Should You Go Plant-Based for Better Thyroid Function?
Before you decide to go plant-based for thyroid health, consider what you’ll be missing out on if you decide to eliminate meat. Additionally, this article will touch on some of the potential issues that can occur with plant-based diets and thyroid health. First, let’s talk about some of the potential benefits of eating animal protein.
Benefits of Animal Protein for Thyroid Health
Nutrients are more bioavailable and easily absorbed due to active forms of nutrients such as vitamin B12, A and E, zinc, iron and iodine, all needed for thyroid function.
Grass-fed beef contains CLA, a brain-boosting fat which helps your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K.
Less reactivity to proteins in meat than plant foods, especially wheat and grains.
Less bloating and gas, as is common with plant-based proteins.
Absent of nutrient-robbing lectins and phytates.
Low carb, which has been shown to be beneficial for those with thyroid issues.
The Problem with Plant-Based Diets & Thyroid Health
Something we hear from our clients at times is that they felt great eating plant-based — for a very short period of time, then started to feel terrible! Why is that?
First, ANY diet change from eating a Standard American Diet (SAD) full of sugars, refined oils and processed grains will make you feel better. That’s often why people feel so good when they first go plant-based; they’re often doing a complete overhaul of their diet and getting a lot more nutrients.
Our Bodies Don’t Thrive on Plant Oils
Plant-based diets don’t provide adequate saturated fats to fuel our brain, support our hormones, including thyroid hormone, and protect our cells. If you’re consuming processed industrial seed oils, such as canola, corn and soybean, you’re doing your thyroid a disservice by fuelling inflammation. Certain plant oils such as coconut and olive are great, but most seed oils are prone to oxidation, so we shouldn’t completely rely on them. Additionally, foods like wild fatty fish are important sources of DHA and EPA (omega-3s) needed to form hormones and cell membranes.
Hypothyroidism and Poor Digestion
If your gut isn’t functioning optimally, or if you have a more sensitive gut, as do many people with hypothyroidism, it may be harder for you to digest plant proteins, resulting in gas, bloating and fatigue after meals. They also contain anti-nutrients such as phytates and lectins which inhibit the absorption of nutrients, including minerals crucial to thyroid health. To feed our gut properly, we need a balance of plants also. Additionally, keep in mind there is a very strong connection between gut health and thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which is the most common form of thyroid disease and often goes undiagnosed.
Relying on Allergenic Foods
Plant-based diets are reliant on foods like gluten, corn, soy and peanuts, which are common allergens, often genetically modified, sprayed with gut-damaging chemicals and are contributing to the problem - especially gluten! (More on this in another article)
Final Tips:
If you struggle to digest meat, this is usually due to low stomach acid and imbalanced gut bacteria, which can be addressed through proper diet and supplementation!
Quality matters when it comes to meat! Organic, grass-fed beef, pastured chicken and wild-caught fish are ideal, but buy the best you can afford.
Next Steps
If you’re struggling with unexplained fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, cold hands and feet, low libido, constipation and bloating, your next steps are to get your thyroid assessed through Functional Thyroid Testing. Contact us today at 204-952-7982 for more details!
Asher Kleiber
Registered Holistic Nutritionist™
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