As you know, there’s a lot of controversy when it comes to one’s diet, as there are hundreds, if not thousands of different opinions regarding what people should eat to achieve optimal health.  I think it’s safe to say that there is no “perfect” diet that fits everyone.  While in general everybody should eat mostly whole foods, while minimizing the processed foods, not everyone should eat the same exact diet.  Of course part of this is due to different food sensitivities, as someone might have an intolerance to a specific food, while another person might be fine eating that same food.  Plus different conditions might require some variations in diet as well.

There seems to be a lot of debate when it comes to acidity vs. alkalinity, and so I wanted to dedicate a post to this.  When it comes to the body pH, this is supposed to be on the alkaline side.  An ideal pH would be 7.5, although a range of 7.0 to 7.5 is fine.  In numerous disease states the pH of the blood may be acidic.  On the other hand, the pH of the digestive system obviously needs to be acidic in order to break down the food we eat.  And many people have a pH of the gut that is too high.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that their stomach is alkaline, but even if it’s on the acidic side but too high, then this can cause problems.  For example, a stomach pH of 6 would be considered to be acidic, but it ideally should be between 2 and 4.

What Happens When There Is An Acid/Alkaline Imbalance?

When areas that normally should be alkaline are acidic, and those that should be acidic are alkaline, this can lead to many different health issues.  For example, if the stomach isn’t producing a sufficient amount of hydrochloric acid, then this can lead to numerous problems.  One example is a condition such as a candida infection.  This can happen when someone takes antibiotics, which will not only kill the harmful bacteria, but will also affect some of the good bacteria which help with the acidity of the stomach.  When this happens one needs to take probiotics and do other things to help restore the health of the gut.  In the meantime they might need to take betaine hydrochloride since their body isn’t producing enough acid on their own.  However, if an H. Pylori infection is causing the low stomach acidity, then this of course needs to be addressed.  H. Pylori is an infection in the stomach which will interfere with the production of hydrochloric acid.

If the stomach acid is too low then this will affect the absorption of the vitamins and minerals.  For example, I recently wrote an article which focused on the mineral iron, and in this article I discussed how an iron deficiency might not be due to one’s dietary intake of iron, but instead can be due to low stomach acidity.  And this of course applies to other vitamins and minerals as well, as sufficient stomach acid is needed to break these nutrients down.  I know we don’t think much about this, but hypochlorhydria is a common problem.

On the other hand, while we want the stomach and part of the intestines to be acidic, other areas of the body should be alkaline.  If we eat too many “acidic” foods, then this potentially can lower the pH of the body, and make us susceptible to certain diseases.  Some conditions which can develop due to a low pH include cancer, liver and kidney problems, cardiovascular issues, and osteoporosis.  So for example, due to the phosphoric acid, drinking soda on a frequently basis can cause a lot of different health conditions.  Of course besides the phosphoric acid, the high sugar content will affect the blood sugar levels, and those who drink diet soda need to be concerned about the toxic effects of the artificial sweeteners.

What I’d like to do is briefly list some of the acidic and alkaline foods.  Keep in mind that these are just a few examples:

Foods That Are Acidic:

• Apple
• Beef and pork
• Blueberry
• Chicken and turkey
• Coffee and black tea
• Dairy
• Dried Fruit
• Mushrooms
• Orange
• Pineapple
• Soda
• Wheat

Foods That Are Alkaline:

• Avocados
• Barley Grass
• Black Radish
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Cucumbers
• Ginger
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Onion
• Spinach
• Wheat grass

This is an incomplete list, and if you do some searching on the internet for acid/alkaline foods you’ll notice that there may be a difference in opinion as to which foods are alkaline or acidic.  In other words, one website might list a certain food as being mildly alkaline, while another will list the same food as being mildly acidic.  One thing you’ll consistently find is that most vegetables are alkaline, and of course your diet should consist of plenty of fresh vegetables, and preferably organic.  While you want your diet to consist mainly of alkaline foods, you can still eat some acidic foods.  For example, meats such as chicken, turkey, and beef are considered to be acidic.  But this doesn’t mean you need to give up meat, as eating a small amount of meat on a daily basis is fine for most people.  Many fruits are acidic as well.  You’ll notice that wheat and dairy are also acidic, which is yet another good reason to minimize your consumption of these foods.

Plus it’s important to keep in mind that there are different “degrees” of acidity and alkalinity.  For example, beef is highly acidic, while certain fruits such as cantaloupe and apples are considered by most sources to be mildly acidic.  Some sources list blueberries and blackberries as being mildly acidic, while others list these fruits as moderately acidic.  Once again, eating these acidic foods in moderation is fine, as apples, blueberries, blackberries, and many other fruits are very healthy.  I personally add berries to my smoothies, and usually have an apple each day.  But you once again want to make sure you’re eating a higher percentage of alkaline foods.

I’ve had some people tell me about natural healthcare professionals who have had success in having their patients maintain a lower pH (i.e. between 6.0 and 6.5).  I bring this up because I’m sure there will be a few people reading this who were told to maintain a pH below 7.0, and perhaps between 6.0 and 6.5.  All I can say is that I’ve had success with a higher pH, and it really does make sense when you look at the different types of foods.  It also shouldn’t be surprising that many people have a pH between 6.0 and 6.5, as many people eat too many of the acidic foods I listed.

So if your pH is currently below 7.0 and you want to increase this, then the best way to accomplish this is by increasing your vegetable intake, while minimizing your consumption of acidic foods.  Once again, it’s fine to eat some acidic foods, as I certainly do.  You just want to eat a greater amount of alkaline foods, and of course many people do the opposite.  Consuming natural sea salt can also help with the pH, which is one of the main reasons why I recommend natural sea salt to most of my patients. As for testing the pH, I recommend getting some pH test strips at your local health food store and to measure your pH on a regular basis.  Just keep in mind that this will take time to happen, but as you continue to eat well you should notice the pH increasing over time.

