Grave's disease, a form of hyperthyroidism, results from your immune system mistakenly attacking your thyroid gland. No official diet exists to treat Grave’s disease, but autoimmune conditions in general respond favorably to certain dietary changes that may help keep symptoms at bay. Talk to your doctor about any questions you have about your diet.
Include More Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Interest in the role of omega-3 fatty acids for preventing the development of anti-inflammatory and autoimmune conditions started in the 1980s, when researchers observed a very low incidence or complete absence of many of these conditions in Greenland Eskimos, who consume omega-3 fats in abundance. The article noting this, which appeared in the December 2002 issue of the "The Journal of the American College of Nutrition," reports that omega-3 fatty acids aid in the production of anti-inflammatory hormones and alter the actions of several other substances involved in the inflammatory response, reducing the tendency for the immune system to wrongly attack the body’s tissues. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in cold-water fish and some plant foods, including flaxseed and walnuts, but the fats present in fish seem to offer greater benefits.
Eliminating Gluten
Gluten allergies and sensitivities may play a role in worsening symptoms of autoimmune conditions, and research suggests gluten sensitivities may affect the thyroid directly in some individuals. A study by Italian researchers published in the March 2001 issue of "The American Journal of Gastroenterology" found a high incidence of people with both a gluten allergy and thyroid problems, including autoimmune thyroid conditions. After following a gluten-free diet for one year, researchers found 25 percent of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease experienced an improvement, with some individuals experiencing complete normalization of thyroid levels.
Whether you have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten or not, this research suggests a connection between this problem and thyroid disease. Cutting gluten from your diet does not pose any concerns from a nutritional or health standpoint, so it might be an experiment worth trying. Stay away from wheat, spelt, triticale, semolina, durham, rye, barley, bulgur, matzo, kamut, farina, graham flour and rye. Gluten-free grains include arrowroot, amaranth, buckwheat, tapioca, quinoa, corn, polenta, grits and rice.
Considerations for Other Food Allergens
Food allergies may worsen Grave’s disease in two ways. The perception of the food as a danger provokes inflammation that notifies the immune system of an unwanted visitor. Furthermore, your healthy tissue, which in this case is the thyroid gland, might be attacked along with the normally harmless food. The website of physician and alternative medicine expert Dr. Ronald Hoffman, recommends you find out if you have any food allergies and avoid those foods if you have Grave’s disease. Besides gluten, other common allergens include milk, soy, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, nuts and eggs. A doctor can perform an allergy test.
Other Considerations
Reduce foods that promote inflammation in the body, such as saturated fats, trans fats, refined carbohydrates and sugar. Eat plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, which are full of inflammation-fighting nutrients.
Hoffman also advocates eating a diet rich in foods that have been part of the human diet for a long period of time, such as meat, fish, vegetables and fruits – all eaten for the last two million years. He reports foods that are relatively new to the diet, such as grains, dairy, yeast foods and beans may contribute to autoimmune conditions.
References
- ''Journal of the American College of Nutrition''; Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Autoimmune Disease; Artemis Simopoulos; December 2002
- ''American Journal of Gastroenterology''; Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders in Untreated Adult Celiac Disease Patients and Effect of Gluten Withdrawal: an Italian Multicenter Study; C. Sategna-Guidetti, et al.; March 2001
- Dr. Ronald Hoffman: Grave's Disease: A Nutritional Approach
