Sadly,  eating organic food and using non-toxic household and body products is not enough to keep us toxin-free when working to manage Hashimoto’s low thyroid. While those measures certainly are necessary, the truth is we are overwhelmed with unprecedented levels of toxins in our air, water, food, and environment.

Numerous studies connect toxins with many health problems, including Hashimoto’s low thyroid, cancer, neurological disorders, obesity, and hormonal imbalances.

Studies show humans carry high levels of hundreds of toxins in their bodies. We likely carry far more than that considering the tens of thousands in our environment, they just haven’t all been tested. Children contain a higher body burden of toxins and toxins are found in umbilical cord blood and breast milk.

Some research links specific toxins, such as BPA found in store receipts and plastics, directly with development of Hashimoto’s low thyroid.

Beware chemical sensitivity when you have Hashimoto’s low thyroid

Although it’s important to keep your levels of toxins as low as you can, it’s even more important not to develop an immune reaction to toxins. People develop sensitivities to toxins the same way they do to foods.

A sensitivity to a chemical or heavy metal contributes to autoimmune disease, food sensitivities, and and reduced health. Plus, because it’s difficult to impossible to avoid toxins, a sensitivity to them will have you dealing with a constant immune battle.

How to weather a toxic environment

Although there is no way to completely avoid toxic chemicals, you can protect your body from them and prevent chemical sensitivities when you have Hashimoto’s low thyroid. Below are some ways to help protect yourself from our toxic world.

Clean up your diet. Even organic foods and beverages c ontain toxins because the are so abundant in the environment. However, it’s still extremely helpful stick with organic foods and avoid additives and foods that contain pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics.

Eat a diet that stabilizes blood sugar (no sugars or sweeteners, not too high on carbohydrates, and avoid skipping meals, over eating, or under eating.)

Also, avoid foods that trigger inflammation. This is different for everyone although gluten and dairy are common triggers, especially for people with Hashimoto’s low thyroid.

Resveratrol and curcumin to lower inflammation

Toxins trigger inflammation and damage cells. ZHigh doses of resveratrol and curcumin can help protect the body from the damage of toxins, especially if you take them together in a liposomal form.

These compounds also tame the thyroid autoimmunity inflammation associated of Hashimoto’s low thyroid.

Glutathione for Hashimoto’s inflammation

Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant and guards against cellular damage. Low glutathione increases your risk of chemical sensitivities and damage from toxins.

Nutrients that boost glutathione levels include:

• n-acetyl-cysteine
• cordyceps
• Gotu Kola
• milk thistle
• L-glutamine
• alpha lipoic acid

Straight oral glutathione doesn’t work well, but liposomal, reduced, and s-acetyl glutathione are absorbed. Glutathione can also be delivered via IV, suppositories, or a nebulizer.

Boost detoxification

Improving your body’s detoxification is another helpful strategy. This means supporting the liver, lymph glands, kidneys, and bowel motility. Constipation makes you more inflamed and raises your overall burden of toxins.

Nutrients that support the liver pathways include methyl B12, selenium, molybdenum, dandelion root, milk thistle, trimethylglycine, Panax ginseng, and MSM.

Ask my office about how best to protect yourself from environmental toxins and how best to manage Hashimoto’s low thyroid.

How to learn if you have Hashimoto’s low thyroid

Many patients are not diagnosed with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s until after several years and going through several doctors. It is a demoralizing journey richly illustrated in my book The Truth About Low Thyroid: Stories of Hope and Healing for Those Suffering With Hashimoto’s Low Thyroid Disease, through real-life stories from patients in my practice. Managing Hashimoto’s goes far beyond using thyroid medication as you must work to stop the immune system from attacking the thyroid. For more information on identifying and managing Hashimoto’s low thyroid, contact my office.

About Dr. Josh Redd, Chiropractic Physician — Utah, Arizona, New Mexico functional medicine

Dr. Joshua J. Redd, DC, MS, DABFM, DAAIM, author of The Truth About Low Thyroid: Stories of Hope and Healing for Those Suffering With Hashimoto’s Low Thyroid Disease, is a chiropractic physician and the founder of RedRiver Health and Wellness Center with practices in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. He sees patients from around the world who suffer from challenging thyroid disorders, Hashimoto’s disease, and other autoimmune conditions. In addition to his chiropractic degree, Dr. Redd has a BS in Health and Wellness, a BS in Anatomy, and a MS in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine.  He speaks across the nation, teaching physicians about functional blood chemistry, low thyroid, Hashimoto’s, and autoimmunity. You can join his Facebook page here.