Endocrine System

Nutrients connected to Endocrine System

A link means the body needs the nutrient for this, or that low intake is linked to it. It does not mean extra supplements help if your intake is already adequate; each link shows how strong the evidence is.

• IodineEstablished role

  Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormones, so it supports the endocrine (hormone) system.

• BladderwrackDocumented risk

  Bladderwrack is rich in iodine; the EU herbal committee concluded it can influence thyroid function, and a trial of kelp capsules raised TSH. People with thyroid disease should ask a clinician first.

• Irish moss (sea moss)Documented risk

  Iodine in seaweed can disturb thyroid function when intake is excessive.

• KelpDocumented risk

  Excess iodine from kelp can disturb thyroid hormone balance; the ATA advises against kelp supplements above 500 micrograms of iodine a day.

• Pueraria mirifica (kwao krua)Documented risk

  The root has strong estrogen-like activity (miroestrol). No human safety data were found for hormone-sensitive conditions, so this is a caution, not a benefit.

• KombuDocumented risk

  Excess iodine from kombu can affect the thyroid, part of the hormone system.

• WakameDocumented risk

  Iodine in wakame supports thyroid hormones, but too much can disturb the thyroid. Seaweed iodine varies widely.

• Sea Moss (Eucheuma & Gracilaria)Documented risk

  Excess iodine can change thyroid hormone balance; ask a clinician if you have thyroid disease or take thyroid medicine.

• Kelp NoodlesDocumented risk

  High iodine intake from kelp foods can affect thyroid hormone balance; the effect depends on the product and on the person.

• Dashi (Kombu Stock)Documented risk

  Excess iodine affects the thyroid, part of the hormone system.

• Iodized Table SaltEstablished role

  The thyroid uses iodine to make hormones; iodized salt is a common way people get it.

• SeleniumEstablished role

  Selenium is needed for thyroid hormone production, so it matters mainly for the thyroid part of the hormone system.

• AshwagandhaDocumented risk

  NCCIH advises against use in thyroid disorders, and case reports describe thyrotoxicosis after use.

• Licorice rootDocumented risk

  Glycyrrhizin can disturb the body's salt-holding hormone balance, which is how it raises blood pressure and lowers potassium. The EU monograph describes the resulting water retention and low potassium.

• SpearmintPreliminary or mixed

  In small tea studies in women with hirsutism, hormone levels changed, but a better clinical outcome was not shown.

• Tongkat aliPreliminary or mixed

  Hormone levels changed in some trials; clinical meaning is not established.

• KudzuDocumented risk

  Kudzu root has estrogen-like activity (isoflavones). MSK advises avoiding it with hormone-sensitive cancers and with tamoxifen.

• BugleweedPreliminary or mixed

  Used for mild overactive thyroid; evidence is small open studies and case reports of mostly L. europaeus products, so it is preliminary.

• Spearmint TeaPreliminary or mixed

  Hormone blood tests changed in women drinking spearmint tea; clinical meaning is not shown.

• Ashwagandha TeaDocumented risk

  Thyroid hormone changes and thyrotoxicosis reported; NIH advises against use with thyroid disorders.

• ArameDocumented risk

  Iodine from seaweed can push habitual eaters above the upper level and raise TSH (all seaweeds, arame not named).

• HijikiDocumented risk

  Iodine from seaweed can push intake above the upper level and raise TSH in habitual eaters (all seaweeds, not hijiki alone).

• MozukuDocumented risk

  Seaweed iodine can upset thyroid function in excess; mozuku iodine was not measured in sources we read.

• DulseDocumented risk

  The thyroid is part of the hormone system. The risk comes from iodine intake that is too high.

• Sea LettuceDocumented risk

  Iodine from seaweed can affect thyroid hormone balance when intake is high.

• Ao-nori (Green Laver)Documented risk

  Iodine from seaweed can affect thyroid hormone balance when intake is high.

• Seaweed Snacks (Roasted Nori)Documented risk

  High iodine over time can change thyroid function.

