Thyroid vs Grains

Food is believed to be an environmental factor in the development of diseases like Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) or other illnesses involving thyroid dysfunction; as there are many key nutrients that play a role in its thyroid hormone (TH) production (Kaličanin et al., 2020). HT is an autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) that affects the thyroid gland and is the most common type of hypothyroidism in the US (Abbott, Sadowski, & Alt, 2019). A balanced diet is important for sustaining an optimal thyroid gland because of aforementioned nutritional factors closely related to its function (Babiker et al., 2020). Consequently, dietary advice and avoidance of foods are part of nutritional safety for AITDs (Babiker et al., 2020). 

Whole grains are considered a rich source of dietary fibers (Kaličanin et al., 2020). However, many individuals with HT continue to experience symptoms and impaired health related quality of life (HRQL) while consuming them (Abbott, Sadowski, & Alt, 2019). Unfortunately, AITDs like HT and Graves’ disease (GD) often co-occur with Celiac Disease (CD) and Non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) (Knezevic et al., 2020) (Krysiak, R., Szkróbka, W., & Okopień, 2019). The purpose of this 2019 study was to investigate a gluten-free diet for AITD in women with HT (Krysiak, R., Szkróbka, W., & Okopień, 2019). They found positive results for the gluten-free diet having clinical benefits for AITD (Krysiak, R., Szkróbka, W., & Okopień, 2019). Another 2019 study looked at the AIP protocol that eliminated all grains from diet (Abbott, Sadowski, & Alt, 2019). This study suggested that an AIP diet free of  all grains improved HRQL and symptom burden, lowered systemic inflammation and changed the immune system (Abbott, Sadowski, & Alt, 2019). It is suggested that gluten may not be the only cause of symptoms in wheat-sensitive patients (Knezevic et al., 2020). Other grain proteins may also be triggers (Knezevic et al., 2020).

This grain intolerance can be explained by intestinal permeability, allowing antigens to trigger the immune system or cross-react with extraintestinal tissues (Knezevic et al., 2020). Dysbiosis has been found in AITDs (Knezevic et al., 2020). One possible explanation for the damage are pesticides that act as endocrine disruptors interfering with hormonal systems (Leemans et al., 2019). Pesticide action on thyroid homeostasis can involve interference with TH production, displacement from distributor proteins and liver metabolism (Leemans et al., 2019). A 2019 study concluded that pesticides had insufficient testing with testing for thyroid-specific endpoints for neurodevelopmental effects absent (Leemans et al., 2019).

Pesticides on our foods may explain the rise of AITDs and the positive effects of an AIP or at least a gluten-free diet. If grains are a culprit it may not be long until many foods are just as compromised. It is this author’s opinion that those suffering from AITD be wary of grains. They may do more harm than good. 

References

Abbott, R. D., Sadowski, A., & Alt, A. G. (2019). Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet as Part of a Multi-disciplinary, Supported Lifestyle Intervention for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Cureus, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.4556

Babiker, A., Alawi, A., Al Atawi, M., & Al Alwan, I. (2020). The role of micronutrients in thyroid dysfunction. Sudanese Journal of Paediatrics, 20(1), 13–19. https://doi.org/10.24911/SJP.106-1587138942

Kaličanin, D., Brčić, L., Ljubetić, K., Barić, A., Gračan, S., Brekalo, M., Torlak Lovrić, V., Kolčić, I., Polašek, O., Zemunik, T., Punda, A., & Boraska Perica, V. (2020). Differences in food consumption between patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and healthy individuals. Scientific Reports, 10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67719-7

Knezevic, J., Starchl, C., Tmava Berisha, A., & Amrein, K. (2020). Thyroid-Gut-Axis: How Does the Microbiota Influence Thyroid Function? Nutrients, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061769

Krysiak, R., Szkróbka, W., & Okopień, B. (2019). The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet on Thyroid Autoimmunity in Drug-Naïve Women with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: A Pilot Study. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes: Official Journal, German Society of Endocrinology [and] German Diabetes Association, 127(7), 417–422. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0653-7108

Leemans, M., Couderq, S., Demeneix, B., & Fini, J.-B. (2019). Pesticides With Potential Thyroid Hormone-Disrupting Effects: A Review of Recent Data. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2019.00743