Thyroid For Dummies by Alan L. Rubin MD

Author:Alan L. Rubin, MD
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wiley

Contributing factors

Lack of iodine is, without a doubt, the main factor in endemic cretinism, but other issues definitely play a role in different areas of the world.

Dietary factors

Dietary factors other than iodine consumption are a major aspect of iodine deficiency disease. A number of foods contribute to the problem:

Cassava: In some areas of iodine deficiency disease, the normal diet includes substances that are harmful to the thyroid. In Africa, for example, cassava is a major part of the diet. Cassava contains cyanide, which you can destroy only by properly preparing the food. If not, the cyanide converts to thiocyanate in the body. Thiocyanate competes with iodine for uptake by the thyroid, thus decreasing even further the tiny amount of iodine that gets into the thyroid. (If someone consumes sufficient iodine, it overcomes any block from thiocyanate.)

Soybeans: Soybeans also interfere with thyroid function, preventing the production of thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland (see Chapter 10). Again, sufficient iodine can overcome the block and permit normal production of thyroid hormone, but when iodine is scarce, the extra loss of thyroid hormone can make a huge difference.

Broccoli and cauliflower: A third group of foods that may contribute to endemic cretinism is the Brassica group of vegetables, which includes foods such as broccoli and cauliflower. Hypothyroidism is more common in areas where these vegetables make up a large part of the diet and the diet is deficient in iodine.

Others: Other foods that impair thyroid hormone production and are significant sources of food calories in certain areas of the world are bamboo shoots, sweet potatoes, corn, and lima beans.

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