• Seaweed SaltDocumented risk

  High iodine intake from seaweed raised estimated intake above the upper level and TSH fell after stopping in 49 seaweed eaters.

• Seaweed Salad (Chuka Wakame)Documented risk

  Seaweed foods can carry a lot of iodine and labels rarely say how much, which matters for the thyroid.

• Bone Health FormulasDocumented risk

  Calcium can reduce absorption of thyroid medicine; the sources advise spacing.

• Greens PowdersDocumented risk

  Kelp and other seaweed can supply a lot of iodine, and high iodine for long periods could change how the thyroid works.

• Vitamin B5Established role

  Pantothenic acid plays a part in making hormones. Sources do not show that extra supplements change hormone levels.

• CalciumEstablished role

  Calcium helps the body release hormones.

• MagnesiumEstablished role

  The NHS says magnesium helps the parathyroid glands work normally; these glands make hormones important for bone health.

• IronDocumented risk

  Iron overload in haemochromatosis can damage the pancreas.

• PhosphorusEstablished role

  Blood phosphate is balanced together with calcium by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D; this is hormone regulation of phosphorus, not an effect of phosphorus on health.

• CarnitineDocumented risk

  In a 6-month trial in women taking thyroid hormone, L-carnitine reduced hyperthyroid-type symptoms, which suggests it can work against thyroid medicine. Ask a prescriber or pharmacist first.

• FenugreekPreliminary or mixed

  Fenugreek may lower blood sugar, so it can add to the effect of diabetes medicines.

• BarberryPreliminary or mixed

  Insulin and glucose measures changed in some trials in people with type 2 diabetes.

• Wild yamLab or animal research only

  Laboratory work suggests weak estrogen-like activity. The one placebo-controlled cream trial found no change in hormone levels, so a real effect on hormones in people is not shown.

• Self-healPreliminary or mixed

  Chinese trials used self-heal alongside thyroid drugs, with low or very low certainty evidence.

• Cuscuta seed (tu si zi)Lab or animal research only

  Hormone-receptor effects are described in animal and cell studies only.

• FenugreekDocumented risk

  Fenugreek may lower blood sugar, so it can add to the effect of diabetes medicines; EMA advises close glucose monitoring.

• KaleDocumented risk

  Kale contains goitrogens that can matter for the thyroid in large amounts or with low iodine.

• Collard GreensDocumented risk

  Goitrogens in cabbage-family vegetables can affect iodine use by the thyroid at large intakes with low iodine.

• Mustard GreensDocumented risk

  Goitrogen caution for the thyroid, mainly with low iodine intake.

• CauliflowerPreliminary or mixed

  Goitrogen question: reviews found no adverse thyroid effect from eating brassica vegetables, especially with adequate iodine.

• CabbageDocumented risk

  Goitrogens in cabbage-family vegetables are a theoretical thyroid question; a 2024 systematic review found no adverse effect from eating them, especially with adequate iodine.

• Bok ChoyDocumented risk

  A case report links very large amounts of raw bok choy to a severe thyroid problem; a 2024 review found no harm from ordinary intake.

• Daikon RadishDocumented risk

  Goitrogens in crucifers matter only with large intake plus low iodine.

• Cassava (Yuca)Documented risk

  EFSA says thyroid effects of cassava cyanide have only been reported with poor processing, iodine deficiency and low protein intake.

• Dried fenugreek leaf (kasuri methi)Documented risk

  Fenugreek may lower blood sugar, so it can add to the effect of diabetes medicines; EMA advises close glucose monitoring.

• Lemon Balm TeaDocumented risk

  EU monograph: lab and animal data suggest a water extract may inhibit TSH; relevance in people unknown.

• Nori (Laver)Documented risk

  Iodine in seaweed can affect thyroid hormone balance when intake is high.

• FucoidanDocumented risk

  Kelp-derived products may carry iodine; ATA advises against iodine and kelp supplements over 500 mcg a day.

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