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.
SYMPTOMS OF AN UNDERACTIVE THYROID
weight gain
low energy & mood
brain fog
depression
hair loss & dry skin
cold intolerance
*If you experience these symptoms but are told that your TSH level is "normal", you can dig deeper & test for thyroid antibodies.
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
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)
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References
Ballantyne, S. (2013). The Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease and Heal your Body. Victory Belt Publishing Inc.
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/