Many doctors might tell you otherwise, but Hashimoto’s is a condition that can be managed, and yes, even put into remission. The key? A combination of the right foods, a balanced lifestyle, and understanding the environment around you.
While it’s true that autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's can’t be “cured” in the traditional sense, remission is absolutely possible. Once our genetics are triggered, we can work to calm the immune response to reduce symptoms, and regain our health.
However, remission doesn't mean it's gone for good. Hashimoto’s can reactivate if certain triggers reappear and these can change over time. That’s why it’s so important to recognise what these triggers could be and how they can evolve over time.
How Likely Is It to Put Hashimoto’s into Remission with Diet?
The truth is, everyone will see improvements when they make healthier food choices, but the extent of those benefits will vary from person to person. There are success stories of individuals who have entered remission through dietary changes alone.
However, if your situation needs to go beyond diet, then other factors may need attention.
Factors That May Need Addressing To Resolve Hashimoto's
Infections
Detoxification
Chronic stress
Childhood trauma
Lack of movement
Poor sleep
Exposure to toxins and chemicals
Poor gut health
Those who manage Hashimoto's mainly through diet often share a few common factors:
Their condition is in a mild state.
Their antibodies are not extremely elevated (under 1,000).
They’re earlier in their diagnosis.
They have fewer additional health concerns.
May simply have an issue with gluten
Fewer triggers to address
If you fall into this category, fantastic! But if you’re like many others who have more to manage, don’t worry—there’s still so much you can do by making the right lifestyle changes and digging for your triggers and root imbalances.
The Top Four Dietary Changes You Can Make Now:
Foods contining Gluten
Research has shown that patients with Hashimoto’s are more likely to have problems with gluten compared to the average person. This can come as either non-celiac gluten sensitivity (known as NCGS) or full-blown celiac disease. Gluten can also affect other areas of the body in a celiac-like way. The most common is the brain - an issue that I have myself! Many people need to be gluten-free forever, but some won't. However, the beauty in going gluten-free, is that it forces you to avoid a lot of unhealthy food choices and opt for nutrient dense whole foods, which means you’ll naturally clean up your diet in the process. There’s evidence to suggest that gluten can be pro-inflammatory in the gut and cause intestinal permeability, so you’ll likely notice some improvement there as well.
Dairy
Dairy is a huge problem for around 70% of patients with Hashimoto’s and most people find significant relief when they avoid it. Some people have issues with the lactose in dairy and others have issues with the proteins, caesin and whey. These proteins seem to interact with the immune system by triggering an IgA response that damages the gut lining and leads to increased intestinal permeability. These proteins can also cross-react and be treated like gluten in the body - an issue that I have myself also. I have a celiac-like reaction in the brain to gluten and many proteins that cross-react with gluten, for example dairy and corn.
Ultra-Processed Foods
UPFs are a growing problem across the world, and UK shopping baskets are now thought to contain around 51% ultra processed foods on a regular basis. These foods contain ingredients that you wouldn't find in nature or your kitchen and they are processed to the point where they resemble food. They are the worst foods you can consume, because they disrupt the health of your gut microbiome and cause inflammation. What's more, they are high in calories, sodium and low in nutritional value. Nutrients that your immune system desperately needs in order to function.
Refined and processed Sugar
This would include things like table sugar, brown sugar, and high fructose corn syrup. These are mostly found in processed foods so if you avoid those, you’ll avoid these. They are problematic because they increase the insulin response, promote inflammation, disrupt the microbiome and lead to weight gain .
What Are The Top Four Goals To Aim For Through Your Diet?
Reduce inflammation
Improve detoxification
Rebalance your gut microbiome
Reduce oxidative stress
If you would like some support to strategically address your Hashimoto's with diet and lifestyle, then you can get in touch with me here
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