Overcoming Hypothyroidism & Hashimoto’s

 

Hypothyroidism is an under-active thyroid condition, resulting in the thyroid gland not producing or converting enough thyroid hormones. This results in familiar and characteristic symptoms, often striking older women. The condition is said to be autoimmune if it is not resolved by iodine or selenium or any other mineral sufficiency, or if these mineral-increase causes swelling and further irritation on the thyroid. The supposed autoimmune condition of hypothyroidism is known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Most hypothyroidism is elevated to the level of Hashimoto’s (9:1). Here we will discuss what is  believed to be the true cause of this and that condition, and the protocol needed to correct it, including supporting the liver, kidneys, lymphatic  system and adrenal glands,  while also supplementing on critical nutrients that had consequently been depleted.

We have hypothyroidism and/or Hashimoto’s also because we are internally inflamed and clogged with undigested protein in the vessel walls of our capillaries. Our lymphatic system becomes clogged by this build up of excess proteins — polluting the blood and affecting the sensitive thyroid. An ayurvedic herb however called manjistha will help unclog it — thus assisting and allowing proper thyroid function again. This is truly great news!


When antibodies attack the thyroid, then hypothyroidism is now officially called an autoimmune disease — Hashimoto’s.  Hashimoto’s indeed should not be labeled as an auto-immune disorder, as is widely accepted — but more accurately as an adrenal dysfunction. The thyroid makes only two TRUE hormones, while the adrenals make at least 50. The adrenal glands are in control of the immune system. If there is something wrong with your immune system, then there is something wrong with your adrenal glands. The adrenal glands consist not only of the two things on top of your kidneys — it consists of your entire skin structure. Your skin cells ARE your adrenals!

If you have developed hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s, you surely are low on vitamin A, a.k.a. retinol. This is a vitamin that is adequately stored in a proper functioning liver,  and acts as a hormone. Thus a vitamin A deficiency may indicate liver dysfunction. This vitamin A is carried by a transport protein called transthyretin (TTR). This protein also carries T4 — the near inactive hormone made by the thyroid — a.k.a. thyroxine. If there is no vitamin A (retinol), then there may be also low or no proper T4 transportation, either from TTR damage or nutrient deficiency. Then there may be no bio-available conversion of T4 to the very active T3! To improve bio-available retinol in the blood, we need it from our diet. Grass-fed butter and grass-fed/grass-finished liver will actualize this process. So will a fruit like persimmon. Carrot(s) because of its beta carotene content, which converts to a smaller percentage of retinol in the body, is another option. So will sweet potato, and malabar, a.k.a. saan choy (an oriental leafy green). Our adrenals also love retinol.

And what else does our adrenals like? Natural vitamin C — lots of it. Natural vitamin C also has a transport protein, called tyrosinase, which carries numerous molecules of bio-available copper. If you want to feed your adrenals, then give them amla or acerola berry: all sources of natural vitamin C.

Another best thing that our adrenals like is the natural B vitamins. Bee pollen contains all the natural B vitamins your adrenals need, especial vitamin B5, which your adrenals really love. (Taste-test to make sure you’re not allergic to it though.) Bee pollen also contains bio-available copper.

Contrary to popular belief, we do not need as much vitamin D as you may think. 60-80 ng/ml of vitamin D is actually too much. Too much vitamin D creates massive amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Though hydrogen peroxide is a free radical that is needed to a certain degree, too much of it will damage your cells. A vitamin D level of 32 to 45 nanograms per milliliter is actually ideal

In dealing with inflammation, the internal body loses one mineral faster than any other — even by something as simple as stress — yet that mineral is arguably the most important: that mineral is called magnesium. When magnesium leaves, it takes other minerals like potassium and copper with it. Magnesium is like the glue that keeps all the other minerals in place and together. A loss of magnesium will eventually create an inferno of inflammation throughout the body. Not only do you need to replace magnesium daily — it must also be absorbable. If magnesium oxide or magnesium carbonate comes to mind when you think about replacing magnesium, you are sadly mistaken. The absorption rate of these forms of magnesium is pathetically low: 4% or less. Consider instead magnesium glycinate/malate/taurate/citrate.

Vitamin B6, in the form of P5P, further increases magnesium absorption throughout the body on a cellular level. So does healthier salts, namely, Kosher salt (Diamond crystal) or Pickling salt.

If there is inflammation anywhere in the body, there is almost always an ample supply of iron — but not just any iron: destructive, unbound iron, rusting the targeted tissue area. If iron is not attached to hemoglobin or whatever else it should be attached to, it roams freely, causing chaos and inflammation. The thyroid appears to be one of unbound iron’s favorite target. To reduce hypothyroidism\Hashimoto’s, a protocol to reduce this form of iron must be implemented. Consuming the vitamins and other supplements previously mentioned, in their natural form, would be a way to turn unbound iron back into useful iron, your body can absorb properly. Another way is to take IP-6 on an empty stomach, away from food and other supplements. IP-6 is known to chelate iron, along with zinc and calcium out of the body. So naturally, you would want to consume foods with more zinc and calcium during this process.

