Hey there! So I know it’s been a while since you last heard from me, but I’m back, better than ever, and even more passionate about natural health (if you can believe that). About two months ago I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which is an auto-immune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Common symptoms are extreme fatigue, weight gain, infertility, brain fog, hair loss, and depression.
Some doctors “treat” Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis with thyroid medication, like Synthroid or Armour Thyroid. However, this method doesn’t really address the root cause of the problem, as the body’s attack on the thyroid is often triggered by an underlying cause. Luckily for me, my doctor believes in finding that root cause, not just treating the symptoms. And as a natural health professional, that’s what I love to hear!
The actual cause of Hashimoto’s (at least in my case) stems from the digestive tract – leaky gut syndrome! The inflammation caused by leaky gut triggers my immune system to attack my thyroid. So by managing my leaky gut I will eliminate that trigger and ultimately improve my thyroid health. Sounds simple, right?
Wrong. Treating a leaky gut is not as easy as taking a pill every day. It involves cutting out common inflammatory foods – anything that contains gluten, dairy, soy, corn, or sugar. So that’s what I did!
Side note: I did not have that kind of enthusiasm when I first found out about the dietary changes. It was an overwhelming feeling, especially since I had never really restricted myself in regards to what I ate. I was in shock.
But here I am, about two months later. What I’ve learned so far is that the process is not linear. Things got much worse before they got better. Some of what I experienced:
- Emotional changes. Mood swings that actually scared me. Crying uncontrollably for absolutely no reason. My poor husband.
- Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, which I recently read is common for those who cut out dairy and/or gluten
- Experiencing even more fatigue than before my diagnosis, even when I actually got a full night’s sleep
- Changes in my skin – dry skin and acne
- Everyone told me I would lose a lot of weight in this process. This hasn’t been the case for me yet, which has been a major frustration. I constantly have to remind myself that weight loss does not always equate to health, and vice versa. My goal is to be healthy.
Knock on wood, I am on the other side of these obstacles. I have gotten past the emotional symptoms of “withdrawal,” as it was explained to me. I am also sleeping well, and my skin is better than ever. Someone actually recently told me I was looking “healthy”!
Now that I am (hopefully) through the worst of it, I wanted to share the details of my changes, as I feel many people can benefit from them even if they don’t have Hashimoto’s. You’re probably thinking, “why would I go through what you just described for no reason?” and my answer is this:
Making these major dietary changes has been the biggest thing I’ve done for myself and the biggest test of my self-love. Although I had the support of my family and friends, it has been completely up to my own self-disciple and determination to stay on track. Before this, I had the standard American diet, often eating fast food, highly processed sugars, etc. Persevering through the obstacles for the sake of my own health has given me a feeling more rewarding than any physical benefit so far.
Nutritional Changes for Gut Health
As I mentioned, addressing leaky gut entails a specific diet that excludes gluten, dairy, corn, soy, and sugar. If you haven’t already realized – corn and soy are in everything in some form or another. These changes pushed me toward a whole foods diet, as any type of processed food typically contains high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, or soybean oil. But this is a good thing! The health benefits from these changes will expand way beyond Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.
Related: Little Ways to Improve Your Digestion
I have two health stores in my area that have great allergen-free products (follow Lemonblossomwellness on Instagram for details on the products I’ve enjoyed so far). By switching to these alternatives and eating mainly fruits, vegetables, and meats, I’ve finally settled into my “new normal”. To optimize my health, I’ve also personally decided to stop drinking alcohol, another intestinal irritant.
I’ve also added foods that are especially healing such as:
- Bone broth
- Kombucha
- Apple cider vinegar
- Coconut
Supplements for Gut Health
If you know me, you know I’m a huge supporter of natural supplements to further health goals. I have added a few to my daily regimen that will aid in my Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis healing:
- Slippery Elm. I take it as capsules with warm water, but you can also consume slippery elm tea. Slippery Elm is an herb that soothes the lining of the digestive tract. The tea is also beneficial for a scratchy throat.
- Magnesium. Magnesium deficiency becomes a concern with a poorly functioning thyroid, which is a huge problem because it plays a role in so many biological processes. I take magnesium with the amino acid glycine, as it aids in absorption. I believe this combination played a large part in improving my sleep.
- Vitamin D. The majority of those with Hashimoto’s also suffer from vitamin D deficiency.
- Digestive Enzymes. I now take these with every meal, as they assist my body in the digestion process. Undigested food particles can do further damage to a leaky gut.
Before my diagnosis, I never thought I would have or could have completely changed my nutritional choices in the ways that I have. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I am now the person at the family BBQ quietly scanning the food to see what I can have and hoping no one will notice that I’m only eating from the veggie tray. Of course, it’s not fun being different, but I’m really proud that I have the will power to be.
Are you living with dietary restrictions? What are your favorite allergen-free products? As always, feel free to share below!
Be well!