Flax Seed being a Goitrogen

[Dawnie]

Hi Shelly
You'v recommended the usa of Flax seeds in the Fiber Shake, but I'm confused because now I'm finding out that they are a goitrogenic food which inhibits the production of the thyroid. Since I have Hashimotos I am concerned about taking the seeds and the oil which I have everyday. Could you comment on this please...Many thanks

[Troy McClure]

If you have thyroid issues you shouldn't be using flax. You are right that it is goitrogenic.

You can get your EFA's from fish oil.

As for fibre, how about pysllium?

[shelley]

Hi Dawnie! That's an excellent question and one we address frequently here, especially now that everyone thinks flax is THE perfect food.

All seeds and most nuts have properties that inhibit the uptake of iodine to the thyroid (goitregins). Just about all foods have at least one "anti-nutrient" that inhibits or blocks the absorption of something else. It's unavoidable. For most people this is not an issue so long as they are not overdosing. For instance, I rarely use a pure flax oil. I get combo oils like Udo's Choice.

Flax seeds have a lot of oil compared to other seeds, but you'd have to eat a lot of whole seeds to get the oil that's in one tablespoon of pure flax oil. When you take the fiber shake, DO NOT use flax oil in the other recipes. Just take the whole ground flax because it has all the benefits of flax- omega 3's, fiber and lignans.

Concurrently, be sure to get good amounts of the trace mineral iodine by using sea salt, taking kelp or eating sea vegetables, sea food. You don't need a lot by any means, just a bit once a week is sufficient. Too much iodine is just as bad for thyroid people as too little. Eskimos often get thyroid disease due to eating so much fish.

I highly recommend that you use kinesiology to test whether the flax seeds are okay for you now. If they are not, then a commercial cleanser with a combo of fibers and herbs would be best, like Dr. Schulze's or Colonix. Taking just plain psyllium is never a good idea, it tends to turn into cement and it ferments a bit.

Hope that answers your question!

[Dawnie]

Hi Troy
Thanks for the reply...I do eat fresh salmon at leased once a week hopefully that will take care of the EFA's, but isn't there a problem with the Psyillium not moving through the bowels quickly enough. I was taking a couple of pinches in the fiber shake, perhaps I should increase that to a teaspoon instead of the flax seed what do you think?

[shelley]

Salmon once a week is not near enough EFAs. You have to be taking in at least one tablespoon of good oil per day, and as great as olive is, it's not that high in Omega 3's. So definitely look into getting a fish oil and preferably a cod liver oil too. They have to be pure oils, the bottle should say "pharmeceutically pure" or something like that on it.

It's also a good idea, especially for people with gland issues, to get at least one tablespoon of EVCoconut oil a day.

[Dawnie]

Hi Shelly
Thanks thats great...I now understand a bit better... I'll try the muscle test for flax then if OK will continue to use it ground in FShake but ommit the oil in my dressings (which I've been using every day on my avocado!!)
Many thanks

[Troy McClure]

Hi Dawnie,
I agree with Shelley that salmon once a week isn't enough EFAs.

Psyllium does have its drawbacks its true. One way you can get it to move faster is by adding olive oil (e.g. 1 tablespoon). This will help the psyllium move along much faster.

Psyllium or flax?
Its a judgement call. I have ongoing thyroid issues (due to candida) and the last 2 times I supplemented with flax I got a massive thyroid reaction. But I was taking quite high doses to be fair.

[Dawnie]

Hi Troy
I'm certainly learning lots from this web site thanks so much for your's and Shelly's imput
Interesting that you said that you have thyroid issues due to candida, I'm hopeing that
I can alleviate my autoimmune thyroid disease by controling and eventually eliminating candida and following the health management advice on this site especialy the liver cleansing.
I'm also using EVCoconut oil to help too. I'll certainly stop using flax oil.
Many thanks Dawnie

[conancillo]

Hi Dawnie:

How did you know that you have Hashimoto's?

Did they test you for antibodies?

I ask you this beause I got some thyroid results that show very low levels of antibodies and I wonder if they have some meaning.

Thanks and hope you can share your results with us,
RMA