Has your doctor ever mentioned to you the link between certain foods and Hashimoto’s Disease? As we know, one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks your thyroid. Your thyroid is vital to your health as it produces hormones which regulate most body functions such as metabolism, digestion, heart and muscle functions, brain health, mood regulation, and bone maintenance.
Why does food matter you might ask? Well, that’s because 80% of your immune system is located in your gut. Your gut is the foundation of your whole body’s health. Without a healthy immune system, you’re prone to inflammation and autoimmune disease.
4 FOODS TO AVOID TO LOSE WEIGHT, REDUCE YOUR THYROID MEDICATION AND REVERSE HASHIMOTO’S
These foods are inflammatory. With hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s what you are eating is more important than how many calories you consume.
GLUTEN
International studies show Hashimoto’s is linked to gluten sensitivity. As in all autoimmune diseases, it’s a case of mistaken identity. Autoimmunity happens when the body mistakenly tries to attack itself. In the case of gluten, it’s because of the protein called gliadin. The molecular structure of gliadin is very similar to that of the thyroid gland. When gliadin breaks the protective barrier of the gut, and enters the bloodstream, the immune system releases antibodies to attack it. These antibodies that are seeking to destroy gliadin will also mistakenly try to destroy the thyroid because they resemble each other.
DAIRY
Cow’s milk contains main proteins such as casein and whey that are different from the proteins found in human milk. A person with a leaky gut (which is most likely the cause of autoimmune diseases) looks at these proteins as a foreign invader and create IgG antibodies to protect itself.
EGGS
Have you cut out dairy and gluten, but you still suffering from gut issues such as bloating, stomach cramps, indigestion, diarrhea or constipation? Or maybe you are not losing weight? Or your Dr. raised your Levothyroxine dosage again? Then, most likely it’s an egg intolerance. Any food intolerance causes inflammation. Constant inflammation will eventually lead to weight gain and poor absorption of medication.
ADDED SUGAR
If you have Hashimoto’s low thyroid, eating too much sugar can increase inflammation, cause autoimmune thyroid flares, cause high blood sugar levels, cause imbalance in gut health and gut bacteria, and create hormone issues. Additionally, sugar or even high sugar fruits increase insulin causing sugar to be stored as fat.
A recent study found a low carbohydrate, low inflammatory, whole foods diet significantly decreases thyroid antibodies — the marker for autoimmune thyroid disease, or Hashimoto’s.
THE STUDY DIET THAT IMPROVED HASHIMOTO’S
- Low carb diet with 12-15 percent carbohydrates, 50-60 percent protein, and 25 – 30 percent good fats.
- Various low carb vegetables which improve immune health through their impact on beneficial gut bacteria.
- Grass fed meats and wild fish.
- No goitrogens: cruciferous vegetables such as Broccoli, kale, arugula, cabbage, radish, horseradish watercress, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, turnip, rutabaga, mustard, wasabi. A goitrogen is a compound that suppresses the thyroid gland by inhibiting the uptake of iodine.
- No eggs, legumes, dairy products, bread, pasta, fruit, and rice.
I personally lived with thyroid issues and experienced the devastating effects of conventional medicine’s approach. I’ve spent my years researching the true approach to thyroid health for myself and my clients. By implementing the above steps, you will truly see a difference.