Does the Ketogenic Diet Cause Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto Thyroiditis?

Dr. Eric Berg 10/24/2024

Many people struggle with thyroid issues, often unaware of the potential impact of environmental factors.

One such factor, glyphosate, has become a growing concern.

This article will cover the relationship between thyroid function and glyphosate, explore how glyphosate might be affecting your thyroid health, and explain how following a ketogenic diet may help minimize exposure.

You may know glyphosate as the active ingredient in the widely used herbicide, Roundup. It’s applied to various crops, but concerns about its potential health effects are increasing.

Understanding Thyroid Function and Glyphosate

Let's first understand how your thyroid works. Your thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, plays a huge role in your body.

It produces hormones that regulate metabolism, energy levels, temperature, and more.

When your thyroid functions correctly, it produces the proper amounts of hormones like T3 (the active hormone) and T4 (the inactive hormone, later converted to T3).

However, glyphosate may disrupt this delicate balance, potentially impacting thyroid function.

Although more research is needed to establish a definitive causal link, evidence suggests that glyphosate exposure might interfere with thyroid hormone production, conversion, or even utilization.

Several mechanisms could be at play, which is why continued research on this subject is so important.

For example, glyphosate is known to disrupt the gut microbiome — the trillions of bacteria residing in your intestines.

Emerging science points to a potential connection between an imbalanced microbiome and thyroid dysfunction.

Glyphosate also acts as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it interferes with our endocrine system's hormones, including thyroid hormones.

Disrupting the endocrine system can cause various health problems.

Because the endocrine system affects nearly every cell, organ, and function in the body, hormone disruption is a serious matter.

Exposure to endocrine disruptors can happen through ingesting them, breathing them in, or absorbing them through the skin.

How to Support Your Thyroid on a Ketogenic Diet

You're probably wondering how to mitigate potential risks, especially with growing concern over the effects of glyphosate on thyroid function.

Combining a clean ketogenic diet with intermittent fasting is a great place to start.

This approach not only supports overall health but can also be beneficial for your thyroid.

Here are some strategies to incorporate:

Choose organic foods: Prioritize organic produce, meat, and dairy whenever possible to minimize glyphosate exposure. This is how I choose my own food to help reduce the toxic burden in my own life.
Embrace healthy fats: Consume plenty of healthy fats, which are crucial for thyroid hormone production. Great sources of healthy fats are avocados, olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish.
Support detoxification: Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, contain compounds that can support the liver's detoxification process. Eating a diverse diet is key, as it will support your body’s natural detoxification systems and minimize the effects of environmental toxins like glyphosate.

Also, incorporating selenium-rich foods into your diet is essential for supporting your thyroid.

Brazil nuts are an exceptional source; just one or two a day provides your daily selenium needs.

Digestive system

The Connection Between Your Liver, Gallbladder, and Thyroid

Both your liver and gallbladder play a pivotal role in thyroid function.

Your liver acts like a complex processing plant, transforming inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into its active form (T3).

Your gallbladder contributes by producing bile, a fluid that breaks down fats. Healthy fats are essential on a ketogenic diet and impact thyroid hormone production.

When your liver is overloaded with toxins, it can’t function correctly, which may affect thyroid function.

Sluggish bile flow due to an impaired gallbladder further exacerbates the situation, potentially disrupting the delicate balance of thyroid hormones in your body.

Think of your endocrine system like an orchestra. Each organ — like your thyroid, liver, and gallbladder — plays its part in maintaining hormonal harmony, ensuring that your body functions like a well-tuned instrument.

This is why a holistic approach to health, considering the interplay of different organs and systems, is crucial.

This approach has had remarkable results for a lot of people.

While some individuals naturally need less thyroid hormone on a ketogenic diet, which can cause thyroid hormone levels to shift from high normal to low normal, don't be afraid.

These changes should be monitored by a healthcare professional to determine if intervention is necessary.

You may also want to incorporate more selenium from a natural source and perhaps even consider C-Calp as that might be beneficial for you.

How Environmental Toxins Affect Thyroid Health

Environmental toxins, such as glyphosate, have been linked to disruptions in thyroid function, potentially leading to hypothyroidism or other thyroid-related issues.

Glyphosate, commonly used as a herbicide, may interfere with iodine absorption, an essential element for proper thyroid function.

Over time, this disruption can impact hormone production, leading to fatigue, weight gain, and other metabolic concerns.

To mitigate the effects of toxins and support thyroid health, focusing on a nutrient-dense diet, rich in antioxidants and iodine, can be beneficial.

Incorporating dishes like a keto spinach artichoke dip can provide a healthy, low-carb option that supports overall wellness.

Conclusion

Navigating the connection between thyroid function and glyphosate requires awareness and proactive measures.

By understanding how environmental factors may affect your health and making conscious choices, you can support your body's natural balance and well-being.