Celiac disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: What do they have in common?
Celiac disease is an immune-mediated enteropathy caused by a permanent sensitivity to gluten, or gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, the triggers of which are both the environmental (gluten) and the autoantigen (body’s own immune system). Celiac Disease can be associated with other conditions, disorders, or syndromes. More often these are autoimmune disorders, including insulin-dependent diabetes, Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, Sjogren’s, and others. Major risk factors for Celiac disease are the grains, the genetic predisposition, and historically the advent and the spread of the agriculture. Generally speaking, elimination of the environmental trigger leads to a complete resolution of the disease, or at least to a complete resolution of symptoms. As far as the symptoms, most people manifest these in their gastrointestinal tracts. The classical gastrointestinal symptoms are chronic or recurrent diarrhea, abdominal distention, failure to thrive or weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, and other. However, there are a number of those who have the symptoms that are traditionally considered, “atypical”, and show up in other areas of the body. In these instances, people may have bone loss or thinning (osteoporosis/osteopenia), delayed puberty, iron-deficiency that may be resistant to treatment, liver disease, arthritis, dental enamel effects, and other. Lastly, there is a smaller group of people who are entirely symptom-free, but still have the underlying Celiac disease. These people may either have no, or minimal symptoms, but positive blood tests and markers for Celiac disease. However, asymptomatic people may still experience health issues at some point in their lives. Long-term Celiac disease complications may include short stature, skin conditions, bone loss, dental enamel erosion, fertility problems, as well as further exacerbation of the gastrointestinal tract. Other effects include malabsorption of nutrients, specifically iron, folate, calcium, and vitamin D. Furthermore, Celiac disease can lead to increased intestinal permeability, known as leaky gut syndrome, which allows the entry of large molecules and proteins, or other toxins that can further perpetuate the onset of autoimmune disease. Both Celiac disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are autoimmune conditions. The symptoms that are often associated with Celiac can also be observed in people with Hashimoto’s. This is due to the fact that people with Hashimoto’s also can experience digestive issues that are inflammatory in nature, which is similar to that of Celiac disease. Consider your options by discussing them with our naturopathic physicians, acupuncturists, and our nutritional therapist. Please contact us with your questions and to get...
Read MoreCaffeine Effects on Fertility
Take a second to count the number of cups of coffee or black tea you drink a day. Now consider this: these caffeine-containing beverages have zero nutritional value. Caffeine is immensely addictive and found in chocolate, sodas and many over-the-counter medications. Caffeine can elevate the mood, energize, delay fatigue, and stimulate the central nervous system. It can also cause hands to tremor and the heart to palpitate. So, why is caffeine our national drug of choice? Caffeine feeds our cultural addiction to fast-paced lifestyles. There are numerous reports on this topic, all of which you are welcome to sift through on PubMed. Caffeine consumption equivalent to more than two cups of coffee per day has been linked to tubal disease and endometriosis1. As little as 1-1.5 cups of coffee per day appears to delay conception in women trying to get pregnant2. Some studies find one cup of coffee per day cuts fertility in half3, although others report that it takes two4 or three5 cups to have detrimental effects. Caffeine is found in regular coffee, black and green tea, some soft drinks, chocolate, cocoa, and many over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. While not every study finds that caffeine reduces female fertility6, most doctors of natural medicine recommend that women trying to get pregnant avoid caffeine. Even decaffeinated coffee has been shown to be linked to spontaneous abortion7. It is thought that the tannic acid found in any kind of coffee and black tea may contribute to infertility8. During Pregnancy: Crosses the placenta and effects the fetus Enters breast milk Other health complications: Results in nervousness, irritability, insomnia and dizziness Exacerbates anxiety and lead to panic attacks Raises blood pressure Causes or aggravates heart rhythm disturbances Aggravates ulcers and heartburn Stimulates acid secretion in the stomach Acts as a laxative and can create dependency Causes loss of key nutrients, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, and zinc Grodstein F, Goldman MB, Ryan L, Cramer DW. Relation of female infertility to consumption of caffeinated beverages. Am J Epidemiol 1993;137:1353-60. Hatch EE, Bracken MB. Association of delayed conception with caffeine consumption. Am J Epidemiol 1993;138:1082-92. Wilcox A, Weinberg C, Baird D. Caffeinated beverages and decreased fertility. Lancet 1988;ii:1453-6. Williams MA, Monson RR, Goldman MG, et al. Coffee and delayed conception. Lancet 1990;335:1603 [letter]. Stanton CK, Gray RH. Effects of caffeine consumption on delayed conception. Am J Epidemiol 1995;142:1322-9. Joesoef MR, Beral V, Rolfs RT, et al. Are caffeinated beverages risk factors for delayed conception? Lancet 1990;335:136-7. Fenster L, Bubbard A, Windhan G, Hiatt R, et al. A prospective study of caffeine consumption and spontaneous abortion. Am J Epidemiol 1996;143 (11 suppl);525 [abstr #99]. Cramer DW. Letter. Lancet 1990;335:792....
Read MoreExcess hunger and Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism: Could it be leptin resistance?
