Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce or release enough hormones. This can cause slow metabolism, weight gain, feeling cold, and hair loss, among other things.
Understanding the thyroid
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, just in front of the trachea. It is essential because it produces hormones (T3, T4, calcitonin) that control many aspects of metabolism, such as food digestion, heart rate, respiration, body temperature, and bone mineralization.
When the thyroid gland is not functioning properly or does not secrete the right amount of hormones, various symptoms may appear:
- Thinning hair, especially on the outer parts of the eyebrows
- Difficulty tolerating cold
- common weight gain
- Feeling depressed or constantly tired
- Deep, vertical nail ridges
Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to the development of nodules and goiters, which resemble a lump in the neck. In advanced stages, this can lead to myxedema, a life-threatening condition in which internal organs begin to slow down and stop functioning properly.
Causes of hypothyroidism
In 90% of cases, hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks healthy thyroid tissue. This often happens when the intestinal lining is damaged, allowing undigested proteins to enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation and immune system overactivity.
5 Essential Vitamins for Hypothyroidism
Selenium (200 µg)
Selenium is an essential trace element for converting inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into its active form (T3). Taking a 200 mcg supplement daily can speed up this process in people with hypothyroidism. Studies show that selenium can also reduce thyroid antibodies (TPOAb and TgAb), thereby preventing the immune system from attacking the thyroid gland.
Bile salts
About 80% of thyroid hormones are actually converted in the liver, not the thyroid gland itself. Taking bile salts (two capsules before each meal) can help thin bile in the liver, speed up the conversion of T4 to T3, and eliminate toxins like mercury from the body.
Vitamin C complex
Real vitamin C contains bioflavonoids, which help strengthen collagen and regenerate the intestinal lining. Take 1,000 mg of vitamin C in the form of acerola capsules. Foods rich in vitamin C include cabbage, sauerkraut, strawberries, bell peppers, and cruciferous vegetables.
Iodine and zinc
Iodine and zinc are essential minerals for thyroid hormone production. Eat seafood such as kelp, nori, kombu, Irish moss, mussels, crab, and fatty fish two to three times a week. You can also take trace mineral supplements (20 drops daily) and kelp capsules to increase your iodine and zinc intake.
Vitamin D3 (and K2)
Consider taking 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily along with 100 µg of vitamin K2 to balance hormones and reduce thyroid inflammation. Vitamin D modulates the immune system, preventing thyroid attacks. Studies show that people with hypothyroidism often have vitamin D deficiency.
The most common causes of hypothyroidism
Here are some common causes of thyroid dysfunction:
- Excessive consumption of gluten and grains damages the intestinal lining
- Excessive consumption of vegetable oils and fried foods
- Liver diseases that interfere with thyroid hormone conversion
- High cortisol levels caused by stress or menopause
- Iodine or selenium deficiency
- Medications such as statins, diuretics, or antibiotics
Lifestyle Tips for Fighting Hypothyroidism
Here are some tips to improve your thyroid health and function:
- Eliminate grains, vegetable oils, and gluten from your diet for at least 90 days. Eat bone broths, raw garlic, kefir, sauerkraut, and low-glycemic berries.
- Eat organic anti-inflammatory foods like steamed broccoli, cauliflower, green vegetables, radishes, celery, and Brazil nuts.
- Don’t go on a low-fat diet; your body needs fat to produce hormones. Cod liver oil, free-range egg yolks, and grass-fed butter are excellent sources of retinol (active vitamin A).
- Take natural adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and drink lemon balm tea to lower cortisol, stress, and estrogen levels.
- Use the supplements mentioned, especially bile salts, to improve T3 to T4 conversion in the liver. Look for products containing “bile acid factors,” “bile salts,” “bovine bile,” or “tuberculosis.”
- Intermittent fasting, which involves consuming all your daily calories within a 6-hour period, allows your body to fast for 18 hours. This activates autophagy and helps reduce inflammation, thereby calming an overactive immune system.
