Graves Disease, an ‘Incurable’ Thyroid Disorder, Cured Through Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Graves’ disease (GD), an autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD), is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, or overproduction of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).  GD symptoms include heart palpitations, hair loss, nausea, masses in the neck (goiters), skin issues, vision/eye problems, weight loss, moodiness, depression, and gut problems.[i]

Common conventional treatments start with anti-thyroid medications such as methimazole and propylthiouracil. Possible side effects of anti-thyroid drugs are skin rash, itching, hives, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, headache, joint or muscle aches, loss of taste, and a metallic taste.

Harsher follow-up treatments for 50 percent of patients include radioiodine therapy or surgery.[ii] These treatments cause hypothyroidism, requiring thyroid medications for life.

Although GD is considered to be chronic and incurable, there is new evidence that lifestyle changes may normalize TSH and its autoimmune markers. In a remarkable case study titled “Healing of Graves’ Disease Through Lifestyle Changes: A Case Report,”[iii] a 34-year-old Dutch woman, who was diagnosed with GD in 2014 and no longer suffers from the disease, is highlighted. The lifestyle changes she adopted were:

1. Ancestral diet
2. Oral health practices
3. Yoga with exercise and meditation
4. Avoiding environmental toxins (purified water, organic food, natural cleaning/personal hygiene products)
5. Supplements

Ancestral Diet

The diet was gluten- and grain-free except for quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat and included wild fish, meat, eggs, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and raw foods (as administered through an online program called Vital Mind Reset and described in study author Dr. Kelly Brogan’s book “A Mind of Your Own.“[iv] Processed foods, refined carbohydrates, dairy, gluten, grains, legumes, corn, and soy were eliminated for one month but were reintroduced as tolerated.

ATD has been associated with higher risk for celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.[v],[vi] Four hundred patients with ATD were examined for antigliadin antibodies, which are associated with gluten sensitivity/celiac disease, treatable with a gluten-free diet, and found in 5% of the patients.[vii]

Similarly, in a sample of 92, ATD was observed in 13.9 percent of celiac patients and 2.1 percent of controls (non-celiac group), while subclinical ATD was found in 10.1 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.[viii] Wheat[ix] and its variants have been linked to more than 230 diseases.[x]

Oral Health Practices

Two oral hygiene lifestyle changes were implemented—oil pulling with coconut oil and a “Hydro Flosser.” Oil pulling (or gargling)[xi],[xii] is a powerful Ayurvedic detoxifier for the entire body, based on the belief that the tongue is connected to different organs such as kidneys, lungs, liver, thyroid, heart, colon, and the stomach.

Oil pulling with various oils (sesame, sunflower, olive, coconut) shows equal results[xiii] and has both preventative and curative properties, including:

• Decreases tooth decay[xiv]
• Lessens bad breath
• Improves bleeding gums
• Decreases throat dryness
• Strengthens teeth, gums, and jaw[xv]

Oil pulling also offers systemic health benefits for more than 1,000 diseases, such as diabetes, migraine, high blood pressure, heart disease, and liver, respiratory, and renal disorders.[xvi]

Hydro Flosser—a flossing machine using water—was tested with 108 individuals and found to be three times more effective in reducing bleeding gums[xvii] and showed 64 percent less tartar than string flossing.[xviii]

Yoga, Exercise, and Meditation

Adding yoga, exercise, and meditation helps with GD and other symptoms, including offering the following benefits:

• Reduces muscle aches, breathing/heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels
• Increases blood flow
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improves preexisting conditions like arthritis, cancer, and mental illness symptoms[xix]

In their review of 23 different yoga interventions, researchers found yoga was effective in reducing depression.[xx] Integrative restorative yoga (yoga, exercise, and meditation) reduced stress and depression, and increased mindfulness for college students.[xxi]

Deliberate avoidance of environmental pollutants (drinking purified water, eating organic produce, and using natural cleaning/personal hygiene products) can also have positive health effects and ameliorate ATD.[xxii],[xxiii]

Fluoridated water can harm health and the thyroid, as detailed in “Want a Pretty Corpse?-Drink Fluoridated Water“ and ”Fluoridated Water Linked to 30% More Hypothyroidism.” In addition, produce without fluoride toxicity[xxiv],[xxv] and natural cleaning and personal hygiene products[xxvi] are healthier. Look for products without harsh chemicals, as these often include carcinogens, neurotoxins, reproductive system toxins, and hormone disruptors.[xxvii]

Natural Supplements

Thyroid disorders may be associated with adrenal insufficiency[xxviii] and caused by deficiencies in nutrients (iodine, iron, selenium,[xxix],[xxx] and zinc[xxxi]), vitamins (A, C,[xxxii] D,[xxxiii] B6, B5, and B1) and minerals (phosphorus, magnesium,[xxxiv] potassium, sodium, and chromium).[xxxv] Digestive support using probiotics[xxxvi] is also an effective strategy.

The Effects of the Paleo Diet on Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: A Mixed Methods Review

A 2023 systematic review examined the characteristics of Paleolithic diet (PD) interventions designed for adult patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in order to determine if diet elements have the potential to successfully reduce thyroid antibodies (Ab) such as thyroglobulin (Tg), thyroid peroxidase (TPO), and thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), and improve thyroid hormones (thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)) or resolve AITD (autoimmune thyroid disease) pathogenesis. 

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an adult population of 18 years and older, diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) or Graves' disease (GD) (Basedow's), who were placed on a diet of Paleolithic or ancestral nature, and achieved reduction of AITD Abs, improvement of thyroid hormones, and, or resolution of AITD were searched. Various electronic databases were used. 

One randomized controlled trial (RCT), a pilot study, and six case studies were found. In total, eight AITD studies focusing on Paleolithic or ancestral interventions were located. In highlight, females were the predominant gender. Case studies solely focused on AITD with protocols ranging from 8-60 weeks. All studies showed clinical improvements, one had significant improvement, two showed AITD resolution. 

After structured evaluation of nutritional interventions utilizing the PD on the effects of AITD, it was concluded foods of ancestral nature along with the addition of specific supplements, food components, exercise and mindfulness meditation, and exclusion of modern day foods have a considerable impact on thyroid Ab (antibodies) and hormones. The relevant studies suggest while this dietary protocol can be useful in clinical practice, larger-scale studies need to be conducted. 

Key teaching points:

• There are currently no dietary interventions recommended for the treatment of autoimmune thyroid disease. The Paleo diet has been documented to improve AITD antibodies and thyroid hormones in both Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease.
• The Paleo diet can provide a natural source of nutrients similar to supplemental nutrients that have shown positive results on AITD.
• The paleo diet provides specific macronutrient percentages that may be beneficial in reducing AITD antibodies, while improving thyroid hormones.
• Methylation supplementation may be useful in AITD cases.

Conclusions

As researchers study more diseases and increase scientific research of alternative ways to alleviate symptoms and ameliorate diseases like Graves’ disease, it is clear that there may be many more palatable options—besides radioiodine therapy and surgery—available than are currently widely advertised and recommended in the medical community.

It is heartening to learn how simple lifestyle changes may restore your health, even when faced with a disease diagnosis. Why not make preventative changes in your life today that can result in greater energy and health?

Originally published on GreenMedInfo.com


References

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Reposted from: https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/graves-disease-an-incurable-thyroid-disorder-cured-through-lifestyle-changes-5600281