Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland. Symptoms include, an enlarged thyroid gland, fatigue, muscle weakness and weight gain. Other endocrine disorders, such as adrenal insufficiency, or other autoimmune conditions can also occur together with Hashimoto's. Dietary modifications may alleviate symptoms of Hashimoto's disease in some people.
Gluten-Free
A gluten-free diet may provide relief from Hashimoto's symptoms. Two weeks of an elimination diet, in which you completely avoid of all forms of wheat, rye and barley can help you determine if you are sensitive to gluten,according to Dr. Datis Kharrazian, author of the book "Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Hashimoto's Disease and Hypothyroidism." If your symptoms improve, you may be among the considerable number of Hashimoto's patients who have an underlying gluten allergy. A study published in the December 2007 issue of the journal "Minerva Endocrinologica" found that 27 percent of autoimmune thyroiditis patients also showed antibodies to gluten, indicating celiac disease. Reintroducing gluten will further confirm whether it is a problem for you. If your symptoms return when you add gluten back into your diet, you may need to remain on a gluten-free diet indefinitely.
Fruits and Vegetables
Eat a diet with liberal quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables to boost your immune system and decrease Hashimoto's symptoms, says naturopath Linda Page, author of "Linda Page's Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone." Fresh vegetable juices several times a week along with high-potassium broth can help to balance your mineral levels and keep your thyroid functioning on an even keel. Include seaweed in your diet for its abundant iodine levels and use herbal salt substitutes in place of table salt.
Goitrogens
Avoid foods that disrupt thyroid function. These foods, known as goitrogens, include cabbage, mustard and other brassica vegetables. Turnips, peanuts, millet, tofu and tempeh also suppress thyroid function. In some cases, cooking goitrogenic foods destroys the goitrogenic compounds and makes them safe to eat. Cooked cabbage, cauliflower, mustard greens, kale and broccoli can be safely eaten.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is necessary for production of thyroid-stimulating hormones and should be included in your Hashimoto's diet. Yellow and orange vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables and eggs are good sources of this vitamin. Liver and cod liver oil are also good sources, as are certain spices, such as pepper and paprika.
References
- "Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal: A ... "; Datis Kharrazian; 2009
- "Minerva Endocrinologica"; Prevalence of Celiac Disease in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroiditis; R. Iuorio, et al.; December 2007
- "Linda Page's Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone"; Linda G. Rector-Page; 2000
- "The New Anti-Aging Revolution: Stopping the Clock for a Younger, Sexier ..."; Ronald Klatz, Robert Goldman; 2003
- Southwestern Medical Center: Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
