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Can coconut oil boost thyroid health
  • Health

Thyroid Problems & Coconut Oil

Katie WellsJul 3, 2013Updated: May 22, 2020
Dr Terry Wahls
Medically reviewed by Dr. Terry Wahls, MD
Reading Time: 4 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » Thyroid Problems & Coconut Oil
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Coconut Oil and Thyroid Problems
  • Can Coconut Oil Help?
  • What I Do
  • Cautions About Coconut Oil

There has been a lot of buzz lately about thyroid problems and the potential of coconut oil to help improve them. Dr. Oz seems to be joining the bandwagon, and other doctors are mentioning the link as well.

So is there a connection and if so, what is it?

Coconut Oil and Thyroid Problems

While there seems to be at least a correlation between certain dietary changes and an increase in thyroid problems (correlation doesn’t necessarily equal cause), there is some debate about what is actually causing the increase in thyroid problems.

A source explains that the cause could be a variety of contributing sources:

“A sluggish thyroid may be triggered by many unseen causes, including…

  • MSG and bad fatty acids, so common in our diet, can weaken your thyroid.
  • A deficiency of iodine is on the rise, and without enough iodine, your thyroid won’t produce the hormones you need.
  • As you age, your risk of an unbalanced thyroid dramatically increases.
  • Popular prescription drugs for your heart, bones and blood sugar can lead to a sluggish thyroid.
  • Exposure to too much fluoride or chlorine in drinking water can interfere with normal thyroid function.
  • Menopause or pregnancy and treatments such as Estrogen Replacement Therapy can throw the thyroid out of whack.
  • A family history of thyroid concerns may cause thyroid dysfunction.
  • Autoimmune health problems can cause your thyroid to go haywire.”

Can Coconut Oil Help?

Unlike the polyunsaturated oils in many foods, coconut oil is high in (healthy) saturated fat, lauric acid, and medium chain fatty acids. It’s unique structure makes it a highly usable source of energy for the body and its particular fat balance is nourishing to the thyroid. As this article elaborates:

50 percent of the fat content in coconut oil is a fat rarely found in nature called lauric acid. Your body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which has anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-protozoa properties. Lauric acid is a powerful virus and gram-negative bacteria destroyer, and coconut oil contains the most lauric acid of any substance on earth!

Nigel Turner and Jiming Ye from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research compared fat metabolism and insulin resistance in mice fed coconut oil and lard based diets.

“The medium chain fatty acids like those found in coconut oil are interesting to us because they behave very differently to the fats normally found in our diets,” said study leader Turner.

“Unlike the long chain fatty acids contained in animal fats, medium chain fatty acids are small enough to enter mitochondria – the cells’ energy burning powerhouses – directly where they can then be converted to energy.

Coconut oil has a direct effect in suppressing inflammation and repairing tissue, and it may also contribute by inhibiting harmful intestinal microorganisms that cause chronic inflammation.

…

The medium-chain fatty acids and monoglycerides found in coconut oil are the same as those in human mother’s milk, and they have extraordinary anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. By disrupting the lipid structures of microbes, they inactivate them. Lauric acid, its metabolite monolaurin and other fatty acids in coconut oil are known to protect against infection from bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi and parasites. While not having any negative effect on beneficial gut bacteria, coconut oil inactivates undesirable microbes.

An excellent study from McGill University reviewed many previous studies on this topic was published in the Journal of Nutrition (Vol. 132, pages 329-332). Researchers reported that several different studies have shown weight loss equivalent to 12 – 36 pounds a year simply by changing the types of oils used in everyday cooking and food preparation.

Vegetable oils also have a negative effect on the thyroid. In fact, these polyunsaturated oils may be the worst villains in the spread of thyroid diseases.

The thyroid is small, yet one of the largest glands in the endocrine system. Endocrine system diseases are usually caused by inadequacy or excess of hormones or inappropriate response to hormones by tissues.

Is coconut oil a thyroid cure? Not by itself. Can it help people with low thyroid function? Yes, because it stimulates metabolism and boosts energy. For this reason, coconut oil has been a blessing to many people who have been able to abandon their medications with the right combination of exercise, removal of processed foods, and a balanced diet.”

