A Functional Nutrition Approach to HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS

a functional nutrition approach to HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS

WHAT IS HASHIMOTO'S?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks its own thyroid tissue.

It is the most common cause of an under-active thyroid (aka hypothyroidism).

Because the thyroid is compromised, it cannot perform its job of regulating energy and metabolism.

This means that those with Hashimoto's will often experience lethargy, weight gain, or depression.

The thyroid is a gland in your neck that acts like your body's thermostat;  when it is damaged by autoimmune antibodies, the rest of your metabolism suffers the effects.

The thyroid is a gland in your neck that acts like your body's thermostat; when it is damaged by autoimmune antibodies, the rest of your metabolism suffers the effects.

SYMPTOMS OF AN UNDERACTIVE THYROID

*If you experience these symptoms but are told that your TSH level is "normal", you can dig deeper & test for thyroid antibodies.

SYMPTOMS OF AN UNDERACTIVE THYROID

HOW DO YOU TREAT HASHIMOTO'S?

If stress, heavy metal exposure, or infection is driving the inflammation, then it is essential to address the root cause.

Even though there is no cure for autoimmune disorders, symptoms can be managed through proper diet & lifestyle, gut healing, and for some, thyroid hormone replacement.

HASHIMOTO'S & GUT HEALTH

As with all autoimmune disorders, gut health should be a priority.

It is common for those with Hashimoto's to also have intestinal hyperpermeability (aka leaky gut), gluten intolerance, food allergies, and gut dysbiosis.

SUPPORT THYROID HEALTH

SUPPORT THYROID HEALTH

BALANCE BLOOD SUGAR

support healthy metabolism & hormones by eating regular meals, minimizing added sugar, and focusing on healthy fats, protein, & fiber

REDUCE ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS

can be found in skincare, food, water, plastics, cookware, moldy buildings, relationships, etc

ELIMINATE GLUTEN

gluten is a common trigger for gut inflammation & autoimmune reactions

SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRIENTS

zinc, magnesium, vitamin D, curcumin, ashwagandha, rhodiola, and selenium (only if needed)


Are you a health educator that wants to use this content with your clients? Customize the handout template in less time than it would take to even think about hiring a graphic designer.

References

Ballantyne, S. (2013). The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal your Body. Victory Belt Publishing Inc.

Hashimoto's Disease. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17665-hashimotos-disease

Autoimmune Wellness. https://autoimmunewellness.com

Jones, D. S., Bland, J. S., & Quinn, S. (2010). Textbook of Functional Medicine. Institute for Functional Medicine.

Gaby, A. R. (2017). Nutritional Medicine (2nd ed.). Fritz Perlberg Publishing.

Beaver, M., & Leech, B. (2020). Selenium supplementation for the reduction of thyroid antibodies in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients: a systematic review. Australian Journal of Herbal & Naturopathic Medicine, 32(3), 108–114. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.33235/ajhnm.32.3.108-114 Retrieved from: https://uws.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=awh&AN=145635697&site=eds-live&scope=site

Villar, H. C. C. E., Saconato, H., Valente, O., Atallah, Á. N., & Villar, H. C. C. E. (n.d.). Thyroid hormone replacement for subclinical hypothyroidism. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 7.

Abbott, R. D., Sadowski, A., & Alt, A. G. (2019). Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet as Part of a Multi-disciplinary, Supported Lifestyle Intervention for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Cureus, 11(4), e4556. https://doi-org.uws.idm.oclc.org/10.7759/cureus.4556

Hu, Y., Feng, W., Chen, H., Shi, H., Jiang, L., Zheng, X., Liu, X., Zhang, W., Ge, Y., Liu, Y., & Cui, D. (2021). Effect of selenium on thyroid autoimmunity and regulatory T cells in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A prospective randomized-controlled trial. Clinical and Translational Science (Periodical), 14(4), 1390.

Magnesium and Thyroid Health. Retrieved from: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/new-studies-on-magnesium-and-thyroid-health/

Previous
Previous

How to Build a Smoothie (and 8 unique flavor combos)

Next
Next

“Plant-Based” EXPLAINED