Lifestyle and Dietary Changes are Needed to Help Treat or Prevent Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid gland malfunctions and starts to secrete huge amounts of thyroid hormones, this is known as hyperthyroidism which is marked by signs and symptoms such as increased bowel movements, tremors, fatigue, loss of weight, agitation, anxiety, profuse perspiration, and increased heart rate. Scientists are beginning to understand hyperthyroidism better and how natural modes of treatment can help restore harmony and balance to the body.

Graves Disease, which is an autoimmune condition and thyroiditis (chronic thyroid inflammation) are the two most common reasons for hyperthyroidism. Both auto-immune and inflammatory disorders are the result of an under-coordinated and over-active immune system. Heavy metal toxicity, vitamin D levels, nutritional habits, environmental and food allergens, intestinal dysbiosis and a number of important factors must be resolved with any auto-immune and inflammatory condition.

1. Heavy metal toxicity – Factors that can affect the thyroid gland and immune system environmental toxicity include non-stick coated paints, tap water, household cleaning agents, personal hygiene products, household molds, overexposure to herbicides, pesticides, and heavy metals, and others.

2. Vitamin D deficiencies – Unfortunately, this is a common problem these days. Vitamin D is needed to properly coordinate the immune response by helping the body to recognize between the body’s own proteins and foreign proteins. This helps decrease auto-immune reactions and inflammation. Vitamin D (25-hydroxy cholcalciferol) in adequate amounts (around 60 to 100 ng/ml) which is significantly more than the conventional 32 ng/ml daily dosage is the is a much better recommended daily dosage. However, make sure you know your levels and get them over 60 ng/ml. Just spending five minutes directly under the noonday sun can be extremely beneficial for your body. You can take 10,000 to 50,000 IU of emulsified high quality vitamin D3 supplements or spend 20 to 30 minutes a day in the sun every day until you attain the desired levels.

3. An anti-inflammatory lifestyle and diet – Full recovery will not be achieved unless diet and lifestyle changes are done by the hyperthyroid patient. Foods that possess anti-inflammatory qualities can help regulate the immune system preventing it from inflaming when stimulated. It is important to completely avoid food allergens, and all forms of processed sugars and foods. DHA, EPA, and omega 3 fatty acids are powerful de-inflammatories that can bring back natural balance to your cell membrane’s lipid wall.

Non-denatured whey protein from free range goats and cows, berries, and coconut products are also deemed to be great anti-inflammatory foods. The whey protein from these animals is packed with L-glutamine and boosts cellular glutathione stores that are required for de-inflaming the body and rebuilding the gut. Use oregano, rosemary, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric, and other anti-inflammatory herbs as much as possible.

Raw kale, cabbage, broccoli and other types of cruciferous vegetables contain goitrogens that obstruct the production of thyroid hormone and so aid is slowing down the thyroid. Therefore, eating these veggies raw can greatly benefit those people suffering from hyperthyroidism.

4. Food allergens – Avoid grains that contain gluten. These include spelt, kamut, oats, rye, barley, and wheat, heavy proteins, eggs, various nuts, and soy products. All man-made and processed foods obviously should always be avoided at all costs. Onions, tomatoes, and eggplant and other members of the nightshade family are known allergens and so should also be avoided. People suffering from excessive inflammation or auto-immune reactions need to be tested for food allergies and undergo an elimination diet to see if their conditions get better.

5. Dysbiosis – This is a condition in which antagonistic organisms overpopulate the gut causing intestinal wall damage which, in turn allows food particles to pass over and enter the bloodstream. When these undigested materials are detected by the immune system, they are often seen as foreign invaders in the body causing the immune system to release antibodies to eliminate these food particles. The attack of the antibodies then causes an allergic reaction and inflammation.