Every now and then I consult with someone who has numerous food sensitivities.  Sometimes such a person will also be sensitive to many different supplements and herbs.  It admittedly can be a big challenge to help a person who is dealing with this problem, as a big part of a natural treatment protocol involves eating well and taking certain supplements.  But some people are very limited with regards to what they can eat, and some aren’t able to take most supplements without having a reaction.  How can someone who seems to be allergic to just about everything receive good results when following a natural treatment protocol?

This definitely isn’t an easy situation, and it could be frustrating to both the doctor and patient.  Some doctors will just tell these people to eat the best they can, and to try taking at least a few of the recommended supplements.  Other natural healthcare professionals will encourage the person to follow a certain diet and to take all of the recommended supplements, regardless of whether doing so worsens their symptoms.  This in my opinion isn’t the best approach, but on the other hand, just telling the person to eat what they can and to take whatever supplements they can tolerate probably won’t do much to optimize their health either.

Two Main Reasons For Widespread Sensitivities

There can be numerous reasons why people are sensitive to many foods and/or supplements.  But in most cases this is related to either 1) problems with the liver detoxifying, or 2) increased intestinal permeability, also known as “leaky gut syndrome”.   Sometimes it can be a combination of both of these conditions.  But either way, these problems obviously need to be addressed.  And once they are addressed this frequently will correct the widespread sensitivity problem.

Let’s go ahead and take a look at each of these health issues:

1) Problems with the liver detoxifying. Our liver is constantly being bombarded with toxins.  There are toxins in the foods we eat, the products we use, and the air we breathe.  I’ll consult with people who have been eating well for a few years and use natural products, and yet still have a lot of sensitivities.  Well, perhaps their liver is detoxifying just fine, but on the other hand, just changing one’s diet and switching to natural products might not be sufficient.

For example, if someone has been eating poorly for years and is being exposed to many other environmental toxins, then this very likely will affect the detoxifying capacity of the liver.  And if such a person just begins eating well and minimizes their exposure to environmental toxins, this without question will help, but won’t necessarily restore the health of the liver.

Plus, one needs to keep in mind that everyone is different.  As a result, some people are able to handle these toxins better than others.  Some people eat a horrible diet for many years and don’t use any natural products at all, yet don’t have any noticeable food sensitivities.  I say “noticeable” because they probably do have some problems with their liver and/or digestive system, but just aren’t experiencing any overt symptoms.  But this can be frustrating for the person who is eating well and using natural products yet is still symptomatic when eating many different foods and/or taking numerous supplements.

2) Increased intestinal permeability. This also is a big issue, as many people have problems with the gut, which definitely can lead to multiple food intolerances.  I’ve spoken about this condition in previous articles and blog posts, but what essentially happens is that due to numerous factors, one develops problems with the intestinal lining, which allows proteins and other larger molecules to pass through into the bloodstream, where they aren’t supposed to be, and as a result the immune system mounts a response.  I have discussed in the past how “leaky gut syndrome” can trigger an autoimmune response, and this condition can also lead to the development of sensitivities to foods and supplements.  And by healing the intestinal lining and rebalancing the gut flora you are very likely to correct the food sensitivity issues.

How Do You Correct These Problems?

Okay then, if someone has one or both of these health issues, then how does one correct the problem?  Usually a combination of eating well and taking certain supplements are necessary.  However, since the person with a liver detoxification problem or increased intestinal permeability won’t be able to tolerate certain foods and supplements, this can be challenging.  Often times one needs to begin focusing on their diet and minimize the supplementation.  Many will need to follow a protocol similar to the GAPS diet, which is a very strict diet that requires the person to eat a lot of fermented foods and pretty much cut out all of the processed foods and sugars.  If you’re not familiar with this diet then you can find out more about it online by visiting www.gapsdiet.com.  There is also a book on this diet.  I’m not suggesting that everyone with widespread food sensitivities will need to follow this diet, but many people with this problem can benefit greatly from it.

As for how long will it take to correct these problems, this obviously varies from case to case.  I typically will have someone follow a liver detoxification program for three weeks, but in some cases they might need to follow this for a longer period of time.  Increased intestinal permeability will usually take longer, as it usually will take anywhere from two to six months to correct, although in some cases it can take longer than this.

In summary, those who have sensitivities to different foods and supplements usually have a problem with 1) the detoxifying ability of their liver, 2) increased intestinal permeability, or 3) a combination of both conditions.  Although this can be a challenge to address, it definitely is possible to do so, and usually the focus needs to be on one’s diet, with a minimal amount of supplementation required.  One also needs to realize that it will take time to correct this problem, but the good news is that in many cases correcting the cause of the problem will allow the person to eat most foods again, and to not have a problem taking most supplements and herbs.

When it comes to avoiding certain foods, if you do enough research you can find a reason to not eat anything.  It can become frustrating, as if you do enough reading and searching on the internet it may seem as if most foods are harmful for you.  Many people reading this are already gluten free, while others are grain free.  Many others are avoiding dairy.  Due to the mercury some people avoid fish.  Other people avoid meat entirely.  Numerous sources recommend for people with hypothyroid conditions to avoid the goitrogenic foods (cruciferous vegetables, spinach, strawberries, etc.).  And of course you should also avoid fruits with a high glycemic index (bananas, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.).  Let’s not forget my recent post where I spoke about the dangers of lectins and phytic acid, and so you also need to be careful about eating beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds.

