Graves Disease and Alternative Options
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| Sun, 02-18-2007 - 5:10pm |
Hi -
I thought this might be of interest to many out there . . .
In Feb 2006 I was diagnosed with Graves with some pretty serious numbers. Not wanting the traditional "kill the thyroid" treatments, I chose to seek out an alternative physician. I chose a D.O. (Osteophath) who works with kinesiology. It took a series of 15 test/treatments in addition to changing my diet and getting on supplements. The diet was a HUGE component. I was taken off gluten and sugar. It was a day by day process, but a huge change came about when I switched to the "Eat Right 4 Your Type" diet. I excluded some foods and included others in my diet and the change was almost immediate! The DIET IS ESSENTIALLY IMPORTANT!!!! I was back to "normal" in 1 month after that. I was told to stay on the diet for 3 more months and be tested again. Unfortunately, I went on vacation the next day and lost the momentum. I was unable to adhere to the diet (mostly the "no sugar") as I had in the past. When I really got off track again (particularly under a lot of stress) I ate too much sugar and too much processed foods. Some of my symptoms returned, but not as badly as they were initially because I maintained the supplements and followed the diet partially. I know how I feel is directly tied to what I eat. I need to to return for tests in about a month of so, but I know I'm really the only one who can make the difference.
I'd be happy to pass on any further information to anyone interested.

Hi,
I too was just diagnosed with Grave's! I had no idea that diet played a role. What kind of effect does sugar and gluten have on the thryoid and what kind of supplements? I am interested in any information you have! Thanks!
Hi skb53,
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Hi kristinehm -
Diet/food affects everything and lack of nutrition causes most of the illnesses today. Most people eat far too many processed foods and not enough vegetables, fruits, fish, grains, nuts and seeds, and drink enough water.
I am a licensed massage therapist and have been exposed to health and nutrition since 1990. Even though I know how important it is, I know first-hand how difficult it is to follow a healthful diet due to stresses and schedules.
Inflammation in the body is caused by different sources but two of the biggest contributors is sugar and gluten. Most of us have too much sugar in our diets either from sugar, processed foods, grains, and even fruits. Excessive sugar in the body causes an inflammation process and can cause a multitude of problems. Gluten is a protein in many grains that some people have a severe reaction to resulting in the inflammation process, causing a list of problems, one of them being thyroid issues. Most people have a reaction but don't realize what's causing it. It can show itself in many ways. (There is a book I read some time ago entitled "Dangerous Grains". I apologize but I don't have the author's name) and it explains the inflammatory process. Essentially though, the protein is ingested into the body, the body does not recognize the protein, and the body attacks the protein and itself, causing inflammation.
The more you can eat fresh, organic, whole foods, the healthier you will be. Unfortunately, the medical community at large is not trained in nutrition and its necessity to health. They want to "kill" or eliminate the part of the body that's causing the problem. My education taught me that the body can heal itself if it is given the environment that it needs -- that being good nutrition and a healthy source of water, exercise, and sleep. The body is a complex miracle requiring certain nutrients from healthy sources. Even cancer and other life-threatening diseases are healed under the right environments.
There is a book entitled "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by James F. Balch, MD and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC. This book is like a nutrition bible to those in the wellness community. It has lengthy information about vitamins and minerals necessary to the body for health. It indivually looks at all illnesses from the common cold to cancer, describing the conditions and what's happening in the body, and then lists the nutrients necessary to heal the body. It provides information on herbs that would helpful for healing, and makes recommendations and gives considerations to enable the healing process.
I suggest that you find a copy of this book and check out what it says. It does say to be wary of the RAI treatment due to severe side effects and also to avoid surgery, but to change your diet first. It does make recommendations as to the vitamins necessary to support and heal, and to eat the cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, peaches, pears rutabagas, soybeans, spinach, and turnips because they suppress thyroid hormone production. It also says to avoid dairy products for at least 3 months. Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, nicotine and soft drinks.
As another note, if you are not familiar with vitamins, it pays to educate yourself. They are not all the same. Vitamins that are made from whole foods is assimilated into the body more fully. Some just pass through without providing nutrients.
I hope this has given you something to work with. If I can be of any further help, please let me know.