Thyroid Mystery Solved: Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism Revealed

The Case:  Anna is experiencing IBS, fatigue, anxiety and generally doesn’t feel well.  She was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s years ago but doctors did not offer real solutions. She wanted to try adjusting her diet but research led her down a deep rabbit hole that left her confused about the best diet for her IBS, autoimmunity and other symptoms. The Investigation There is a lot of information on the internet and some of it is conflicting which makes it very hard to figure out which one to try. This inundation of sometimes conflicting information can be overwhelming and that’s exactly what Anna was experiencing when she came to me. There were a lot of things to take into consideration in finding the right nutrition plan for Anna. Joining me on the show to talk more about the overwhelming amount of diet information is Risa Groux. She’s a Functional Nutritionist, Certified Autoimmune Coach and author of  FOODFRAME: Diet is a Four-Letter Word.  It’s a comprehensive guide to using functional nutrition guidelines to identify the root causes of various health issues so I knew she was the perfect person to consult with on Anna’s case.  What are the Most Popular Diets for Autoimmunity Right Now? Some of the most popular diets are Paleo, Ketogenic, Autoimmune Protocol, Vegan, Low FODMAP and Low Lectin. One of the first things that Risa recommends when considering following a set diet is to take into consideration your health status. For example, if you are pre-diabetic, diabetic, SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), or if you have an autoimmune disease, there may be diets that are better suited to you or not suitable to you.  What is the Paleo Diet?  Risa says this diet has the broadest appeal and as result it is the most commonly recommended. Many people know of it as the ‘Caveman diet’ because it focuses on the things that we ate at the beginning of time. This includes animal protein (not deep fried, of course), and some plant carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and yams. It also includes good fats like olives, nuts, seeds, and eggs. It doesn’t include foods that came later like legumes, grains, sugar, processed foods, and alcohol.  One of the other things to avoid on this diet is any food that might have pesticides, herbicides, chemicals, dyes, toxins (there are over 3000 approved for human consumption) or be GMO since these were also not around during primitive times.  This diet is very good for anyone dealing with inflammation and blood sugar issues. PROS Helps regulate the blood sugar Good for skin Good for blood pressure and cardiovascular health Reduces inflammation Promotes weight loss Increases energy  CONS Can be challenging for vegans  What is a Ketogenic Diet? The ketogenic diet, also known as ‘Keto’ is a diet that helps get the body into a ketosis by changing the fuel source from carbohydrates or sugars (the most common fuel source for our bodies) to fat. Typically, the pancreas creates insulin and glycogen and drives it into the cells. Then mitochondria uses those to make energy.  By avoiding carbohydrates on the ketogenic diet, you change your metabolic state into ketosis which then uses fat as fuel. To stay in the state of ketosis, your diet needs to be 70-80% quality fats. The diet also allows for animal protein (since it has no carbohydrates), and a very small amount (less than 20 g/day) of low-carb vegetables. Anyone on this diet will need to drink a lot of water to keep the colon hydrated since the diet contains very little fiber. The diet should not be a long-term diet. Risa suggests 3 months as a good length of time for Keto.  PROS Good for blood sugar regulation Good for diabetics Effective for weight loss Good for heart disease Helps with acne Improves brain fog and supports brain function CONS Hard to get sufficient fiber Difficult to stay in and track state of ketosis Not suggested for anyone who struggles to digest or absorb fat or has had their gallbladder removed. Difficult for anyone who needs to travel Not as good for women, especially if they have adrenal issues Not suggested for anyone with kidney issues What is the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet? The autoimmune protocol diet, often referred to as AIP, is similar to paleo and low lectin but was developed specifically to help those with autoimmune issues reset. It is especially helpful for those who have just been diagnosed and are experiencing a lot of symptoms but can also benefit those who do not have autoimmune issues. It’s an elimination diet that is intended to last 30-90 days.  The diet itself is very similar to the Paleo diet but it goes a few steps further as it also eliminates nightshades which include tomatoes, potatoes (except yams and sweet potatoes), eggplant, peppers (except black pepper) and Goji berries. The diet also removes some nuts, seeds, dairy and eggs.  On this diet, you are allowed to eat animal protein, vegetables, sweet potato, yams and some good fats - so it’s very restrictive. After the prescribed time, you can start adding foods back in, slowly and one at a time, to help identify specific issues that may cause problems for you individually.  PROS Cleans out the system Helps identify potential triggers Anyone can do it and benefit, not just autoimmune Decreases systemic inflammation.  