People who suffer from Graves’ Disease, which is the autoimmune hyperthyroid issue, are more likely than the general population to suffer from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Rule out celiac and gluten as well as all food allergies first and foremost before proceeding with any type of medication.
Things to avoid include:
- gluten
- dairy
- artificial flavour
- sugar (suppresses immune function and contributes to autoimmune diseases)
- packaged foods (much higher rate of genetically modified organisms and higher rate of autoimmune diseases)
- caffeine
- dietary sources of iodine (especially iodized salt, kelp and other seaweed)
- seafood
- nutritional supplements that contain more than 300 micrograms of iodine
Foods to eat more of include:
- broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- cabbage
- cauliflower
- kale
- mustard greens
- peaches
- pears
- rutabagas
- soybeans
- spinach
- turnip
- green juices
- bone broth
- ginger
- turmeric
- organic milk
- ghee
- chilies
- anti inflammatory herbs such as basil, rosemary, oregano
Higher consumption of goitrogen foods (Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower) may not however be reliable because:
- Goitrogen content is quite low compared to pharmaceuticals used to treat hyperthyroidism.
- Cooking inactivates goitrogens.
- There is no substantial evidence that naturally occurring goitrogens interfere with thyroid function to any significant degree when dietary levels of iodine are adequate.
Goitrogenic foods contain substances that disrupt production of thyroid hormones by interfering with iodine update in the thyroid which is good for hyperthyroidism but bad for hypothyroidism. They will likely help those with milder cases of hyperthyroidism but Graves’ Disease requires more than just food.
Follow the Health Promoting Diet but you may need to consume more calories to compensate for the higher metabolism, which is common in people with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease. The general rules of the Health Promoting Diet are:
- Eat a rainbow assortment of fruits and vegetables.
- Reduce exposure to pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins.
- Eat to support blood sugar control.
- Do not overconsume animal foods.
- Eat the right type of fats (cold pressed coconut, avocado, olive)
- Keep salt intake low, potassium intake high. When using salt, use sea salt or pink Himalyan salt.
- Avoid food additives.
- Take measures to reduce foodborne illness by washing produce and cooking meats.
- Drink sufficient amounts of water each day.
So there you have it. Stay away from gluten, dairy, sugar and processed foods and eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, grass-fed meats, consume sufficient protein specifically and calories in general to sustain your warp speed metabolism and if you need any further help, just send me a note at sandy@steppingstoneswellnessinc.com.
Until next time, have an awesome week!
Sandy O’Shea, CNP
Holistic Nutritionist