What I’ve decided to do here is give a breakdown of some of the different “controversial” foods, and for whatever it’s worth give you my opinion as to whether you should eat these foods freely, minimize your consumption of them, or avoid them altogether.

Grains. Many sources recommend for people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions to avoid gluten, while other sources will recommend avoiding ALL grains.  I’ve written about gluten in the past, and I still don’t feel that every single person needs to avoid gluten on a permanent basis.  However, I do think that everyone should at least go on a gluten-free trial for a minimum of four to six weeks.  If someone has a condition such as leaky gut syndrome that is due to a gluten sensitivity issue, then they probably will need to avoid gluten for at least three to six months, and perhaps longer than this.  And of course some people will need to avoid gluten on a permanent basis.  This of course includes those with Celiac Disease, but some other people who are gluten sensitive will also need to avoid gluten for the rest of their life.

As for avoiding all grains, just as is the case with gluten, I don’t think that avoiding all grains is necessary for everyone.  But I do think that people definitely need to minimize their consumption of grains, as they will also spike the blood sugar levels, which in turn will lead to numerous problems with your health.  So when someone is avoiding gluten but is freely eating quinoa, millet, and other gluten-free grains, I don’t think this is a good thing.  Many people need to avoid corn completely, as this gives a lot of people problems from a digestive standpoint, and many people are allergic to corn.  And of course most of the corn in the United States is genetically modified.  Some people will do fine when eating organic corn, but won’t do well when eating genetically modified corn.  And the same concept applies to other genetically modified foods as well

Dairy. Just as is the case with gluten, I recommend for most people to avoid dairy for at least a period of four to six weeks.  With regards to pasteurized milk, I think that this is something which should be avoided completely, even if it’s organic.  Healthier alternatives to cow’s milk include almond milk, coconut milk, and even raw milk.  As for yogurt, many people do fine eating this, but the problem is that most people buy yogurt which has way too much sugar.  This admittedly includes my wife, who likes to eats Stonyfield organic yogurt, but the sugar content is way too high.  But many people are unwilling to eat plain yogurt.  Many cheeses are okay to eat as well, although when going on a “dairy-free trial” I think it’s best to avoid all types of dairy during this time.  As for eggs, most people can eat eggs, although some people are allergic to them, which is why they also should be avoided when going on a dairy-free trial.  But eggs are very healthy foods, and of course if you eat eggs I would make sure they’re organic.

Fish. Many people avoid fish due to the high mercury content.  Of course the type of fish you eat plays a big role, as smaller fish such as sardines and salmon will have a lower mercury content than larger fish.  And as many people reading this already know, if you eat salmon then you ideally want to avoid eating farm-raised salmon, and instead eat wild Alaskan salmon.  I think it’s fine for most people to eat a few servings of fish per week.  Perhaps the exception to this is if someone has been tested for high levels of mercury.  In this case they will definitely want to make sure they’re taking a quality fatty acid supplement, and to be honest, most people who consume fish probably still need to take such a supplement on a daily basis.

Other types of meat (chicken, turkey, beef). As you know, some sources recommend for everyone to avoid meat and to become vegetarians.  I completely respect people who avoid eating meat for ethical reasons, as after I read the book “Diet For A New America” many years ago I admittedly avoided meat for awhile.  But I don’t agree that eating meat is unhealthy.  Of course just like everything else, the quality of the meat makes a big difference, as well as how much meat you eat.  If someone eats most of their meat in the form of fast food, then they are consuming hormones, antibiotics, and who knows what else.  So organic and grass fed is definitely the best way to go.  In my opinion a small serving or two of organic chicken or turkey each day is fine, and having a small serving of organic or free range (and grass fed) beef once or twice a weeks is also okay.  Of course there will be exceptions to this, as some people might be allergic to beef or other type of meat, and thus should avoid eating it.

Goitrogenic foods. Broccoli, kale, cauliflower, spinach, strawberries, peaches, and some other healthy fruits and vegetables have the potential to inhibit thyroid activity when consumed raw.  Cooking these vegetables will help them to lose some of their goitrogenic activity.  But most people, even those with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, can eat a normal amount of raw goitrogenic foods on a daily basis without a problem.  After all, we’re talking about very healthy foods, and so I would try to steam some of the foods mentioned here, but having a serving of strawberries or a couple of servings of raw cruciferous vegetables each day usually won’t cause any problems.  On the other hand, if you have a large amount of raw goitrogenic foods then this might cause problems with the thyroid gland.

All other fruits. Some sources claim that you should avoid eating fruit altogether.  After all, fruits have sugar, and can therefore cause problems with your blood sugar levels.  I disagree with this, as I think it’s fine for most people to eat some fruits on a daily basis.  Eating foods such as apples, blueberries, raspberries, etc., are not a problem for most people if eaten in small amounts, although there are exceptions to this.  On the other hand, foods such as bananas, cantaloupe, and watermelon do have a higher glycemic index, and as a result will spike the blood sugar levels.  Does this mean that you can never eat these foods again?  Of course not, but I wouldn’t consume them on a regular basis, and would stick with fruits with a lower glycemic index.  Also make sure you eat at least twice as many vegetables than fruits each day.

Beans, nuts, and seeds. You can take away the grains and dairy, and even the meat, fish, and goitrogenic foods, but there is no way you’re going to tell me to stop eating nuts and seeds!  I just wrote about this recently in  a previous post, and so I ‘m not going to go into great detail about this.  But the problem with these foods is that they contain lectins and phytic acid, which in turn can cause issues with digestion, including problems with absorption, etc.  If you eat a lot of these foods raw then they can cause health issues to develop, but in my opinion they are fine to eat raw in small quantities.  There are exceptions, as if someone is following a gut repair protocol or doing a liver detoxification then it’s best to avoid these foods.   Other than this, if you have concerns about the impact of lectins and phytic acid on your health, then you can ferment and soak these foods, which will help greatly to decrease both the lectins and phytic acid.

