Is a vegan diet good for the thyroid?

What you will read in this article:

What is a vegan diet?

A vegan diet is a diet plan that is free of meat and other animal products such as dairy, eggs and honey. In fact, the vegan diet is beyond vegetarianism and some call it "pure vegetarianism". Proponents of the vegan diet believe that this food program is effective in improving the general health of the body as well as controlling and treating chronic and serious diseases. But is a vegan diet good for the thyroid? What effect does this diet have on thyroid function and related diseases such as hypothyroidism? In the following, we will answer this important question.

Effect of vegan diet on thyroid function

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located under the front of the neck. The main function of this gland is to produce thyroid hormones T4 and T3. Your body uses these hormones for multiple functions (including regulation of metabolism and body temperature, heart rate control, etc.). Almost all cells in the human body have receptors for thyroid hormones. For this reason, any imbalance in the level of these hormones affects a person's general health.

The functioning of your thyroid gland is largely dependent on the nutrients it needs. The most important nutrients needed by the thyroid gland are iodine, iron, selenium, zinc and vitamin B12. Also, some compounds can interfere with the functioning of the thyroid gland. It is more difficult to get enough iodine, iron, selenium and zinc from the food sources of the vegan diet than from a complete and balanced diet.

Negative effects of vegetarian diet on thyroid

Thyroid needs enough iodine to produce T3 and T4 hormones. The amount of iodine in plant foods is not enough to provide the iodine your thyroid needs.
The mineral zinc is essential for the health and optimal functioning of the thyroid. The rate of absorption of zinc from plant sources is much lower than from animal sources. Therefore, by following a vegan diet, there is a high possibility that you will suffer from zinc deficiency.
Selenium is an essential trace element that converts thyroid hormones into their active form. Selenium also protects the thyroid from oxidative stress damage. Lack of selenium intake can lead to thyroid diseases or exacerbation of existing thyroid problems. The amount of selenium in plant sources depends on the amount of selenium in the soil and where the plant is grown. Therefore, the vegan diet may not be able to provide enough selenium to your body.
One of the most important concerns about the effect of a vegan diet on thyroid function is iron deficiency. Iron is vital for the conversion of T4 to T3, and the lack of enough iron in the body disrupts the production of this thyroid hormone. While plant foods such as spinach contain iron; But their iron is of a non-heme type and is absorbed by the body less than iron from animal sources. For this reason, vegans and vegetarians in general are at a higher risk of developing thyroid diseases.
Vitamin B12 is important for thyroid health and overall nerve and blood cell function. In addition to causing symptoms such as weakness and fatigue, the lack of this vitamin can disrupt the optimal functioning of the thyroid. Since vitamin B12 is naturally present in animal products, vegans can easily suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency and thyroid problems if they do not take B12 supplements.
Some plant foods such as soy and cruciferous vegetables (types of cabbage) can negatively affect thyroid function. Thiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables interfere with iodine absorption; Unless they are fully cooked and consumed in limited amounts. Soy products also potentially inhibit the enzyme that plays a role in thyroid hormone production.

Effects of vegan diet on hypothyroidism

Vegan diet is associated with many health benefits such as weight loss, blood pressure regulation, blood sugar control, cleansing the body of toxins, etc. However, if you have hypothyroidism, you should be more careful in following this diet. While increasing the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables can improve your overall health; But the complete elimination of animal food sources increases the possibility of vitamin and nutrient deficiency.

In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland cannot produce enough thyroid hormones, which causes the TSH number in the blood test to rise. People with hypothyroidism need adequate amounts of vitamin D, iron, zinc, selenium, B12, iodine and calcium. With a quick glance at the list of nutrients needed by these patients, you will realize that completely plant-based foods cannot provide enough of them. Useful plant foods such as cruciferous vegetables and soy products are also very harmful for hypothyroidism and interfere with the absorption of iodine and levothyroxine.

Therefore, in most cases, a vegan diet is not recommended for hypothyroidism. In addition, following a vegan diet in the long term can increase the risk of hypothyroidism. If you have hypothyroidism and you are determined to follow a vegan diet, be sure to do it under the supervision of a specialist doctor so that you can be prescribed the right nutritional supplements and get more information about possible food interactions. It is also necessary to check the level of your thyroid hormones regularly to change your diet if hypothyroidism worsens.

Read more: What is the best hypothyroidism diet?

Vegan diet for hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too many hormones, which causes a decrease in TSH levels. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves' autoimmune disease. Patients with hyperthyroidism generally experience weight loss; Because they have a faster metabolism.

A vegan diet is rich in fruits and vegetables and therefore high in fiber. Getting more fiber increases the feeling of satiety, reduces appetite and leads to more weight loss. High fiber also interferes with thyroid medications. This case is one of the most important negative effects of vegan diet on hyperthyroid patients. Also, getting sufficient amounts of iron, vitamin D, calcium and zinc only through plant sources can be challenging.

Consumption of plant foods containing goitrogens (cruciferous vegetables and some root vegetables) is also prohibited in hyperthyroidism, which will limit the allowed plant food sources for these patients. High consumption of gluten and high-carbohydrate foods also increases inflammation, increases blood sugar and aggravates hyperthyroidism. Therefore, the consumption of wheat, barley, vegetables and high-carbohydrate fruits should also be carefully controlled.

In most cases, it is recommended that hyperthyroid patients consume more protein. By eliminating fish and seafood, chicken and poultry, red meat and dairy products (which are prohibited in a vegan diet), it will not be possible for people with hyperthyroidism to get sufficient amounts of high-quality protein. Having said that, the vegan diet can hardly meet the nutritional needs of patients with hyperthyroidism and may lead to the exacerbation of hyperthyroidism.

Read more: What is the best hyperthyroid diet?

Conclusion

A vegan diet has many health benefits. However, due to the complete elimination of meat and animal products, it may not be able to fully provide the vitamins and minerals needed by the thyroid gland (such as iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin B12). This condition has a negative effect on the normal functioning of the thyroid gland and can increase the risk of developing thyroid problems, especially hypothyroidism. In general, following a vegan diet is not recommended for those with thyroid problems; Because in most cases it will aggravate the current thyroid problems. If you want to follow a vegan diet, be sure to do it under the supervision of a specialist doctor. With this, the right medicines and nutritional supplements are prescribed for you and your thyroid function is checked regularly.

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