In the case of Hashimoto's, supplementation is no less important than the other elements of controlling and combating the disease. Yes, they are an addition to the diet and a complement to it, but in autoimmune diseases they gain even greater value.
Supplements for Hashimoto's
Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease that primarily targets the thyroid. This must be kept in mind when choosing supplements. These products must also support thyroid gland function and make up for deficiencies in specific nutrients, which, by the way, are by no means rare in hypothyroidism.
Some
adaptogens provide particular support when thyroid problems are involved. This whole group of adaptogens is meant to increase resistance to stress while at the same time lowering its level. Excessive and prolonged stress - as is well known - is one of the basic factors contributing to the faster development and worsening of the disease.
If low T4 is not correlated with iodine deficiency, supplementation with
bacopa monnieri. In addition to its effect on stress levels and improvement of cognitive function, few people consider that the supplement also raises T4. Ashwagandha works similarly
ashwagandha as well, but when used properly it also has a beneficial effect on nighttime recovery and immunity. There is also little talk about forskolin, and especially about the fact that using it increases T4.
Another important issue in Hashimoto's is the more efficient conversion of thyroid hormones, namely T4 to T3. However, this is also linked to other elements/organs that need to be taken care of - not only the thyroid itself. Namely:
- intestines,
- liver,
- kidneys.
The human body is an enormous, complex mechanism full of interdependencies and often reciprocal interactions. All the elements mentioned earlier contribute to efficient conversion, but due to lifestyle, improper diet, and external factors, they are often exposed to problems. This in turn affects thyroid function.
First of all, proper
probiotic therapy, which over time will start to result in improvement of the bacterial flora. Of course, with dietary support. In addition, a good option would be choosing a product with prebiotics and/or including fermented foods (e.g. pickled cucumbers or sauerkraut) in the daily diet.
As for the kidneys and liver, neglecting hydration is not as rare as it might seem. During physical exertion and high outdoor temperatures, fluid intake should be increased further. The issue of electrolytes (magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium) is also extremely important. It may also be worth reaching for
isotonic drinks, or coconut water - especially if we are physically active.
When it comes to the liver, an excellent supplement will be
NAC (N-acetylcysteine), whose strength lies mainly in its strong antioxidant effect. In addition, proper use can reduce inflammation and support the organ's function. Interestingly, it works well for some types of liver failure. Additionally, the use of milk thistle oil with proven beneficial properties may also be helpful. As I mentioned, in Hashimoto's it is extremely important to take care of replenishing vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These, in turn, are quite common in the disease. Not to mention the fact that nutrient deficiencies are common anyway, regardless of whether we are ill or not. Lifestyle, high stress exposure, low activity, highly processed food, and an impoverished, monotonous diet - all of this matters.
One of the more common ones is a deficiency of
vitamin D3. This is due not only to the climate zone (although that matters), but also to poor-quality food and the low share of products that are a great source of healthy fatty acids and, at the same time, vitamin D. A large part of the population is close to the lower limit of normal or shows a deficiency. A good idea would be to determine its level by means of a 25(OH)D3 test.
Another element to pay attention to is magnesium. It is an important nutrient for the brain, nervous system, immunity, psycho-physical regeneration and many others - including, precisely, the condition and efficient functioning of the thyroid.
Zinc supports thyroid function and goes well with magnesium in terms of recovery, which is of great importance in Hashimoto's. It is no coincidence that it is found in the composition of the popular ZMA, used, among others, by athletes for the best possible recovery.
If there are no contraindications, it is also worth ensuring adequate intake of B vitamins, as they have a beneficial effect on many body systems, metabolism, well-being, and mental well-being. Deficiencies in them also occur relatively often.
The presence and proper availability of some of the listed nutrients is necessary for good conversion of thyroid hormones. Of course, they are not the only ones. It mainly concerns:
- selenium,
- copper,
- iron,
- zinc.
It is also worth considering omega-3 supplementation (EPA and DHA), taken together with vitamin D3 and K2 (preferably MK-7).
In the context of the thyroid, selenium is often mentioned. Leaving aside the fact that it is one of the elements whose deficiency affects many people (this particularly concerns Hashimoto's), it is, as I mentioned, essential for the conversion of T4 to the active form, i.e. T3. Too little selenium can lead to disturbances in this area and additionally reduce our ability to absorb another element - iodine.
An excess, on the other hand, causes iodine to become a threat. In some cases iodine supplementation is recommended, but only when we are also dealing with selenium deficiency. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that first we identify the problem and the level of the elements, and then act accordingly.
