I sat down the other day with Elissa Goodman to chat about an important topic to her: How to cure hashimoto’s and autoimmune disease. Elissa knows how because she’s healed herself from Hashimoto’s disease! She’s also a cancer survivor. And, she’d become a great friend.
We are both on the same page on how to cure hashimoto’s and autoimmune disease because we are both holistic nutritionists. One of the thinks we both agree on most is that learning how to detox your body on a daily basis is one of the most important things in terms of dealing with autoimmune. So that I can help you dig a bit deeper into this, I’ve created a FREE blueprint about how to detox safely and effectively. Grab it here.
Biggest Myth About Autoimmune!
Elissa thinks that one of the greatest myths when thinking about how to cure Hashimoto’s and autoimmune disease is the following: The Body is attacking itself. Elissa believes that this is very negative, and that the body is actually attempting to heal itself. She says that is we believe that our body is attacking itself, it puts us into a stressful state. Stress hormones racing through the body are only going to ramp up inflammation. So her first tip is to stay calm, and understand what your body is trying to do.
Foods To Cure Hashimoto’s, Thyroid Issues and Autoimmune Disease
Elissa recommends that you add the following foods to your diet to cure
- Cruciferous Veggies (Cauliflower, broccoli, kale, Bok Choi etc). She says it’s a myth that these can interfere with thyroid function, and that the compounds in these veggies are needed to push pathogens out of the body.
- Bananas: Elissa explains that they are full of calcium, which is important if you have nodules on your thyroid gland. Bananas are also a prebiotic (especially when on the more unripe side). And they help calm the central nervous system down too.
- Cucumbers: This veggie is very important for kidney functions, and detoxing your lymphatic system.
- Celery: Elissa thinks that the mineral salts in celery help replenish digestive enzymes.
- Radishes: Elissa loves radishes because they are so full of sulphur, which helps to detox the body. They are also antiviral.
- Garlic: Elissa eats tons of garlic because it’s one of the most antiviral foods you can consume! Raw and/or cooked.
- Potatoes: I was thrilled to see that Elissa loves potatoes. She explains that it’s not a “white” food because it’s a whole plant food, which contains so many vitamins and minerals. Potatoes also help to calm down the central nervous system.
- Seaweed (dulse and kelp): Dried seaweed sourced from the Atlantic. I love Maine Coast Dulse. Seaweed is the surprise food that Elissa pulled out of her bag. She explained that it is so rich in iodine, which is essential for healing from any of these diseases. Here’s a recipe you might enjoy.
- Artichoke:There are so many phytochemicals, antioxidants, and amino acids that shrink nodules, tumors, and cysts. Artichokes also protect your thyroid from pathogens. When consuming artichokes, fresh is always best. If you buy canned, bottled, or even frozen artichoke hearts, contain and additive called citric acid. Elissa says that you are unable to get fresh artichokes, soak your canned, bottled, or frozen artichoke hearts overnight in water with a pinch of sea salt. The next day, rinse them well and almost all of the citric acid will be gone.
- Asparagus: There are phytochemicals in the skin and in the tips of asparagus that push back pathogen invaders, whether those invaders are chemical or viral. Asparagus also has an alkaloid that acts as a gentle aspirin throughout the body, calming down the body and lowering inflammation.
Testing Your Thyroid
When dealing with exactly how to cure Hashimoto’s and autoimmune disease, it’s important to have your Thyroid tested.
Having the proper tests for your thyroid is essential. Elissa only found out she had Hashimoto’s disease because of another issue that she was being checked for.
Here’s what you need to ask for, testing-wise:
Thyroid Blood Test Checklist
Don’t settle for a TSH test alone—it only measures your thyroid stimulating hormone. You can still have undiagnosed thyroid problem
TSH (according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, anything over 3.0 is abnormal and needs further investigation)
Free T3 (active)
Free T4 (inactive)
Thyroid antibodies
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO)
Thyroglobulin antibodies (TG)
Liver function tests (95% of T4 is “activated” in the liver) so having a healthy liver is essential).
Ferritin level (ferritin is like the bus that drives the active T3 into the cells for the activity to occur. Ferritin needs to be above 90 for this to occur).
Balancing Your Thyroid
Thyroid issues can be effectively treated with a number of thyroid medications, but your doctor needs to test your levels regularly to assure that you are not taking too much or too little.
Also, make sure to have healthy testosterone, insulin, and melatonin levels.
While these thyroid tests can be helpful, in the final analysis your doctor should treat YOU, not the blood test. I have seen many women with hypothyroidism not treated by their physicians because their thyroid numbers were low but “within normal limits.” It’s a little like saying a vitamin D level of 31 is normal (normal rage is 30-100).
Detoxification For Autoimmune & Thyroid Issues
Don’t forget to learn how you can safely and effectively detox by way of my FREE cheat sheet.
