If you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and struggle with fatigue or fluctuating energy levels, consider implementing these few simple dietary interventions. These were the best dietary interventions that greatly helped me along my healing journey.  

1. Eliminate gluten.

2. Add Betaine HCl and digestive enzymes.

3. Replace low bioavailable plant proteins with high quality animal meat. 

Eliminate gluten to minimize damage to “leaky” gut lining:

After I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the first dietary intervention I made was to completely eliminate gluten. Before that, I had only eaten minimal amounts of gluten regularly. I would have bread once a week at family Sunday dinners, maybe a mid-week glutenous baked good, and sauces containing gluten. I had tried to avoid it as much as possible, but I hadn’t been totally restrictive. 

A few weeks after eliminating gluten completely, I lost a fair amount of water weight (edema). My body was less puffy. This was because gluten destroys the zonulin tight gap junctions in the gut, creating a “leaky gut”. Particles that are not meant to cross the gut barrier cross more easily when you have a leaky gut, contributing to a more reactive immune system. 

If you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s or any other autoimmune disease, my top recommendation is to eliminate gluten completely. The tiniest amounts of gluten can activate the immune system. Your doctor may have told you that there is nothing you can do about your autoimmunity. This is a lie. Eliminate gluten. Then find a new doctor. 

Add Betaine HCL and digestive enzymes to improve protein digestion:

After I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, I began a deep research dive into all things thyroid. I was familiar with Dr. Izabella Wentz (Thyroid Pharmacist), and knew she had a couple books published on Hashimoto’s. Thank God for her. I followed her protocols and found self-direction in her books. After eliminating gluten, I continued to make dietary interventions, which next included adding betaine HCL to my meals.

Fatigue was one of my main symptoms from Hashimoto’s. I was tired all the time and no amount of sleep was ever enough. I was especially tired in the mornings and after meals. In the clinic, I worked 4-10’s and napped in my car after every lunch on work days. On my days off, I tried to catch up with 2 hour naps at home. Naps were never refreshing and never enough sleep. 

Betaine HCL is an enzyme that mimics our stomach acid, which breaks down proteins into amino acids. The intestines then absorbs the amino acids and uses them to rebuild the body. When the stomach doesn’t produce enough stomach acid (which is a very common symptom in Hashimoto’s), proteins may not get processed. The proteins sit in the stomach, moving into the intestines partially undigested. 

Undigested protein contributes to fatigue for 3 reasons:

1. The body sends extra blood to the digestive system and uses more energy simply trying to digest your food. 

2. An exaggerated immune response is mounted in response to large undigested particles crossing the leaky gut barrier. 

3. The protein that is ingested is not able to repair and recover the body, contributing to persistent fatigue from day to day. 

Betaine HCL helps digest proteins in the stomach, which allows the intestines to absorb the amino acids and subsequently allows the body to utilize those nutrients. Using this was a game changer for me!!! I’ve stopped most supplements but I still take this sometimes when eating a greater amount of meat. 

The way to use this is ONLY when eating a meal with protein. If you do not have protein in your meal, it will burn your stomach! Not comfortable! Don’t take it before. Follow instructions on the label. I take it mid-meal or afterward.  

You can also take other digestive enzymes to improve protein, fat, carbohydrate digestion. I never noticed as much of a difference with these, but they may be worth trying. 

Replace low-bioavailable plant proteins with high quality animal meat:

I’ve tried many nutritional diets in my lifetime, but I’m proud to say I’ve never tried a vegetarian diet. I would literally go crazy. My brain and body need animal meat. 

Prior to my diagnosis, I ate a moderate amount of meat. When I added in Betaine HCL, I realized how much better I felt, so I continued to eat more meat. Meat began to digest better and I felt good eating it. 

In the past, I had been familiar with Dave Asprey’s research on plant anti-nutrients and Dr. Steven Gundrey’s research on plant lectins. Soon after my diagnosis, I came across Dr. Paul Saladino’s (CarnivoreMD) work with an animal-based diet. 

Delving into his research, I realized that I was not eating enough protein, and I was eating too many low-bioavailable plant protein sources. Plant proteins are not absorbed and utilized as readily in the human gut as animal proteins are. Plants also contain many compounds called anti-nutrients that actually block the absorption of many other nutrients. 

Well sourced, animal-based proteins have a higher bioavailability, meaning the body more readily absorbs and utilizes amino acids and other nutrients from these sources. 

Healthy animal protein sources include:

• grass-fed beef/lamb/ruminants

• pasture-raised poultry and eggs

• grass-fed dairy (milk, cheese)

• bone broth, cartilage

With a new goal to eat more animal based proteins, my energy levels increased substantially. To this day, I continue to eat like this and will never go back. 

Live in peace, Ali

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and is not considered medical advice.