A large majority of hyperthyroidism cases are caused by some form of autoimmunity and chronic inflammation in the body. Graves’ disease is the most common diagnoses given to people with this condition. Graves is an autoimmune condition characterised by the production of an antibody called thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin. Typically, the immune system creates antibodies to hunt down and help fight off viruses and bacteria. In the case of Graves’ disease, however, these antibodies inflame the thyroid gland and lead to rampant production of thyroid hormones. Current conventional medical approaches include: 1/ Certain medications are used to inhibit thyroid function. 2/ Radioactive iodine can be used in large doses to essentially poison & deactivate thyroid. 3/ Surgery may be used to physically remove the thyroid gland.
Naturopathic Practitioners will look at:
1) Gut Health - different aspects of your gut health, such as leaky gut, the microbiome, and digestion, can have a profound impact on autoimmunity. Leaky Gut is when the delicate lining of the gut becomes damaged due to chronic inflammation and begins to let undigested food particles pass through. The food particles are foreign to the body and are confused as pathogens. As the body tries to fight off benign food particles, the immune system become hyperactive and puts the body in a state of chronic inflammation. The Microbiome is the diversity of bacteria that live along the walls of our stomach and intestines. These bacteria in our gut have a profound impact over the activity of the immune system and even our brains. Your microbiome can even play an important role in preventing and healing leaky gut. Poor Digestion can be a significant factor contributing to autoimmunity. Not only can poor digestion lead to leaky gut, but it will also open up the doors for opportunistic bacteria and fungi to colonise in the gut, further contributing to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. 2) Toxin Exposure - toxins like heavy metals and pesticides are highly inflammatory and interfere with many physiological processes, contributing to the development of autoimmunity. Heavy Metals (such as mercury) accumulate in brain tissues where the hypothalamus and pituitary glands (controllers of the thyroid) reside. Mercury has a similar structure to iodine, and may have a higher affinity for accumulating in the thyroid gland. Mercury is highly inflammatory to tissues, further contributing to autoimmunity. Other toxins such as pesticides are harmful in they can inflame the gut, alter our gut bacteria, and deplete the body of key nutrients (such as magnesium). 3) Mitochondrial Health - the mitochondria are tiny structures within almost every cell and produce energy. One of the byproducts of creating energy is actually oxidative stress. When mitochondria are functioning at a suboptimal level, they tend to generate excess oxidative stress. This oxidative stress contributes to chronic inflammation and further distraction from the normal function of the immune system. Less efficient mitochondria produce less energy and it becomes a downward spiral of inflammatory conditions. 4) Chronic Infections and BioToxins - microbes that reside in the body over longer periods of time can become a major contributor to inflammation and autoimmunity. These infections can come in many forms from candida in the gut, to Epstein-Barr Virus (glandular fever)or even Lyme disease. These pathogens reside in the body and cause a chronic inflammatory reaction by the immune system. 5) Chronic Inflammation - chronic inflammation interferes with many processes in the body and leads to inappropriate immune system activities (such as inflaming the thyroid). Other major contributors to chronic inflammation include: [1] Blood Sugar Imbalances, [2] Dehydration, [3] Electromagnetic Radiation, [4] Chronic Emotional Stress, [5] Micronutrient Deficiencies, and [6] Sedentary Lifestyle.
Natural Strategies For Thyroid Health There are many things you can do to help support thyroid and immune health and improve the inflammatory process. It is important to note that these strategies are not meant to prevent, mitigate, treat or cure hyperthyroidism and shouldn’t be confused as such. As you apply these principles, be observant of which ones seem to make the biggest difference in your hyperthyroidism symptoms. All of these action steps are important but some may make a larger dent in the bucket than others.
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