Gut health and thyroid function consistently influence each other and it is popularly known as thyroid-gut axis.
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Healthy gut plays vital role in absorbing vital micronutrients such as iodine, selenium, and zinc. These are precisely the building blocks the thyroid requires to create and convert thyroid hormones. Ayurvedic expert Dimple Jangda recommended to reduce inflammation and improve selenium intake to fix gut that will subsequently support thyroid health naturally. She suggested to remove the following things given below:
Remove wheat intake for 30 to 90 days
Remove dairy products for 30 days to 90 days
Avoid consumption of cruciferous vegetables
Gut health and thyroid function consistently influence each other and it is popularly known as thyroid-gut axis. Any imbalance in the gut bacteria can cause or aggravate autoimmune thyroid diseases. At least 70% of the immune system lives in the gut. And, if the intestinal barrier gets compromised, bacterial toxins can leak into the bloodstream.
It may lead to systematic inflammation that can provoke the immune system to attack the healthy thyroid tissue.
Healthy gut plays vital role in absorbing vital micronutrients such as iodine, selenium, and zinc. These are precisely the building blocks the thyroid requires to create and convert thyroid hormones. It is worth mentioning here that thyroid hormones control the muscles of digestive tract directly.
When an individual suffers from hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid, it can slow down the digestion process thus causing constipation and enhancing harmful bacterial overgrowth or SIBO. Hypothyroidism can frequently hasten gut motility and may cause diarrhea.
According to a study featured in National Library of Medicine, a healthy microbiota will only provide beneficial effects on the immune system activity but also on thyroid function. Thyroid and intestinal diseases commonly co-exist in the form of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or HT and Graves’ disease or GD. HT and GD have emerged as one of the most common autoimmune thyroid diseases or AITD and frequently co-exist with Celiac Disease (CD) and non-celiac wheat sensitivity or NCWS. 1
Recently, leading Ayurvedic expert took to her Instagram account and explained the significance of fixing the gut to support thyroid naturally. Sharing the post, she said, “Your thyroid issue didn’t start in your thyroid… it started somewhere else. Most people miss this one root cause that silently disrupts hormone balance. Fix this, and everything begins to shift.” 2
Dimple Jangda said, “Your thyroid medication is treating the symptom but it is your gut that created the problem. So your thyroid imbalance actually started in your gut. Let me explain you 20% of your thyroid hormone conversion happens in the gut. But, when your gut has gut dysbiosis, imbalance, indigestion, or your microbiome is not healthy, that hormone conversion stops."
She said, “Hashimoto’s, which is an immune disorder, is also connected to gut. This is the reason why, 70% of your immune system actually lives in your gut lining and gut walls. So, when your gut is compromised, your immune system is compromised too and that triggers thyroid imbalance as well.”
Ayurveda spoke about it thousands of years ago that thyroid is actually caused due to Galaganda, which is a kapha and vata imbalance that blocks the channels that produce hormones and transports those hormones to the thyroid gland. Now these Strotas channels have been blocked kabha imbalances, excessive mucus in the body which starts affecting the thyroid, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and starts causing symptoms like diabetes and cholesterol as well, added the Ayurvedic expert.
Vata Imbalance affects the large intestine, colon, and your blood circulation and distribution of your nutrients. Kapha-vata imbalance in your channels blocks the hormone from reaching your thyroid gland. Here is what you need to do:
1. Reduce Inflammation: The Ayurvedic expert suggested to “reduce inflammation by removing all the trigger foods such as wheat and dairy products.”. Remove them for at least 30 to 90 days and see the difference. Remove meat, seafood, and eggs. You don’t need animal-based protein and she suggested to go on a whole food, plant-based diet.
2. Increase Selenium Intake: You can get selenium from Brazil nuts. Include two Brazil nuts in your diet every single day. Have iodized salt. Strawberries are also a good source of iodine. Seawood Nori Kelp is great, added Dimple Jangda. Have some fermented foods in your diet. Two bowls of fruits. Two bowls of vegetables. Remove cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, because they contain goitrogen which impacts the thyroid gland.
FAQs
How does gut health specifically influence thyroid function?
Gut health affects thyroid function through the thyroid-gut axis. Imbalanced gut bacteria can trigger autoimmune thyroid diseases by disrupting the immune system. Since 70% of immunity resides in the gut lining, compromised intestinal barriers allow bacterial toxins into the bloodstream, causing systemic inflammation that can attack thyroid tissue and impair hormone production.
What natural dietary changes can support thyroid health by improving gut function?
Improving gut health to support thyroid involves an anti-inflammatory, plant-based diet. Removing trigger foods like wheat, dairy, meat, seafood, and eggs for 30-90 days can reduce inflammation. Incorporate selenium-rich foods like Brazil nuts, iodine from iodized salt, strawberries, and seaweed such as Nori Kelp. Fermented foods, two bowls each of fruits and vegetables daily, excluding cruciferous vegetables, also help by avoiding goitrogens.
How does Ayurvedic understanding explain the gut-thyroid connection?
Ayurveda attributes thyroid imbalances to Galaganda, caused by kapha and vata dosha imbalances that block Strotas channels responsible for hormone production and transport to the thyroid. Kapha imbalance leads to mucus buildup, obstructing hormone channels affecting thyroid and related organs. Vata imbalance impacts intestines and nutrient circulation, all contributing to thyroid dysfunction.
Can fixing gut health reduce reliance on thyroid medication?
Fixing gut health targets the root cause of thyroid hormone imbalance by restoring healthy gut microbiota and reducing inflammation, potentially improving thyroid hormone conversion (around 20% occurs in the gut). While thyroid medication treats symptoms, gut-focused interventions support long-term hormonal balance. However, any medication changes should be supervised by a healthcare provider.
Why should cruciferous vegetables be avoided in thyroid-supportive diets focused on gut health?
Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and brussels sprouts contain goitrogens, compounds that can interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis by blocking iodine uptake. Since iodine is critical for thyroid hormone production, avoiding these vegetables helps maintain optimal thyroid function, particularly when supporting the thyroid through gut health improvements.
National Library of Medicine|Thyroid-Gut-Axis: How Does the Microbiota Influence Thyroid Function?
Ayurvedic Expert Dimple Jangda|Fix Your Gut To Support Thyroid Naturally
Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.
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