So hopefully after reading this you have a better understanding with regards to what you can and cannot eat.  I of course didn’t cover every single type of food out there, but this should still give you a pretty good idea about which foods you can continue to eat without a problem, and which ones you might want to consider avoiding, or at least minimize your consumption of.  Obviously there will be a difference in opinion between healthcare professionals, as some will agree with my recommendations, while others will disagree with me.  As a result, you probably will need to do some of your own research, and ultimately will need to decide for yourself what’s best for your health.

With New Year’s Eve approaching, I figured it would be a good time to discuss the effects of alcohol consumption on thyroid health.  My goal isn’t to be a party pooper and suggest that you can’t celebrate the New Year with a few drinks.  After all, for many people with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition, having an occasional alcoholic beverage won’t cause any problems.  But drinking alcohol on a regular basis can definitely take its toll on your health.

Although some sources claim that drinking a lot of alcoholic beverages can depress the activity of the thyroid gland, thus resulting in a hypothyroid condition, the main effects of excess alcohol consumption is on the liver and adrenal glands.  Just remember that alcohol is a carbohydrate and will affect the blood sugar levels, and thus consuming a lot of alcohol over a period of months and years can fatigue the adrenals.  Weak adrenals can not only slow down the thyroid gland, but can affect the gut and immune system.

Plus of course alcohol will also impact the liver.  And the liver plays an important role in thyroid health, as some of the conversion of T4 to T3 takes place in the liver.  The liver has other important functions as well, with the most important being detoxification.  So if someone with hyperthyroidism or Graves’ Disease is taking drugs such as Methimazole or PTU, then they really do need to have an optimally functioning liver to help with the detoxification process.  And just because your liver enzymes are within the normal reference range doesn’t mean there are no problems with detoxifying.  By putting a strain on the liver, this will also affect digestion, and can even lead to a condition such as leaky gut syndrome.

But alcohol can also have a direct effect on thyroid health.  Acetaldehyde is a by-product of alcohol, and is one of the main causes of “hangovers” when consuming alcohol.  Acetaldehyde apparently can interfere with the thyroid receptors, which means that even if a person is producing a sufficient amount of thyroid hormone they can have hypothyroid symptoms.

Excess Alcohol Can Cause Other Health Issues As Well

So far we’ve seen how drinking too much alcohol can affect the adrenals, liver, and thyroid gland.  But it can result in other health issues as well.  Alcohol can interfere with the production of hydrochloric acid, which of course will cause problems with digesting food.  It can even cause direct damage to the intestinal lining, resulting in problems with intestinal permeability (leaky gut), which in turn can trigger an autoimmune response, thus leading to conditions such as Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Drinking too much alcohol can also cause damage to the immune system, as well as the nervous system.

Gluten Sensitivity And Alcohol Consumption

Some people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s are sensitive to gluten, and thus attempt to avoid all foods and beverages that have gluten.  But some people aren’t aware that certain alcoholic beverages include gluten.  Keep in mind that there is some controversy as to whether people with a gluten sensitivity problem can drink distilled alcoholic beverages made from grains.  Apparently the distillation process removes the gluten and thus is supposed to be gluten-free.  But there is some controversy over this, and so you want to be careful about consuming certain alcoholic beverages if you have an intolerance to gluten.

However, some companies are specifically making gluten-free alcoholic beverages, as a number of brewers make beer using non-gluten ingredients.  There is also gluten-free vodka, rum, and most wines are also gluten free.  But once again, even if one consumes alcohol that is confirmed to be gluten-free, it still will have the same impact on the blood sugar levels and on the liver.

How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?

So how much alcohol can one safely drink?  This really depends on the person, as in most cases the more the person weighs, the more alcohol they can consume.  But this isn’t always the case.  Many sources claim that it’s fine to drink one or two alcoholic beverages per day.  In my opinion, when dealing with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition it probably is best to limit your consumption to one or two alcoholic beverages per week.  And for my patients who are following a natural treatment protocol, I will frequently tell them to avoid alcohol completely.

Does this mean that someone who follows a natural treatment protocol and drinks one beer or a cup of wine on a frequent basis won’t receive optimal results?  Once again, it really depends on the person, as if someone already has compromised adrenals or a liver that isn’t detoxifying properly, then one or two alcoholic beverages per week might be too much, let alone one or two per day.  But even if someone’s adrenals doesn’t look too bad, I’m still cautious when it comes to alcohol consumption for people who are following a natural treatment protocol.

So if you celebrate the New Year by drinking a glass of wine or champagne, just keep in mind that this can have an effect on your adrenals and liver, and this in turn can affect your thyroid health.  Plus alcohol can also affect the thyroid gland receptors, and directly cause harm to the digestive system, immune system, and nervous system.  And if you’re sensitive to gluten, you want to make sure that any alcoholic beverages you consume are gluten free.  But even if this is the case it will still affect your blood sugar levels, and so anyone with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition wants to minimize their consumption of alcohol not only during New Years Eve, but at other times as well.

I frequently receive emails from people asking what foods they should eat, and which foods they should avoid.  Although I give some specific information regarding what people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions should and shouldn’t eat on my website, when I respond to someone via email I usually tell them to eat mostly whole foods while minimizing their consumption of refined foods and sugars.  This of course is a general answer, and the truth is that there are some health risks associated with certain whole foods in the forms of lectins.

Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins which are found in many different foods.  They are found in all types of grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and some other foods as well.  Lectins can cause all sorts of problems, as they can cause damage to the intestinal lining, thus affecting the absorption of vitamins and minerals, and potentially resulting in a condition such as leaky gut.  As I’ve discussed in previous posts and articles, this condition in turn can trigger an autoimmune response, or exacerbate one’s existing autoimmune condition, such as Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Plus, if someone has a condition such as leaky gut, then the lectins can go into the bloodstream and bind to different tissues, including the thyroid gland, as well as other organs of the body.

Avoiding All Foods Which Contain Lectins Is No Easy Task

It’s bad enough that you might have been told to avoid gluten-based foods and dairy, and perhaps even some other foods, and now here is yet another group of “healthy” foods you’re being told to avoid.  The truth is that it is very difficult to eliminate all of the lectins from one’s diet.  This will be especially challenging for vegetarians and vegans, but it won’t be an easy process even for those who aren’t vegetarians.  In my opinion you definitely should minimize your consumption of grains and unfermented soy.  This isn’t just due to the lectin content, but many people are allergic to these foods.  With regards to grains, while it’s a good idea to minimize your consumption of all grains due to the effects they have on the blood sugar levels, I frequently talk about how most people should specifically go on a gluten-free trial.  And I’ve also written posts in the past on the risks of unfermented soy.

As for other sources of lectins, such as beans , nuts, and seeds, these are healthy foods, but you want to try not eating too many of these foods.  And keep in mind that not all nuts and seeds have an equal amount of lectins.  Peanuts are one of the worse culprits, although other healthier nuts such as raw almonds will also have lectins.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that having a handful of raw almonds or other nuts and seeds will cause leaky gut or trigger an autoimmune response, as to be honest this is unlikely to happen when consuming small amounts of these foods.

However, rather than eating everything raw, you might want to consider cooking some of these foods.  Fermenting and soaking beans, nuts, and seeds can help greatly to reduce the amount of lectins, although this won’t eliminate them completely.  But once again, while you need to be cautious about the foods you eat and try to reduce your exposure to gluten, casein, lectins, etc., you can find something negative with just about every type of food out there.  So while perfection isn’t necessary with regards to one’s diet, one obviously wants to try doing everything they can to have an optimally functioning digestive system.  And minimizing your consumption of grains, along with raw beans, nuts, and seeds, can help to reduce your exposure to lectins.

What About Phytic Acid?

Phytic acid is also found in beans, nuts, and seeds, and can interfere with the absorption of certain minerals (i.e. calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, chromium, etc.).  Once again, fermenting and soaking these foods will help to decrease the amount of phytic acid.  However, this doesn’t mean I recommend never to eat nuts and seeds raw.  While it’s probably best to cook any beans you eat, in my opinion eating a small amount of raw nuts and seeds each day is usually fine.

Plus, if you’re eating nuts in between meals as a snack, then you won’t have to worry as much about them affecting the absorption of the minerals.  For example, if you have lunch, and then a couple of hours later you eat some raw nuts or seeds, then the phytic acid shouldn’t interfere with the absorption of the minerals from the food you had for lunch.  On the other hand, if you eat raw nuts and seeds along with your major meals, or too soon after them, then this is when the absorption of minerals might be affected.

In summary, lectins and phytic acid can both have a negative effect on your health.  As a result, you want to minimize your consumption of grains, and also be careful about eating raw beans, nuts and seeds.  To reduce the amount of lectins and phytic acid, fermenting and soaking these foods will help, although eating a small amount of these foods raw (especially nuts and seeds in between meals) usually won’t cause major problems for most people.

Those who have been reading my blog posts for awhile realize that there are many different factors which can trigger an autoimmune response, and thus lead to the development of an autoimmune thyroid condition.  But most of us don’t think about the potential impact that poor dental health can have on our entire body.  The truth is that there are numerous problems with the teeth and gums which can potentially lead to conditions such as Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, as well as other conditions.  So this is probably one of those posts that you’ll want to forward to your family members and friends, as poor dental health can cause many different health conditions.

In this post I’m going to focus on three of these problems.

1. Mercury Fillings. I’ve written about this in the past, and the good news is that many people are already aware of the impact that mercury has on their health.  I speak with more and more people who have gotten their mercury fillings replaced with white fillings.  However, there are many people who still have mercury fillings.  Some are aware of the health risks involved with mercury fillings, but they can’t afford to get them removed, or just haven’t gotten around to doing so.  To be frank, while mercury can potentially trigger an autoimmune thyroid condition such as Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, people with these conditions need to be extremely careful about having silver fillings removed, as this can also exacerbate the immune system…even if done by a biological dentist.  So while everyone eventually should get their mercury amalgams removed, you want to be smart about doing this, and many times it isn’t wise to do this when initially beginning a natural treatment protocol.

Mercury not only can trigger an autoimmune thyroid condition, but it can also directly bind to the thyroid gland.  When this happens it usually will result in a hypothyroid condition.  Mercury also will interfere with some important minerals that are required for the synthesis of thyroid hormone.  These minerals include zinc, selenium, and magnesium.

While removing any mercury fillings will help greatly, often times this isn’t enough to get rid of the mercury from the body.  This is where a heavy metal detoxification protocol or something like sauna therapy or chelation therapy can help to remove the mercury from the body.  Just keep in mind that some of these procedures can also remove some of the minerals from your body, and so you probably will want to be under the guidance of a competent healthcare professional rather than do this on your own.

2. Gingivitis. One of the keys to restoring someone’s health back to normal is to get rid of the inflammation.  But there are many different factors which can lead to inflammation.  One of the most common factors I speak about is one’s digestive health.  For example, consuming foods that you’re allergic or sensitive to will lead to inflammation.  And if this is the case, then you obviously will need to eliminate these foods from your diet.

