Short Answer: Castor oil is bad for hypothyroidism. Because it has ricinoleic acid and it can reduce the thyroid function and hormone production.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects your thyroid gland, which is located in the front of your neck.
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and other vital functions.
In hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, which can slow down your metabolism and cause various health problems, such as fatigue, weight gain, depression, high cholesterol, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, and menstrual irregularities.
One of the key factors in managing hypothyroidism is diet.
What you consume can affect your thyroid function, which can impact your hypothyroidism symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage hypothyroidism, you should consume iodine-rich foods like seafood, dairy products, and iodized salt, and avoid goitrogenic foods like cruciferous vegetables, soy, and millet.
Iodine is an essential nutrient for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, while goitrogens are substances that can interfere with thyroid function and hormone production.
Now, castor oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the castor plant.
People usually use it as a laxative, a moisturizer, or a topical remedy for various skin conditions.
Castor oil is bad for hypothyroidism because it contains ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that can have anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects.
Ricinoleic acid can stimulate the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that can affect the activity of the thyroid gland and the pituitary gland, which regulates the thyroid.
Ricinoleic acid can also inhibit the conversion of the thyroid hormone T4 to the more active form T3, which can worsen hypothyroidism symptoms.
One tablespoon of castor oil can give you 14 grams of ricinoleic acid, which is more than 100% of your daily needs.
Ricinoleic acid can negatively affect hypothyroidism by altering the hormonal balance and reducing the thyroid function.
Furthermore, castor oil is a stimulant laxative and laxatives are bad for hypothyroidism.
Because, they can deplete the body of electrolytes, minerals, and water, which can affect the absorption and metabolism of thyroid hormones.
That’s why I suggest you limit your castor oil intake to avoid worsening your hypothyroidism.
Stick to no more than one teaspoon per day to minimize the risk of dehydration, diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and vomiting.
Also, you shouldn’t use castor oil if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that causes hypothyroidism, to prevent triggering an immune response.
Because, castor oil can stimulate the production of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that can attack the thyroid gland in Hashimoto’s.
You can buy castor oil online or in health food stores.
Always choose organic, cold-pressed, and hexane-free castor oil.
Because, these types of castor oil are more pure, natural, and safe.
You can store them in a cool, dark, and dry place for up to a year.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing hypothyroidism effectively.
I always recommend my hypothyroidism patients to follow a hypothyroidism-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.