Raw broccoli and cauliflower contain goitrogens that can inhibit thyroid function

On Sep 17, 2006, at 4:53 PM, Fatima wrote:

Dear Rhio,

Raw Versus Cooked Broccoli.

The following comments come from The Garden of Eating: A Produce-Dominated Diet &Cookbook by Rachel Albert-Matesz and Don Matesz (Planetary Press, Phoenix, Arizona 2004)

"Raw broccli and cauliflower contain goitrogens that can inhibit thyroid funtion. Parboiling (ie. drop cauliflower into boiling water for three minutes, broccoli fot two minutes) inactivates the goitrogens. It also removes bitterness, makes the vegetables more digestible, more colourful, and sweeter."

Is it all possible for you to share your knowledge on this?

I follow 100% raw food diet and eat the above mentioned vegetables quite often

Thank you very much for reading this Email.

love peace and joy.

sincerely

Fatima

September 20, 2006

Dear Fatima,

Other foods (besides broccoli & cauliflower) which contain goiterogenic compounds are brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, mustard greens, collard greens, spinach, turnips, rutabagas, kohlrabi, radishes, rapini, canola, cassava, soy beans, corn, sweet potatoes, lima beans, peanuts, pine nuts, peaches, pears, strawberries and millet. Most of these foods are also very health protective.

I believe that eating a WIDE variety of whole foods and rotating foods each few days or weekly would balance the intake of these thyroid suppressing substances. In addition there are foods that promote thyroid function, so if you are including some of those foods as well (seaweeds, kelp powder, avocado, coconut, radish) a balance is achieved. Radishes, while on the list of goitrogens, is also very beneficial for the thyroid. Many foods and herbs have modulating effects... which means that if the thyroid is over or underproducing its hormone, the food or herbs' properties work to normalize it, either way.

All natural foods have so-called toxic properties in small amounts. There are those that say not to consume the nightshade or citrus family because for some people it may aggravate arthritic symptoms. There are some who say fermented foods are rotting. There are some who say grains are poison. And, as you pointed out, some say not to consume the cruciferous vegetables without cooking them first. The experts will say many things. But, my point is that while all natural whole foods that are edible may have some so-called toxic properties, these properties are easily handled by a human body with a functioning immune system. We are more than capable of detoxifying these types of naturally-occuring substances. Human immune systems on the other hand are not easily capable of handling the human-made chemicals in our environment. Let's put things in perspective...

More than the foods we eat, which by the way, have not been proven to cause hypothyroidism, I believe there are other substances impacting our thyroids in a detrimental way. For example... Radiation. Radioactive compounds are in our air through leaks from our nuclear power plants, nuclear power testing, depleted uranium in bombs and missiles used in modern wars i.e. Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo (the air streams travel everywhere), irradiation of food facilities, microwave ovens, air travel, cell phones, cell towers, computers, medical tests, such as x-rays, mammograms, mri's, etc, and NUMEROUS other exposures. Many chemicals, pesticides and herbicides in common usage create radioactive-type and other health damaging effects. All radiation is cumulative and the glands, such as the thyroid are particularly susceptible to damage.

For me, the items from paragraph 4 above are the ones that I try to avoid as much as possible. However, some pollution that is in the atmosphere that we live in cannot be avoided, so that's one of the reasons why a raw food diet that includes fresh fruit, vegetable & sprout juices, wheatgrass juice, seaweed, certain herbs and Dr. Wigmore type green energy soups helps to continually detoxify the body. I also suggest incorporating other forms of detoxification, such as saunas, exercise, hatha yoga (particularly good for tonifying the glands), deep breathing in fresh air, having plenty of plants and air filters in the home, etc., etc.

Hope this sheds some light.

With blessings and peace,

Rhio

September 21, 2006

Dear Rhio,

It was so exciting to get your E-mail with such wonderful information. Thank you very much.

Our paths have crossed and your talks on GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS have always been very helpful. The last time we met was in London Ontario. I live in Toronto Ontario so please do let me know if you plan to visit ?

love peace and harmony.

sincerely

Fatima

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