Improves gut health Decreases blood sugars CONS Temporary solution as it only last 30-90 days (but it can be repeated periodically) Very restrictive What’s in a Low Lectin Diet? Lectins are under the umbrella of antinutrients. They are found in the protective shell of seeds and some vegetable and fruit skins. It can be difficult for the digestive system to break down which can in turn cause inflammation especially if someone has leaky gut syndrome. We know that inflammation is the driver disease. The diet requires the elimination of a lot of fruit and vegetable skins and seeds including tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers and some tropical fruits like bananas, dates, and coconuts. It also excludes dairy, legumes, grains, cashews, and corn. Even grains that are gluten-free like quinoa are excluded.  PROS Some find it easier than AIP with similar benefits Does allow for some sugar alcohols CONS Suitable for everyone  Anyone with IBS, IBD or SIBO will need to further restrict the Low-Lectin diet to remove sugar alcohols. What is the Low FODMAP Diet? FODMAP is an acronym and it stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols which are short-chain sugars that get fermented in the system but they absorb water. As a result, they typically cause bloating and gastric upset.  This diet recommended for anyone who has chronic bloating, has been diagnosed with IBS or IBD. The Low FODMAP diet is an elimination diet that usually lasts 30-90 days. Risa says you’ll get the best results if you start off strict.  You want to eliminate any foods that you personally feel causes bloating. You also eliminate cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts) as well as some other vegetables like artichokes, onion, garlic and veggies with high carbohydrates.  PROS Good for reducing inflammation Good for those with IBS CONS Very challenging  Not many commercially produced foods available (more coming on the market now) What is a Vegan Diet? The vegan diet restricts all food that is of animal origin including byproducts of animals like dairy, gelatin, rennet, and honey.  Risa is not a fan of the vegan (or even the healthy vegetarian diet) because she believes that every meal should have protein, fat, and fiber which, she believes, can be very challenging in a vegan or vegetarian diet. This is why she stopped being a vegan.  The vegan diet is especially challenging for anyone with SIBO since most vegan diets include a lot of lectins and high FODMAP foods which will cause inflammation and bloating. The vegan diet, according to Risa, can also be challenging for regulating blood sugars and weight since it typically contains a lot of carbohydrates in the form of beans, nuts, and seeds.  PROS Studies suggest it helps fight or possibly reverse/mitigate certain cancers and heart disease CONS Blood sugar needs to be monitored Not really great for anyone with the gene mutation MTHFR which prevents us from methylating or processing  B12 and folate B9 Can be difficult to get sufficient fiber (women need about 25 grams per day and men need 38 grams)  May be deficient in dietary Zinc May be deficient in omega3 fatty acids (which is often from fish consumption)  May include consumption of GMO soy  Mystery Solved As Risa explained, there are many things to take into consideration when selecting a therapeutic diet. We are all unique and our diets should be too. While it’s helpful to look at some of these main rules, it’s also important to listen to our body. I wholeheartedly believe over restriction is not ideal in the long run. Limiting things while we are fixing the gut, calming the immune system and supporting the body, may be valuable in the short term. We have to diversify our gut microbiome and that can only happen with a diverse diet, it's not just about probiotics. With Anna, we started with a low lectin, low iodine diet to help calm her immune response.  We supported her gut and liver pathways while also optimizing her thyroid. This is a process that takes some time. When done correctly and in the right order (this is something I actually teach in my step-by-step Hashimoto’s program) it is very effective.  Conclusion Once we completed that, Anna felt so so so much better! Her energy improved, her IBS completely resolved and her thyroid antibodies came way down. We started to slowly introduce one new food at a time. The process of re-introducing foods can take a month or more but Anna was patient and abided by the motto, ‘slow and steady’.  Happy Ending Anna was able to add back in a lot of foods. She now follows a gluten-free, dairy-free diet but is able to have grains, legumes, and lectin. She limits refined foods and sugars which is always a good practice. She finds this diet to be very manageable for the long term especially because she is feeling so much better.  Eliminating Health Mysteries For Anna we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could an individualized therapeutic diet be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?  Links: Resources mentioned Thanks to my guest Risa Groux. You can connect with her through her website and on Facebook and Instagram.    Suggested Products Step-by-Step Hashimoto’s Program: www.thyroidmysterysolved.com Related Podcast Episodes: The Case of Daily Bloating and Gas w/ Dr. Seth Osgood Counting Calories Not Working for Weight Loss? Try This Instead [Ask Inna] More Answers to Your Hashimoto’s Questions (Part 2) What Does a Nutritionist Feed her Kids to Foster Good, Lifelong Eating Habits? How to Reprogram your Gut Microbiome for Optimal Digestion, Weight Loss and Anti-Aging Thanks for Listening If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information. Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show! Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com