If you have the condition listed in this article, you may consider stop taking medications, and consider the natural route. Medication has a tendency to make things feel better temporarily, while making thing worse permanently. As a start, consider:

  • A quality brand iodine supplement, like Icelandic Sea Kelp, or a natural selenium supplement like Food Research Selenium E, and note if the condition was caused by any of these popular mineral deficiencies. Otherwise, add:

Healing herbs:

  • Kutki, guduchi and/or burdock root for the liver
  • Astragalus and dandelion root for the kidneys
  • Manjistha for the lymphatic system

Nutritional Support:

  • Grassfed butter/liver: (liver should be no more than one ounce per day, or 7 ounces per week.)
  • Persimmons, carrots (not too much though), sweet potato (not too much though), malabar a.k.a. saan choy (not too much though): all of these contain high beta carotene which can convert to retinol.
  • Natural vitamin C (amla, acerola berry)
  • Bee pollen
  • Magnesium (glycinate, malate, citrate, taurate)
  • P5P

Reducing Excess, Unbound Iron:

  • IP-6 on an empty stomach

(Note: IP-6 depletes certain other minerals, like zinc. So be sure to increase sources of this and other minerals and vitamins.)

 

Magnesium: The King Of Minerals

 

 

As we age, unbound, free iron increases in our body while magnesium decreases. For healthy living, it should be the other way around. Increased magnesium automatically keeps potassium from depleting. There lies the heart connection. Magnesium is not involved in over 300 enzymatic processes — it’s more like over 3000! If you know about methylation, you will know the power of magnesium, and P5P, and copper, and zinc, and manganese, and molybdenum! The number one thing that is depleting magnesium in health conscious people today is taking too much Vitamin D3. If you are taking D3/K2-MK7 without adding magnesium, it would be better had you not taken the former(s). Vitamin D3 depletes retinol (vitamin A), which then depletes ceruloplasmin (a protein needed to transport copper), which then depletes bioavailable copper, which then causes unbound iron buildup and rusting of the blood and organs — because copper regulates iron. Which then causes a great depletion of magnesium!

I’ve seen statistics estimating that 60 percent of the population is deficient in magnesium; and I’ve seen others raising it to 85 percent. In reality though, I believe the entire human race is deficient in magnesium! Yes, even 100 percent of all people may be deficient in this important mineral. Even those eating the healthiest foods in the world are deficient. Even those supplementing in high doses are deficient. Magnesium is very easy to lose, like water vapor is very easy to dissipate. Even stress depletes magnesium. Even thinking too hard depletes magnesium. Heat depletes magnesium in our body. Cold depletes magnesium. Exercise depletes magnesium. A sedentary lifestyle depletes magnesium. Consuming the wrong type of magnesium depletes magnesium. Too much or too little of any other mineral or vitamin depletes magnesium. Inflammation anywhere in the body uses magnesium like gasoline, depleting it. Just being alive depletes magnesium.

Magnesium is so important for so many things and is needed in so many things. Our cell’s mitochondria needs magnesium to work at all . The enzymes used to create energy during ATP, from cellular respiration, need magnesium. Potassium and sodium depend on magnesium. Progesterone and all other hormones need magnesium as a co-factor. If you have low progesterone, you have low magnesium. To even sleep properly, you need magnesium. Serotonin, dopamine and melatonin depend on magnesium.

Supplementing magnesium via vegetables is surprisingly not easy. Supplementing it with chlorophyll is also impractical. What is chlorophyll — what does it look like? If you think it’s that green liquid thing you see in bottles, you are sadly mistaken. Chlorophyll does not come in liquid form! Currently, I am taking magnesium glycinate/malate combination, about 500 mg, per day — because they are among the most absorbable forms of magnesium. If you think something like magnesium oxide is absorbable, you are sadly mistaken. You would be lucky to receive even a rate of 4% absorption.

There are other absorbable forms of magnesium besides glycinate and malate, that can be taken — such as magnesium citrate, found in Natural Calm Canada. I personally would rotate between the different forms of absorbable magnesium rather than stick to just one brand. And there is mineral water. Spring water has an affinity to magnesium— it loves this mineral. Decocting or infusing herbs in hot water extracts the magnesium into the water.

You could get magnesium from such herbs as turmeric, guduchi, fenugreek, eclipta alba, saffron, olive leaf extract and many more. However, herbs are designed to be used sparingly— typically 1/4 teaspoon per day, or less.

People’s bodies are not aged by time, but by a depleting of magnesium (and others), an increase in unbound iron; and the build-up of toxins and heavy metals in our cells and tissues, and even by the oxidation of fatty acids.

But what if you can’t tolerate magnesium?

If you cannot tolerate magnesium, that means you cannot tolerate oxalates, which means you are eating too much high oxalate foods or your liver is producing too much oxalates. We have heard of calcium oxalates — but we hardly ever hear of magnesium oxalates.
Furthermore, if you cannot tolerate too much magnesium, that means you are low in potassium as well, and there is a severe electrolyte imbalance.

Solution simple: AVOID high oxalate foods such as soy, raspberries, nuts, seeds, spinach, swiss chard, okra, beet greens, chocolate, etc.
INCREASE your potassium with yam, coconut water, etc.
Take magnesium in more absorbable forms, such as cream, spray and Epsom salt baths, bypassing the liver and kidneys.
The glycine in magnesium glycinate can aggravate the condition. So consider a more tolerable form, like magnesium malate. The malate, or malic acid, in magnesium malate actually helps neutralize or gently excrete oxalates.
Drink spring water, which contains natural magnesium.
Do a liver and kidneys cleans with artichokes and dandelion root.

Suggestions on quality magnesium brands: