Natural Treatments for Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism:
While acupuncture can play a huge role in regulating the thyroid and treating thyroid disease, I always tell my Hashimoto patients that avoiding gluten strictly is crucial for recovery. Though I’ve personally been gluten free for 14 years for various reasons, I’m not typically that practitioner who insists everyone go gluten free. I know it’s not for everyone, and may not be necessary for everyone. However, with auto-immune issues like Hashimoto’s, it is something that I stress big time.
Here is a slide taken from Gina Mortellaro-Gomez’s Pro-D Seminar lecture on Hashimoto’s:
Numerous studies have been published linking gluten intolerance to AITD and Hashimoto’s (Collin, Salmi, Hallstrom, Reunala, & Pasternack, 1994; Counsell, Taha, & Ruddell, 1994; Hakanen et al., 2001;
Spadaccino et al., 2008; Hadithi et al., 2007).
Higher incidence of Celiac patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism and elevated thyroid autoantibodies. (Counsell, Taha, & Ruddell, 1994)
Gluten itself weakens the intestinal lining, thus increasing intestinal permeability which serves as a gateway in the development of autoimmune diseases (Spadaccino et al., 2008).
Due to the molecular structure of gluten closely resembling that of the thyroid gland, a case of mistaken identity occurs and when the immune system creates anti-bodies to tag gluten for removal after ingestion, it also is stimulated to produce anti-bodies against the thyroid gland (Kharrazian, 2010).
If you need assistance and guidance for how to go gluten-free, and want to learn about the cross reacting foods, give us a call. There is a surplus of yummy foods you can enjoy while gluten-free. After 14 years, there is really not much that I miss eating.
Nicole Brown
Acupuncturist Brookline
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