But what about a severe case of gingivitis?  I’m not suggesting that inflammation of the gums is a major culprit behind autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  On the other hand, this isn’t something that can be overlooked, as gingivitis is a source of inflammation that has been linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular problems.  So if someone is following a natural treatment protocol and their digestive health is fine, and other commonly compromised areas I have discussed in the past (i.e. adrenals) are also in good health, then one shouldn’t overlook the health of the gums.

So while everyone should of course brush their teeth a few times a day, floss daily, and get checked regularly by a dentist, perhaps it’s even more important for those with autoimmune thyroid conditions to focus on proper dental hygiene.  While this may not play a big role in a person’s recovery, it still isn’t something to be overlooked.

3. Root Canals. This is going to be somewhat controversial, as there seems to be a lot of evidence that root canals can lead to numerous health issues.  Of course if you were to bring this up to most mainstream dentists then they will tell you that this is a myth, and that root canals are completely safe.  On the other hand, if you were to see a biological dentist then they probably would tell you to do everything you could to avoid getting a root canal, even it meant getting the tooth extracted.

I’m not going to get into too much detail about this, but the fear is that after the root canal procedure, even with the sterilization procedure performed bacteria can still be in the root canal treated tooth, which can lead to an infection, and can potentially lead to certain conditions.  For example, since every tooth correlates with a specific body meridian, having a root canal on a tooth that correlates with the liver meridian can potentially affect the health of the liver.  Similarly, if the tooth that correlates with the thyroid gland is affected then this can potentially lead to a thyroid condition.

Does this mean you should not get any root canals, or have teeth removed that have already had a root canal procedure performed?  This is obviously your decision, as of course nobody wants to lose any of their teeth.  On the other hand, if there is the potential that a root canal can lead to certain health issues, such as an autoimmune thyroid condition, or another health problem, then this is something that needs to be considered.  Biological dentists have their own opinions, as do mainstream dentists, and so I would encourage you to do some of your own research and come to your own conclusions.

Finding A Biological Dentist

I have great respect for “general” dentists, as most of them do a great job of correcting cavities, taking care of dental emergencies, and helping people maintain their dental health.  But if you’re looking to get any mercury fillings removed, or if you’re just looking for a dentist who takes a more natural approach, such as not using fluoride during professional cleanings, then your best bet is to see a biological dentist.  You can find a biological dentist by doing a search online for the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT).  You can also visit your local health food store and ask around and see if anyone can recommend a competent biological dentist.

There admittedly aren’t many of these dentists in practice, and so in some cases you might have to drive a few hours to see one.  But if you’re looking to get mercury fillings removed then it is usually well worth the inconvenience.  You do need to be careful, as I’ve come across some dentists who label themselves as “holistic dentists”, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are biological dentists.  In fact, there is a “holistic dentist” located in my town who recommends fluoride treatment and root canals, which are usually opposed by biological dentists.

In summary, having poor dental health can potentially lead to an autoimmune thyroid condition.  So having mercury fillings, gingivitis, and/or a root canal can all be primary factors in these conditions, and of course can lead to the development of other conditions as well.  This doesn’t mean that most cases of Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis are caused by poor dental health, as this probably isn’t the case.  But for anyone who is looking to achieve optimal health, it is important not to overlook this aspect of healthcare.

Some natural doctors claim that they like dealing with tough cases.  Although I look forward to the challenge when I consult with a “tough case”, I honestly wish that it was easy to restore everyone’s health back to normal.  I’m not talking about a quick and miraculous cure, although this would be nice.  But it would be wonderful if everyone who followed a natural treatment protocol simply got better by changing their diet and lifestyle, and if there were no setbacks at all.

Unfortunately this isn’t the case, as I’ve learned that no two patients are the same.  So for example, if two different people with Graves’ Disease walked into my office with similar symptoms and similar labs, this doesn’t mean that both would follow the same exact protocol.  There probably will be some overlap regarding their diet and supplement recommendations, and I will definitely emphasize the importance of stress management and minimizing the reduction of environmental toxins to both people.  But there still will be some differences in the natural treatment protocol followed.  And the same concept applies to people with hypothyroid conditions.

One person might follow the protocol and get consistently better over a period of months.  This is of course the ideal situation, as one wants to see the person’s symptoms improve greatly within one or two months, if not sooner, have their blood and saliva tests normalize, and for them to reach the point where they are in state of “permanent remission”.  Of course even when someone restores their health back to normal they will need to maintain their health, but it can be a challenge to get some people to restore their health in the first place.

Giving The Natural Treatment Protocol A Fair Chance Is Important

It can be a difficult situation when I consult with someone who has been dealing with their condition for many years, and that person has been to numerous natural healthcare professionals without much success in restoring their health back to normal.  Of course sometimes this is the problem itself, as a person will jump from natural doctor to natural doctor without giving any protocol a fair chance.  This is why if someone wants to consult with me who is seeing another holistic doctor, I prefer for them to first finish following the recommended protocol they are currently following.  Of course if they are looking for another doctor because they are uncomfortable with the one they’re currently seeing I completely understand, but if they are switching doctors because they had unrealistic expectations then I honestly would prefer not to consult with such a person.

But sometimes people have seen multiple natural healthcare professionals and have given the natural protocol a fair chance.  Sometimes I will consult with such a person and immediately realize that the natural doctor they saw missed something.  Other times the person was evaluated thoroughly and was put on the proper protocol, but for some reason they didn’t respond.  This admittedly can become frustrating for both the doctor and patient.   The patient wants to get well for obvious reasons, while I want to get people better so they will 1) be able to live a healthy lifestyle, 2) show their friends and family members that natural treatment methods do work, 3) laugh at their endocrinologist who mocked them when they said natural treatment methods are a waste of their time and money, and 4) refer others with similar conditions.

