January is Thyroid awareness month

Thyroid autoimmunity is the most prevalent and dominant autoimmune condition. Understanding the gluten-thyroid connection can lead to better symptom management with diet and lifestyle.

Functions of the Thygroid Gland

Though it weighs only about an ounce, the thyroid is responsible for functions that have a major impact on one’s health. It maintains body temperature, controls the rate of energy production (including oxygen use and basal metabolic rate), regulates the skeletal and muscular growth of children, and heavily influences brain chemistry. Additionally the thyroid gland has major influence in many other areas.

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Topics: Cyrex Labs, gluten, autoimmune thyroid, thyroid hormones, autoimmunity, Thyroid Challenges, gluten sensitivity, gluten cross-reaction, gluten cross-reaction, Wheat

One of the most common but least understood triggers for autoimmunity is molecular mimicry, also called cross-reactivity. 

This post will serve as a basic primer on cross-reactivity so you understand how important it is.

When your immune system reacts to a hostile invader, whether it's a virus or an inflammatory food, it tags the antigen with antibodies so it can more quickly recognize it in the future.

Cross-reactivity happens when the immune system confuses tissue in the body with the tagged antigen because they are similar in structure. As a result, it attacks and destroys that tissue as well. This self-attack is called autoimmunity.

For example, if you are sensitive to gluten, your immune system has created antibodies to gluten. These antibodies tag gluten to alert the immune system to destroy it every time you eat it — even if you ingest a tiny amount. This is an inflammatory response.

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Topics: gluten sensitivity, Immune System, autoimmunity, gluten sensitivity, gluten cross-reaction, gluten cross-reaction, antibody

Somewhere in all of your research you have probably read something about the little wheat protein called gluten that is causing a big fuss. Perhaps, you may be one of many people who is noticing the ever expanding Gluten-Free section at your local grocery store. What is the big idea with this little grain? After all, we have been eating it all of these years right? So why is it being ever so publicized today? Maybe perhaps it’s just a fad-diet? Well fad diet or not this gluten-free thing is here to stay, and it may be contributing to how you are feeling, especially those who have thyroid related issues.

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Topics: gluten sensitivity, Hashimoto's, gluten, celiac disease, gluten intolerance, thyroiditis, thryoid, gluten cross-reaction, thyoid disease