What I Do

Thyroid problems and thyroid cancer run in my family so I want to be as proactive as possible in protecting my thyroid. Thankfully, I love coconut oil and use it for everything already, but I’ve made a special effort to use it in high amounts daily to nourish the thyroid. This is what I do:

  • Add up to 1/4 cup a day to hot teas and coffee (Here’s my favorite recipe)
  • Use up to 1/4 cup a day in cooking
  • Up to 1/4 cup a day added to smoothies

With all that saturated fat, have I gained a ton of weight? Quite the opposite, as this seems to help me lose weight and maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy. It seems others have had similar experiences too.

At the very least, this regimen has helped me have enough energy to meet the daily demands of raising five little ones without the afternoon slump I used to get. It has also helped my skin stay clear and improved my sun tolerance, so I’m not complaining!

Cautions About Coconut Oil

Coconut oil works great for me, but it might not be the answer for everyone.

If you’re new to taking coconut oil, be sure to get your lipids checked regularly. Some people experience elevated triglycerides and total cholesterol when they take coconut oil. If your levels increase, I recommend that you stop taking coconut oil.

Also, animal studies find that coconut oil can cause leaky gut and inflammation when in excess.

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Terry Wahls, a clinical professor of medicine and clinical research and has published over 60 peer-reviewed scientific abstracts, posters, and papers. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Have you used coconut oil to help with thyroid issues? Has it helped? Share below!

Category: HealthReviewer: Dr. Terry Wahls, MD

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (114 Comments)

  1. Mary Forman

    July 22, 2013 at 7:43 PM

    I don’t have a thyroid. Will this help me or do you know of something that will. I struggle with weight gain and not sleeping well.

    Reply
  2. Judy

    July 14, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    Are you saying you use 3/4 C of coconut oil a day? Is that the amount you should have in order to get all the benefits? The post you linked says she gets about that much in a day. Did you start losing the weight right away?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      July 16, 2013 at 10:42 PM

      Yeah… I try to get that much if I can and I did notice fast results…

      Reply
      • Sher

        July 21, 2018 at 12:09 PM

        Thanks for clarity that indeed 3/4 a cup. I have been hypothyroid since 11 years old. I remember having dreams that I could only run in slow motion. I have taken meds off and on for 40 years. Started keto dieting and saw such a change, went to Dr and asked to switch to armour thyroid meds and shocking…….I feel good! I still have days of low energy but amazingly it has worked!

        Reply
  3. Jennifer Falbo-Negron

    July 14, 2013 at 2:47 PM

    I will have to use more coconut oil and see what happens! Thanks for the information!

    Reply
  4. Laura Anderson

    July 14, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    Big fan of your work!!
    I just have a clarification question: is 1/4 a cup the recommended daily dose for coconut oil? That seems like a lot.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      July 14, 2013 at 2:35 PM

      That seems to be the amount for the therapeutic benefits to kick in…

      Reply
      • Mariah

        December 20, 2013 at 9:17 AM

        Is it okay for someone who is HYPERthyroid to consume this much coconut oil?

        Reply
        • Jean

          March 25, 2015 at 4:59 AM

          Omg, NO. I was Hashi’s hyper for years. I tried a rounded tablespoon the first evening and then half a small tablespoon the next morning. Then the heart racing kicking. Thank God I had propranolol to stop the heart racing. A quarter cup is a heck of a lot to start with. Start with a half teaspoon or less. After my experience, I looked up coconut oil and thyroid and many of the women ended up in the ER. Start slow if you you’re doing it for hypo. I would start really slow with hyper (frankly I wouldn’t take it with hyper).

          There are Thai doctors and others (so I’ve heard), who can help you transition from Synthroid or the natural one? to coconut oil.

          I have a new jar of it in my frig. I’m afraid to try it again, but it’s so good for so many things. I’m going to try a little very tiny bit, like a quarter teaspoon and see how it goes.

          Only use organic, cold pressed virgin or extra virgin CO.

