Antioxidants are crucial to thyroid health…
Antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor), and the minerals selenium and manganese. These substances act as free radical scavengers, protecting our bodies from the damage caused by reactive oxygen species that are created by oxidation reactions and damage our cells. A lack of antioxidants may result in thyroid damage from hydrogen peroxide every time Iodine is processed by the thyroid.
The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for foods was established to guide the public on how much of each nutrient was needed to prevent overt disease. However, these numbers were determined decades ago without the benefit of current research and without an adequate understanding of how nutrition affects our physiology. Somehow these guidelines have become our “ideals” in nutrient intake. Unfortunately, our RDA for most antioxidants is too low to see the benefits.
For example, vitamin C becomes an antioxidant at doses above 600 mg, while the RDA is only 60 mg, one-tenth of that. While 60 mg will prevent scurvy, it will not prevent free radical damage. Vitamin E is an antioxidant at a dose of 200 mg–400 mg (RDA is 10 mg), and selenium should be taken at a dose of 200 mcg–400 mcg for those with Hashimoto’s (RDA is 70 mcg). Click here to see my thyroid and selenium article. Vitamins C and E can be found in many food sources, but supplementation may also be helpful.
Vitamin A, however, when taken as a supplement, can be toxic in excessive amounts, and should only be taken from food sources. Carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes are the richest source of beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. They won’t cause any harm, except for a potential yellowing of the skin, known as carotenosis (seriously!). At this point we will know that we have enough vitamin A as our body will stop converting the beta carotene to the vitamin A. The extra beta-carotene is stored in our fat cells until it is ready to be converted to vitamin A. The yellowing of the skin is reversible upon limiting our intake of foods rich in beta-carotene. Yellowing of the skin is more common in people with hypothyroidism, who may have an impaired ability to convert the beta-carotene due to lack of thyroid hormones. If your skin turns yellow, this is, of course, a sign to cut back on carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes.
Check out my other posts on Nutrient Depletions
- Nutrient Depletions Part I: Selenium
- Nutrient Depletions Part III: Hair Loss and Thyroid
- Nutrient Depletions Part IV: B12
- Nutrient Depletions Part V: Zinc
Why do we have so many nutrient depletions in Hashimoto’s?
NOTE: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
I wish you all the best in your healing journey!
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Would these recommendations apply equally to persons who are merely hypothyroid (presently at bottom of range, with a TSH of 10)?
No antibodies.
Fritzie – thank you for following this page.
Did you know that if you live in the United States, Australia, Europe and most developed countries that add iodine to the salt supply and take thyroid medications, there’s a higher probability that you do have Hashimoto’s?
Depending on the source, estimates are that between 90-95% of those with hypothyroidism have Hashimoto’s.
But most doctors will never tell people that they have Hashimoto’s, or that their own immune system is attacking their thyroid. People are told that their “thyroid is sluggish”, and that these things happen with age and “Just take this pill, you’ll be fine.” I hope you check out my books:
Hashimoto’s Protocol
thyroidpharmacist.com/protocol
Hashimoto’s Root Cause
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20
Thank you. I’ve always struggled with no energy. I’m tired all of the time and don’t know what to do. Could antioxidants help with that? I really want to have the best thyroid friendly diet so that I can get the most out of every day!
Sharon – thank you for reaching out. Fatigue was the most debilitating symptom I experienced with Hashimoto’s. It actually started 8 years before I was finally diagnosed in 2009, after I got Mono (Epstein-Barr Virus) in college. I needed to sleep for 12 hours each night to be able to function, and by “function” I mean after hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock for two hours (ask my poor husband), I would drag myself out of bed and then had to drink 46 cups of caffeine everyday to keep myself awake. I often had Red Bull and Pepsi for breakfast, and was the epitome of “wired but tired”. I hope my articles help you get started 🙂
OVERCOMING THYROID FATIGUE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/top-10-tips-for-overcoming-hashimotos-fatigue
THIAMINE AND THYROID FATIGUE
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/thiamine-and-thyroid-fatigue
I’ve been on medication for a long time but I’ve never had a holistic approach from a doctor. Glad there is more information on something I can do on my own! You’ve helped me feel so much more empowered, bless you for sharing all of your experiences.
Billy-Jean – thank you so much for your support! You may be interested in my 12 week online program called Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program that covers all of the strategies that I go through with my one-on-one clients, in a self-paced format, so that participants have access to all of the things I’ve learned about Hashimoto’s without having to schedule costly consults with me or another practitioner. In addition, any person that goes through the program will get access to a Quick search Q&A Database of 1000+ questions asked by past program participants, Root Cause Assessment based on 100’s of my clients’ root causes and triggers, 2-week Meal Plans, recipes, and shopping lists to get you started on the following diets: Paleo, Autoimmune Paleo, SIBO, Candida. Also, Discounts on lab tests, high-quality supplements, and consultations and much more to support you in your journey! There are a few requirements that you should pay attention to, such as my book which is a required read.
Hashimoto’s Self-Management Program
https://thyroidpharmacist.com/enroll-in-hashimotos-self-management/
Through genetic testing, I discovered that I have a gene defect in which beta carotene does not covert to Vitamin A. Just an FYI as some of your patients might also have this.
Christine – thank you so much for sharing you journey with me. <3 I hope you keep me posted on your progress.
I have been able to reduce my medication doses from 75 mcg levothyroxine and 20 mcg cytomel to the same amount of levothyroxine and 5 mcg cytomel. Both my T4 and T3 are what I would consider optimal and I have my next labs due in 4 months.
The retinyl palmitate supplement has increased my Vitamin A level from the very bottom of the normal range to almost midrange. I am still taking it of course.
Over the past year I also quit smoking and lost 50 lbs. Those plus correcting my Vitamin A supplement have helped me immensely.
Christine – thank you for sharing what has worked for you! <3 I am so proud of you for taking charge of your health and I hope you will keep me posted on your progress.