The Kale Vegetable. Is Kale Good For You?

Fresh Kale is all the rage these days.

We hear so much about how it's a superfood packed with so many nutrients, but is it really that good for you?

What are the health benefits of Kale or juicing Kale . . .

• Kale is low in calorie, high in fiber and has zero fat.
• Kale is high in iron.
• Kale is high in Vitamin K.
• Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants.
• Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food.
• Kale is great for cardiovascular support.
• Kale is high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
• Kale is high in calcium.
• Kale is a great detox food.

The benefits of Kale are numerous, and today it's known as a super-food.

Secondly why can Kale be bad for me . . .

Kale is among the foods referred to as goitrogenic.

These types of vegetables are said to inhibit or slow down Thyroid Function and possibly cause hypothyroidism or low thyroid function.

Medically if your TSH is above 5 your Dr may suggest going onto thyroid medication like Thyroxin.

However Natural medicine does have answers, even if your TSH is 5 or above. That's great news because after 2 years on Thyroxin your TSH may be ok but symptoms usually return.

Also a large number of people have subclinical hypothyroidism. This condition occurs in 3% to 8% of the general population. It is more common in women than men, and its prevalence increases with age.

Do you suffer from . . .

• Weight gain around the waist?
• Feeling tired, especially at 3pm?
• Waking through the night?
• Poor memory?
• Depression and irritability?
• Having no interest in sex?
• Constipation?
• Aching muscles and joint pain?
• Feeling the cold?
• Craving sugar and carbs?
• Hair loss?
• Using coffee and alcohol to lift you?

Did you Answer YES to three or more?

If so you may have an underactive thyroid gland – even if you have had 'normal' blood test results from your Doctor.

Your Thyroid

The Thyroid Gland is a major organ of the body that needs to be looked after. The thyroid is a small gland located at the base of your neck and its role is to produce hormones to regulate your metabolism.

Hypothyroidism impairs this process, and when the thyroid is functioning incorrectly it causes lots of issues throughout your body.

How Does Kale Inhibit or Slow Down Your Thyroid?

Kale and other cruciferous vegetables contain a substance called thiocyanate, and a Sulphur containing compound called glucosinolates.

Both glucosinolates and thiocyanate in high concentration will interfere with iodine nutrition.

Iodine is critical to thyroid function and so large amounts of thiocyanate could lead to an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.

Thyroid Foods to Avoid

The cruciferous vegetables list includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and mustard greens.

To be clear, these foods only affect your thyroid when they are consumed in raw form.

Cooking with Kale . . . When they are cooked, lightly steamed . . . the risk to the thyroid is significantly reduced.

Eating Raw Kale

If you currently have a thyroid issue, it may be a good idea to leave that raw kale out of your daily smoothie.

Although kale does contain a lot of nutritional benefits, it's not worth the risk to your thyroid function.

Those with a healthy thyroid, do not have to worry that kale will negatively impact their thyroid however it's best to eat it in moderation.

When eating raw kale occasionally, it is recommended to eat the rainbow diet which means to balance it out with colorful foods such as Beetroot, blueberries, and squash.

So is Kale good for you?

Yes and no.

If possible, it's best to avoid it in raw form and substitute it for other greens such as celery. This goes double if you currently have thyroid issues.

There are many Kale recipes on how to cook with Kale and if you don't wish to give kale up entirely, lightly steam it prior to eating it.

Taking this step will make it easier to consume and safer for your thyroid.