Keto And Underactive Thyroid: Dr. Berg's Approach

Dr. Eric Berg explores the relationship between the thyroid and the keto diet, offering insights into how keto influences thyroid function and ways to maintain thyroid health while on a keto diet. He addresses the concern that keto may worsen thyroid function, especially in those with hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, leading to a slower metabolism. Dr. Berg clarifies that a well-formulated keto plan doesn't worsen thyroid function but rather improves its efficiency. He highlights the importance of distinguishing between keto's effects on thyroid hormone levels and actual thyroid function. While keto may decrease T4 levels, it doesn't negatively impact metabolism or thyroid health. Dr. Berg also provides practical tips for managing thyroid health on keto, including regular thyroid testing and consulting a healthcare team. He emphasizes the role of dietary choices, such as avoiding gluten and soy, and supplements like selenium, vitamin D3, and probiotics, in supporting thyroid health and reducing inflammation.

Keto can lower T4 levels by up to 40% but this doesn't affect metabolism or thyroid health

The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, plays a crucial role in managing our metabolism. Thyroid hormones such as T4 and T3 are essential for controlling metabolism. While T4, or thyroxine, is the inactive form, T3 is the active form of the thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland produces hormones that the liver converts into their active form, T3.

When it comes to the ketogenic diet, there are concerns about its impact on thyroid function. Specifically, it is understood that sticking to a keto or low-carb plan can lead to a decrease in T4 levels by up to 40%. This reduction in T4 levels sparks worries about potential negative consequences for both thyroid health and metabolic rates.

However, it is important to note that despite the drop in T4 levels, there is no significant change in metabolism. TSH levels, which stimulate the thyroid gland to produce hormones, remain stable when individuals follow a keto or low-carb diet. This indicates that the body can adapt to dietary changes and maintain a healthy metabolic rate, even with lower T4 levels.

Furthermore, the keto diet has been found to increase the sensitivity of T3. The T3 hormone becomes more efficient on a low-carb or keto diet, allowing it to effectively regulate metabolism and energy balance even at lower levels. This adaptation positively affects thyroid health and helps maintain smooth metabolic function while on a keto diet.

In conclusion, while keto can lower T4 levels by up to 40%, it does not negatively affect metabolism or thyroid health. The body can adjust to these changes, and the increased sensitivity of T3 ensures that metabolic functions remain stable.

A low-calorie diet can cause hypothyroidism by increasing stress on the endocrine system

The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that plays a crucial role in managing metabolism. It produces hormones like T4 and T3, which are essential for controlling metabolic processes. When individuals drastically reduce their calorie intake, it can have negative consequences for thyroid function and overall health.

The Impact of Low-Calorie Diets on Thyroid Function

Low-calorie diets can cause a decrease in T4 levels, which are essential for thyroid health and metabolic rate regulation. This reduction in T4 levels can stress the endocrine system and lead to a state of chronic starvation, negatively affecting the body's functioning. The body interprets this as a stressful event, causing it to enter starvation mode, holding on to its resources and leading to a decrease in the efficiency of biological processes.

Research has shown a correlation between extended periods of low-calorie dieting and reduced thyroid function. One study found that women who restricted their calorie intake to 1200 kcal/day experienced significantly increased levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. High cortisol levels can lead to weight gain, severe fatigue, and high blood pressure. Additionally, low-calorie diets have been associated with decreased levels of T3 and T4, which are hormones associated with thyroid function and typically decreased in individuals with hypothyroidism.

The Role of Nutrition in Thyroid Health

Nutrition plays a crucial role in thyroid health. A well-balanced diet ensures the body receives the necessary nutrients to support thyroid function. When following a low-calorie diet, it is essential to ensure adequate mineral and vitamin intake, as a deficiency can impact thyroid health. For example, minerals like iodine and selenium are crucial for thyroid health, and their deficiency can trigger physiological disorders.

The Impact of Keto Diet on Thyroid Function

The ketogenic diet has been a subject of debate regarding its impact on thyroid function. While some people swear by it for weight loss and energy boost, others raise concerns about potential issues with thyroid function. However, research suggests that keto and low-carb diets do not negatively affect thyroid health, even for athletes. The keto diet may even improve thyroid function by boosting hormone sensitivity and efficiency, particularly for T3 levels.

Managing Thyroid Health on a Keto Diet

To maintain thyroid health while on a keto diet, it is recommended to monitor thyroid levels regularly through tests such as TSH, T4, and T3. Consulting with a healthcare team before starting a keto diet is essential, especially for individuals with existing thyroid issues. Additionally, ensuring adequate nutrient intake, such as iodine and selenium, can support thyroid health and prevent the onset of hypothyroidism.

Gluten intolerance may cause autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's or Graves' disease

Gluten intolerance may cause autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's or Graves disease

The thyroid gland controls your metabolism, but its function can be affected by autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's or Graves disease. Gluten intolerance may contribute to the disruption of thyroid function. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

Autoimmune Diseases and the Thyroid

When the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, it can lead to either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Some people may be more prone to developing these autoimmune disorders due to gluten intolerance, but the cause of this is unknown.

Gluten and Inflammation

Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder caused by gluten, causes inflammation throughout the body, especially in the gut. A component of gluten, gliadin, resembles enzymes in our bodies, including those in the thyroid gland. This similarity can cause an attack on both fronts, leading to damage from celiac disease and potentially triggering Hashimoto's or Graves' disease if there is a genetic susceptibility.

