WHAT IS HASHIMOTO'S?

Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the thyroid. This can lead to either excessive thyroid hormones causing hyperthyroidism or can lead to hypothyroidism where the inflammation prevents the thyroid from producing enough hormones. Common symptoms include unexplained weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness.

LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO HELP:

• Get enough sleep.
• Reduce and manage stress.
• Practice self-care.
• Improve your gut health by nourishing your gut with the foods listed below and limiting processed foods.
• Take medication as directed. Note: If taking levothyroxine, do not consume dairy, iron/calcium supplements or antacids within 4 hours of taking it.



FOODS TO CONSUME:

• • Fruits and veggies: Have lots of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals in them, helping to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. (Limit goitorgenic vegetables).
• • Healthy fats: Consuming foods high in omega 3s can help manage inflammation associated with Hashimoto’s. Include foods such as Salmon, albacore, olive oil, avocado, halibut, herring.
• • Nuts, seeds, nut butters: Almond butter, walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds. Brazil nuts are very high in selenium, an important nutrient for managing Hashimoto’s.
• • Beans and legumes
• • Lean proteins: seafood, chicken, turkey

FOODS TO LIMIT:

• Gluten: A protein found in gluten resembles the enzyme of your thyroid, so your immune system may attack the thyroid mistakenly. Limit foods such as wheat flour, breads, pasta, rye, barley, cereal.
• Added sugar: Added sugars can increase inflammation. Limit candy, soda. Check the nutrition facts label on cereals, yogurt, granola, and condiments for added sugar content.
• Processed foods
• Dairy: Lots of people with Hashimoto’s are lactose intolerant
• Soy, cassava tapioca: Goitrogens are a substance found in these foods that can interfere with thyroid hormone production
• Goitorgenic vegetables: Broccoli, brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale, bok choy

SUPPLEMENTS RECOMMENDED:

• Vitamin D: Helps reduce anti thyroid antibody levels and can improve thyroid function
• Selenium: Taking a selenium supplement can help reduce antibody levels
• Zinc: Crucial for thyroid hormone metabolism and deficiency may result in decreased thyroid hormone levels
• Magnesium: Helps reduce the body’s oxidative stress and inflammation. Hypothyroidism can increase magnesium demand.
• Probiotics: Have been shown to have beneficial effects on thyroid function and thyroid hormones