Living with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, as with most autoimmune diseases, can often feel like navigating a maze of symptoms and treatments. At Evergreen Wellness Academy, we are committed to exploring a holistic approach to empower and support you as you determine your path to wellness. In this post, we delve into recent research examining the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet—a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory dietary strategy—and its potential benefits for individuals managing Hashimoto’s disease.
The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet is a nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory dietary approach designed to support individuals with autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. A recent study published in the Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine examined the effects of the AIP diet on thyroid parameters and overall well-being in patients with Hashimoto’s disease.
Study Overview
The study was conducted over 12 weeks and involved 28 participants diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. Study participants were prescribed an individualized AIP elimination diet. Over that same 12-week period, researchers assessed various health parameters, including nutrient intake, thyroid hormone levels (FT3, FT4, TSH), thyroid antibodies (aTPO, aTG), and thyroid gland volume via ultrasound. Participants also reported on their general well-being and any symptoms experienced.
Key Findings
- Improved Well-Being: The study found a statistically significant decrease in symptom burden reported in the frequency of symptoms of constipation, flatulence, diarrhea, intestinal gases, nausea/vomiting, peptic ulcer disease, tiredness, increased drowsiness, headaches, impaired concentration, fatigue, depression, muscle cramps, arthralgia, hair falling out, skin problems, dry skin, edema/swelling, and weight gain after following the AIP diet, indicating an enhancement in overall well-being.
- Thyroid Function: After adhering to the AIP diet for 12 weeks, participants exhibited reductions in serum levels of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free Triiodothyronine (FT3), and Free Thyroxine (FT4). Importantly, despite these decreases, all values remained within their respective reference ranges, indicating that thyroid function was maintained within normal limits, suggesting stable thyroid function.
- Thyroid Antibodies: The study found an increase in aTPO and a decrease in aTG levels, although these results did not meet statistical significance (meaning the result could not be differentiated from chance 1 out of 20 times). The increase in aTPO is not fully understood and warrants further investigation.
- Thyroid Gland Volume: Ultrasound examinations revealed a reduction in thyroid gland volume among participants. This is noteworthy because larger thyroid volume is linked to higher autoimmune activity, inflammation, and symptoms in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
- Body Weight: Body composition changes indicate positive metabolic changes despite a diet virtually identical in energy (calorie) density. The mean weight loss was 8 pounds in 12 weeks, with a 4% decrease in body fat percentage.
Nutrient Intake Changes
The study presented detailed analyses of participants’ nutrient intake before and after the 12-week AIP diet intervention. Key observations include:
- Energy Intake: Daily caloric consumption remained relatively the same, however a statistically significant decrease in body weight, BMI, percentage of muscle, and fat in individual values was observed.
- Macronutrients:
- Proteins: An increase in protein intake supporting tissue repair and immune function.
- Fats: A decrease in total fat consumption, with a notable reduction in saturated fats, which may contribute to reduced inflammation.
- Carbohydrates: A decrease in carbohydrate intake, particularly from refined sources, aligning with the elimination of processed foods in the AIP diet.
- Micronutrients:
- Specific nutrient intake increases included Beta-carotene (550%), fiber (162%), folates (198%), long-chain fatty acids (262%), potassium (196%), vitamin A (341%), vitamin C (886%), and other nutrients like B vitamins, iron, zinc, and magnesium with considerable increases.
These changes reflect the AIP diet’s focus on nutrient-dense foods and the elimination of potential dietary triggers that may exacerbate autoimmune responses. These nutrients are known to be essential to a healthy body and immune system. It is possible that many of the anti-inflammatory and restorative benefits of AIP likely come from this increase in nutrient density.
Conclusion
The study suggests that the AIP diet may offer several benefits for individuals with Hashimoto’s disease, including improved well-being and stable thyroid function. However, the observed increase in aTPO levels highlights the need for personalized dietary approaches and further research to fully understand the diet’s impact on thyroid autoimmunity.
At Evergreen Wellness Academy, our perspective is that while antibodies are valuable for diagnosis, they do not always correlate with the symptom burden. We advocate for testing and monitoring antibodies but do not rely on them as the sole measure of progress, instead prioritizing indicators of thyroid optimization such as symptom burden and hormone levels. Despite an increase in aTPO, the AIP diet was found to support lower thyroid volume, weight loss, and reduced symptom burden, all of which indicate an improved thyroid status.
Get Support
Ready to dive into the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol and see how it reduces your symptom load? The board-certified holistic nutritionist team at Evergreen Wellness Academy are AIP Certified Coaches who specialize in providing guidance to people on the autoimmune spectrum as they navigate their health journey.
A transitional step is often a good choice for many people considering the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol. For these folks, we recommend beginning with the RESTART® Program. It is presented in a small group format and shares foundational nutrition education, a guided sugar detox, and support for customizing a diet to suit your unique needs. Click here to learn more about the RESTART® Program, register for current classes or contact us to join the waitlist to be notified when new sessions are scheduled.
If private, individual-focused support is your preference, we also share our whole-food anti-inflammatory way of eating approach combined with lifestyle-related tools via private one-on-one appointments. Learn more about our process here.
Whichever your preference, we encourage you to take advantage of our free 20-minute discovery call to connect with us.
Source
Ihnatowicz, P., Gębski, J., Drywień, M. E. (2023). Effects of Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet on changes in thyroid parameters in Hashimoto’s disease. Ann Agric Environ Med., 30(3), 513-521. https://doi.org/10.26444/aaem/166263
