I understand the thyroid drama. Modern medicine could not address the problems of my Graves disease and then Hashimoto’s. For many years I did a lot of trial and error until I came up with my ‘Healthy Thyroid Diet’ plan.

There are foods that you must eliminate from your diet and there are foods that you must add to your daily food intake. This is not a diet in the sense that you are trying to lose weight, but rather a healthy eating habit.

Not everyone will agree that there is a connection between diet and a healthy thyroid. I challenge you to give it a try for a few weeks and monitor any changes in how you feel.

One more thing before continuing, it is important to understand that the majority (90%) of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are due to autoimmune problems. This means that your immune system is attacking your thyroid.

One of the first topics I delve into with clients is their current diet.

FOOD INTOLERANCES

Do you see “gluten free”, “dairy free”, etc. popping up in health stores today? This is because many people fall outside the “big five”; gluten, dairy, corn, eggs and soy and undergo significant changes. To find the culprits, I always start with an Elimination Diet and this produces clear and unbiased results. You can also get a food intolerance test (not allergy, it’s different), but they are far from accurate. Gluten is an infamous food if you have thyroid disease and eliminating it is key. However, often, you will need to eliminate more than just gluten.

REPAIR YOUR DIGESTIVE TRACK (also known as GUT)

As mentioned above, most thyroid conditions are autoimmune diseases. There are tons of lymphocytes and other immune cells in the gut, which protect the body from viruses, bacteria, and other invaders. This is why most people with thyroid conditions also frequently experience bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea. A change in diet will help your gut tremendously. “All disease begins in the gut,” said Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, and I’m not sure why this isn’t taught in school today.

REDUCE TOXICITY

of additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners (!), excess sodium, trans fats and toxins that lurk in your home. The toxicity of water is HUGE under thyroid conditions; we added fluoride in the US which is now linked to thyroid slowing down; Fluoride is believed to leak into thyroid cells, inhibiting iodine uptake, hence the production of thyroid hormone (T4).

DETOX

Your liver and your gut, as this is where the T4 hormone (inactive hormone) is converted to T3, the active hormone that actually gives us energy. Most of the cells in our body need T3, not just T4. If you are taking Synthroid, you are taking a synthetic version of T4 that has yet to be converted to T3. If you have a sluggish liver and intestine, it will not convert properly. Consider doing a yearly, biennial detox, fasting, juicing, etc. to give your body a break.

TREAT STRESS AND ADRENAL FATIGUE

This is a huge issue, especially with women. You won’t be able to repair your thyroid without fixing your adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are also part of the endocrine system and are activated when you are stressed. I recommend looking up your adrenal fatigue symptoms to see if you have them. De-stress working with a therapist, a life coach, immerse yourself in meditation, breathing, positive thinking; any job for you – is key.

REMOVE GOODY FOODS

if you suffer from hypothyroidism. Goiter is a substance that slows down the thyroid. Found in bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, radishes, soybeans, soy milk, soy lecithin (often used as filling in vegetarian food) and tofu. Cooking them reduces their goiter properties, but you should still limit them in the recovery phase.