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VERIFIED CONTENTAuthor: Dominika Wilk
Hashimoto's disease, or lymphocytic thyroiditis, is one of the most common autoimmune diseases among women. Like any autoimmune disease - it is possible to calm down, as long as the doctor applies appropriate treatment and the patient supplements the diet with appropriate supplements. Check what supplements they are.
Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditisarises from a variety of genetic, environmental, and other diseases, such as diabetes. Pathological changes that accompany this disease are, for example, diffuse lymphocytic infiltrates appearing in the thyroid parenchyma, thyroid fibrosis, or excessive fibroblast hyperplasia. As a result of Hashimoto's, antibodies against thyroid antigens: thyroglobulin (anti-TG) and thyreoperoxidase (anti-TPO) are produced.
In this disease, the synthesis of thyroid hormones is disturbed, and their secretion is also disturbed. Hashimoto's disease usually leads to the onset of hypothyroidism, resulting in reduction of the metabolic rate, development of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia.
Supplements beneficial in Hashimoto's disease
Selen
Selenium is one of the key supplements that should be taken with Hashimoto's. First of all, because this element is a component of enzyme proteins, including glutathione peroxidase which protects the thyroid gland.
Glutathione peroxidase inactivates hydrogen peroxide and thus protects the thyroid parenchyma from inflammation and its cells from damage.
It should be added that the presence of harmful hydrogen peroxide is quite high in the thyroid gland, as it is involved in the oxidation of iodine. First, the thyroid follicular cells take up iodine, and then it is oxidized with hydrogen peroxide. If not quickly neutralized, peroxide can damage thyroid cells.
Selenium also affects the activity of iodothyronine deiodase, which is a catalyst for the conversion of thyroid hormones, e.g. the transition of inactive T4 (thyroxine) into active T3 (triiodothyronine).
This conversion works by detaching one atom of iodine from T4, creating T3 which entersreactions with cell receptors. T4 is only a storehouse and is therefore considered to have a minor role in thyroid function.
By increasing selenium in the diet, not only can a greater amount of conversion of CD4 + lymphocytes into Treg (regulatory T) cells be achieved - which suppress inflammatory reactions, but also prevent thyroid follicular cells from dying off.
In addition, selenium blocks the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is important for people suffering from Hashimoto's, as it allows the body to go into remission. It also has a significant impact on lowering anti-TPO antibodies, which also improves the patient's condition both physically and mentally.
Patients with autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto's, usually have a reduced level of selenium, so it is assumed that its too low intake in the diet may not only contribute to the further development of the disease, but also initiate disease states (it usually affects people with genetic predisposition). For this reason, the recommended dose for selenium supplementation for people with Hashimoto's is 200 µg per day.
Vitamin D
It has been proven in numerous studies that vitamin D has a strong relationship with the immune system, and its deficiency leads to the weakening of the immune system's defenses. A large correlation has also been shown between the deficiency of these vitamins and the occurrence of autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto's disease.
Supplementing vitamin D deficiency leads to a decrease in antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO). In turn, its deficiency may disturb the functioning of the thyroid gland and increases the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies.
It might seem that vitamin D supplementation is not necessary, because we obtain it naturally, thanks to percutaneous synthesis. Under the influence of ultraviolet rays of sunlight that fall on the skin, 7-dehydrocholesterol is converted into vitamin D3. This is then transported with the blood to the liver, where it is converted to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, or 25 (OH) D3.
Then this prohormone is transferred with the blood to the kidneys, where it is transformed into 1,25 (OH) 2D3, which is the active form of vitamin D. It would seem that there is no need for a human to take this vitamin orally , since it can produce it transdermally.
Nothing could be further from the truth. First of all, fewer and fewer people are in the sun when this synthesis can take place (mainly in the afternoon hours, between 11.00 and 15.00). In addition, the clothes we wear, sunscreen creams that we apply to, largely block the possibility of obtaining the vitamin.D.
