Hashimoto Disease is the most common thyroid condition in the U.S, affecting over 20 million people, and half of them don’t even know they have an issue because symptoms take years to develop.
History of Hashimoto’s
Hashimoto’s disease is an immune imbalance impacting the thyroid gland. Identified in 1912, the inflammatory condition was named after a Japanese doctor. Hashimoto studies thyroid glands from just four patients and identified specific features of unusual damage and immune activation – leading him to believe the immune system was attacking the thyroid.
Hashimoto’s disease is twice as common in women, and affects children too. About 15% of American’s have a thyroid issue, each of which has slightly different features but the same underlying cause.
The Thyroid & Thyroiditis
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped, half-inch, hormone-producing gland in your neck. It produces two hormones that control metabolism (how your body utilizes energy) – regulating body temperature and heart rate while impacting weight, mood, and mental energy.
The thyroid metabolic management is like the gas pedal in your car. Any damage to the gland, or inflammation, impairs function – slowing (hyp-o-thyroid-ism) or speeding up (hy-er-thyroid-ism) the rate of hormone production. Thyroiditis (any word ending in – itis’ just means inflamed) also impacts the structure of gland, making it swell.
Multiple Conditions
Thyroiditis (inflamed thyroid) – caused by infection, toxins, radiation, heavy metals, diet and some drugs – results in low, or high, levels of one or both thyroid hormones.
Goiter – glands becomes inflamed and swollen, typically due to hormone excess, but can also be dietary.
Hashimoto’s Disease (low thyroid hormones) – most common type of hypothyroidism Low energy, fatigue, brain fog, brittle nails, constipation, joint pain, skin issue (pale, dry, puffy), weight gain, hair loss, feeling cold.
Grave’s Disease (excess thyroid hormones) nervousness, irritability, fast heart, insomnia, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, feeling hot, hunger, and weight gain – most common type of hyperthyroidism.
Autoimmunity or Toxicity ?
Inflammatory issues, like Hashimoto’s, are generally understood to be a malfunction in the immune system. But as we know disease is the result of mucus (caused by toxins and acidity) clogging up and inflaming the gland – preventing nutrients coming in, and waste getting out.
Specific foods, like wheat, may play a role in triggering thyroiditis, but it’s the sum of what we consume that drives inflammation.
Inflammatory
Inflammatory foods create havoc for the whole body, and the thyroid is a delicate gland that suffers first. Processed foods full of sugar and chemicals damage the gut, confuse the immune system, and create inflammation.
Approved foods that are naturally anti-inflammatory are
- Fruits: berries (except cranberries), key limes, burro bananas, and apples.
- Vegetables : cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, arugula, portabellas mushrooms, squash.
- Fats : Avocado, avocado oil, coconut oil, soft jelly coconut flesh.
- Seeds/Nuts/Beans : garbanzo beans, brazil nuts, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, CBD oil.
