Effects of a Vegetarian Diet on the Development of Thyroid Disorders

Abstract

This study aims to explore the impact of different types of vegetarian diets on thyroid health, particularly focusing on the prevalence of thyroid disorders. Vegetarianism has had increasing popularity and has been particularly prominent in Asia, where a large proportion of the population has adopted a vegetarian diet, whereas in North America, the prevalence of vegetarianism remains very small. Vegetarian and vegan diets have been known to pose a risk of deficiencies in minerals and vitamins including vitamin B12, selenium, vitamin A, iron, and iodine, which are crucial for thyroid health. Studies have shown that deficiencies in the aforementioned minerals and vitamins can exacerbate both hyper-and hypothyroidism. This study reviews global cohort studies and highlights the need for a balanced diet with appropriate supplementation of crucial minerals and vitamins involved in thyroid hormone synthesis and further amplifies the need for continued studies and modifications in recommendations to incorporate vegetarian diets as an important confounding factor in the development of thyroid disease.