Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD

Thyroid Pharmacist

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Food Pharmacology for Hashimoto’s (1)

The Power of Nutrition: Using Food Pharmacology to Heal Hashimoto’s

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP

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Over the last several years since I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, I have discovered many strategies to eliminate my symptoms and eventually put my thyroid disease into remission. Of all of those strategies, the most impactful have been those that dealt with food.

Removing the foods that were toxic to my body and incorporating the ones that were healing was life changing for me. And I’m not alone. As I’ve worked with and heard from thousands of people with Hashimoto’s, I’ve learned that food has played the starring role in helping them to feel better too.

In this article, I’d like to share a little bit about my own food philosophy as it relates to Hashimoto’s, including:

  • The importance of food pharmacology
  • Dietary interventions that my readers have had success with
  • Why some doctors disregard the power of nutrition
  • The foods that are most beneficial to thyroid health
  • Resources to incorporate healing foods into your diet

Hashimoto’s Triggers

There are six potential trigger types in Hashimoto’s: food sensitivities, nutrient depletions, an impaired ability to handle stress, an impaired ability to handle toxins, digestive issues, and chronic infections. Each person with Hashimoto’s will have his or her own combination of these unique root causes.

One person may have a food sensitivity to gluten with nutrient deficiencies of selenium and vitamin D, and may get themselves into remission by going gluten free and taking some supplements — all on their own. Another person may have all six root causes with numerous food sensitivities, infections, toxins, nutrient depletions, stress hormone depletions, and digestive deficiencies. This person will have to keep peeling back the layers to reach symptom resolution and remission.

Most of us fall somewhere in the middle with a combination of root causes. However, I’ve found that just about every person with Hashimoto’s has food sensitivities, and most people experience huge benefits from nutrition interventions.

This is where food as medicine — or food pharmacology, as I like to call it — comes in!

Food Pharmacology

You may have guessed that pharmacology (the branch of medicine concerned with the study of drug action) has always been a subject that has fascinated me. How do tiny substances exert such powerful effects on our giant bodies? I mean, you can drop the blood pressure of a 200 pound person with milligrams of the right substance! You can put the same person to sleep with tiny amounts of another substance, and even cause hallucinations with micrograms of something else. I needed to know how the tiny substances worked…

This was one of the reasons why I became a pharmacist.

The other reasons were because I had a passion for helping people and wanted to be a healer, but I also wanted to find a cure for a disease and have a career that would allow for flexible hours. (I had a phobia of needles and blood, so becoming a nurse or a doctor (and especially a phlebotomist) was out of the question at the time. :-))

Similar to the tiny substances that are found in medications, tiny substances in foods can also exert massive effects on the body, and their chemical properties can interact with our internal systems. This is what I like to call “food pharmacology”. I’m a big fan of using foods as medicine, and we can do so by acknowledging the ability that diet has to change our lives!

Food Pharmacology

Food Sensitivities

That said, it’s important to pick the right foods and right dietary changes. Some tiny substances are food proteins that create adverse reactions in the body. The most relevant adverse reactions in Hashimoto’s are known as food sensitivities.

Food sensitivities can create a bit of a vicious cycle situation. For example, gluten sensitivity can trigger Hashimoto’s and intestinal permeability, which cause us to react to even more foods and further attack our thyroid gland.

Food sensitivities cause different types of reactions to foods than food allergies. Food allergies are immediate and often cause life-threatening reactions (think the child who stops breathing after eating nuts), and are readily acknowledged and tested for by conventional medical doctors, especially allergists. These reactions are known as Type I hypersensitivity reactions and are governed by the IgE branch of the immune system.

There are also Type IV delayed hypersensitivity reactions governed by the IgG branch of the immune system. As the name implies, they do not occur right away. In fact, it can take up to 4 days for them to manifest, and this is one of the reasons why it’s so hard for most people to correlate food sensitivities with symptoms. For example, you may eat corn on Monday and have a panic attack on Wednesday!

Here’s the connection I’ve made… Hashimoto’s is also considered a Type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction and often presents with IgG antibodies to the thyroid gland.

In my experience, whenever we eat foods that flare up our IgG system, this also seems to flare up thyroid antibodies. Here are additional symptoms caused by IgG-mediated food reactions:

  • Sinus symptoms: Post nasal drip, congestion, cough, asthma
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms: Constipation, diarrhea, cramping, bloating, nausea, gas, acid reflux, burning, burping
  • Cardiac symptoms: Increased pulse, palpitations
  • Skin-related symptoms: Acne, eczema, itchiness
  • Inflammatory symptoms: Joint aches, pain, swelling, tingling, numbness
  • Brain-related symptoms: Headache, dizziness, brain fog, anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia

What’s the silver lining? When you eliminate your reactive foods, you eliminate your symptoms (and often, the attack on your thyroid).

Food Research

Why Some Doctors Disregard the Power of Nutrition

While I have seen tremendous improvements in my health, as well as in the health of my clients through eliminating reactive foods, there is not much support for using nutrition to address Hashimoto’s within the medical system. One of the only exceptions is that most physicians will admit that there is a connection between celiac disease and Hashimoto’s.

This is why most conventionally trained doctors and endocrinologists will tell you that you do not need to change your diet with Hashimoto’s, despite the real world data that shows that diet does make a difference.

