Both human and veterinary medical literature has given evidence that consuming excessive amounts of certain cruciferous vegetables causes impaired thyroid function (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, kale). Hypothyroidism causes lethargy due to the slowed metabolic rate and stunts growth (both due to the slowed metabolism and the reduction in activity, which in turn reduces appetite). The effects of the impaired thyroid function is generally not discernible to someone inexperienced in tegu husbandry nor to vets who rarely see enough tegus to be able to recognize the difference in growth rates and activity levels.

For you and your vet's information, here is the nutritional breakdown of cabbage as compared to collards.

Source: Dunne, L.J. (1990) Nutrition Almanac, Third Edition, Mcgraw-Hill, NY. pp 302-305.

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Published on: 2004-11-18 (1680 reads)