          Reply
      • Nene

        February 14, 2014 at 5:01 PM

        The amount you mentioned is solid form or liquid form of cocnut oil ?.

        Reply
        • Katie - Wellness Mama

          February 15, 2014 at 9:53 PM

          Solid form

          Reply
          • Rebecca

            January 16, 2015 at 10:41 PM

            I have started using coconut oil and I love it. My one concern is that it is so high in calories. 135 calories per 1 tablespoon. Should I be concerned about the calorie intake? Thank you

  5. Vanessa

    July 14, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    I was advised by my naturopathic physician to take two tablespoons daily of coconut oil as a supplement to help my immunosuppression. I had been in adrenal shock from severe adrenal fatigue and credit coconut oil, canned coconut milk smoothies made with egg yolks and raw honey, Standard Process supplements, and changing the way I think with my recovery over this past year. It has been a long, difficult road but I believe coconut oil and coconut products are nothing short of miraculous to aid in restoring health.

    Reply
    • Lauren

      February 2, 2015 at 10:35 AM

      Vanessa, which standard process products were you taking? Also, where is your naturopath located? Were you on any hormone replacement therapy? Just curious if you were diagnosed with Hashimotos or not?

      Reply
    • Monica Robinson

      July 20, 2015 at 1:40 PM

      May I have the recipe for your canned coconut milk smoothie?

      Reply
  6. Melisa Crosby

    July 11, 2013 at 10:17 PM

    Most of the time when people mention “thyroid problems” what they really mean is the increasingly common Hashimoto’s disease which is autoimmune hypOthyroidism. It’s often low level and the boost in metabolism many people feel from consuming large amounts of coconut oil can feel beneficial. However, as someone with Grave’s Disease (autoimmune hypERthyroidism) I feel compelled to mention a few things. First of, before you start messing with your thyroid function, get yourself tested so you know what’s going on. Don’t diagnose yourself over the internet. Many symptoms are similar in both hyper- and hypothyroidism but it’s important to know which you have and, more importantly, why. Chances are if your thyroid issues are chronic, the root is autoimmune. If you don’t address the autoimmunity, you’re just putting a bandaid on things. Large amounts of straight coconut oil (or seaweed or other forms of iodine) can be quite dangerous for people who are hyper, causing excitability and heart palpitations among other things. As someone with Graves I find I can tolerate coconut oil when it’s used in traditional cooking applications with other foods but consuming it straight will make me feel restless and shaky. And please, when researching or writing about “thyroid problems”, do take the time to specify which diseases you are talking about and be aware that works well for one can be quite dangerous for another.

    Reply
    • Ryna

      July 14, 2013 at 10:31 AM

      Thanks for your post. I have been continuing to suffer from Graves’ disease symptoms although my endocrinologist tells me I’m in remission. I absolutely LOVE coconut oil; however, I did not realize that consuming large amounts of straight coconut oil can cause excitability. I’ve been suffering from heart palpitations and such again for a while now and didn’t realize that it could be the way I’m consuming the oil. Thanks for the head’s up.

      Reply
      • LAURIE

        November 11, 2014 at 6:47 PM

        I THINK IF YOU LISTEN TO YOUR BODY, YOU CAN TELL IF YOU ARE REACTING TO IT… IT IS IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT OUR BODY IS DOING… EVERYTHING IN MODERATION… I’m NOT SURE ABOUT THE WORD DANGEROUS…THERE ARE ALOT OF DANGEROUS PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS OUT THERE AND THERE DOESN’T SEEM TO BE A LOT OF WARNINGS ABOUT THAT!

        Reply
    • Mariah

      December 2, 2013 at 4:22 PM

      Yes me too! I hate how the whole world seems to be stuck on hypOthyroid and weight gain, when some of us have hypErthyroid and weight loss. We matter too! What advice do you have for us hypErthyroid folks, Wellness Mama?