For Extremely “Tough Cases” Begin With These Three Areas

One of the most challenging situations is when someone walks into my office who is allergic to just about everything.  They have many different food allergies, and are also very sensitive to different supplements and herbs.  Sometimes a person doesn’t have many sensitivities, but despite seeing one or more natural healthcare professionals they haven’t responded favorably to the recommended natural treatment protocols.

When this is the case, 95% of the time the problem is coming from one of three areas.  And sometimes the person has a problem in all three of these areas.  These areas of the body are 1) the gut, 2) the liver, and 3) the adrenals.  This doesn’t mean that other areas can’t be the main cause, but for most “tough cases”, one of these three areas are frequently the cause of the problem.  Quite frankly, it’s very common for those who aren’t “tough cases” to also have problems in these areas which is the main cause behind their condition.

For example, weak adrenals will affect both digestion and the immune system, which can in turn trigger an autoimmune response, thus leading to Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.  Problems with the gut can also trigger an autoimmune thyroid disorder.  This is especially true with a condition such as leaky gut syndrome.  And if the liver isn’t functioning properly then this can directly affect the thyroid gland, as well as other systems of the body.  Of course most conventional medical tests will come out negative for these “tough cases”, and so most of the time the person’s endocrinologist or general medical practitioner will rule out digestive, liver, or adrenal issues.  The person will have to reach the point where they have liver damage or a condition like Addison’s disease before their medical doctor will pay attention to these compromised areas of the body.

But not all natural healthcare professionals will detect problems with these areas of the body, and so they might tell the person to clean up their diet and give certain supplements, which may help a little, but by itself won’t restore the health of these “tough cases”.  For example, if the liver isn’t detoxifying properly, then one needs to correct this problem.  If the person has a leaky gut or other digestive issues that are affecting the digestion and absorption of the food they eat and any supplements they take, then this obviously needs to be addressed.  And if the adrenals are compromised, then this definitely needs to be corrected for the person to have any chance of fully recovering.

In summary, I don’t know of any natural healthcare professional who has a 100% success rate, and when dealing with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions there definitely will be some challenges.  For “tough cases”, frequently addressing the gut, liver, and/or adrenals will help greatly in restoring the person’s health back to normal.  Of course sometimes this isn’t the case, which can be frustrating to both the patient and the holistic doctor.  But addressing one or more of these three areas will usually be of tremendous benefit to the patient.

I know many of us say this every year, but it’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is here again.  Before we know it 2013 will arrive.  Of course we still have over a month to go until we reach this point, and while many people will wait until the New Year to focus on their health, here are a three things you can do today to get started:

1. If you eat turkey for Thanksgiving, make sure it’s organic.

2. Have a handful of pecans instead of pecan pie.

3. If you plan on watching football, try to have some healthy snacks, and during halftime go for a walk or jog around the neighborhood.  And if the weather’s bad where you live then do some jumping jacks while watching the game!

I realize that most people aren’t going to follow the advice given above, as many people will eat way too much non-organic turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, etc.  In addition they will load up on the pecan pie, along with other desserts, and the only exercise they’ll get is walking from the living room to the dining room table.  If this is the case, at least consider making some positive changes AFTER Thanksgiving.  Of course I realize that some people reading this have already made some great changes in their diet and lifestyle, and I do commend you for this.  This definitely is a challenging time of the year for many people to eat well, and I’d be lying if I told you I was going to eat a perfect diet during entire holiday season, although I do already have my 21-day liver detoxification planned. In any case, I’d like to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and I’d like to thank you for continuing to read my articles and blog posts.

Dr. Eric

In the gastrointestinal tract we have billions of healthy bacteria which help to maintain our digestive health.  These healthy bacteria are known as the “gut flora”, and they help to keep harmful bacteria, yeast, and parasites in check.  After all, everybody has “bad” organisms living in their body.  For example, just about everyone has Candida Albicans living in their body, but if one has a healthy digestive system then this usually doesn’t pose a problem, and thus won’t lead to a yeast infection.  However, when the gut flora becomes compromised, this is when problems begin to develop.

How does the gut flora become compromised?  I’ve discussed this in numerous posts and articles, and so I’m not going to go into great detail here.  So while there are numerous factors which can cause problems with the gut flora, three of the more common causes are 1) poor diet, 2) poor stress handling skills, 3) taking antibiotics.  Eating a diet high in refined foods and sugars can cause problems with the gut flora.  And of course this is a common problem. The same thing can be said about stress, as dealing with chronic stress on a daily basis will also impact the digestive system.  Taking antibiotics may be necessary at times, but although it will help to eradicate the harmful organisms, it will also kill some of the good bacteria as well.

Why Not Just Take Probiotics?

Many people take probiotics to help balance the gut flora.  Probiotics can definitely play an important role in restoring one’s digestive health back to normal.  But many times taking probiotics alone isn’t enough.  First of all, if there is damage to the intestinal lining, which is the case with leaky gut syndrome, then one needs to do more than take probiotics, as taking these won’t help to repair the intestinal lining.  So they might have to take a few grams of L-glutamine on a daily basis to help with the healing process.  In addition, if someone has a severely compromised digestive system then they might need to take extremely high dosages of probiotics.  In other words, just purchasing probiotics and taking the recommended dose may not be enough.  And of course the quality of the product is very important.

