Hello, this is Monica Reinagle, and you're listening to the Nutrition Diva

podcast. Thanks for joining me.

Lena writes, I'm a healthy 28-year-old with no medical issues, but three of my siblings have

hypothyroidism.

I recently became aware that certain foods can have a negative effect on thyroid function,

and I'm a little concerned because some of my favorite foods are on that list, including

broccoli and cabbage and millet.

Can I still enjoy broccoli and cabbage and millet. Can I still enjoy broccoli and cabbage and other veggies

without inducing hypothyroidism and should I tell my siblings to stop eating

these foods? Lena broccoli and cabbage are some of your favorite foods.

Be still my beating heart.

Fortunately, I don't think you or your siblings necessarily need to cut broccoli and other so-called

goitrogenic foods out of your diet.

First, let me just quickly explain why broccoli

and other foods in the cabbage or Brassica family, also known as cruciferous vegetables, are known as

Goytogens. These vegetables contain a natural compound which in larger amounts can interfere with your body's ability to metabolize the mineral iodine.

Now your body needs iodine in order to manufacture thyroid hormone.

And if iodine is lacking, because your diet is deficient in this

nutrient or maybe because something is inhibiting its uptake your thyroid hormone

levels can sink.

And when that happens, your thyroid gland

can become enlarged.

...