(Guest Blog by Jennifer Bell)
Hashimoto’s, a disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid; resulting in hormone level issues, is a hard disease to deal with. If you or a loved one are dealing with Hashimoto’s, it’s likely that you’ve tried various treatments and may have had more luck with some rather than others. Though there is no cure for Hashimoto’s, and some prescription medicines can be more effective than others, there are ways to keep it under control and treat it to lessen symptoms and avoid negative impacts on the metabolism.
Some of the most impactful ways to keep Hashimoto’s under control involve using natural remedies and practicing simple daily tasks. Natural medicine and daily practices can get symptoms under control with little to no side effects, compared to prescription thyroid medicine that may have just as many negative impacts as positive ones on certain individuals. Below are some natural remedies and simple tasks that can assist in your treatment of Hashimoto’s.
Home Remedies and Natural Treatments for Hashimoto’s
Home remedies and natural treatments can drastically impact thyroid problems that are attributed to Hashimoto’s. Whether you are an individual whose body is not responding well to prescription thyroid medicine, or you are an individual that simply wants to take a more natural approach to treat your disease, here are some alternative treatment ideas:
Fix Your Diet
This is perhaps the easiest and most natural way to treat Hashimoto’s. Fixing your diet requires very little effort and doesn’t have a single negative impact; in fact, it will improve all-around health and well being, not just your thyroid problem. It’s important to consume gut-healing foods such as large amounts of natural fruits and vegetables and organic meats. When treating Hashimoto’s by changing your diet, it’s crucial to consume food that is easy for your body to digest. Avoiding processed food that contains additives and preservatives is also imperative. Two of the most impactful diets for individuals struggling with Hashimoto’s are a gluten-free diet and a sugar-free diet.
Selenium supplementation may also be helpful for those with Hashimoto’s – an easy way to supplement your daily intake is simply by eating 2 brazil nuts daily.
Gluten-Free Diet
Individuals that suffer from celiac disease have to adopt a gluten-free diet in order to alleviate themselves of their symptoms; and in fact, research has found that a lot of people with Hashimoto’s often have a mild form of celiac disease as well. Cutting wheat and gluten out of your diet may lessen the symptoms of your Hashimoto’s because your body will not be trying to break down the wheat/gluten; therefore the aggravation to your thyroid will not be as intense.
Sugar-Free Diet
Sugar and processed foods cause inflammation in your thyroid, which can make your symptoms worse. Adopting a sugar-free diet is also beneficial to aid in weight management, stress levels, and overall health and well being. Switching to a sugar- free diet may be worth your while.
Vitamin B Can Repair Damage from Hashimoto’s
Vitamin B can positively impact your thyroid by repairing some of the damage that Hashimoto’s has caused. It’s important to maintain healthy vitamin B levels because they directly impact cellular and metabolic functions which are prone to damage from Hashimoto’s. Taking a vitamin B supplement is an easy way to naturally treat your Hashimoto’s, or eating some of these vitamin B rich foods:
- Eggs
- Organic milk and cheese
- Seeds and nuts
- Dark and leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli
- Citrus fruits and bananas
- Avocados
Take Special Care of Your Thyroid and Immune System
This is a seemingly obvious thing to do if you are an individual suffering from Hashimoto’s, however, many individuals overlook these things due to everyday tasks and responsibilities. The most important way to take care of your thyroid is to avoid and manage stress. Stress can trigger hormones in the body which will impact immune system functions.
Of course, everyday life demands, whether it be from a job or family, are inevitable to cause stress once in a while; however, with Hashimoto’s, it’s important to learn how to manage and treat the stress so that it doesn’t worsen your disease. Some great ways to manage the inevitable life stressors include:
- Practicing yoga
- Engaging in physical activity such as running, weight training, etc.
- Spending time outdoors
- Adopting new hobbies
These ways to manage stress will also add to an all-around healthier lifestyle. People of all ages can practice these tasks; in fact, a senior living community in New Jersey offers and promotes each one of these tasks to their residents because of the phenomenal health benefits they offer.
In addition to managing stress, focusing on immune health is also a natural and simple way to treat your Hashimoto’s. Focusing on immune health means eating healthy foods, making sure to get enough exercise and sleep, taking a daily vitamin, and avoiding excess alcohol.
Make it a Point to Detox
Detoxing and cleansing the body often is important for anyone, but especially those with Hashimoto’s. Detoxing means cleansing and reducing your body from exposure to hormone disruptors, harsh chemicals, heavy metals, and any other toxins that may interfere with health. There are a variety of different ways to detox the body all at once such as going on a three-day detox diet or drinking a detox tea, however, its important to regularly detox your body, not just once in a while. Here are some simple ways to detox your body that will help combat your Hashimoto’s:
- Avoid using personal care products that have a long list of ingredients; they often include synthetic chemicals. Try using all-natural and organic products instead.
- If you take birth control, or any other medication that may impact hormone levels, consider visiting a holistic doctor that can suggest natural forms of contraception/ low-hormone contraception, such as a copper IUD, and supplements as a medication alternative.
- Store household products in glass containers rather than plastic ones.
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
- Eat clean. Make It a point to eat ample amounts of natural and organic foods rather than processed foods that are full of synthetic hormones and additives.
Start Your Healthier Lifestyle Today
These natural alternatives and everyday practices will not only lessen symptoms of Hashimoto’s, but they will also create an all-around healthier lifestyle. Adopting these alternatives is beneficial for all ages and requires little to no effort. Consider some of these ideas as you seek natural remedies to treat Hashimoto’s.
About the Author:
Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey. After college, she worked as an intern for a publishing company in Manhattan before getting a job as an editorial writer for a news agency in Philadelphia. Jennifer Bell now lives and works in Southern New Jersey as a freelance writer in order to have the freedom to travel as she pleases. She hopes to get her MFA in Creative Writing in the future and eventually become a fiction author or English professor.
