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Probiotics for Hashimoto’s
Hello B,Hope you’re well.
I recently came across an article how probiotics can be very beneficial for those with Hashimoto’s. I’m getting throat infection so frequently – past 4 months i have done 3 rounds of antibiotics if not more. I’m really having this strong “gut” feeling that probiotics could be good for me, but i have no idea which one to take. Would you have recommendation please? Thanks.
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5 Replies
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Hey ,
First of all, your gut feeling is right!
Antibiotics can be helpful and lifesaving, but the benefits come often with a price. Having a broad spectrum probiotic like for example Ther-biotic Complete from Klaire Labs is one I often recommend. Fermented foods can be even more therapeutic than probiotics since the diversity of strains and amount of probiotics is often higher. Good sources of probiotics are for example kefir, kombucha, kimchi, beet kwas and sauerkraut.
If you like to dive deeper into what specific beneficial bacteria might help you with loose stools, gas & boating I would recommend reading this handout here.
Hashimoto’s & the gut
There is often a relationship between auto-immune diseases like Hashimoto’s and the gut and yes, probiotics can also play an important role in the healing process. But there is more nuance to it than that. Often with an auto-immune disease the gut lining is more ‘leaky’ and lets undigested food pass into the body. In time, the immune system might develop antibodies to parts in the food, that have a high resemblance with body tissues.In some cases, this enhanced leakiness of the gut is because of antibiotic use, lack of fibre in the diet, stress, and dysbiosis. But sometimes people experience an overgrowth of microbes in the small intestine. SIBO (or Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) is an example that can contribute to damage to the gut lining. Taking probiotics in such a case isn’t going to help you and might even worsen the dynamic.
But let’s take a step back to your specific situation.
When an infection doesn’t heal or comes back, I often recommend my clients to support their immune systems. Nutrients needed by the immune system are vitamin D, vitamin A, zinc and B vitamins. In the handout, B’s medicine cabinet must-haves & Go-To immune boosting protocol, you can find a protocol on how to support your immune system. In this handout, you can also find tips on what to use with a throat infection.
If you like to support & heal your gut temporarily removing gluten (preferably grains in general) and dairy is something that could help.
Meanwhile helping the gut to heal with specific foods and nutrients can help speed up the process. Obviously, it would be best to start with this when you are off antibiotics. Here are some suggestions for that:
• Zinc carnosine can help repair the gut lining
• miscellaneous herbs (like marshmallow root and slippery elm for example)
• L-Glutamine
• Aloe Vera
• Cabbage juiceSupplements containing a nice blend of ingredients are DGL PLus from Pure encapsulations and Gi Revive from Designs for Health.
Digestive enzymes can help with bringing balance back in the gut as well. Having good amounts of stomach acid kills is the first line of defence against opportunistic bacteria. If you like to investigate if you have enough stomach acid you can try the baking soda test or the HCl acid dosage challenge. Bile helps to create a friendly environment for the endemic bacteria while it can help opportunistic microbes in the gut.
Thyroid Support
Nutrients needed for a healthy thyroid are not only Iodine but also nutrients like iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamins D & A, selenium and protein. Here is a handout if you like to dive deeper into this topic.I hope you have some additional tools to work on your health problems!
Let me know if you would like to have more information!
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Hi in addition to Daniel’s excellent suggestions, I often recommend that my clients take a probiotic that also has a strain of S. Boulardii (or separately to Klaire Labs Therbiotic Complete) since antibiotics create a favorable environment for opportunistic yeast to overgrow.
I often recommend Klaire Labs ABx Support which has some lacto, bifido, and S. boulardii for that purpose.
But like Daniel mentioned, fermented foods are even more powerful in terms of diversity and quantity of beneficial probiotics.
And the duration is another factor to consider. Most people believe that taking probiotics for a month or two is enough, when that’s not the case. After only 1 course of antibiotics, it can take several months to replenish the gut with healthy microbes. Most people don’t supplement for that long for various reasons (they forget, the expense, pill fatigue, etc), and that’s where food becomes your best friend.
I share several recipes for fermented foods in the recipe section of the Resources here if you’d like to venture down that road.
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Thanks so much
really appreciate your insight and time -
thanks so much very helpful indeed
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Hey ,
It was my pleasure!
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