Show Notes

Hashimoto’s and your Thyroid Type
FREE TRAINING AND SUPPORT CALL
Thursday May 16th 8:30pm Eastern Time
Register Now:  https://innatopiler.com/zoomcall/

The Case:  
  • Anna is experiencing IBS, fatigue, anxiety and generally doesn’t feel well. 
  • She was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s years ago but doctors did not offer real solutions.
  • She wanted to try adjusting her diet but research led her down a deep rabbit hole that left her confused about the best diet for her IBS, autoimmunity and other symptoms.
The Investigation
There is a lot of information on the internet and some of it is conflicting which makes it very hard to figure out which one to try. This inundation of sometimes conflicting information can be overwhelming and that’s exactly what Anna was experiencing when she came to me. There were a lot of things to take into consideration in finding the right nutrition plan for Anna.
Joining me on the show to talk more about the overwhelming amount of diet information is Risa Groux. She’s a Functional Nutritionist, Certified Autoimmune Coach and author of  FOODFRAME: Diet is a Four-Letter Word.  It’s a comprehensive guide to using functional nutrition guidelines to identify the root causes of various health issues so I knew she was the perfect person to consult with on Anna’s case. 
What are the Most Popular Diets for Autoimmunity Right Now? 
Some of the most popular diets are Paleo, Ketogenic, Autoimmune Protocol, Vegan, Low FODMAP and Low Lectin. One of the first things that Risa recommends when considering following a set diet is to take into consideration your health status. For example, if you are pre-diabetic, diabetic, SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), or if you have an autoimmune disease, there may be diets that are better suited to you or not suitable to you. 
What is the Paleo Diet?  
Risa says this diet has the broadest appeal and as result it is the most commonly recommended. Many people know of it as the ‘Caveman diet’ because it focuses on the things that we ate at the beginning of time. This includes animal protein (not deep fried, of course), and some plant carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and yams. It also includes good fats like olives, nuts, seeds, and eggs. It doesn’t include foods that came later like legumes, grains, sugar, processed foods, and alcohol. 
One of the other things to avoid on this diet is any food that might have pesticides, herbicides, chemicals, dyes, toxins (there are over 3000 approved for human consumption) or be GMO since these were also not around during primitive times. 
This diet is very good for anyone dealing with inflammation and blood sugar issues.
PROS
  • Helps regulate the blood sugar
  • Good for skin
  • Good for blood pressure and cardiovascular health
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Promotes weight loss
  • Increases energy 
CONS
  • Can be challenging for vegans 
What is a Ketogenic Diet? 
The ketogenic diet, also known as ‘Keto’ is a diet that helps get the body into a ketosis by changing the fuel source from carbohydrates or sugars (the most common fuel source for our bodies) to fat. Typically, the pancreas creates insulin and glycogen and drives it into the cells. Then mitochondria uses those to make energy. 
By avoiding carbohydrates on the ketogenic diet, you change your metabolic state into ketosis which then uses fat as fuel. To stay in the state of ketosis, your diet needs to be 70-80% quality fats. The diet also allows for animal protein (since it has no carbohydrates), and a very small amount (less than 20 g/day) of low-carb vegetables.
Anyone on this diet will need to drink a lot of water to keep the colon hydrated since the diet contains very little fiber. The diet should not be a long-term diet. Risa suggests 3 months as a good length of time for Keto. 
PROS
  • Good for blood sugar regulation
  • Good for diabetics
  • Effective for weight loss
  • Good for heart disease
  • Helps with acne
  • Improves brain fog and supports brain function
CONS
  • Hard to get sufficient fiber
  • Difficult to stay in and track state of ketosis
  • Not suggested for anyone who struggles to digest or absorb fat or has had their gallbladder removed.
  • Difficult for anyone who needs to travel
  • Not as good for women, especially if they have adrenal issues
  • Not suggested for anyone with kidney issues
What is the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet? 
The autoimmune protocol diet, often referred to as AIP, is similar to paleo and low lectin but was developed specifically to help those with autoimmune issues reset. It is especially helpful for those who have just been diagnosed and are experiencing a lot of symptoms but can also benefit those who do not have autoimmune issues. It’s an elimination diet that is intended to last 30-90 days. 
The diet itself is very similar to the Paleo diet but it goes a few steps further as it also eliminates nightshades which include tomatoes, potatoes (except yams and sweet potatoes), eggplant, peppers (except black pepper) and Goji berries. The diet also removes some nuts, seeds, dairy and eggs. 
On this diet, you are allowed to eat animal protein, vegetables, sweet potato, yams and some good fats - so it’s very restrictive. After the prescribed time, you can start adding foods back in, slowly and one at a time, to help identify specific issues that may cause problems for you individually. 
