Dr. Westin Childs Podcast: Thyroid | Weight Loss | Hormones

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