 |
| Effect of food sensitivity on Thyroid Gland, causes, symptoms, tests, and precautions |
Having food sensitivity is life-altering. Avoiding certain foods or food ingredients can be challenging, and avoidance is currently our primary treatment option for such a condition. Given that one-fifth of the population will be affected by food sensitivity in their lifetime, it is essential to look for alternatives to help them manage.
Fundamentally, it is necessary to understand the difference between food allergies, food intolerance, and food sensitivities, as they are often confused.
Food intolerance is not involving in affecting the immune system and is not fatal.
Food allergies involve the immune system and are caused by IgE antibodies in the immune system.
Food sensitivities are also involved in affecting the immune system and have serious health consequences, including death. Food sensitivity is driven by the antibodies Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobin G (IgG).
These IgA and IgG antibodies can travel throughout the body and cause widespread symptoms. In contrast to IgE-mediated reactions, food sensitivities can be delayed in nature, after which the reaction lasts for several hours to days. Although these symptoms may not be as fatal as an IgE-mediated allergic reaction, they can be quite diffuse and intrusive. Examples of food sensitivities include joint pain, headache, fatigue, rashes, dizziness, and brain fog.
What is the thyroid? However, and how does it work?
The thyroid gland is found in the middle of the throat and is effective for regulating our metabolism. This gland can produce thyroid hormone, which comprises the mineral iodine and the amino acids tyrosine. In addition, the thyroid gland produces triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). T3 is an active form, while T4 is an inactive form of thyroid hormone. T3 is only produced in small amounts in the thyroid gland. In body cells, the majority of T3 is converted to T4 (inactive form). These hormones' production is controlled by producing thyroid-stimulating hormone (or TSH) in the pituitary gland in the brain.
What Occurs If Things Go Wrong?
If this regulation mechanism goes wrong, it can result in either too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism). Hypothyroid is more common than hyperthyroid and is more common in women than in men due to the relationship between female hormones and the reproductive system and the thyroid gland.
There are several different factors of thyroid hormone production that can go wrong.
The pituitary gland does not produce the proper amount of TSH, affecting how much thyroid hormone is produced.
The thyroid gland itself has a problem producing adequate amounts of T3 and T4 hormones.
Cells located anywhere in the body are not capable of converting inactive T4 into active T3.
Today I will discuss the first of these - the thyroid gland problem, which produces thyroid hormone.
The major cause of thyroid problems is autoimmune thyroid. In autoimmune thyroid conditions, the immune system produces antibodies that directly target and damage the thyroid gland, causing it to make too much thyroid hormone known as autoimmune hyperthyroid or Graves' disease or too little autoimmune hypothyroid or Hashimoto's disease.
But what causes the immune system to start attacking the thyroid gland? It is the most common question.
The gland known as the thyroid gland is highly active and is very sensitive to both internal and external factors.
The most dangerous external cause of damage to the thyroid is radiation. Exposure to radiation can come from many sources, including medical or dental X-rays (which is why we wear lead barriers when exposed to X-rays). Another important source of radiation is a by-product of nuclear energy production.
When the tsunami damaged Japan's Fukoshima nuclear power plant in March 2011, the west coast of the United States was alerted to exposure to radiation drifting across the Pacific Ocean. Because of this potential radiation exposure, during the 6-month window after the Japanese tsunami, all babies born will have a lifelong risk of developing thyroid conditions.
Other known causes of thyroid conditions are
viral and bacterial infections,
environmental toxins (other than radiation),
heavy metals and toxins.
Genetics also plays a role in experiencing the symptoms of thyroid conditions. Typically, multiple generations of the same family will have thyroid conditions.
People with autoimmune diseases and thyroid also have increased symptoms of environmental allergens such as grasses, plants, and tree pollen.
How do food sensitivities cause Thyroid Problems?
Some foods directly act on the thyroid gland and making it harder to absorb the iodine it needs to function correctly. These foods are called goitrogens. The well-known goitrogens are vegetables from the cruciferous family: cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards cabbage, kale, and fruits like peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, and strawberries.
Used in large quantities (mainly raw), goitrogens are known to cause inflammation of the thyroid gland, which makes them over-or under-active.
For those whose diets contain adequate iodine, goitrogens can be eaten safely— in appropriate amounts, especially when cooked.
Goitrogens are known to interfere with iodine uptake and suppress the function of the thyroid gland, which can lead to an enlarged thyroid, called goiter. In other words, goitrogens inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones. However, the goitrogenic effect of these foods is lost on cooking. Also, their impact is relevant if the goitrogenic food is taken in large quantities as a stable food.
Symptoms:
Here are some common symptoms.
Hypothyroid
Fatigue
Dry skin
Hair loss
Brain fog
Infertility
Depression
Feeling cold
Constipation
Thin and brittle nails
Irregular menstrual cycles
Thinning of the eyebrows
Weight increase or an inability to lose weight
Hyperthyroid
Fatigue
Anxiety
Insomnia
Feeling hot
Enlarged thyroid
Sensitivity to heat
Muscle pain / Joint pain
Irritability / Nervousness
Weight loss or weight gain
Irregular menstrual cycles
Racing heart or palpitations
The increased appetite ( leading to weight gain)
Eyesight changes or protruding eyes (exophthalmos)
Suffocating feeling or pressure in the throat area from an increased thyroid.
Numerous studies on goitrogenic food have shown extraordinary insignificant effects on metabolism. However, a study (in 2010) reported that catechins (flavonoids) in green tea extract were goitrogenic and had an anti-thyroid impact when eaten in large quantities. Dietary sources of iodine include seawater, iodized salt, seaweed, and shellfish.
Food sensitivities cause Hashimoto's and Graves'
A relatively new association appears between autoimmune thyroid disorders (both Hashimoto's and Graves') and food sensitivities. Dr. Maura Scanlan, a Naturopathic doctor, explained how food allergies and sensitivities could contribute to autoimmune thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto's and Graves'. It happens when the body reacts negatively to a particular food, leading to an abnormal immune response. This reaction can lead to a cascade of events, including
Inflammation
Difficulty absorbing nutrients
Fatigue
Mood disorders
Hormonal imbalances
Even autoimmune disorders
Thus, food sensitivities can impair thyroid function and are often associated with autoimmune thyroid disorders. Several scientific studies confirm the growing prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disorders in celiac populations.
In 2009 a scientific study published in the Journal of Paediatrics conducted on about 325 children found that autoimmune thyroiditis was strongly associated with celiac disease. Therefore, it is recommended that people with autoimmune thyroid disorders be screened for gluten intolerance and those with gluten intolerance be screened for autoimmune thyroid disorders. Gluten is a protein in oats, rye, wheat, and barley.
If you suspect thyroid problems, then what to do?
Test for Thyroid
If you have any symptoms discussed above and suspect a thyroid condition, you may want comprehensive thyroid blood work done. Many doctors will only test for TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), but this is not the best screening test for thyroid conditions alone. Because, even if your TSH values are typical, Your body may not yet have adequate thyroid hormones.
I generally recommend screening for TSH, Free and Total T3, Free and Total T4, antithyroglobulin Hormone, and Anti-TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Hormone). Another method of testing is known as Wilson's Thyroid Protocol. It includes taking your body temperature orally three times a day. If the reading goes below the normal 98.6oF, your thyroid hormone production is not maximized.
Precaution:
In 2001 a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology reported that following a gluten-free diet may in some cases help improve and reverse autoimmune thyroid disease.
Minimizing exposure to heavy metals, taking care of digestion, and managing stress through yoga and meditation can help manage thyroid health. A term of caution - diet or treatment should not be changed without consulting your doctor.
0 Comments