PROS
  • Cleans out the system
  • Helps identify potential triggers
  • Anyone can do it and benefit, not just autoimmune
  • Decreases systemic inflammation. 
  • Improves gut health
  • Decreases blood sugars
CONS
  • Temporary solution as it only last 30-90 days (but it can be repeated periodically)
  • Very restrictive
What’s in a Low Lectin Diet? 
Lectins are under the umbrella of antinutrients. They are found in the protective shell of seeds and some vegetable and fruit skins. It can be difficult for the digestive system to break down which can in turn cause inflammation especially if someone has leaky gut syndrome. We know that inflammation is the driver disease.
The diet requires the elimination of a lot of fruit and vegetable skins and seeds including tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers and some tropical fruits like bananas, dates, and coconuts. It also excludes dairy, legumes, grains, cashews, and corn. Even grains that are gluten-free like quinoa are excluded. 
PROS
  • Some find it easier than AIP with similar benefits
  • Does allow for some sugar alcohols
CONS
  • Suitable for everyone 
  • Anyone with IBS, IBD or SIBO will need to further restrict the Low-Lectin diet to remove sugar alcohols.
What is the Low FODMAP Diet? 
FODMAP is an acronym and it stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols which are short-chain sugars that get fermented in the system but they absorb water. As a result, they typically cause bloating and gastric upset. 
This diet recommended for anyone who has chronic bloating, has been diagnosed with IBS or IBD. The Low FODMAP diet is an elimination diet that usually lasts 30-90 days. Risa says you’ll get the best results if you start off strict. 
You want to eliminate any foods that you personally feel causes bloating. You also eliminate cruciferous vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts) as well as some other vegetables like artichokes, onion, garlic and veggies with high carbohydrates. 
PROS
  • Good for reducing inflammation
  • Good for those with IBS
CONS
  • Very challenging 
  • Not many commercially produced foods available (more coming on the market now)
What is a Vegan Diet? 
The vegan diet restricts all food that is of animal origin including byproducts of animals like dairy, gelatin, rennet, and honey. 
Risa is not a fan of the vegan (or even the healthy vegetarian diet) because she believes that every meal should have protein, fat, and fiber which, she believes, can be very challenging in a vegan or vegetarian diet. This is why she stopped being a vegan. 
The vegan diet is especially challenging for anyone with SIBO since most vegan diets include a lot of lectins and high FODMAP foods which will cause inflammation and bloating. The vegan diet, according to Risa, can also be challenging for regulating blood sugars and weight since it typically contains a lot of carbohydrates in the form of beans, nuts, and seeds. 
PROS
  • Studies suggest it helps fight or possibly reverse/mitigate certain cancers and heart disease
CONS
  • Blood sugar needs to be monitored
  • Not really great for anyone with the gene mutation MTHFR which prevents us from methylating or processing  B12 and folate B9
  • Can be difficult to get sufficient fiber (women need about 25 grams per day and men need 38 grams) 
  • May be deficient in dietary Zinc
  • May be deficient in omega3 fatty acids (which is often from fish consumption) 
  • May include consumption of GMO soy 
Mystery Solved
As Risa explained, there are many things to take into consideration when selecting a therapeutic diet. We are all unique and our diets should be too. While it’s helpful to look at some of these main rules, it’s also important to listen to our body. I wholeheartedly believe over restriction is not ideal in the long run. Limiting things while we are fixing the gut, calming the immune system and supporting the body, may be valuable in the short term.
We have to diversify our gut microbiome and that can only happen with a diverse diet, it's not just about probiotics.
With Anna, we started with a low lectin, low iodine diet to help calm her immune response.
We supported her gut and liver pathways while also optimizing her thyroid. This is a process that takes some time. When done correctly and in the right order (this is something I actually teach in my step-by-step Hashimoto’s program) it is very effective.
Conclusion
Once we completed that, Anna felt so so so much better! Her energy improved, her IBS completely resolved and her thyroid antibodies came way down. We started to slowly introduce one new food at a time. The process of re-introducing foods can take a month or more but Anna was patient and abided by the motto, ‘slow and steady’.
Happy Ending
Anna was able to add back in a lot of foods. She now follows a gluten-free, dairy-free diet but is able to have grains, legumes, and lectin. She limits refined foods and sugars which is always a good practice. She finds this diet to be very manageable for the long term especially because she is feeling so much better.
Eliminating Health Mysteries
For Anna we were able to find that missing piece of the health puzzle and help her regain her health. Could an individualized therapeutic diet be the missing clue for you or someone in your life?
Links:
Resources mentioned
Thanks to my guest Risa Groux. You can connect with her through her website and on Facebook and Instagram.