I remember one of the very first times when I realized that there was something wrong with the conventional medical system…

Effexor, a medication used as an antidepressant, has a unique side effect of increasing blood pressure. When I was a new grad, the pharmacy where I worked had a blood pressure machine, and many of my patients would take their blood pressure while waiting for their prescriptions to be filled. I remember one very fit and lovely woman who was puzzled that her blood pressure had all of a sudden become elevated.

I offered to review her medication history to see if any of her medications could have contributed to her high blood pressure. Sure enough, she had started Effexor within the previous month. I let her know that Effexor could cause an increase in blood pressure and gave her some information to take to her doctor, as well as the names of some alternative medications. She came back in later that month with a prescription for a new medication, and within a few weeks of starting the new medication, her blood pressure returned back to normal. She was grateful that the change in medication was able to mitigate her high blood pressure and that she didn’t have to start the blood pressure medication her doctor wanted her to take.

Later on, when I worked as a consultant pharmacist, I often loved to chat with my colleagues about medications and health. I asked one of my psychiatrist friends if he ever saw his patients having increased blood pressure from Effexor.

“No, I have never seen that happen.” He sounded surprised.

His answer surprised me! In my short time of working as a community pharmacist, I saw this reaction in numerous people. As a well-respected and busy psychiatrist, he had probably seen more patients on that medication in a month than I had seen in a full year of working as a community pharmacist.

At that point, I also asked, “Do you ever take your patients’ blood pressure?”

“Well, no,” he replied.

So what’s the point of this little story?

Our current medical system works in silos. I saw this time and time again as a consultant pharmacist — each organ was treated like it existed in a vacuum and, oftentimes, side effects of one medication used to treat one part of the body would be recognized as a new disease in a different part of the body without acknowledging the systemic effects. The takeaway here is that most doctors are not looking at nutrition as a factor; therefore, they can’t comment on how effective diet is. In the end, you don’t know what you don’t know, and you can’t claim expertise on something you’ve never measured.

So, when a doctor tells you “diet doesn’t help Hashimoto’s,” here are some questions to ask to determine if you are speaking to an expert who recognizes the power of nutrition:

  • Have you done clinical research with your patients with Hashimoto’s on how they fare on a gluten free diet vs. on a standard diet?
  • Have you seen the Italian study that found that thyroid antibodies can be decreased in Hashimoto’s patients without celiac disease? (Read more about this study and what type of diet is helpful for Hashimoto’s here.)
  • What percentage of your patients report a resolution of their symptoms with your recommended treatment?

Most doctors think that if something was that helpful, they would have likely known about it. I know I was personally shocked when I realized how beneficial diet was. How did I not learn that sooner? After all, I had spent four years studying diseases and their treatment options in pharmacy school.

My Personal Research Results

Once I discovered how much diet could help a person heal from Hashimoto’s, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. That’s when I published my first book, Hashimoto’s: The Root Cause, detailing how helpful diet can be and the reasons behind why this was the case. I thought for sure that a research center or an endocrinology association would try out the various methods I found to be helpful, but that never happened. However, two years later, I realized that I didn’t have to wait for a research center — I could do my own research with the help of my Root Cause Rebel community.

I conducted a survey of my readers from May 10th to May 31st, 2015. In total, 2,232 people answered the survey, 1,991 of whom reported to have Hashimoto’s. Only 78 (3.5 percent) were also diagnosed with celiac disease.

It should be noted that this method of conducting research has limitations by traditional research standards; it was directed at a biased group (they were all my educated readers, after all), and I did not have a control group. Nonetheless, it revealed a lot of exciting trends, mirroring the same patterns I’ve seen in my private clients but in a much larger sample size. If you trust people who are just like you, then you will find this information to be helpful.

Many of my readers and clients have experienced noticeable benefits from removing the following foods:

  • 88 percent reported feeling better gluten free
  • 87 percent reported feeling better on a sugar free diet
  • 81 percent reported feeling better on a grain free or Paleo diet
  • 79 percent reported feeling better on a dairy free diet
  • 63 percent said they felt better soy free
  • 48 percent felt better egg free
  • 47 percent felt better on nightshade free diets (tomato, potato, pepper, eggplant restriction)
  • 15 percent of people saw improvement with a nut free diet
  • 7 percent reported feeling better off seeds
  • The Autoimmune Paleo diet, which excludes all of the above-listed foods, helped 75 percent of people feel better overall

How Should I Eat With Hashimoto’s?

Each person with Hashimoto’s has a unique root cause, but I’ve found that there are protocols that help most people feel better, regardless of what triggered their condition. Food is a crucial first step! Following a nutrient dense diet will always help a person with thyroid disease, but you may need to modify the diet according to your food sensitivities.

I’ve spent the last couple of years researching the best diets for people with thyroid issues, and I’ve discovered that the gluten free diet, the Paleo diet, and the Autoimmune Paleo Diet can all help eliminate thyroid symptoms, and in some cases, even thyroid antibodies!

For some people, the gluten free diet is all that’s needed. Some need to dig slightly deeper with following the Paleo diet. Others need to dig even deeper and find success with the Autoimmune Paleo diet. It’s a great option for people who feel like they’ve “tried it all” and still aren’t seeing improvements in their health.

For more information, I have written an article on the best diet for Hashimoto’s to help you find the way of eating that will work best for you and your individual body.

The Food Pharmacology Behind Beneficial Foods

In addition to the foods that should be restricted, I also want to share more information on the foods that are especially helpful for people with Hashimoto’s.

