- Resources
The most common autoimmune diseases are those affecting the thyroid. It seems unlikely that nature gave humans dud thyroids, so an environmental cause(s) is likely. This might be something in the diet (e.g. animal thyroid hormone), a manmade chemical (e.g. Flame retardants), or gut dysbiosis. Thyroid hormone contains iodine – dietary deficiency or excess can disrupt production.
In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, antibodies target the thyroid hormone-producing cells, which eventually leads to hypothyroidism (abnormally low thyroid hormone (T4) levels). Thyroid hormone replacement with synthetic levothyroxine is recommended as hypothyroidism has many adverse effects, including low energy, slow metabolism, weight gain, fluid retention, and high cholesterol.
In Grave’s disease, antibodies target the TSH receptor on thyroid cells, stimulating excess production of thyroid hormone. Too much thyroid hormone also has many adverse effects on health. Treatment is initially with drugs to control thyroid hormone levels, but in the long term, the condition tends to go into remission and may even evolve into hypothyroidism.
Whole foods, plant-based nutrition and other lifestyle interventions do not seem to reverse Hashimoto’s disease reliably, and long-term levothyroxine is often necessary. However, there are many testimonials of remission and individual cases in which there is a progressive reduction in thyroid antibody levels and normalisation of thyroid hormone levels. One autoimmune disease is often followed by others – WFPB diet and lifestyle might stop this progression, even if it does not reverse your Hashimoto’s.
Resources
- The Thyroid and Nutrition: Your Body in Balance – Exam Room Podcast with Neal Barnard, MD, plus the stories of three people who are thriving since making dietary change
- Thyroid Deficiency Strikes One in Six – John McDougall, MD
-
The Best Diet for Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism – Michael Greger, MD
-
Diet for Hypothyroidism: A Natural Treatment for Hashimoto’s Disease – Michael Greger, MD
- Thyroid Health & Plant-Based Diets – Your Questions Answered – Theresa “Sam” Houghton, 2019
Peer reviewed articles
- Tonstad, S., Nathan, E., Oda, K., & Fraser, G. (2013). Vegan diets and hypothyroidism. Nutrients, 5(11), 4642-4652.
Page created 24 July 2023
Last updated 25 July 2023