In the latitude in which we live, i.e. in Poland, it is difficult to find the right length of sunlight from around October until May. Therefore, if we do not want to lead to a vitamin D deficit and we intend to improve our he alth, we should supplement it in the amount of at least 2000 IE a day, and in the case of Hashimoto's disease even 5000 IE a day.
Zinc
Zinc supplementation is recommended not only to people with Hashimoto's, but also to he althy people who experience a decrease in immunity or have problems with glucose management (zinc improves its transport). Also in the case of hair loss, decreased libido or worse wound healing, it is worth reaching for a supplement with its content.
Due to the fact that this element does not accumulate in the body, it is recommended to supplement it daily, with breaks. Why is zinc so important to people with Hashimoto's?
Because it is involved in the conversion of T4 to T3 hormones and is essential for the production of TSH. In people who have both Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism, zinc supplementation is very important because, due to the fact that they overproduce TSH, there may also be a constant zinc deficiency at the same time. However, you should not take more than 30 mg of zinc per day without medical supervision.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely desirable in the daily diet of people suffering from Hashimoto's because they have anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to their constant supplementation, it is possible to calm down the body. In addition, they increase the activity of type 1 deiodinase (DIO1), which shows its effects, among others in the kidneys, liver and skeletal muscles and leads to the formation of T3 (triiodothyronine).
The appropriate amount of omega-3 fatty acids also increases the activity of NIS in the thyroid gland. NIS is a sodium iodide transporter, a transmembrane protein that enables iodine uptake. Iodine is essential for the formation of thyroid hormones, therefore the beneficial effects of essential fatty acids on NIS cannot be overestimated.
One of the omega-3 acids: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) protects the liver cells and prevents their destruction, which is of great importance in autoimmune thyroiditis, where the body destroys its own cells. Omega-3 acids also increase the activity of TPO, which leads to better synthesis of thyroid hormones.
There are no fixed doses of omega-3 supplementation in Hashimoto's disease. It is best to use as many capsules as recommended on the packaging by the manufacturer. It is important that the supplement includes both DHA and EPA acids,which play the most important role in alleviating autoimmune diseases.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, due to its antioxidant potential, is helpful in reducing oxidative stress caused by an excessive amount of reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress increases inflammation, so it is undesirable in autoimmune diseases.
In addition, it is a regulator of thyroid hormone metabolism not only in the area of the thyroid gland itself, but also in peripheral tissues. It also regulates the amount of TSH secreted by the pituitary gland. Vitamin A is easy to overdose, so its supplementation should take place under the supervision of a doctor.
NAC
NAC, or n-acetylcysteine, may be helpful in Hashimoto's disease, as it transforms into glutathione after oral administration, which protects the thyroid gland, e.g. prevents the destruction of thyroid cells by free radicals.
In addition, NAC facilitates the removal of heavy metals from the body - which can increase inflammation and overload the liver, where the conversion of thyroid hormones takes place. In addition, heavy metals such as lithium, for example, can displace iodine from the thyroid gland, which causes disturbances in its functioning.
Iron
Iron should be a permanent part of the diet of people with Hashimoto's disease because it is part of iodine peroxidase, an enzyme that is involved in the conversion of thyroid hormones. If the right amount of T4 to T3 is not converted, the amount of active hormones will be lowered, which will disrupt the functioning of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto's disease will then result in hypothyroidism.
Additionally, women who have Hashimoto's but eat an unbalanced vegan diet or have heavy periods may suffer from anemia and low iron levels.
Thus, apart from the ailments typical for anemia, that is: dizziness, weakness, the thyroid gland is going to work badly. The first choice in this type of ailments and low iron levels is diet.
Only later, when it is not effective, the doctor may recommend supplementation. It should be added that iron supplementation is a heavy burden on the body and has a number of side effects, so it must always be carried out under the supervision of a physician and dietitian.