As I mentioned earlier, the term “food pharmacology” refers to the use of food as medicine to restore health to the body. I recommend including these foods in your diet on a regular basis to help your thyroid heal and promote whole-body healing.

Bone Broth

Seventy percent of people with Hashimoto’s found bone broth to be beneficial to their healing process. Specifically, 62 percent saw an increase in energy, 57 percent an improvement in mood, and 32 percent an improvement in skin.

Bone broth provides healing collagen, proline, glycine and glutamine, as well as several important minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and sulphur, that are readily absorbed by the body in this digestible form. These healing substances act to strengthen joints, soothe and heal the gut lining, boost the immune system, and make the skin glow — to name a few key benefits. It truly is a superfood!

You can learn more about the benefits of bone broth and find my favorite, easy-to-make bone broth recipe here.

Green Smoothies

Of my readers surveyed, 68 percent found green smoothies helpful, with 82 percent saying that the smoothies gave them more energy, 60 percent claiming improved mood, and 40 percent noticing benefits for weight.

Smoothies are a really great way to increase our intake of nutritious food without the digestive stress. As smoothies are chopped up, the food becomes easier to digest and the nutrients are easier to absorb. Green smoothies and green juices are like a shot of energy.

Dense, leafy greens, such as kale, spinach and chard, are loaded with antioxidants, as well as fiber, which promote intestinal health by sweeping the intestines clean and boosting the detoxification process.

I recommend adding some protein to your smoothie for a better macronutrient balance. (I recommend Pea Protein or Hydrolyzed Beef Protein from Rootcology.) R

ead more about how the Root Cause Green Smoothie can help with detoxification and reduce inflammation.

Fermented Foods

Fifty seven percent of people that I surveyed felt that fermented foods helped, and the benefits were again seen in energy (64 percent), mood (49 percent), and pain reduction (27 percent).

Fermented foods are an excellent way to promote gut healing, as the probiotics, aka “good bacteria,” that are produced during the fermentation process can be beneficial in balancing your intestinal flora, and can help with symptoms of constipation, digestion, and anxiety.

Some of my favorite fermented foods include sauerkraut, kimchi, and coconut kefir! (Note: If you have SIBO, fermented foods may exacerbate your symptoms.)

Gelatin

Gelatin is derived from the bones and fibrous tissues of animals, and consists mostly of the amino acids glycine and proline. These amino acids are crucial not only for healthy skin, hair and nail growth, but for optimal immune function as well.

Gelatin has been shown to promote joint health, deepen sleep, and improve digestion by binding with water to help move food through the digestive tract.

The benefits of consuming gelatin were seen by 47 percent of those who took my survey, with almost half seeing improvements in skin, 38 percent seeing benefits in hair, and 33 percent seeing a reduction in pain and improvements in energy.

I love adding gelatin to smoothies and making gut healing desserts with it.

Hot Lemon Water

Because the structure of lemon juice is similar to that of gastric juices, it can help support stomach and liver detoxification pathways. It’s also packed full of antioxidants, and, thanks to its acidity, hot lemon water aids in the absorption of certain medications, including thyroid hormone medications.

I encourage drinking hot lemon water in the morning on an empty stomach to boost energy and aid the body in healing.

Beets

Beets are a good source of phytonutrients, which perform anti-inflammatory and antioxidant duties in the body.

For those with the MTHFR gene mutation, beets are especially beneficial, as they are rich in betaine, a substance that can help break down homocysteine (which, when elevated, can lead to heart disease, difficult pregnancies, birth defects, and an impaired ability to detoxify).

I recommend eating 1-2 servings of beets a week. However, because beets are naturally high in sugar, you’ll want to combine them with a healthy fat or protein source.

Cruciferous Veggies

The glucosinolates found in crucifers like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and turnips are what cause cruciferous vegetables to help increase detoxification in the liver, which is beneficial for individuals with autoimmune thyroid disease.

I’ve written about how avoiding crucifers with Hashimoto’s is a myth in my article on goitrogens and Hashimoto’s. However, if you are concerned about the goitrogenic potential of crucifers, you can lightly steam or ferment cruciferous vegetables since they truly only affect the thyroid’s absorption of iodine in a raw state.

Cilantro

Fresh cilantro is a natural chelator, which means it will bind to certain toxins and help excrete them from the body. There are other natural chelators such as chlorella and spirulina, although I do not generally recommend these for people with Hashimoto’s due to their high iodine content and their potential to modify the immune system. You can add cilantro to salads, avocados, green juices, smoothies, and salsas. You can also use cilantro as a fresh condiment topper on chili and certain soups, depending on the flavor.

Fiber

Fiber acts like a sponge as it moves through the digestive process and helps sop up toxins and excess hormones, ultimately supporting their path to excretion. It’s best to get fiber from fruits and vegetables instead of supplemental forms, as supplements have been known to aggravate intestinal permeability and SIBO.

Greens Juices and Chlorophyll

Green juices are full of healing nutrients that are easily digestible in liquid form. They are also a wonderful source of chlorophyll, which is a green pigment found in plants, that has numerous health benefits. Chlorophyll has been shown to help support the process of detoxification in the liver, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, raise iron levels, and even work as a natural deodorant by neutralizing odors.