For example, if someone has been taking antibiotics for a long time, then they will probably need to take a higher dosage of probiotics when compared to someone who hasn’t taken antibiotics.  In some cases they might need to take up to 100 billion live organisms daily.  Some of the more common cultures which can help include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.  Saccharomyces boulardii can also be beneficial for those who are taking antibiotics or are experiencing diarrhea.

But once again, taking these organisms alone might not be enough to completely restore one’s digestive health.  If someone has gut issues then I will recommend some type of gut flora balancing protocol.  This will include probiotics, as well as prebiotics (i.e. inulin), and if they have intestinal permeability problems then I will add some supplements to help repair the intestinal lining, provide some immune system support, etc.

How Does This Affect Thyroid Health?

Problems with the gut flora can affect thyroid health in a few different ways.  First of all, if there are problems with the gut flora, then this can interfere with the absorption of vitamins and minerals, which can cause or contribute to thyroid conditions.  For example, if someone has a selenium deficiency which is due to problems with the gut, then this can affect thyroid function, specifically the conversion of T4 to T3.  Many natural healthcare professionals would address this by giving the person selenium supplements, which usually is a good idea.  But in this situation the primary goal should be to correct the absorption problem, so that the body will be able to absorb the selenium, along with other vitamins and minerals.  This might seem like common sense, but it’s amazing how many doctors overlook this.

In addition to decreasing the absorption of vitamins and minerals, an imbalance in the gut flora will also affect the immune system.  An imbalance in the gut flora alone probably won’t trigger an autoimmune condition such as Graves’ Disease or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, but if unaddressed it can lead to a leaky gut, which in turn can lead to the development of an autoimmune condition.  While giving the person some immune system support can be beneficial, the main goal in this situation should be to correct the underlying cause of the problem.

In summary, probiotics are definitely important for anyone who has an imbalanced gut flora.  However, many times taking probiotics alone isn’t enough to correct this problem, and so prebiotics need to be considered, as well as other supplements and herbs.  An imbalance in the gut flora can affect thyroid health by preventing the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals, and when combined with leaky gut it can potentially trigger an autoimmune response.  So while probiotics can benefit many people, other factors usually need to be incorporated into the protocol.

I’ve had a few people with autoimmune thyroid conditions ask me about the benefits of taking low dose naltrexone (LDN), and so I figured I’d put together a brief post discussing this.  Naltrexone is a prescription medication, and it was originally approved by the FDA as a treatment for heroin and opium addicts, as it blocks the effects of these drugs.  50mg was the typical dosage used for this, but in 1985, Dr. Bernard Bihari discovered that lower dosages of naltrexone helped to enhance the person’s immune system.

Fast forward to today, and LDN is used to help people with different types of conditions in order to modulate the immune system.  This includes HIV, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, and autoimmune conditions, including Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.   I’ve heard some stories from people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis who received great results when receiving LDN treatments.  On the other hand, I’ve also come across some people who received this treatment and claimed it didn’t help.

How Does Taking Low Dose Naltrexone Help?

This drug blocks the opiate receptors, which increases the levels of endorphins, and this in turn will modulate the immune system.  This should result in a reduction of thyroid antibodies.  So the goal is to restore the body’s levels of endorphins, which is commonly depleted in people with autoimmune thyroid conditions, and doing this will essentially help to suppress the autoimmune response in people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

What Are The Pros and Cons of LDN?

Well, the benefits of taking this medication is that it potentially can suppress the autoimmune response, thus lowering the thyroid antibodies, and eliminate the person’s symptoms.  It also is relatively inexpensive.  Since the dosage is very small (around 3 to 4.5 mg) side effects are rare.  These are three great reasons to consider giving this treatment a try.

However, there are some disadvantages to this treatment.  One of them is that that not everyone who takes LDN will respond.  Of course the same can be said with other types of treatments as well.  After all, not everyone will do well when taking thyroid medication or receiving radioactive iodine treatment, and not everyone who follows a natural treatment protocol will restore their health back to normal.  Another downside is that the person supposedly will need to take this medication for the rest of their life.  Of course if it doesn’t come with any long term side effects then this might not be a problem.  And while it doesn’t seem to have immediate side effects, the long term effects are still unknown.

The biggest problem with relying on low dose naltrexone alone is that it still doesn’t address the underlying cause of the condition.  Yes, it will help to control the autoimmune response, which is causing the thyroid gland to malfunction.  But it won’t do anything for the cause of the autoimmune condition.  In other words, taking LDN won’t address the factor or factors which triggered the autoimmune response in the first place, which is why you will need to take it on a permanent basis.  So it will do absolutely nothing for weak adrenal glands, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, digestive issues, toxic metals, imbalances of the sex hormones, etc.  So while it might be a better option than taking synthetic thyroid hormone forever or receiving radioactive iodine treatment, LDN is not a cure for any autoimmune thyroid condition.

Combining LDN With A Natural Treatment Approach

I’m not opposed to people with Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis taking low dose naltrexone.  However, for those people who choose LDN I recommend combining it with a natural treatment approach.  Of course part of a natural treatment protocol involves giving supplements and herbs which help suppress the autoimmune response, but if someone wants to incorporate LDN then I have no problem with this.  Even though LDN doesn’t seem to have any serious side effects, I’m still not thrilled about people taking any type of drug, especially on a permanent basis, and so I would of course prefer for someone to follow the natural treatment protocol alone at first, and then perhaps incorporate LDN later on if the person isn’t responding as expected.

In summary, although low dose naltrexone can help some people with the immune system component of Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, this treatment isn’t a cure for these conditions.  While people with autoimmune thyroid conditions may benefit from taking this medication, it doesn’t do anything for weak adrenals, mineral deficiencies, gut issues, toxic metals, hormone imbalances, and other health issues that might act as triggers for Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.