Keto and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Keto Medicine
Healing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis with a ketogenic diet? Is that possible?
Article by the Keto doctors Dr. Brigitte Karner and Dr. Wolfgang Karner
The ketogenic diet offers a promising complementary treatment for people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. By reducing inflammation, stabilizing blood sugar levels, improving mitochondrial function, and supporting hormone regulation, this way of eating may help reduce symptoms and significantly improve the quality of life for those with Hashimoto’s. While research is still in its early stages, initial studies show encouraging results. However, it is important that individuals discuss the transition to a ketogenic diet and medication adjustments with a keto-experienced physician to ensure that it is done safely and effectively.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is one of the most common autoimmune diseases.
The disease causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland, leading to an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and, over time, a progressive shrinking of the organ. Symptoms can include fatigue, weight gain, emotional imbalance, anxiety, depression, sensitivity to cold, and many other vague complaints. While the traditional treatment of Hashimoto’s involves taking thyroid hormones to “calm” and relieve the organ, an increasing number of dissatisfied patients want to address the root causes of their symptoms. They seek solutions that help them improve their condition through their own actions. Many of these patients show a direct connection between their symptoms and their diet.
In their desperation, many people eliminate gluten-containing foods and actually experience some improvement. However, many are unaware that the ketogenic diet—which drastically reduces carbohydrate intake, is almost gluten-free, and increases fat burning—has proven particularly helpful for autoimmune diseases.
Because many doctors do not take Hashimoto patients’ psychosomatic-like symptoms seriously, patients are increasingly turning to the internet for help.
The thyroid is strongly dependent on an adequate supply of nutrients (micro- and macronutrients) through a healthy diet.
Hashimoto patients suffer from chronic inflammation and a dysfunctional immune system, both of which can be caused or worsened by an unfavorable diet and micronutrient deficiencies. Certain foods and additives can trigger inflammation in sensitive individuals. A plant-based ketogenic diet is effective because it not only reduces inflammation but also stabilizes metabolism, blood sugar levels, and helps regulate the immune system.
One of the main reasons for Hashimoto symptoms is inflammation, which is triggered by excessive immune reactions. The activity level of inflammation (high inflammatory autoimmune activity) generally correlates with the severity of symptoms. The ketogenic diet reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (proinflammatory interleukins and leukotrienes). These are molecules used by the immune system to regulate inflammation in the body. Reducing these cytokines helps decrease inflammation in the thyroid and therefore alleviates Hashimoto symptoms.
In many Hashimoto patients, we also observe insulin resistance. This is a condition in which cells no longer respond properly to insulin, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. The high blood sugar spikes are often caused by the fact that the national dietary guidelines recommend too many carbohydrates and too few anti-inflammatory fats.
This is just as
dramatic as it
is regrettable:
The so-called diseases of civilization are not only related to lack of exercise and high stress levels, but also significantly to the “normal” diet that public institutions recommend as healthy. Numerous studies have now proven that this high-carbohydrate and low-fat diet was a mistake. Nevertheless, nutritional guidelines are not being adapted—or only very hesitantly—to the new scientific findings.
As Max Planck once remarked: Before new scientific insights can prevail, not only the professors who represent the old teachings must pass away, but also their direct students. This usually takes 50 years.
This is just as
dramatic as it
is regrettable:
The so-called diseases of civilization are not only related to lack of exercise and high stress levels, but also significantly to the “normal” diet that public institutions recommend as healthy. Numerous studies have now proven that this high-carbohydrate and low-fat diet was a mistake. Nevertheless, nutritional guidelines are not being adapted—or only very hesitantly—to the new scientific findings.
As Max Planck once remarked: Before new scientific insights can prevail, not only the professors who represent the old teachings must pass away, but also their direct students. This usually takes 50 years.
Keto and Insulin
With persistently high insulin levels, a downregulation of insulin receptors occurs in order to protect the cells from too much sugar. As a result, the cells become insulin-resistant, meaning they no longer respond well to insulin, which keeps blood sugar levels elevated. Insulin resistance increases inflammation and raises the risk of further health problems such as type 2 diabetes and weight gain. Fatigue and low energy are also often the result of insulin resistance in Hashimoto’s patients. The ketogenic diet is excellent for stabilizing blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity, which is highly beneficial for people with Hashimoto’s as well. There is virtually no better method for achieving this.
Mitochondria — the powerhouses of the cells — play a key role in energy production and overall cellular metabolism.
In Hashimoto’s patients, mitochondrial function is impaired, which further contributes to low energy and fatigue. A plant-based ketogenic diet improves mitochondrial function and even supports the formation of new mitochondria. This increases overall energy production.
Thyroid hormones and sex hormones influence each other.
Many women today suffer from estrogen dominance. A low-carbohydrate diet reduces estrogen dominance, which improves thyroid function. Reducing carbohydrate intake generally leads to a better balance between sex hormones and thyroid hormones.
It is increasingly recognized that gut health plays an important role in autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s.
An imbalanced gut microbiome can activate the immune system and promote inflammation, which worsens Hashimoto symptoms. A ketogenic diet — when done in a healthy, plant-based, and fiber-rich way — has positive effects on gut health by improving the balance of gut bacteria and strengthening the intestinal barrier.
A plant-based ketogenic diet promotes the growth of probiotic bacteria while inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
We have been providing biological thyroid therapy for many years. During treatment, we analyze micronutrients, metabolic markers, the genetic foundations of metabolism, and food intolerances. The ketogenic dietary transition accompanies our holistic therapy concept with great success.
Our Hashimoto thyroiditis patients have achieved impressive results with a ketogenic diet.
This is what our Hashimoto thyroiditis patients say:
Live lighter and feel stronger!
Do you suffer from
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
We support you in our center for holistic medicine.
On-site in Freiburg or also in the form of an online consultation.
Your Dr. Brigitte Karner & Dr. Wolfgang Karner
Keto specialists and keto physicians
Scientific studies on Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and ketogenic nutrition
S. Frey et al. (2017): The addition of ketone bodies alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction by restoring complex I assembly in a MELAS cellular model.
The Keto Study →
A. Santangelo et al. (2023): The Influence of Ketogenic Diet on Gut Microbiota: Potential Benefits, Risks and Indications.
The Keto Study →
N. A. Alsharairi (2020): The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in the Interplay between a Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet and the Infant Gut Microbiota and Its Therapeutic Implications for Reducing Asthma.
The Keto Study →
S. Yusuf et al. (2020): Modifiable risk factors, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in 155,722 individuals from 21 high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries (PURE): a prospective cohort study.
The Keto Study →
R. Estruch et al. (2018): Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet Supplemented with Extra-Virgin Olive Oil or Nuts (PREDIMED).
The Keto Study →