Turmeric

Curcumin, the active ingredient found in turmeric, is what’s responsible for this spice’s natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Turmeric is also antibacterial and antiviral, effective at helping detoxify various metals and toxins, and linked to improved mood and memory.

Typically, the effects of curcumin only last about an hour in the body, but I’ve found that combining curcumin with piperine, an alkaloid found in pepper, will keep it in the body longer.

I recommend turmeric for clients with Hashimoto’s because it helps support the gut, liver, and inflammatory pathways. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect, it can be especially helpful if you are experiencing pain. (Read more about the benefits of turmeric for Hashimoto’s here.)

Berries

Berries are a plentiful source of phytonutrients that act as antioxidants in the body. Since they are high in fiber, they don’t cause a spike in your blood sugar as other fruits tend to do.

I recommend eating a variety of berries, including blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries, as well as more exotic types such as boysenberries, currants, and gooseberries. Blueberries, in particular, are a rich source of myo-inositol, a nutrient that has been shown to improve thyroid function and blood sugar. (Read more about blood sugar issues, which are common in those with Hashimoto’s.)

Resources to Get You Started

You might be thinking, how can I add all these beneficial foods to my diet?

If you’re like most of my clients, life is busy, and time is precious. This is why I wanted to create a solution to help people eat nutritious meals, save time and money, and not feel like they are always glued to the kitchen!

I know that when I first started changing my diet, it took so much time to get the right cookbooks, do all of the research, pick recipes, make a plan, and start a list. It took hundreds of dollars and hours for me to get started, and I still did it wrong, “forgetting” to cut out soy when I first went gluten free. I want you to learn from my mistakes.

In my first books, I wasn’t able to go into details on the dietary elements the way I wanted to, and I have had many questions from readers over the years on how to incorporate food pharmacology into their daily lives. They asked for specific recipes and favorite foods of mine that would make this way of eating easier for them.

The result of all of those requests is my cookbook, Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health.

In this book, I give my readers a crash course on how to heal your body with nutrition, filled with recipes and eating strategies that are easily incorporated into your daily life. All the recipes remove the most harmful trigger foods and incorporate beneficial foods (like the ones I mentioned above) to help your body heal and your thyroid thrive!

Furthermore, I address solutions to the most common reasons why people don’t succeed with diet, including:

  • Providing clarity around the foods to eat and not to eat
  • Super fast and easy recipes that use common ingredients
  • Tailoring your diet to you
  • Information on how to address specific symptoms with nutrition
  • Guidance on using complementary nutrients to address symptoms
  • Using proper digestive enzymes to prevent and reverse food sensitivities
  • Batch cooking, meal planning, simplified cooking
  • Where to shop to save time and money
  • Signs that the diet may not be working for you
  • When to dig deeper, beyond nutrition
  • Plus much more!

I hope that this book will allow you to be your own nutrition guru, and allow you to use food to bring relief to your Hashimoto’s symptoms in a simple and delicious way!

The Takeaway

There can be many triggers for Hashimoto’s, but most people will find that eliminating problematic foods and incorporating healing foods into their diet is one of the best things they can do to feel better — and even put their Hashimoto’s into remission!

Here’s a graphic that you can print to remind yourself of what I recommend incorporating into your diet to help heal your thyroid: 12 Beneficial Healing Foods

Uncovering food sensitivities, finding the diet that works for you, and incorporating healing foods into your daily life is about the best “medicine” you can take to begin the healing process. I encourage you to check out the many food articles on my website, or my upcoming cookbook for more information on how food pharmacology can go to work for you.

As always, I wish you the very best on your healing journey!

For continued updates and interaction, please become a part of our Facebook community and sign up for our newsletter. I love interacting with our readers!

References

  1. Fasano A, Berti I, Gerarduzzi T, et al. Prevalence of celiac disease in at-risk and not-at-risk groups in the United States: a large multicenter study. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(3):286-292.

Note: Originally published in April 2017, this article has been revised and updated for accuracy and thoroughness.

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Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your physician for any health problems and before making any medical or lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle changes can result in improved thyroid function and/or an increased absorption of thyroid hormone medications, leading to a lower required dose and possible symptoms of hyperthyroidism at a dose that was previously stable. Please discuss lifestyle changes with your physician and ensure that your thyroid function is monitored every 6-8 weeks while making lifestyle changes. Symptoms of overmedication include, but are not limited to: rapid or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, irritability or mood swings, muscle weakness or tremors, diarrhea, menstrual irregularities, hair loss, weight loss, insomnia, chest pain, and excessive sweating. Do not start, change, increase, decrease or discontinue your medications without consulting with your physician.

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Comments

  1. Have you ever looked into immunotherapy to treat food sensitivity as a way to cure Hashimotos? Thank you.

    Reply

  2. This article eas really helpful. I sttongly believe that we are what we eat and foods really mater. However one question came to mind that should diets be personolized to blood type as well? For example, coconut is in avoid list for blood type B, however, it is a very good unti- inflimatory food. I would like ti know the result of your studies on this subject and if you agree or disagree with the concept of different blood type food list.

    Thank you

    Reply

  3. I do not like most fermented foods. Is there an alternative? Is miso ok even though I have a food sensitivity to soy?
    Thanks
    Vicki

    Reply

  4. I know my IgG’s, which include: wheat, chicken, egg whites, nightshades, all members of the cabbage family, coffee, corn, soy, high Fodmaps like onion and garlic……and many more odds and ends. Eating is rarely enjoyable for me due to the number of foods I cannot have. Recently someone told me research mucinex, because it removes toxins along with mucus. I don’t know what to think about those claims.

