Flaxseed Pro and Con

[mitzimarie]

Very excellent thread, Sunny! Thank you.

[SunnySmile501]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Great information Sunny, Thank you for sharing.
I've been curious if there is a link between keeping my thyroid levels stable and eating flaxmeal. I hadn't had a problem keeping levels stable until I started eating flaxmeal nearly 2 years ago. Is there a connection between the two?
Any thought or info on that?
Thanks again Sis, Sherri

I haven't run across any mention of thyriod function coupled with flax, but I will keep my eyes open.

[liv]

There are those who claim that flaxseed contains goitrogens (goitrogens supress thyrod function) but there is not much serious research to back this up. I am hypo and I like flax so I have tried to figure out what is up with flax and thyroid

Here is a quote from the world's healtiest foods page

Part of the concern over cyanogenic glycosides in health research has been their ability to release cyanates that can then be combined with sulfur molecules to form thiocyanates. Excessive amounts of thiocyanates can sometimes be problematic for our thyroid function and, for this reason, are considered "goitrogenic." In the studies I've seen on flaxseed consumption, urinary levels of thiocyanates in subjects given flaxseeds either seem unchanged by the addition of flaxseeds to their diet, or when changed, are increased. Presumably, when the urinary levels of thiocyanates increase, it means that the body is successfully eliminating the excess cyanates and that no health risk is present. Since flaxseeds don't directly contain goitrogens, I don't see evidence of health risks in this regard.

[momtomany1]

It would appear that Dr. Atkins was not aware of any negative health effects. Is all this information too new for him to have been aware of it?

I mean at this point, telling Atkineers not to eat flax is not quite, but close to, being something like telling the Israelites not to eat manna after God told them to do so.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by SunnySmile501

I haven't run across any mention of thyriod function coupled with flax, but I will keep my eyes open.

Thanks Sis!

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by liv

There are those who claim that flaxseed contains goitrogens (goitrogens supress thyrod function) but there is not much serious research to back this up. I am hypo and I like flax so I have tried to figure out what is up with flax and thyroid

Here is a quote from the world's healtiest foods page

Thanks Liv,
I've backed off the flax for 12 weeks during this next cycle of new synthroid dose. I will get my levels checked in 9 weeks and see how the levels are then.
I'll let you know the out-come.
Thank you for the info hon.
Sherri

[Zarabelle]

Wowzas! I am putting the flax back in the cupboard until I have read more..... thanks again for starting this thread. I had no idea there were any negative reports about it....

[momtomany1]

Flaxseed Oil Consumption Raises Premature Birth Risk If Consumed During Last Two Trimesters

"In the general population, the average rate of premature births is 2 to 3 percent. But for women consuming flaxseed oil in their last two trimesters that number jumps up to 12 percent," says Bérard. "It's an enormous risk."

The correlation existed only with flaxseed oil, yet women consuming the actual seed were unaffected. Even if more studies must be undertaken to verify these results, Bérard recommends caution when it comes to consuming flaxseed oil.

The results concering premature birth go on to state that basically seeds were fine, but caution is needed with oils. I think it is important to point this out.

[SunnySmile501]

This is what I've found so far, and it's not much. Some of the sources are questionable.

Excerpt:
"Flaxseed is a cyanogenic goitrogen, which means it contains a substance that converts to thiocyanate in the body. Thiocyanate effectively blocks iodine concentration by the thyroid gland and thus causes thyroid dysfunction.
Flax is also a rich source of lignan, a phytochemical which converts after digestion into a phytoestrogen-like substance. Phytoestrogens are known to suppress thyroid function."
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=106126&page=15

" I'm sorry we do not have much information on flaxseed meal and the effects on the thyroid gland. The only information we have been able to obtain is from the Flax Council of Canada. In a book labeled "Flaxseed, Health, Nutrition and Functionality", there is a paragraph that has a mention of the Thyroid gland. It is labeled under Cyanogenic Glucosides. Here it is in its entirety.

'Cyanogens are natural toxicants that occur in foods like lima beans and cassava as well as in flaxseed. In the body, they are hydrolysed to release hydrogen cyanide which is rapidly converted enzymatically to thiocyanate (SCN). SCN is also a breakdown product from glucosinolates in common vegetable like cabbage and rutabaga. SCN inhibits the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland and, at high levels in the blood for a sustained time when iodine intake is limited, goiter
can result. This hazard is offset where iodine consumption is adequate.


In Canada, table salt has been iodized since the 1930's to eliminate endemic goiter in inland regions where dietary iodine was inadequate. The addition of iodine to table salt is required in Canada and is permitted in the United States. We are not in a position to make nutritional or dietary recommendations for any medical condition. We suggest that you consult your doctor on this specific subject concerning our product.'


If you wish to consult the Flax Council of Canada, their web site is Flax Council of Canada Flax Council of Canada and their e-mail contact is flax@flaxcouncil.ca."

On the Ann Louise Gittleman website

Thyroid Meds and Flaxseed/Psyllium

Bought the books yesterday and about to start the plan...I am very excited. May have one issue though...I thought I read somewhere in the book that flaxseed oil and psyllium can effect the absorption of thyroid meds. I was diagnosed with hypothyroid in early May and take levothyroid and T3 slow-release. My doctor told me to take vitamins and supplements at night and my medication in the a.m. as to not effect the absorption. How are you suppose to take the LLC twice a day if you have to wait several hours after taking thyroid meds. I appreciate any insight. Thanks -

Hi There Stacy and Welcome to The Forum!
To comply with your doctor's recommendation, I would suggest that you consider taking your LLCs in the mid-afternoon and sometime before bed. Good luck to you on your Fat Flush journey!
__________________
Ann Louise
Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D.,C.N.S.
THE FIRST LADY OF NUTRITION

http://www.all-creatures.org/health/iodineandthy.html

Iodine and Thyroid Function

Iodine is vital for good thyroid function, which in turn is essential for health. … In adults low iodine intake (or very high intakes) can cause hypothyroidism.

<snip>
Low zinc intakes exacerbate the effect of low iodine intake. Some otherwise healthful foods contain goitrogens - substances which can interfere with iodine uptake or hormone release from the thyroid gland. These foods are generally only a concern if iodine intake is low. Consumption of brassicas, such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower, increase the requirements for iodine, especially if consumed raw. Soy beans, raw flaxseed, cassava (used in tapioca), sweet potatoes, lima beans, maize and millet also increase the requirements for iodine.

[tfek70]

Crap!!!!

Flaxseed is like the only supposedly healthy food I enjoy. It's probably true that it's harmful then. I've been eating 30 to 40 grams of fiber in flaxseed daily since probably February. I don't mind adding it to everything and anything. I even had a tablespoon of it sprinkled on my carb smart ice cream the other day. Didn't mind it a bit. About the worst was adding a tablespoon to a mich ultra. Didn't work so well.