Suggested Products
Step-by-Step Hashimoto’s Program: www.thyroidmysterysolved.com
Related Podcast Episodes:  The Case of Daily Bloating and Gas w/ Dr. Seth Osgood  Counting Calories Not Working for Weight Loss? Try This Instead  [Ask Inna] More Answers to Your Hashimoto’s Questions (Part 2)  What Does a Nutritionist Feed her Kids to Foster Good, Lifelong Eating Habits?  How to Reprogram your Gut Microbiome for Optimal Digestion, Weight Loss and Anti-Aging

Thanks for Listening
If you like what you heard, please rate and review this podcast. Every piece of feedback not only helps me create better shows, it helps more people find this important information.
Never miss an episode -  Subscribe NOW to Health Mysteries Solved with host, Inna Topiler on  Apple Podcasts,  Spotify,  Stitcher or  Google Podcasts and remember to rate and review the show!
Find out more at http://healthmysteriessolved.com

Hashimoto’s and your Thyroid Type
FREE TRAINING AND SUPPORT CALL
Thursday May 16th 8:30pm Eastern Time
Register Now:  https://innatopiler.com/zoomcall/

What is Thyroid Mystery Solved: Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism Revealed?

If you have Hashimoto’s or Hypothyroidism - YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE. You have probably seen a doctor (or two) to help you improve energy, lose weight, reduce brain fog, help hair loss and many other symptoms. You may have tried medication and maybe even diet changes and supplements. 

However even with that, you may still not feel completely supported or back to your old self. Instead you are likely feeling discouraged, dismissed, and lost. Sound familiar?
 
When it comes to dealing with your frustrating thyroid, Hashimoto's and autoimmunity symptoms, you have to really understand where the symptoms stem from and look at them from all angles - like a detective.

That’s exactly what host, Inna Topiler does in Thyroid Mystery Solved - Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism Revealed. As a leading Thyroid and Hashimoto’s expert and Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist with 20 years in clinical practice, she refuses to accept the unexplained and looks at thyroid in a much more detailed way. 

In this podcast, she shares real cases where she reveals how she solved the thyroid issue and gives the exact protocols that she used with her patients, clients and students to help them feel like their old selves. She shares her vast knowledge and sheds so much light on thyroid and offers practical step by step guides to help you feel better too. 

The answers are out there, you just have to know where to find the clues. Whether you are newly diagnosed with Hashimoto's or Hypothyroidism or have been dealing with thyroid challenges for a while, please know you are NOT alone. This is a place where you will be seen, heard and understood and will gain such valuable insights with Inna's in depth and heartfelt explanations. 

It’s time for you to solve your Thyroid Mystery without having to spend hours a day researching or struggling to make sense of contradicting information.  The life you deserve is closer than you think and YES you CAN lose weight, improve your energy, fight brain fog and reduce inflammation with Hashimoto's and thyroid issues. 

Subscribe to Thyroid Mystery Solved - Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism Revealed and Inna will show you as many possible answers starting right NOW!