Articles - Dr. Nikolas Hedberg, D.C.

How Your Gut Microbiota Affects Your Thyroid

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Thyroid August 16, 2019autoimmune thyroiditis, gut microbiota, Hashimoto's disease, hypothyroidism, iodine, iron, microbiome, probiotics, selenium, thyroid, zinc

Your gut microbiota has an intimate connection with your thyroid including connections with hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease and Graves’ disease. In this research review I’d like to cover a recent paper entitled, “Microbiota and Thyroid Interaction in Health and Disease” published in the journal Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism by Eleonare Frohlich and Richard Wahl.

The authors begin by stating that the gut microbiota can act on thyroid function due to the region of where someones lives, their diet including iodine intake, obesity, age, sex hormones, and how autoimmunity can impact the microbiota. I was impressed to see them state that the gut microbiota is linked to autoimmune disease, estrogen, iodine, and obesity. Estrogen can be a key factor in Hashimoto’s disease and a healthy gut is required for optimal estrogen metabolism and excretion through the feces.

They also mention the connection between the gut and the liver in relation to thyroid hormone metabolism in both these organ systems. Your gut is key to properly absorbing and utilizing the thyroid medication that you’re taking and they mention this as well.

Ashwagandha, Hashimoto’s Disease, and Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Hashimoto's Disease August 1, 2019adrenal adaptogens, Ashwagandha, autoimmune thyroiditis, Hashimoto's disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, Subclinical hypothyroidism, withania somnifera

Ashwagandha is one of my favorite supplements for Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism and we have some excellent studies to support using it for these conditions.

The main study I’ll cover in this research review is entitled, “Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial” published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. We’re already off to a good start just by reading the title which indicates that it is a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study so we know it is of the highest standard.

Autoimmune Paleo Diet and Hashimoto’s Disease

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Hashimoto's Disease July 19, 2019autoimmune paleo diet, autoimmune protocol diet, autoimmune thyroiditis, Hashimoto's disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, paleo diet, thyroid antibodies

We finally have a study specifically looking at the efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet, also known as the Autoimmune Paleo Diet or AIP, and Hashimoto’s disease. The exact title of the paper is, “Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet as Part of a Multi-disciplinary, Supported Lifestyle Intervention for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis” by Abbott et al. Published in April of 2019 in the journal Cureus. I break down the study details below so you can better understand if this diet actually works for Hashimoto’s disease.

The Hashimoto’s Disease and SIBO Connection

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Hashimoto's Disease July 12, 2019autoimmune thyroiditis, Hashimoto's disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, SIBO, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Is there a connection among Hashimoto’s disease, hypothyroidism, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth also known as SIBO? Does Hashimoto’s disease cause SIBO or does SIBO cause Hashimoto’s? I’ll answer these questions in my latest research review below.

There isn’t a lot of research, only two papers actually, on the specific connection between Hashimoto’s disease and SIBO which I’ll cover in this article. There are more papers on the connection between hypothyroidism and SIBO without mention of Hashimoto’s and the basic conclusion of those papers is that hypothyroidism is connected to SIBO because gastric motility is decreased in hypothyroidism. Decreased gastric motility basically means the food you eat is moving through the bowels to slowly so bacteria can build-up in the small intestine.

The Truth About Plant-Based Diets and Meat with Diana Rodgers

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg The Dr. Hedberg Show June 28, 2019diana rodgers, grass-fed beef, plant-based diet, red meat, sacred cow, vegan diet, vegetarian diet, vitamin B12 deficiency

In this episode of The Dr. Hedberg Show, I interview dietitian Diana Rodgers in a discussion about plant-based diets, meat, and her upcoming documentary and book project Sacred Cow. Speaking to Diana was a breathe of fresh air among all the misinformation out there about plant-based diets and meat. We discussed the potential pitfalls of plant-based diets including protein and micronutrient deficiencies. Diana covered important information about the true environmental impact of meat and how important grazing cows are to the environment. You should come away from this interview with a better understanding of plant-based diets, meat, and it’s environmental and socioeconomic impact. I urge you to support Diana’s Sacred Cow project and to look out for the upcoming documentary.