      Reply
      • Mariah

        December 6, 2013 at 9:49 AM

        Can we have coconut oil too, maybe just less of it? I have been diagnosed with wheat and dairy allergies, and have used coconut oil to replace butter but I have had some problems with excitability…

        Reply
        • Jaime

          March 28, 2014 at 3:22 PM

          I’ve found this from a doctors post on the internet as I also suffer from Graves’ disease…

          “While I don’t encourage my patients with hyperthyroid conditions to consume coconut oil, I also don’t specifically tell them to avoid consuming it. I do know some people with hyperthyroidism who have included coconut oil in their diet on a daily basis, and it doesn’t seem to have worsened their condition. To be frank, it’s not something I’ve kept track of, but if someone with hyperthyroidism or Graves’ Disease prefers to avoid coconut oil just as a precautionary measure then that’s fine. But I don’t think consuming a small amount of coconut oil every now and then, or even on a daily basis will exacerbate one’s hyperthyroid condition. Perhaps research will come out in the near future which will make me change my mind regarding this, but for now this is where I stand.

          In summary, there doesn’t seem to be enough evidence to support that coconut oil can stimulate thyroid hormone production. On the other hand, some people with hypothyroid conditions have noticed an increase in their body temperature when taking coconut oil. So while it’s not something I specifically recommend to my patients with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, I have no problem with people with these conditions consuming coconut oil. And I currently don’t don’t tell my patients with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease to avoid coconut oil.”

          Hope that helps a little

          Reply
          • Mikey

            June 22, 2014 at 8:43 PM

            Thanks for this posting . Do you by any chance have a link for this and/or the name of the Doctor who made this interesting and honest comment ?

      • Susie

        February 25, 2015 at 1:29 AM

        And then there are those of us struggling with Graves’ and weight GAIN. 🙁

        Reply
      • Cindy N.

        April 16, 2016 at 7:03 AM

        Yes, especially hyperthyroid people matter, and I am so thankful I am hypo because you all have it much worse for sure. It is frustrating for all thyroid sufferers for sure.

        Reply
    • Kayo

      September 5, 2015 at 12:28 AM

      You are right. Hyper and hypo are two different things though they are in some way quite similar to each other. At least the simptoms are different, so we should be careful. I have Graves’ disease and I’m all fine when I use coconut oil in my food but not very good when I have it in my drinks. Cooked or well-heated coconut oil is fine but taking it straight is not good for me. I don’t know why but it does so to me anyway. Coconut oil is not damaged by heat, so I think it’s ok to cook with it. But if we feel different when it’s straight and when it’s heated, then there must be something different between them. I feel all right no matter how much coconut oil I consume as long as it’s well heated.
      It’s not really coconut oil itself that boosts our metabolism. Coconut oil helps you make more keton bodies faster in your body which boost your metabolism. So basically you don’t have to use smelly expensive virgin coconut oil ( I don’t like the smell very much ) to boost your metabolism. Lard and butter give you the same result if you like them better. Still I’m very skeptical about losing a lot of weight by just using coconut oil in your diet because it doesn’t make sense. There are many fat people in countries where coconut oil is mainly used. My Sri Lankan friends own huge coconut plantations and they only use coconut oil in their food but are still fat. I think it takes a low carb diet along with it if you want to make coconut oil work for you to lose weight.

      Reply
    • JuliaC

      December 15, 2015 at 3:06 AM

      I’ve just had a hyperthyroid patch after a few days of eating coconut butter I had made. I had Graves diagnosed in September last year after severe stress but it settled with no need for medication (I have a great doctor who will wait and see) and I had recovered and was feeling great. Then after the greedy coconut eating episode and some lesser stress, an acute tiredness and sudden weightloss happened, and I recognized the feeling, though it has been less…no palpitations and dizzyness. So if you have hyperthyroid at all respect the coconut! I will continue to eat my divine coconut butter but in much smaller serves. I’d like to learn about all the foods that have this effect …anyone know of any others?

      Reply
    • Hanna

      February 14, 2016 at 2:40 PM

      oh please, the doctors and the testing did squat for me. I had heart palpitations, anxiety, sleeplessness and the doctors all said “well, your labs are fine so it’s not your thyroid”. I had to see a naturopath and while I’m better, I’m still not optimal. I will take whatever info on the web I can get because doctors are useless and so are thyroid lab tests.

