Can mushrooms lower thyroid antibodies?
Healing autoimmune conditions are not simply about removing gluten from the diet and taking L-Glutamine. That can help because you’re removing things that are stimulating to the immune system. But it’s not the end all solution.
What is the REASON why someone is more reactive to foods and develops an autoimmune condition? Yes, genetics play a role but again…environment, emotional stress, foods, toxins are turning the gene on or off.
The reason for Hashimoto’s and Graves’ Disease is due to lymphocytes gone awry. These are white blood cells that create antibodies to various pathogens and establish “tolerance” of what’s normal, what’s an invader, what is self, and what is not.
The problem arises when these lymphocytes start creating antibodies to the enzymes that create thyroid hormone: TPO, Thyroglobulin, Thyrotropin receptor.
Aside from viral, parasitic and bacterial infections being a trigger for autoimmune thyroid diseases, inflammatory foods, poor sleep, and prolonged emotional stress can severely dysregulate the immune system. This is when autoimmune diseases can pop up. Cancer is also a severe form of immune system dysregulation.
Mushrooms Can Normalize The Immune System
There are MANY studies that have looked at medicinal mushrooms for normalizing autoimmune conditions, particularly Cordyceps.
In 2013 the Journal of Surgical Research conducted a study with Graves’ Disease & Hashimoto’s. They gave one group cordyceps mushrooms & the other group thyroid meds (levothyroxine).
Results: It was found that mushrooms normalized immune system, had 40-50% decrease in thyroid antibodies, showed positive modulation of lymphocyte activity and brought inflammation into a more balanced state after being given 2.0g of cordyceps 3x/day vs. levothyroxine group, which showed NO CHANGE.
The Hashimoto’s group had a 51.3% decline in TPO Antibodies & 39.49% decline in Thyroglobulin Antibodies. The Graves group had 40.06% decline in TPO Antibodies & 46.94% in Thyrotropin Receptor Antibodies.
Patient Testimonials
Patient A began taking mushrooms for 7 months, and the Thyroglobulin antibody completely normalized. The lab cuts off measuring at a level of 600 so we don’t know what her actual measurement of TPO antibodies are.
Patient B began taking a mushroom complex and in only 8 months TPO antibodies decreased from 303 to 53
Other Things That Can Improve Thyroid Function
- Selenium: 200mcg of selenium daily can be acquired from Brazil nuts or taking a supplement. Be sure to test your selenium level periodically (as I have seen this become too high!)
- Vitamin D3: Supplementation is necessary even if you are outside. I have NEVER seen 1 person (in 11 years’ experience) with normal vitamin D levels just from sun exposure. 5000 IUs is the dose I recommend for my patients. Magnesium deficiency can also impair absorption of Vitamin D.
- Meditation: Meditation and feeling a sense that you are cared for or loved can normalize T-cells (immune system) and reduces allergies. This goes with the emotional stress bit.
In my practice, I find that people who have thyroid issues have a subconscious belief that they are somehow not safe in the world, or safe in their body. I’ve also found that people who are too empathetic or compassionate, with weak boundaries can take on the suffering of others — which makes them feel unsafe. Meditation and releasing other people’s energies is like intermittent fasting for your mind.
Other Benefits of Mushrooms
Numerous studies have found that maitake, shiitake, reishi, oyster, turkey tail, cordyceps mushrooms suppress the Human Papilloma Virus — even the most oncogenic strains. There are over 100+ strains of HPV, and only 14 are high-risk. High risk can cause genital warts, cervical, anal, and throat cancers.
Studies have found that giving these mushrooms cleared 78-88% of HPV within 1-6 months of taking them. Mushrooms contain alpha & beta glucans, which increase Natural Killer Cells and allow viruses of all kinds to be suppressed more efficiently.
I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!
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- Mushrooms Lower Thyroid Antibodies: Hashimotos & Graves Disease
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- Soy and Breast Cancer: Our gut bacteria determine how protective soy is
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