Can Blastocystis Hominis Cause Hashimoto’s Disease?

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Hashimoto's Disease June 7, 2019autoimmune thyroiditis, blastocystis hominis, Hashimoto's disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, urticaria

Our discussion today revolves around a microscopic parasite called Blastocystis hominis, a case of hives and Hashimoto’s disease!

The case report was published in 2015 in The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries. The report was entitled, “Eradication of Blastocystis hominis prevents the development of symptomatic Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: a case report. The case involved a singular subject who was suffering from chronic urticaria (hives), angioedema (skin swelling) and overly soft stools who also showed signs of Hashimoto’s disease.

But before we delve into more details, let me provide you with some basic background information.

Can Thiamine Improve Hashimoto’s Disease-Related Fatigue?

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Hashimoto's Disease May 17, 2019May 17, 2019autoimmune thyroiditis, fatigue, Hashimoto's disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, hypothyroid, thiamine, TPO antibody

Are you doing everything right for your Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism but still experiencing fatigue? A chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link and the b-vitamin thiamine is an important link in thyroid function and energy production that could improve Hashimoto’s disease-related fatigue. Restrictive diets like the A utoimmune Paleo D iet, gluten-free diet, and ketogenic diet can possibly lead to a thiamine deficiency if there isn’t enough variety in the diet. Once this important vitamin becomes deficient, a number symptoms can appear as well as sluggish thyroid function.

Healing Hashimoto’s Disease with Andrea Nakayama

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Hashimoto's Disease May 3, 2019autoimmune thyroiditis, functional medicine, goitrogens, Hashimoto's disease, hypothyroidism, iodine, SIBO, thyroid

In this episode of The Dr. Hedberg Show, I interviewed Andrea Nakayama in a discussion about strategies for healing Hashimoto’s disease. We talked about her “3 Tiers to Epigenetic Mastery” and how they relate to Hashimoto’s disease and thyroid health. Within the 3 tiers we discussed stress, gut health, infections, micronutrient deficiencies, adverse childhood experiences, SIBO, reproductive hormones, goitrogens, iodine, and all the various diets that people are following these days.

Andrea is a clinician but also a Hashimoto’s patient so it was a real pleasure to get her insight and expertise on healing Hashimoto’s disease.

The Truth About Fluoride with Melissa Gallico

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Thyroid April 19, 2019acne, fluoride, hypothyroidism, iodine, Melissa Gallico, thyroid

In this episode of The Dr. Hedberg Show, I interview Melissa Gallico about fluoride. We talked about where fluoride comes from, why it was added to our water supply, how to know if your water is fluoridated, how to filter fluoride, other sources of fluoride, the fluoride-acne connection, the fluoride-thyroid connection, how to detoxify fluoride with iodine, and how to petition your local legislators to remove fluoride from your water supply. I was not aware of the fluoride-acne connection so this was an enlightening podcast that everyone should listen to who has acne or a thyroid issue.

Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology with Dr. Izabella Wentz

Dr. Nikolas Hedberg Hashimoto's Disease March 29, 2019April 25, 2019autoimmune thyroiditis, Dr. Izabella Wentz, Hashimoto's disease, Hashimoto's Food Pharmacology, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, thyroid

In this episode of The Dr. Hedberg Show, I interview Dr. Izabella Wentz about her new book, “Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology.” We had a great talk about Hashimoto’s disease, Dr. Wentz’s Hashimoto’s healing journey, foods that can help heal Hashimoto’s disease, green smoothies, bone broth, and some recipes that can help heal Hashimoto’s disease.

I highly recommend all of Dr. Wentz’s books and her new book will help you make food easier and healthier so you can heal your Hashimoto’s disease.
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