Janine S. Rodrigues | Singular Nutritional – Gut health and the thyroid: what’s the connection?

blog 27 de dezembro de 2023

Gut health and the thyroid: what’s the connection?

We are so used to blaming genetics for every health issue we face. But the reality is that, as Fasano eloquently points out, “Rather, it is the interplay between us as individuals and the environment in which we live that dictates our clinical destiny.”

If you’ve been diagnosed with thyroiditis, gluten may be to blame. Not your genes. This autoimmune disease results in thyroid gland inflammation, and studies have shown that gluten is a significant trigger. Even if you don’t have celiac disease, gluten can still damage the lining of your gut, leading to inflammation. What can you do? The first step is to cut out gluten entirely. This can be not easy, as gluten is found in many common foods, but it’s essential for managing your thyroiditis. Once you’ve removed gluten from your diet, you can begin to add back in other foods and nutrients that will support your thyroid health. Remember, managing thyroiditis is a lifelong journey, but taking the first step is always the hardest.

But how does science explain gluten being the culprit?

It’s all in the gut

Gut health and thyroid health are inextricably linked. The gut is where food is broken down and absorbed by the body, and it is also home to many bacteria that play an essential role in gut health. The microbiota helps digest food, synthesize vitamins, and protect the gut from harmful bacteria. When the gut flora is out of balance, it can lead to gut dysbiosis, which has been linked to various health conditions, including thyroiditis. Gut dysbiosis is thought to be one of the major contributing factors to autoimmune thyroid disease. Therefore, keeping the gut healthy is essential for maintaining thyroid health.

When it comes to thyroid problems, most people think of thyroiditis as the inflammation of the thyroid gland. However, that doesn’t tell us the issue’s root cause. Like any other form of thyroiditis, this condition is caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland. However, in this case, the trigger is gluten. For people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, eating gluten can lead to an inflammatory response that attacks the thyroid gland. This can cause many symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss. If you suspect you have gluten thyroiditis, talk to your doctor and your nutritionist. You can keep your thyroid healthy and avoid further complications with the proper intervention.

Alessio Fasano is a researcher who specializes in intestinal permeability and disease manifestation.[2] You may not have heard of zonulin, but it’s a protein that plays an essential role in intestinal permeability. When zonulin levels are high, the spaces between cells in the intestinal wall widen, allowing toxins and bacteria to pass through into the bloodstream. This can lead to inflammation and various health problems. Fortunately, there are ways to keep zonulin levels in check. For example, Probiotics and a gluten-free diet can help reduce zonulin levels and promote intestinal health. If you want to protect your gut, include these things in your diet.

Fasano, “All Disease Begins in the (Leaky) Gut.”
Fasano.