    Reply

    • Kell- Not everyone will need every single supplement! In fact, I believe that most nutrients should come from the diet, this is why I always list food sources for most of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and probiotics that are depleted in Hashimoto’s in the book and on the blog. However, some may require/prefer supplements and the supplements on the website are a resource for those that do. I recommend getting tested for deficiencies to determine your need for a supplement as instructed in the book and blog. I also don’t recommend starting multiple supplements all at once. I recommend starting one at a time and then adding another a week or so later once it has been confirmed that the first supplement is not causing any harm.

      I do have a full supplements chapter in my book. Have you checked it out? Not everyone should be taking every supplement and the book will help uncover your root cause. This will help you figure out your supplementation.

      Hashimoto’s Root Cause
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/protocol

      Reply

  5. I’ve ordered your video course and one of your latest books. I’m going to dive deep on learning as much as I can to heal heal my 15 year old daughter. She tested for 3 years as very gluten sensitive. We modified her diet but didn’t eliminate it completely. Now she has been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, Celiac, Anemia and Heart Disease. Leaky gut must be at the root. She’s gluten free now but has turned to sugar. We’ve raised her vegetarian so she won’t even think about eating meat or bone broth. Since we know quite a bit about raw foods, I’m going to go back to those tools (soaking and sprouting seeds and nuts), juicing and fermented foods to see if we can heal her on a gf, df diet. However, I doubt with her eating grains (theoretically gf but probably cross-contaminated) that she will heal bc she will constantly be re-exposed. I’m in a bit of quandary. I can’t get her to do exactly what you or O’Bryan recommend. So, my best guess is do what we can and see what the numbers tells us about how well it’s working. Then make changes from there….

    Reply

    • Nancy – I developed my own to provide safe and effective supplement solutions for people struggling with autoimmune thyroid conditions. Rootcology supplements are composed of high-quality, pesticide-free ingredients, do not contain soy protein, dairy, or gluten ingredients, and undergo third-party testing to ensure that the ingredients on the label match the ingredients inside each bottle.

      BEEF PROTEIN
      https://www.rootcology.com/products/ai-paleo-protein

      Reply

  7. Hi, I am very concerned about eating meat, I am a vegetarian and only eat chicken or fish since my breast cancer 5 years ago. I have been reading that red meat is not to be eaten by someone that has cancer. What is your opinion on this? I see where red meat bone broth and red meat are recommended for healing in the protocol here.
    Any information would be helpful on this subject.
    Thank you,
    Tina?

    Reply

    • Tina – Eggs, some seeds, and nuts would be the preferred sources of protein for vegetarians. However, some people with Hashimoto’s may be intolerant to those as well, especially in the early stages of starting a healing diet.

      Being a vegan is even more challenging, and nuts and seeds would be the go-to source of protein, which are usually too difficult to digest for many in the beginning of their thyroid healing journeys.

      While vegan and vegetarian diets have been reported to be extremely helpful with autoimmune and chronic conditions, I have not been able to find reports of people recovering from Hashimoto’s by following a vegan diet. Even devout vegans who are nutritionally conscious still struggle with low body temperatures, hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s.

      Additionally, many former vegans have reported improved symptoms of Hashimoto’s following transitioning to a Paleo diet. Based on this, I believe that animal proteins must play an important role in building back the health of people with Hashimoto’s.

      That said, while meats and fats are important for healing, eating them exclusively will produce an acidic environment in the body; hindering healing, and thus the diet should be balanced with plenty of nutrient rich vegetables (suggested ratio may be 20% meat/80% veggie).

      Additionally, vegan and raw vegan diets can be extremely helpful for cleansing and detoxifying, especially for those with persistent protein digestion issues. A vegan diet can be followed for a few days to a few weeks and may help the body detoxify. B12 and iron or ferritin supplements should be utilized at this time to prevent deficiency.

      AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

      Reply

  8. Hi Izabella. Thank you for providing that information, it’s really interesting and helpful seeing the stats you got from your community.

    I have some questions for you about studying pharmacy. I began my degree last year in Australia and I am extremely interested in the idea of food as medicine. I am unsure of how I could get into this area of work with my pharmacy degree when I graduate.

    Are there jobs in food pharmacology research? Is that a thing? It sounds incredible!

    Do you have any tips for being proactive whilst I study?
    Is there any way that I can begin to get my foot in in this area of study/work?
    And tips for making my honours about food as medicine/food pharmacology (without the uni kicking me out haha)?

    I hope my question makes sense.

    Love your work and loved the thyroid secret. Keep doing what you’re doing.

    Warm regards,
    Ciara

    Reply

    • Ciara – my advice is to do some research on the academics at your university and the pharmacists in your area, as well as those further away. See if you can find some people who are willing to break new ground and have a good reputation amongst their peers and clients. The Monash University in Australia is well known for their ground breaking work on low FODMAP diets. They may also have some tips for you on broadening the current research on food pharmacology. Don’t hesititate to contact anyone you think may be able to offer you insight into following your dreams! I admire your go-getting attitude!

      Reply

  9. Im not sure about these diet plans for vegetarians / vegans, seems even just leaving out the meat products doesnt leave much left though once other foods need to be eliminated such as nuts / seeds / certain veggies etc – any comments please?

