After some discussion, I realized that Hashimoto’s wasn’t something I could “get rid of.” When I began researching Hashimoto’s I realized it would take a lot of work and discipline to get the autoimmune disease under control. I’ve learned a lot about my condition. I also came to realize getting Hashimoto’s under control wouldn’t happen overnight.
Today I’m going to share 8 ways to naturally treat Hashimoto’s/ hypothyroidism.

Eliminate Gluten and Casein (Dairy) – Many people are gluten intolerant and have given up wheat. You may not think you have an issue with gluten, your thyroid, on the other hand, may feel different. Gluten causes one of the most common allergies and food intolerances today. Dairy is another culprit. These intolerants are due to the hybridized proteins of gluten and casein.  These proteins can cause “leaky gut.”  Leaky gut I believe is one of the significant contributors to the increase in autoimmune disease not excluding Hashimoto’s because it will cause inflammation of the thyroid. When the thyroid is inflamed its function is affected. 

Eliminate BPA – You will find BPA (Bisphenol A) in many plastic bottles.  It can disrupt your endocrine system and effect your thyroid. When your thyroid is not functioning properly, you increase your risk of thyroid disfunction. If possible, you should only drink out of glass, stainless steel, or BPA free plastic bottles. Not only will this assist with your health, but it will help the environment too.

   Maintain Iodine Levels – If they are low you could use organic liquid iodine or a kelp supplement. Be careful when supplementing iodine. Just as too little iodine isn’t good for your thyroid, too much iodine isn’t good for your thyroid either. I don’t take an iodine supplement. I’m more concerned with overdoes with this one. I eat potatoes, cranberries, green beans, bananas, and cod regularly. These foods are iodine rich and provide the iodine I need.

Heavy Metal Detox – When considering a heavy metal detox remember to consult your doctor. If you are looking to safely assist in purging your body of heavy metals you could use a combination of Milk Thistle, Turmeric, Chlorella, and Cilantro to detox harmful metals from your cells and organs.

Supplement Selenium – It isn’t uncommon for people with Hashimoto’s to experience selenium deficiency. It is also recognized as a common trigger for Hashimoto’s. Some of the best selenium containing foods are brazil nuts, salmon, sunflower seeds, beef, mushrooms, and onions. Selenium was one of the first supplements I started taking when I altered my diet.

Adaptogen Supplements – Adaptogens help our bodies handle stress. They can lower cortisol levels and improve thyroid function.  Some common adaptogens are ashwagandha and tulsi (holy basil). These and many others have been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic healing tradition. I’ve been taking ashwagandha for three years and have noticed a considerable difference in the stress I feel.

   Eliminate Soy – When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s I spent many hours researching this topic. If you have been following my blog, you have heard me mention the hours of research I spent, hoping to heal. The research is paying off. One of the biggest culprits for me was soy. When I eliminated soy from my diet, I marked a considerable difference in how I felt. Soy blocks the activity of the TPO (thyroid peroxidase) enzyme and has been linked to the development of autoimmune thyroiditis. Additionally, studies have shown that soy can affect thyroid medications, asthma, and menstrual cycles.1

Reduce Carbohydrate Consumption – This is a big one. It is also a difficult task because the market is flooded with processed foods high in sugar. When we (women) consume too many carbs our estrogen levels increase. This increase negatively affects the thyroid. Work toward eliminating sugar and grains, and replace them with healthy fats such as avocado, flaxseed, hemp seed, wild salmon, grass-fed beef, chia, and coconut. By making these changes you will balance your hormone levels.

Sources:

http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-events-education-media/about-hypothyroidism/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-newspaper-2012/may-04a.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-newspaper-2011/jun-03b.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15543918
http://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-events-education-media/about-hypothyroidism/
http://hyroidpharmacist.com/articles/soy-and-hashimotos/