Dietary Considerations with Hashimoto’s Disease


Hypothyroidism has received a lot of attention online since the publication of "Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms?" by Datis Kharrazian in 2009. While many facets should be addressed in managing hypothyroidism, one of the most important continues to be a gluten-free diet.
Research shows ninety percent of hypothyroidism cases are due to an autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. 
This disease is called Hashimoto’s.
Most doctors do not test for Hashimoto’s because it does not change treatment, which is thyroid medication. Also, many cases of hypothyroidism go undiagnosed because Hashimoto’s can cause the lab marker TSH to fluctuate. 
Where does gluten fit in with this? Numerous studies have linked an immune reaction to gluten with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Whether it’s a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, gluten triggers an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland in many people. Most of these people do not even know they are sensitive to gluten.
Going off gluten is the first step with Hashimoto’s:
Studies, clinical observation, and patient stories make a very strong case for the benefits of going gluten-free to better manage your Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism symptoms.
A number of studies for several countries show a link between Hashimoto’s and gluten. This is because the protein structure of gluten closely resembles that of thyroid tissue. When your immune system reacts to gluten, it may start erroneously reacting to thyroid tissue as well. This will cause the immune system to attack and destroy thyroid tissue in a case of mistaken identity.
Studies also show patients improve on a strict gluten-free diet. One study showed as many as 71 percent of subjects resolved their hypothyroid symptoms after following a strict gluten-free diet for one year. 
Call today to schedule an appointment 321-783-1960 
Why you may need to stop eating other foods too:
Sorry to say, going gluten-free alone doesn’t always work. Many people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism also need to go dairy-free. Dairy, whether it’s cow, goat, or sheep, is the second biggest problem food for people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. 
Many people simply have an immune intolerance to dairy and aren’t aware of it until they stop consuming it. However, in an immune sensitive individual, the body may also mistake dairy for gluten and trigger an immune reaction that ultimately ends up targeting the thyroid.
For those serious about managing their Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, a gluten-free and dairy-free diet frequently results in profound alleviation of symptoms, if not total remission.
Many find they may need to eliminate additional foods, such as certain grains, eggs, or soy. An elimination/provocation diet can help you figure out what your immune system reacts to, or a comprehensive food sensitivity test from Cyrex Labs.
What is there left to eat?
If you’re used to eating without restrictions, eliminating gluten, dairy, and possibly other foods to manage your Hashimoto’s hypothyroid symptoms may seem overwhelming and too restrictive. Many people are left wondering, what is left to eat?
Rest assured there is more than enough to eat. Most people fare well on a paleo diet that is primarily vegetables (a diverse array of plenty of vegetables helps create the healthy gut bacteria that improve immunity.)
More importantly, symptoms and general health improves so dramatically that people come to love their new diet and despise the way they feel after they cheat. 
Ask my office for more information about implementing a gluten- and dairy-free diet.

Are You Ready For Optimal Health? 

Call us at 321-783-1960

We are offering a discounted consultation fee with the mention of this post to FaceBook. Please call us today to find out more 321-783-1930 
299 N. Orlando Ave.
Cocoa Beach, Fl. 32931



Location: 299 N Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Explanations Of Lupus And Hashimoto’s Co-existence

Image
According to estimates, about 6% of patients with lupus also have hypothyroidism and 1% hyperthyroidism. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common form of hypothyroidism in patients with lupus. This finding doesn’t come as a surprise because both conditions are autoimmune diseases with a common etiology. Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that can target almost any part of the body, especially the joints, lungs, heart, skin, blood, kidneys and brain. In Hashimoto’s the immune system attacks only the thyroid, however a lack of thyroid hormones can affect all bodily functions and any organs. As a result when lupus and a thyroid disease coexist it can have a much bigger negative impact on your body. Many symptoms of both disorders can overlap and drive each other making the diagnosis and treatment even more difficult. It can take years for Hashimoto’s disease and lupus to develop and progress to the stage when a person can be diagnosed with a standard testing. This can lea
Read more

9 Recommended Lifestyle Changes For Autoimmune Diseases

Image
Autoimmune diseases have become a huge health burden. They're now estimated to impact over 24 million Americans, or between  five to eight percent  of the population. In fact, more than 80 diseases have been classified as autoimmune, and the list continues to grow. That includes conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, Celiac disease, and thyroid disease. They often involve hard-to-classify syndromes like inflammation, pain, swelling, and misery. Autoimmunity occurs when your immune system—your body's defense against invaders—becomes confused. In other words, your body is fighting something, whether that's infections, toxins, allergens, or a stress response. But somehow, that immune army can't distinguish friend from foe. Your own tissue gets caught in friendly crossfire, and your joints, brain, skin, and sometimes your whole body become casualties. Typically, drugs are used to address autoimmune diseases. In many cases, they
Read more

Gluten, Grains, Legumes and Autoimmune Disease

Image
Prominently situated at the base of the food pyramid, grains are promoted as the fiber-rich foundation of a healthy diet. But are grains really a necessary part of your diet, or can they in fact be harmful? If you have an  autoimmune disease , you may already be aware of the fact that gluten, the protein in wheat that gives bread its sticky, doughy texture, is an inflammatory substance. However, wheat is not unique. Many of the plants that we consume contain similar proteins that will increase inflammation in your body and contribute to a  leaky gut . Although most people benefit from avoiding foods such as grains, pseudograins, legumes, and nightshades, I recommend for those with an autoimmune disease to omit these foods from their diets, at least until their inflammation has subsided and their gut has healed. Food Sensitivity  Testing is the best course of action to determine whether or not these foods will continue to be a problem in the future. In order to better understan
Read more