    Reply

    • Cathy – Recovering from adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism when following a vegetarian diet is very challenging, as vegetarian diets are often carbohydrate heavy.

      Vegetarian sources of protein such as legumes (beans), dairy, grains, soy and some seeds may be incompatible with trying to heal a leaky gut, which is almost always present with Hashimoto’s. Pea protein is an alternative that may be easier to digest and is less likely to cause food sensitivities (I use NOW Foods brand).

      Eggs, some seeds, and nuts would be the preferred sources of protein for vegetarians. However, some people with Hashimoto’s may be intolerant to those as well, especially in the early stages of starting a healing diet.

      Being a vegan is even more challenging, and nuts and seeds would be the go-to source of protein, which are usually too difficult to digest for many in the beginning of their thyroid healing journeys.

      While vegan and vegetarian diets have been reported to be extremely helpful with autoimmune and chronic conditions, I have not been able to find reports of people recovering from Hashimoto’s by following a vegan diet. Even devout vegans who are nutritionally conscious still struggle with low body temperatures, hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s.

      Additionally, many former vegans have reported improved symptoms of Hashimoto’s following transitioning to a Paleo diet. Based on this, I believe that animal proteins must play an important role in building back the health of people with Hashimoto’s.

      That said, while meats and fats are important for healing, eating them exclusively will produce an acidic environment in the body; hindering healing, and thus the diet should be balanced with plenty of nutrient rich vegetables (suggested ratio may be 20% meat/80% veggie).

      Additionally, vegan and raw vegan diets can be extremely helpful for cleansing and detoxifying, especially for those with persistent protein digestion issues. A vegan diet can be followed for a few days to a few weeks and may help the body detoxify. B12 and iron or ferritin supplements should be utilized at this time to prevent deficiency.

      AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

      Reply

  10. Hi Dr. Wentz,
    I am really enjoying your 1st book so far and look forward for purchasing your 2nd one soon! Your Root Cause Meal Plan bundle has also been so helpful. Thank you for being an incredible resource of information! I have a couple quick questions:
    – In your book, you mention that 20% of people with Hashimoto’s s regain their thyroid function back after making diet/lifestyle changes. Is it possible for someone with a long standing history of Hashimoto’s to gain back thyroid function?
    – Once someone makes the dietary changes as outlined in your book, how often do you think they should have their blood drawn to check their thyroid function?

    Reply

  11. I was recently diagnosed with hashimotos. My endocrinologist said not to read anything on the internet because it was mostly false and scary. He is just going to monitor the damage to my thyroid every 6 months. Now that’s scary! My thyroid function is still in normal range and the antibodies just showed up in blood work 6 months ago. Ultrasound showed two tiny nodules. Too small for needle biopsy. My mom grandmom and female cousin all have/had hashimotos. I would like a different kind of doctor. Help! Our astronomically overpriced health insurance is basically catastrophic only so everything else is out of pocket anyway.

    Reply

  12. Hi Izabella,
    Regarding the foods to incorporate I have had the following symptoms:
    1. Bone Broth- I have a histamine response to anything that I have made with slow cooking. Sinus stuffiness continues for several days after.
    2. Green Smoothies- even when using a protein powder with pea protein I tend to gain weight, feel drowsy and bloated.
    3. Fermented foods- bloating and sometimes itchiness

    What would you recommend in this sitution?

    Reply

    • Jenny – thank you for following this page.

      It depends on the person and their individualized food sensitivities. Some people go into remission just gluten free, others may have to go as far as autoimmune Paleo. The most common triggers in Hashimoto’s are nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), stress, an impaired ability to get rid of toxins and in some cases, infections. Optimizing your health starts with food. Figuring out which foods nourish you, and which ones cause you harm is the single most important thing you can learn in your health journey.

      I’ve found that recognizing and eliminating reactive foods can be a life-changer for most people with Hashimoto’s.

      Reactive foods trigger an inflammatory response in the GI tract, leading to malabsorption of nutrients (gluten sensitivity, in particular, has been implicated in causing a Selenium deficiency, a well-known risk factor for Hashimoto’s), and can also produce intestinal permeability whenever they are eaten.

      Most people will see a dramatic reduction in gut symptoms, brain symptoms, skin breakouts, and pain by eliminating the foods they are sensitive to. Some will also see a significant reduction in thyroid antibodies! An additional subset of people will actually be able to get their Hashimoto’s into complete remission just by getting off the foods they react to, normalizing their thyroid antibodies, and some even normalizing their thyroid function!

      BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

      TAILORING YOUR THYROID DIET
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/articles/tailoring-your-thyroid-diet-to-your-needs

      DAIRY AND HASHIMOTO’S
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/articles/got-hashimotos-you-may-want-to-reconsider-dairy

      Reply

      • Thank you for the links. I will investigate. I have been gluten free, grain free, dairy free, soy free, limit eggs. I guess I should have been more specific. Thank you again for all the knowledge you are sharing with the world.!

        Reply

  13. Hi Izabelle, thank you for all your work!
    I just recently started with you elimination diet and I am waiting for the vitamins etc to arrive.
    Do you know why I am starting to have these stomache aches and bouts of nauseaness? There is such a tight feeling just anove the navel.
    I have never had any stomache pains previously.
    I have been taking zink for the last 7 days.
    Any suggestions? Thank you!

