Hypothyroidism and Hashimotos disease can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and joint pain as well as MANY others.
While medications are the standard go to to manage these conditions, many times patients continue to suffer with symptoms. That’s usually because they are relying on the medications to fix all of the issues for them but it doesn’t as many soon find out.
Diet and lifestyle changes are necessary to reduce and reverse symptoms. A great place to start with these changes is eating a gluten-free diet since it has so many benefits. In this blog post, we will explore why people with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease should consider going gluten-free and how it will help them to have less symptoms.
Because as I always say, if you have a thyroid issue, you have a gluten issue!
Let’s see why…
Reduced Inflammation:
Inflammation is enemy number one for those of us with hypothyroidism and Hashimotos. Gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, triggers an immune response in people with hypothyroidism and Hashimotos.
That is because of something called cellular mimicry. To your body, gluten molecules look just like those of your thyroid. When you eat gluten, your body goes to attack it (that immune response I just mentioned) but because your thyroid gland looks the same on a cellular level, your body sees it as gluten and attacks it as well. Those attacks damage the thyroid gland itself and then you get symptoms.
Consuming gluten also leads to increased inflammation in the body. By going gluten-free, thyroid patients can greatly reduce inflammation and that will help to alleviate symptoms associated with their thyroid condition.
Improved Gut Health:
The gut and thyroid have a direct connection. Imbalances in gut health directly impact thyroid function. In people with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease, intestinal permeability (aka leaky gut) is a leading cause of their disease.
Gluten has been linked to increased leaky gut, allowing harmful substances to enter the bloodstream which then trigger autoimmune reactions.
Eliminating gluten will promote gut healing, support a healthier gut microbiome, and positively impact thyroid health which means LESS SYMPTOMS FOR YOU!
Enhanced Nutrient Absorption:
Individuals with hypothyroidism often experience challenges with properly absorbing their nutrients due to decreased thyroid hormone levels (and leaky gut). Gluten has been associated with gut inflammation and damage to the lining of the small intestine, impairing the absorption of essential nutrients.
By removing gluten from the diet, individuals can increase nutrient absorption and ensure they receive adequate vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants necessary for optimal thyroid function. Nutrient deficiencies cause even more symptoms themselves.
Some nutrient deficiencies alone can cause hypothyroidism so this is very important!
Potential Reduction in Antibody Levels:
Hashimotos disease is when you have high thyroid antibodies that attack and damage the thyroid gland over time. Some studies suggest that eating gluten may trigger or increase these autoimmune responses, leading to increased antibody levels.
Going gluten-free can help reduce the antibody response, potentially slowing down the progression of Hashimoto’s disease and preserving thyroid function. I have seen this many times with my coaching clients and myself!
Better Energy Levels and Mental Clarity:
Fatigue, brain fog, and low energy are common symptoms of both hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease. My clients often see improved energy levels and mental clarity after adopting a gluten-free diet.
This improvement may be due to reduced inflammation, improved nutrient absorption, and overall better management of their autoimmune condition which they learn in my group coaching program or one on one coaching sessions.
To learn more about my group coaching program click HERE.
To learn more about my one on one coaching sessions click HERE.
And check out this Tik Tok I did showing what I eat in a day HERE.
I have only seen positive experiences when my clients take gluten out of their diet. It isn’t a cure all by any means. There must be other changes made but removing gluten from your diet can get you so much closer to a life without thyroid symptoms.
By reducing inflammation, promoting gut health, improving nutrient absorption, and reducing thyroid antibody levels, going gluten-free can be a valuable addition to the overall management of these conditions.
Helping you go from feeling fat, frustrated and fatigued to feeling fabulously like YOU again,
Melodye