Gluten's Impact on the Thyroid

If you have an autoimmune thyroid condition, gluten may cause more harm than good. Eating anything containing gluten may result in a provocative reaction, potentially causing injury to both the digestive tract lining and the thyroid.

Gliadin: The Thyroid Imposter

Gluten contains gliadin, a component that looks like enzymes in your thyroid. For those with autoimmune thyroid issues such as Hashimoto's or Graves' disease, this can be detrimental as the body may end up attacking its thyroid when it mistakes gliadin for an enzyme.

When Your Immune System Goes Haywire

When you eat gluten with antibodies against gliadin, your immune system goes into overdrive. It attacks the gliadin and your thyroid, causing inflammation. This inflammation can lead to autoimmune diseases and other health issues. Chronic inflammation from gluten can also interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to weight changes.

The Impact of Regular Gluten Consumption

Research shows that regular consumption of gluten-containing foods can increase the risk of developing autoimmune disorders. Given this risk, it is advisable to avoid gluten consumption if you have thyroid issues.

Dietary Changes for Autoimmune Thyroid Conditions

For those with autoimmune thyroid disorders, gluten-containing grains can cause inflammation and should be avoided. A strict gluten-free diet is recommended for better health.

Intermittent fasting and keto can reduce inflammation, benefiting thyroid health

Intermittent fasting and keto are two of the hottest health trends right now, and both have solid research backing their purported benefits. But can they be combined, and what are the advantages?

Intermittent Fasting and Keto: The Basics

The ketogenic (keto) diet is a high-fat, very low-carb way of eating. Typically, carbs are reduced to 20-50 grams per day, which forces the body to rely on fats instead of glucose for energy. This metabolic process is known as ketosis.

Intermittent fasting, on the other hand, is an eating pattern that alternates between periods of fasting and normal eating. There are several methods, but the most popular is the 16/8 method, which involves fasting for 16 hours and eating within an eight-hour window.

Reducing Inflammation

Intermittent fasting and keto can both reduce inflammation in the body, which is a critical factor when dealing with thyroid conditions.

Intermittent fasting has been shown to improve gut microbiome health, which plays a role in thyroid function. It can also reduce oxidative stress and lower inflammatory biomarkers, which are often high in those with autoimmune disorders.

Keto reduces inflammation by limiting carb intake and increasing healthy fats. This can be especially beneficial for those with autoimmune thyroid issues, as it may reduce the risk of the body attacking its thyroid.

Benefits for Thyroid Health

By reducing inflammation, intermittent fasting and keto can help manage thyroid disorder symptoms.

Intermittent fasting may help restore the gut microbiome, promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which can indirectly help manage thyroid health.

Keto can boost hormone sensitivity and efficiency, especially for T3 levels. This means that even at lower levels, T3 can still efficiently regulate metabolism and energy balance, which is great for thyroid health and metabolic function.

Things to Consider

While combining keto and intermittent fasting is likely safe for most people, it is not for everyone. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and those with a history of disordered eating should avoid intermittent fasting.

Additionally, those with certain health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, should consult a doctor before trying this combination.

It is also important to note that intermittent fasting is not necessary to reach ketosis, and a well-rounded keto diet may be sufficient for improving thyroid health.

In conclusion, intermittent fasting and keto can be powerful tools for reducing inflammation and improving thyroid health. However, it is always advisable to speak to a healthcare professional before making any significant dietary changes.

High estrogen levels can block thyroid function, causing hypothyroidism

Estrogen and the thyroid

Thyroid problems are significantly more common in women, especially during their childbearing years. This may be due to the relationship between thyroid function and estrogen, the primary female sex hormone. Estrogen has been shown to have direct effects on thyroid cells, and evidence suggests that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases.

The impact of high estrogen levels on the thyroid

High estrogen levels can influence thyroid function in several ways. Firstly, estrogen increases the synthesis of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), which binds to thyroid hormones and decreases the amount of free thyroid hormones available to the body. This can trigger symptoms of an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism.

Secondly, prolonged exposure to certain estrogen metabolites, such as 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), can induce thyroid cell death and increase the production of autoantibodies implicated in thyroid autoimmunity. This can further contribute to hypothyroidism.

The connection between estrogen and thyroid dysfunction

The interplay between estrogen levels and thyroid function is complex, and imbalances can lead to various symptoms and conditions. For example, high estrogen levels are responsible for many of the hormonal symptoms associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common condition in women of reproductive age. Interestingly, there is a high prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis among women with PCOS, further highlighting the connection between high estrogen levels and thyroid dysfunction.

Additionally, hypothyroidism can exacerbate estrogen dominance by slowing down the liver's detoxification pathways, resulting in a buildup of estrogen in the body.

Addressing high estrogen levels and hypothyroidism

To address high estrogen levels and hypothyroidism, it is important to understand the root causes of these imbalances. In terms of diet, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts are rich sources of indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and sulforaphane, which support the liver's estrogen detoxification pathways. Additionally, iodine, selenium, and vitamin D have been shown to support healthy estrogen levels and thyroid function.

Stress management techniques, such as exercise and mind-body practices, can also help mitigate the detrimental effects of chronic stress on hormonal health. Reducing exposure to environmental toxins and enhancing detoxification through adequate hydration, a high-fiber diet, and sauna sessions can further support the body's natural detoxification processes.

By implementing a holistic treatment plan that addresses estrogen and thyroid imbalances, women can achieve hormonal harmony and improve their overall health outcomes.

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