FAQs about maca and thyroid function
Does maca impair thyroid function or give you goitres?
Maca is often mistakenly associated with negatively impacting thyroid function as it belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family. These vegetables contain high levels of biochemicals called glucosinolates which can interfere with production of thyroid hormones, particularly in the presence of a low-iodine diet. This may only be an issue for those who consume maca raw.
In Peru, maca has never been consumed raw and it is always cooked. Raw maca may actually be more harmful than good and the beneficial properties of maca are not lost when cooking (see here). During cooking the glucosinolates break down to create a powdered form that is ‘thyroid friendly’. All our maca is thyroid safe. It is pre-cooked and as such there is little to no risk of negative impact to thyroid function. In fact, traditionally in Peru cooked maca is used to regulate and enhance thyroid function and may actually be highly beneficial for those suffering from thyroid related conditions. To see how to treat thyroid issues with maca click here.
For those on thyroid medication there are no known contraindications and maca may even act to further compliment conventional pharmaceutical treatment to improve thyroid function.
Note: There is no upper limit with maca and everybody is different, so it is important to find your ideal dose that is right for your body, for some this may be less than the recommended for others it may be more. If you experience positive health benefits then we suggest you continue treatment at that ideal dosage. The material provided on this website is for information purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical advice or be a treatment for any medical condition. Users should consult a health professional if you have any concerns about your health, are starting any health or nutritional related treatment, or for any questions you may have regarding your own or any other party’s medical condition. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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I’ve always wondered why some sources say not to consume maca if you have thyroid issues, even though maca is a reputed hormone balancer. The information presented here resonate with my suspicions. Thank you.