We need to clarify one thing right out of the gate: Hashimoto’s disease is not the same thing as hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s is autoimmune hypothyroidism, and roughly ninety percent of hypothyroidism cases are caused by Hashimoto’s disease. What follows is information that explains common symptoms and how to naturally overcome the condition.
What Is Hashimoto’s?
When you have thyroid autoimmunity, it means that there are antibodies, which are essentially sabotaging your thyroid gland, in your bloodstream. T4 and T3 are the primary hormones that the thyroid produces. Normally, the brain signals when more of these hormones need to be produced, but Hashimoto’s inhibits this regular system from working.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s:
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s typically resemble those of hypothyroidism, but some cases may experience symptoms of both hypo and hyperthyroidism. The symptoms may not be noticeable at first, but become more present as the condition worsens. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Slow metabolism
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Dry skin
- Muscle cramps
- Vague aches and pain
- Mild weight gain
- Leg swelling
- Excessive sleepiness
How is Hashimoto’s Different From Hypothyroidism?
One of the main differences between iodine-deficient hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s is that people with Hashimoto’s experience both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms. The “hyper” symptoms are due to increased autoimmune attack on the thyroid. People may sometimes experience days of lethargy or days of anxiety and high energy.
Is There A Way Out?
When trying to naturally overcome Hashimoto’s, it is important to follow a few simple guidelines. Consuming gut healing foods like fermented vegetables and eliminating immune damaging foods from your diet are great first steps. Cleansing the body can help and it is always recommended to keep stress levels down. See the list of remedies below to naturally remedy this condition.
Cleanse The Body
If you want to benefit your thyroid gland and reduce inflammation in the body, we recommend cleansing the body. Cleansing helps to rid the body of toxins, waste, and pollutants, all of which can strain the immune system. In addition to cleansing, take stock of the things in your life that might be hampering your body’s ability to function optimally. Try using natural cleaning products, store food in glass or ceramic containers, quit smoking and drinking alcohol, and eat foods that work to cleanse the body.
Manage Stress
There are lots of ways to naturally keep your stress levels down. Reducing stress levels can have a positive effect on people with autoimmune disorders. Different stress-lowering techniques work for different people. You can benefit from regularly exercising (yoga, pilates, cardio, and Tai Chi, are all beneficial), or taking part in breathing exercises or meditation (there are many guided meditation videos online). Eating magnesium-rich foods or taking baths with Epsom salts have been proven to naturally relieve stress.
Eat Gut-Healing Foods
A healthy diet is one of the best ways heal your body. You essentially want to maintain a diet that is rich fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts & seeds, sprouted legumes, and gut-healing foods like fermented vegetables, natto, sauerkraut, kefir, or kimchi. Gut-healing foods are rich in probiotics, which encourage the production of healthy bacteria in your stomach. Coconut oil can also help support a healthy metabolism by nourishing the gut and increasing energy.
Consider Being Gluten-Free
Gluten can put a lot of stress on the immune system. It may seem difficult to go gluten-free at first, but you may notice a huge improvement in your overall health once you eliminate gluten from your diet. Try going gluten and grain-free for about three months for the best results.
Avoid These Foods
It is beneficial to avoid foods that contain added sugars, a lot of salt, safflower oil, canola oil, hydrogenated oils, dairy, processed ingredients, or fast foods. A lot of these foods cause inflammation in your gut, which can contribute to weight gain, imbalanced blood sugar levels, and nervousness.
Balance Chakras
The thyroid is related to the 5th chakra, which is the throat chakra. It resides between the 4th and 6th chakras, the heart and head chakras. When conflict exists between the head and the heart, thyroid problems can occur. It is beneficial to meditate or practice visualization to resolve this imbalance and promote spiritual healing.
