✪ Key Takeaway: Sesame oil does not directly treat hypothyroidism but provides selenium and healthy fats that support overall thyroid function.
Introduction
You walk down the grocery aisle and see sesame oil sitting there with promises of health benefits.
You might be asking this question because someone told you sesame oil could fix your sluggish thyroid or because you read something online that made you curious about natural remedies for your condition.
Hi, I am Abdur, your nutrition coach and today I am going to explain exactly how sesame oil affects your thyroid health and whether it deserves a place in your hypothyroidism management plan.
What Exactly Happens in Your Body With Hypothyroidism?
Your thyroid gland sits in your neck like a small butterfly and produces hormones that control your metabolism.
When you have hypothyroidism, this gland does not make enough thyroid hormones called T3 and T4.
Your body then slows down like a car running out of fuel.
You feel tired all the time, gain weight easily, struggle with cold temperatures, and notice your hair falling out more than usual.
The most common cause is an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto thyroiditis where your immune system attacks your own thyroid tissue.
Other causes include iodine deficiency, certain medications, radiation treatment, or surgical removal of the thyroid gland.
Your doctor typically treats this with synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medication that you take every morning on an empty stomach.
✪ Fact: About 5 out of every 100 Americans have hypothyroidism, with women being five to eight times more likely to develop it than men.
What Nutrients Does Sesame Oil Actually Contain?
Sesame oil comes from pressed sesame seeds and contains mostly polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.
One tablespoon gives you about 120 calories and 14 grams of fat with no protein or carbohydrates.
The oil contains vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant protecting your cells from damage.
It also provides small amounts of vitamin K that helps with blood clotting.
The most interesting component for thyroid health is selenium, though the amount varies depending on where the sesame plants grew.
Sesame oil also contains lignans like sesamin and sesamolin that have anti-inflammatory properties.
These plant compounds may help reduce oxidative stress in your body, which is elevated in people with autoimmune thyroid conditions.
✪ Note: Cold-pressed sesame oil retains more nutrients than refined versions that undergo high-heat processing.
Does Selenium in Sesame Oil Support Your Thyroid Function?
Your thyroid gland contains more selenium per gram of tissue than any other organ in your body.
This mineral helps convert the inactive thyroid hormone T4 into the active form T3 that your cells actually use.
Selenium also protects your thyroid from damage caused by hydrogen peroxide that forms during hormone production.
Research shows that selenium supplementation can reduce thyroid antibodies in people with Hashimoto thyroiditis.
However, sesame oil contains only trace amounts of selenium compared to foods like Brazil nuts, fish, or eggs.
You would need to consume unrealistic amounts of sesame oil to meet your daily selenium needs of 55 micrograms.
So while sesame oil does contain selenium, it cannot serve as your primary source for this crucial thyroid mineral.
✪ Pro Tip: Eat two Brazil nuts daily to get adequate selenium without relying on oils that add unnecessary calories to your diet.
Can the Anti-Inflammatory Properties Help Your Thyroid?
Chronic inflammation plays a major role in autoimmune thyroid disease like Hashimoto.
The lignans in sesame oil have been shown to reduce inflammatory markers in several studies.
These compounds work by blocking certain enzymes that produce inflammatory chemicals in your body.
Lower inflammation might theoretically help reduce the immune attack on your thyroid tissue.
However, no direct research has tested whether sesame oil specifically improves thyroid function or reduces thyroid antibodies in humans.
The anti-inflammatory benefits you get from sesame oil are similar to what you would get from other healthy oils like olive oil.
So while reducing inflammation is good for overall health, sesame oil does not offer any special thyroid-specific advantages over other anti-inflammatory foods.
✪ Fact: Studies show that sesame oil can reduce inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in people with chronic conditions.
What About Oil Pulling With Sesame Oil for Thyroid Health?
Oil pulling is an ancient practice where you swish oil in your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes before spitting it out.
Some people claim this practice can improve thyroid function by removing toxins from your body.
The theory suggests that oil pulling reduces the bacterial load in your mouth, which somehow benefits your thyroid.
However, there is zero scientific evidence connecting oil pulling to improved thyroid hormone levels or reduced hypothyroidism symptoms.
Your thyroid function depends on adequate iodine, selenium, iron, zinc, and proper conversion of T4 to T3 in your liver and other tissues.
Swishing oil in your mouth does not address any of these physiological requirements for thyroid hormone production.
Oil pulling might improve your oral health, but expecting it to fix your thyroid is like expecting a car wash to improve your engine performance.
✪ Note: No peer-reviewed studies have found any connection between oil pulling and improved thyroid function or hormone levels.
Should You Include Sesame Oil in Your Hypothyroidism Diet?
Sesame oil can be part of a healthy diet when you have hypothyroidism, but it will not treat your condition.
Use it as a cooking oil or salad dressing to add flavor and get some healthy fats in your meals.
The key is not to rely on it as a thyroid remedy or consume excessive amounts thinking it will boost your hormone levels.
One to two tablespoons per day is a reasonable amount that fits into most calorie budgets.
Focus instead on getting adequate iodine from iodized salt, selenium from Brazil nuts or fish, and iron from meat or fortified cereals.
Make sure you take your thyroid medication consistently at the same time each morning on an empty stomach.
Sesame oil is just one small piece of a much bigger puzzle that includes medication, nutrient-dense foods, stress management, and adequate sleep for optimal thyroid health.
✪ Pro Tip: Rotate between different healthy oils like olive, avocado, and sesame to get a variety of beneficial compounds in your diet.
The Bottom Line
Sesame oil provides healthy fats and some beneficial compounds but does not directly treat hypothyroidism or replace your thyroid medication.
No single food or oil will fix your thyroid when the real solution requires consistent medication, proper nutrition, and lifestyle management.
I would love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions you have about managing hypothyroidism through nutrition, so please share your experiences in the comments below.
References
At NutritionCrown, we use quality and credible sources to ensure our content is accurate and trustworthy. Below are the sources referenced in writing this article:
- PMC: Sesame Seeds and Thyroid Health Research
- PMC: Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Sesame
- Healthline: Sesame Seeds Nutrition Facts
- Natural Endocrine Solutions: Oil Pulling and Thyroid Health
