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.  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 typically resemble those of hypothyroidism, but 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.  The symptoms may not be noticeable at first, but they can 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

People with Hashimoto's have large groups of damaged immune cells, called lymphocytes, that invade the thyroid gland.  Lymphocytes kill the cells, tissues, and blood vessels that exist in the thyroid.  This is a slow process, which is why people with Hashimoto's can live without detecting symptoms for so long.  Because the thyroid is constantly under attack, it becomes difficult for it to produce the hormones that help control cell metabolism in the body.  Why the immune system produces these thyroid-attacking cells is still misunderstood, but it is understood that certain factors can increase a person's risk of developing the condition.  See examples below.

• Family history of the condition
• Excessive iodine consumption
• Radiation exposure
• Being a female
• Having a gluten sensitivity
• Glutamine or zinc depletion
• Parasites
• Fungal infections

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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, unbalanced blood sugar levels, and nervousness.
• 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.

• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries etc.)
• Cruciferous Vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage.  These types of vegetables should also be consumed moderately.)
• Sea Vegetables (kelp, dulse, agar, seaweed, nori, spirulina, Irish moss)
• Foods high in chlorophyll (spinach, snow peas, kiwi, cucumbers, parsley)
• Shiitake or Portabella Mushrooms
• Tumeric
• Olive Oil
• Almonds
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Flaxseeds
• Walnuts
• Brazil Nuts
• Chia Seeds
• Sunflower Seeds
• Sesame Seeds