is beneficial but I want to make the case that MOST thyroid patients should avoid soy for 3 main reasons:

#1. Soy has an estrogenic effect.

There is no question that soy can stimulate estrogen receptors in the body. This can be both a good thing and a bad thing. In some cases, stimulating soy may prevent against heart disease and other factors. But in others, especially those who are overweight, soy can exacerbate other problems. Since many thyroid patients suffer from being overweight, avoiding soy is usually a good idea.

#2. Soy can act as a goitrogen.

This isn't necessarily an issue by itself but it can become a big issue when you consider that many thyroid patients are already avoiding iodine. The less iodine you consume the more impact even small amounts of goitrogens will have on thyroid function. This probably isn't an issue if you just consume enough iodine but it is still worth mentioning.

#3. Soy is heavily processed and around 90% of all soy products are GMO.

I've mentioned in other videos that processed foods should be avoided and because MOST sources of soy are heavily processed, you would want to avoid soy just for that reason alone.

But what about non gmo version of soy? There may be a case that using non gmo versions of soy may be helpful if you are ALSO consuming enough iodine daily AND if you are not already overweight.

Are you currently eating soy or actively avoiding it? If so, let me know how soy has impacted your body!

Download my free thyroid resources here (including hypothyroid symptoms checklist, the complete list of thyroid lab tests + optimal ranges, foods you should avoid if you have thyroid disease, and more): https://www.restartmed.com/start-here/

This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.

#thyroid #hypothyroidism #hashimoto's