    Reply

  14. Hi Dr. Wentz! I was curious if you had any particular recommendations for safe and healthy cookware to cook healing foods in. Thanks!

    Reply

  15. What are your suggestions for people who followed a autoimmune protocol but then found out that they had food sensitivities to healthy healing foods like turmeric, garlic, black pepper, cinnamon, turkey, kale, salmon, etc. The foods that are suppose to heal you. What do you recommend for these people.

    Reply

  16. Hi,
    can I get pre-order bonuses if my preorder was on Amazon UK? I have both of your books and really looking forward for the Food Pharmacology one

    Reply

  17. I want to tell you thank you for this interesting article. I have hypothyroidism, and I have your second book. I am finally off of gluten, most dairy, except for goat kefir, grains, potatoes and the hardest of all, sugar. It’s only been a few weeks that I’ve finally been serious about my diet. Because honestly, I’ve had your book for a year. I’m finally starting to get some energy, my excema is not flaring up, migraines are minimal, and I’ve lost a few pounds, finally. I’m so thankful that you share what you do. I’m also very excited about your cookbook! Thank you, Dr Isabella!!

    Reply

  18. Izabella, I would like to know that could I have normal thyroid function (Both TSH, FT4, FT3 in normal reference range) but still have iodine defficiency? I’m very hesitatate because I eat diet low in seafood and seaweed or kelp but still have normal thyroid function. Is it possible that I have normal thyroid function but still have iodine defficiency?

    Reply

    • Hudson – thank you for reaching out. Iodine deficiency is not widespread in people with Hashimoto’s. I am very hesitant in recommending iodine in Hashimoto’s. Although iodine serves as fuel for our thyroid and is very important in iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s is a different mechanism. It’s like pouring gas into an engine that’s on fire… that’s essentially what’s happening in Hashi’s, thyroid inflammation. Adding iodine to the mix before putting out the fire and fixing the engine may result in further damage to the thyroid. In those with a predisposition to autoimmunity, this has been documented time and time again, in animal and human studies.

      I have spent 4 years researching about this issue, and have seen too many people suffering the consequences of adding iodine too soon. My approach is, let’s fix the engine first (usually a gut issue), and then add the fuel once we know that the engine is no longer on fire. Hope that you will check out my books. I do have a chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein. Here are the links to my books :

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq

      Hashimoto’s Root Cause
      http://amzn.to/2DoeC80

      Reply

  19. I would add that just as conventional medical doctors do not connect the dots between ailments/disease happening in one part of the body with symptoms/disease in other parts of the body, the conventional medical system has blinders on about the connections between all of the various autoimmune diseases and that the root causes are connected. I would suggest that your writings/books are applicable across the board for many, if not all, autoimmune diseases – not just limited to healing Hashimoto’s and hypo/hyperthyroid – they are applicable to a wide range of autoimmune conditions. I am encountering SO many women with autoimmune issues. It truly is an epidemic. Your writings and protocols have helped me immensely (all thyroid numbers now in the “optimal” range after changing diet, eliminating gluten & dairy, correcting nutritional deficiencies to name a few changes) and now using your protocol in hope of reversing a 2nd autoimmune condition (vitiligo). Thank you for all you do!

    Reply

    • Cate – thank you so much for sharing your journey! I appreciate you very kind words and support. <3 I agree! Oftentimes patients will have additional autoimmune conditions. Most autoimmune conditions have common root causes, and a lot of times the things that are recommended for one autoimmune condition will help with others. Conditions that I have found to respond really well to the Hashimoto’s protocols have been rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, asthma, Graves’, premature ovarian failure, psoriasis, Alopecia Areata, and Sjogrens. I have also seen the protocols help with Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, PCOS, as well as Type 2 diabetes, Crohn’s, and Ulcerative colitis. Please keep me posted on your progress.

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq

      Hashimoto’s Root Cause
      http://amzn.to/2DoeC80

      Reply

    • Rae – thank you for reaching out. Recovering from adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism when following a vegetarian diet is very challenging, as vegetarian diets are often carbohydrate heavy. Vegetarian sources of protein such as legumes (beans), dairy, grains, soy and some seeds may be incompatible with trying to heal a leaky gut, which is almost always present with Hashimoto’s. Pea protein is an alternative that may be easier to digest and is less likely to cause food sensitivities.

      I have created my own line of supplements, which also includes an Organic Pea Protein. Here’s the link: https://rootcology.com/collections/supplements/products/copy-of-purepaleo-protein-vanilla

      Eggs, some seeds, and nuts would be the preferred sources of protein for vegetarians. However, some people with Hashimoto’s may be intolerant to those as well, especially in the early stages of starting a healing diet. Being a vegan is even more challenging, and nuts and seeds would be the go-to source of protein, which are usually too difficult to digest for many in the beginning of their thyroid healing journeys.

      While vegan and vegetarian diets have been reported to be extremely helpful with autoimmune and chronic conditions, I have not been able to find reports of people recovering from Hashimoto’s by following a vegan diet. Even devout vegans who are nutritionally conscious still struggle with low body temperatures, hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s.

      Many former vegans have reported improved symptoms of Hashimoto’s following transitioning to a Paleo diet. Based on this, I believe that animal proteins must play an important role in building back the health of people with Hashimoto’s. That said, while meats and fats are important for healing, eating them exclusively will produce an acidic environment in the body, hindering healing, and thus the diet should be balanced with plenty of nutrient rich vegetables (suggested ratio may be 20% meat/80% veggie).