Carrying excess fat can actually make you hungrier thanks to a phenomenon called leptin resistance. For people with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism this is double bad news as inappropriately managed hypothyroidism promotes weight gain and makes it difficult to lose weight. What is leptin? Leptin is a “satiety” hormone secreted by fat cells that tells the brain when you have had enough to eat. Eating causes the secretion of leptin, which signals that the stomach is full and it’s time to stop eating. Between meals or during long periods without food, leptin levels drop, triggering hunger and motivating you to eat and replenish the body’s energy stores. Leptin serves roles beyond hunger and satiety. It is also important for fertility, libido, and puberty. Leptin resistance causes you to always feel hungry Because fat cells secrete leptin, overweight and obese people should never feel hungry. Unfortunately, the reverse happens. Excess fat secretes too much leptin, bombarding leptin receptors on cells. Eventually these cells become overwhelmed and shut down their leptin receptors to protect themselves. This is called leptin resistance—leptin can no longer get into the cells to deliver their message that the stomach is full and it’s time to stop eating. Hence the leptin-resistant person always feels hungry and is prone to overeat, even if she or he is carrying plenty of fat. In addition to causing chronic hunger, leptin resistance doubly vexes the overweight person by promoting fat storage and making it tough to lose weight. Leptin resistance and Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism For the person trying to manage Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, leptin resistance is a primary concern because it signals a blood sugar imbalance. Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. Blood sugar disorders exacerbate autoimmune reactions, which can flare up your autoimmune thyroid condition, or make it difficult to manage. When managing your autoimmune Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism, it’s important to balance blood sugar and address conditions such as leptin resistance. Diet can reverse leptin resistance and chronic hunger The key to unwinding leptin resistance is to adopt a diet that will restore leptin sensitivity. The eating habits that typically lead to being overweight or obese—overeating and eating too many sweets and starchy foods, processed foods, and foods fried in industrialized fats—also lead to leptin resistance, high triglycerides, and hence the feeling of always being hungry. A person with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism should be wary of diets heavy in grains—studies link gluten intolerance with Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and many people have sensitivities to grains other than wheat, such as corn. Overeating causes leptin resistance. Ditch the sodas, sweets, processed foods, and high-carbohydrate foods, which trigger cravings in many people. Healthy fats and sufficient protein curb cravings. Consider discussing additional options and discuss them with our naturopathic physicians, acupuncturists. Please contact us with all of your questions and to get...
Read MoreMother’s Hashimoto’s, or autoimmune disease may raise risk of childhood asthma and allergies
Maternal autoimmunity While viral and bacterial infections have declined over the last 60 years, autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders are steadily climbing. Autoimmune disease dwarfs cancer and heart disease combined, now affecting about 50 million people, or 20 percent of the population. In an autoimmune response, the immune system mistakenly creates antibodies to the body’s own tissue, thereby tagging the tissue for destruction. Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism is the most common autoimmune illness today, affecting an estimated 23 million. Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism have been shown to play a role, as the mother’s immune imbalance can exacerbate the risk and the development of childhood asthma and allergies. Diet and lifestyle can balance autoimmune Hashimoto’s The New York Times story, An Immune Disorder at the Root of Autism, veers into the promise of using whip worms—yes, worms—to tame the out-of-control immune system. The theory is that autoimmune disease has skyrocketed in developed nations because we are too clean. The article fails to mention those other hallmarks of Western civilization besides good hygiene: overabundant diets laden with sweet, starchy, processed foods; chronic stress; a sedentary lifestyle; and daily bombardment of environmental toxins. Chronic inflammation raises risk of childhood disorders Other risk factors for autism include maternal asthma, allergies, insulin resistance, obesity, and chronic low-grade inflammation. In other words, when a mom’s immune system is in constant overdrive—never getting the opportunity to rest—the development of the fetal brain is adversely affected and the overall risk for disorders is increased. Naturopathic Medicine and Acupuncture to help modulate the immune system The naturopathic doctors of functional medicine, in our clinic, as well as the acupuncturists have measures other than the whip-worm therapy to manage autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and chronic inflammation. These may include an autoimmune diet, the use of targeted, customized nutritional therapies, as well as immune-modulating techniques to calm the immune system that is in a constant overdrive. Please schedule your appointment to learn how we can work...
Read MoreNaturopathic Medicine: The Healing Power of Nature
The art and practice of natural medicine is founded on the ancient teachings of Hippocrates, a Greek physician, who was also known as “the father of medicine”. His approach to the human body is founded on the basic principle of “vis medicatrix naturae” – “the healing power of nature”. According to this doctrine, the human body contains the power to re-balance and heal itself. Naturopathic doctors are primary-care physicians trained in the art and science of natural medicine. Naturopathic doctors provide primary and adjunctive health care to people of all ages, focusing on the integrated use of natural therapies to support and stimulate body’s inherent healing processes. Naturopathic doctors focus on promoting health, preventing illness, diagnosing and treating disease. The following Six Principles are the founding-tenets of naturopathic medicine, and guide our approach to health and healing in clinical practice. First do no harm Healing power of nature Treat the whole person Identify and treat the root cause Doctor as teacher Prevention is best...
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