      Reply
    • Kassie

      July 13, 2016 at 12:34 PM

      It does say in the article its hypo, so it is stated. Maybe you just didn’t see that part?

      Reply
  7. Erin Baker

    July 10, 2013 at 12:53 AM

    I want to get more coconut oil into my diet but I am not very fond of the flavor of coconut. I was thinking about doing the tea thing but I hate tea, I find it so very bitter. What would be a good mild flavored starter tea that would be safe for me to drink while breastfeeding?

    Reply
    • Jennifer Falbo-Negron

      July 14, 2013 at 2:50 PM

      I wonder if you could drink any of the fruit-flavored Celestial Seasoning herbal teas. You could mix them for a fruit punch taste and then see if you like it. I think that this type of tea should be relatively safe to drink during breastfeeding but always check with your doctor first. Good luck!

      Reply
      • Kassie

        July 13, 2016 at 12:29 PM

        Celestial seasonings teas are full of pesticides, onky but organic brands. I melt my coconut oil and blend it in my vitamix with my smoothies.

        Reply
    • Julie Crosier Botkin

      December 6, 2013 at 2:37 PM

      I really don’t think it tastes like coconut to me?

      Reply
    • Terri

      June 19, 2014 at 4:27 PM

      I am not fond of coconut either. But I found the coconut oil give things a richer taste when i use it for cooking. once you try to cook it with a few things, you learn its not like coconut that you would put on a cake or candy bar. and you will begin to use it in as much as you can possibly imagine. I also use it for lotion and oil pulling for healthy mouth.

      Reply
    • Allison

      November 25, 2014 at 9:20 AM

      Tazo Passion tea is a very fruity tea that tastes really good, iced or hot.

      Reply
    • Amy Miller

      August 17, 2015 at 1:20 AM

      Try Crio Bru. I mixed coconut oil and some cane sugar in it to sweeten it a bit. It was delicious.

      Reply
    • Kathy

      April 15, 2016 at 11:37 AM

      My sister taught me to apply coconut oil on toast or a rice cake. Then put a few drops of EVOO on and spread. It is very good. A faint taste of coconut.

      Reply
    • AnneWithAnE

      January 11, 2018 at 8:54 PM

      Buy refined coconut oil. Read about refined vs unrefined.

      Reply
      • AnneWithAnE

        January 11, 2018 at 8:57 PM

        My comment was in reply to someone who said she doesn’t like taste of coconut, but looks like it was posting on its own.

        Reply
  8. Virginia Miner

    July 9, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    This is interesting! Thyroid problems run in my family, too, and though I have never been diagnosed, I have had reasons to suspect that my thyroid does not function optimally (most notably a period of 3 years of infertility after my marriage at a young age… And yes, I was eating a HORRIBLE diet). I am now pregnant with my 2nd, and much more conscious of what I eat! This will definitely encourage me to consume more coconut oil!

    Reply
  9. Jessica Espinoza

    July 9, 2013 at 10:26 AM

    Great article Katie! Thank you for sharing the link to my post! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Caitlin

    July 8, 2013 at 11:26 AM

    I found your website when I found out I was pregnant and the first thing I did was order coconut oil. In my family the women gain an excessive amount of weight, get stretch marks and funky skin. I gained 20lbs, no stretch marks and two days after birth looked like I was never pregnant. I ate healthy, but I really think coconut oil and your advice is what made a difference. I’m never sick either and my baby loves the oil!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      July 9, 2013 at 3:25 PM

      That’s awesome! Congrats on your little one!

      Reply
    • Bean

      July 14, 2013 at 8:48 AM

      Your story and outcome are amazing. Congratulations on yours and your babies healthy outcome. I am interested in how you incorporated it into your diet. @WM, love your blog.

      Reply
      • Caitlin

        July 15, 2013 at 9:33 AM

        I cook it with everything. I have a cast iron pot so when I’d cook chicken or eggs I’d add coconut oil. Id add it after I cooked it also. When I got used to the oil, I’d swallow a tablespoon or two, usually after eating something not so good I craved.

        Reply
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