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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!
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Hi, This is very helpful. I have been hypothyroid for over 10 years and I have a question about milk. I have been told that organic skim milk is healthiest for me, but then I wonder if I should be drinking almond milk, because of my thyroid. What are your thoughts? Thank you 🙂
I don’t consume any pasteurized milk and drink almond milk occasionally in moderation
Hi. Thanks for the info in the article. Can you please explain why you believe Tropical Traditions coconut oil is the best? There are so many brands it is confusing….Any others you would recommend?
They’ve had theirs independently tested and it has been shown to have the highest level of beneficial properties. Any organic, cold pressed, virgin coconut oil has beneficial properties though.
I find this article really helpful. Thanks for sharing this! It’s great to know that coconut oil can also help improve thyroid function. This is something new.
I’ve hypothyroid, will eating coconut as such be beneficiary or oil is must.
I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 2 years ago and my thyroid was removed along with some affected lymph nodes. They found it again in my lymph nodes this year so I had to have another surgery (my first surgeon was not thorough and I believe she did not get everything in the first place). I also have Hashimoto’s and they are monitoring my anti-body level to make sure it doesn’t go up. I want to get the level to 0. I am done with cancer, never want to go through this again – so I am looking into natural treatments in addition to what the doctor says. Will coconut oil help in this situation – with someone who has no thyroid but still has thyroglobulin anti-bodies? If you don’t know, do you know where I could find reliable information?
I also had thyroid cancer this past year. Had thyroid removed and had to take iodine radiation b/c it has also spread to one of my lymph nodes. Been trying to go natural and trusting God for total healing. I have Hashimoto’s , hypothyroid, and on 125 Synthroid. Any suggestions on going All natural? BTW, I feel great, just a bit sore from surgery.
Hey Rosa! We should talk! I have a hard time finding other thyroid cancer survivors who also had Hashimoto’s. What’s your e-mail? I am also trusting God in total healing. I am slowly transitioning to all natural – Wellness Mama has been a huge help! So has Pinterest…. I started by making my own laundry detergent, then cleaning supplies, now beauty products and medicine, and I’m just trying some natural things here and there.
does it have to be coconut oil or could coconut flour have the same possible effect?
i have both, but coconut flour is easier for me to consume a lot of (:
Nadine, I am hypothyroid for past ten years and after using two table spoons of coconut oil daily, mostly with my tea, after year or too my TSH was normal. Than I went to AIP diet for other health problems and started also using coconut flour, and after just a week my thyroid problems were much worse than ever. I stopped usin coconut flour and my thyroid problems are improving again. Anyone else had the same experience with coconut flour?
When you say “up to 1/4 cup…” do you mean total daily or up to 1/4 cup in teas, an additional 1/4 in cooking and another 1/4 in smoothies? Thanks!
i dont understand how to get the coconut book for free with first order.
Hi! I am wondering what you think about coconut oil for children? I suspect that my daughter (6) may have a thyroid problem but her doctor doesn’t see an issue. When I was pregnant with her I ate processed soy (before I knew any better) every day. She’s overweight (we are vegetarians and eat a very healthy diet!) and has had sleep problems from day one. Oh and I do have hypothyroidism and it runs in my family. I actually would love to get off of the levothyroxin….. My energy level sucks and my hormones are crazy! I’m trying all kinds of herbs (rhodiola and maca) and using a progesterone cream to balance my hormones. We recently went gluten free too! Anyway…. just trying to sort us out with natural things!
Hi, Misha! I am just wondering the latest on how the increase in coconut oil and the herbs you were using back in August when you wrote this post have helped you and the hypothyroidism. I am wanting to go with natural remedies for my recent diagnosis (and as we begin trying for a new baby), and any feedback on what has helped would be appreciated. I am just beginning my journey to recovery, and have already ‘cured ‘ my high blood pressure (off meds after 12 years), and my chloestorol is now sparkling perfect, so I look to food to be my medicine, normally. Thanks in advance for your time! 🙂
My thyroid is enlarged and have tried for several years to use medication to shrink it. Do you think this could help this or not?
It wouldn’t hurt…
It CAN hurt if her enlarged thyroid is due to an autoimmune problem…In this case it can cause rapid heart beat, excitability etc. I have tried this, and it is not very comfortable! i had to cut way back on the coconut oil…I just use small amounts in cooking/ baking
So coconut oil is not good in large amount if one have autoimmune thyroid or enlarge thyroid ?. Also does 3/4 of a cup if coconut oil causes weight gain?.
Doing detox of Candida do I take only coconut oil and no food for few days?.
I’d ask a doc or health practitioner about any kind of detox diet but by itself, that much coconut oil won’t cause weight gain (though it may make you queasy if you aren’t used to it)
@ Mariah
I am in this category: enlarged thyroid is due to an autoimmune problem
My autoimmune problem has not been identified exactly: “it’s Hashimoto”, “it’s Graves”.
I had (more) blood work recently and taking bugleweed/lemon balm nowadays – and following this: https://home-cure.net/ayurveda-goitre/
I’m basically a thin build with good eating and exercise habits – don’t think I am hyper or hypo
My goal is to shrink my thyroid – as I am getting older, its hugeness is more obvious. Now that my head is clear (I can concentrate easier), I realize how much I’ve been struggling under this autoimmune disease. My mom had her thyroid removed when it began to encroach on her ability to swallow food. She regrets this as it’s very difficult (according to her) to adjust to correct dosage of replacement thyroid.
Your take on the coconut and the thyroid resonates with me. Do you have additional advice regarding autoimmune thyroid condition(s)/diagnosing?
Sames and have to get it out new year . I am having lots of symptoms