      Additionally, vegan and raw vegan diets can be extremely helpful for cleansing and detoxifying, especially for those with persistent protein digestion issues. A vegan diet can be followed for a few days to a few weeks and may help the body detoxify. B12 and iron or ferritin supplements should be utilized at this time to prevent deficiency. Please know that I’m a big proponent of bio-individuality which honors the distinct nutritional needs of every human being. I’m not saying everybody needs to eat meat, but I am saying to listen to your body if it needs meat. Here are a few articles which might help:

      AUTOIMMUNE PALEO DIET
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/articles/autoimmune-paleo-diet

      ELIMINATION DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/articles/elimination-diet-for-hashimotos

      Reply

  21. Izabella, what if I check my nutrient depletion throught the blood test but still have no nutrient depletion? Is that mean my thyroid antibodies doesn’t caused by nutrient depletion?

    If I don’t have nutrient depletion, for example selenium, Vitamin D, glutathoine, can I eat iodine contain food without supplementing selenium?

    You told us iodine excess and selenium deficiency or gulathoine caused thyroid antibodies increased. What if I only increase gulathoine by supplementing NAC and I don’t use selenium? You told us supplementing selenium without adequate iodine will suppress thyroid function. If I don’t use selenium and just increase NAC, will it suppress my thyroid function?

    Reply

    • Hudson – thank you for reaching out. I recommend that you discuss this with your practitioner. Everyone will react differently, I am not able to advise what would be appropriate for you and your specific health needs without a comprehensive health assessment. The most common triggers in Hashimoto’s are; nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), stress, an impaired ability to get rid of toxins and in some cases, infections. Optimizing your health starts with food. Figuring out which foods nourish you, and which ones cause you harm is the single most important thing you can learn in your health journey. I wanted to pass along these articles that I wrote. I hope they help.

      6 MOST IMPORTANT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES IN HASHIMOTO’S
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/articles/6-important-nutrient-deficiencies-hashimotos/

      WHAT’S CAUSING YOUR LEAKY GUT
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/articles/whats-causing-your-leaky-gut/

      FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO’S
      https://bruno-michael-wentz.dev01.rmkr.net/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

      Reply

      • Izabella, Thank you for your reply. I still want to know more about the difference between hashimoto’s and grave’s disease. Once I treated my grave’s disease, my TSH rose back to normal reference range and my TGab level decreased as well. However, my anti-TPO level has been rising. This is a really confused problem for me.

        Reply

        • Hudson – Graves and Hashimoto’s are both autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid. They are thought to be closely related. Sometimes one turns into the other. The difference is the site of the antibody attack. In Hashimoto’s, the antibodies are found to thyroglobulin (in 80%) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme (in 95% of people) Hashimoto’s results in hypothyroidism and is usually treated with Synthroid and replacement hormone.

          The same antibodies may be present in a smaller percentage of people who have Graves, but the main antibody is to the TSH Receptor (TSHR-Ab). Usually, people with Graves have hyperthyroidism, and they are treated conventionally with thyroid suppressing drugs (methimazole) or radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid. At that point, the thyroid will no longer produce hormones on its own, and these people end up on Synthroid as well.

          About 95% of people with Hashimoto’s have elevated Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies, while 80% will have elevated Thyroglobulin Antibodies. They can both be important in monitoring the autoimmune attack on the thyroid, and can both be used to monitor the effect of interventions. Some interventions will lower TPO antibodies more, while others will have a greater effect on TG antibodies. This can depend on the individual and their body’s response.

          Some people with Hashimoto’s test negative for thyroid antibodies because their overall immune health is so weak, they do not produce enough antibodies. Dr. Wentz has tested negative for antibodies several times. Now, she insists on a thyroid ultrasound. A thyroid ultrasound can be used to detect changes in the thyroid, associated with Hashimoto’s. Given that Hashimoto’s is one of the leading causes of hypothyroidism worldwide, it’s best to be certain, one way or another.

          Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target.

          We need to rebalance the immune system to prevent this. Sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well! The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition. Here are the links to my books:

          Hashimoto’s Root Cause
          http://amzn.to/2DoeC80

          Hashimoto’s Protocol
          http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq

          Reply

  22. I have Hashimoto and struggle to get my ferritin levels up despite supplementing since 6 months according to doctor’s instructions. I’m on an autoimmune diet, pay close attention to gut health, take ferritin with Vit C, and even had an IV infusion. The only other deficiency is Vit D which is also going up only slowly despite high dosage treatment. You mention removing reactive foods helps with malabsorption of nutrients. However, I have eliminated just about everything possible (gluten and all grains & nuts, nightshades, corn, dairy, soy, eggs, most histamine rich foods, all GMO ingredients, and also on low carb)! Do you perhaps have any additional information regarding poor iron absorption? Thank you!

    Reply

  23. How would you respond to your GP if he says, “people with hypothyroidism don’t get flare-ups. The symptoms only come on gradually.”? I’ve found plenty of anecdotal evidence online but would love to know if there is anything more empirical that I could point him to. Feeling like my Hashi symptoms are being invalidated by my generally thorough doctor.

    Reply

  24. Is there anywhere I can find information about making gelain from the paleo protein? I’ve never made it before

    Reply

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