As we continue to learn how
important healthy gut bacteria is for managing Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism,
interest in cultivating a rich and diverse “gut microbiome” grows. One
important tool in this quest are spore-based probiotic
supplements. “Spore” is derived from the word “seed,” and spore-based
probiotics are a hardy delivery system that germinate in the small intestine
and help you colonize your gut with more healthy bacteria. This helps repair
leaky gut and regulate the immune system so you can better dampen autoimmune
Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
Modern humans face many challenges
to developing and maintaining healthy gut bacteria. In fact, studies of
primitive people who live much like our hunter gatherer ancestors did show
their guts have about 50 percent more diversity in gut bacteria than the
average American. Researchers are finding this lack of microbiome diversity
plays a role in many chronic health and brain disorders, including depression
and autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
Low-fiber, junk food diets,
antibiotic overuse, chlorinated water, heavy environmental toxin and pollution
loads, chronic stress, alcohol, and various medications all play a role in
reducing the diversity and amount of beneficial gut bacteria. As a result,
opportunistic and infectious “bad” gut bacteria are able to more easily conquer
the gut. This weakens the gut lining, increases inflammation, promotes brain
and mood disorders, and leads to the triggering of autoimmune conditions such
as Hashimoto’s.
There are many ways we can build
a healthy and diverse population of gut bacteria. The most important is to eat
a whole foods diet that is predominantly vegetables and fruits. It’s important
to vary the kind of produce you eat regularly. It’s also helpful to include
cultured and fermented foods and take probiotics. Also, avoid drugs such as
antibiotics, NSAIDs, and heartburn medication as much as possible.
Given the challenges the modern
gut faces, it’s not a bad idea to make probiotics a part of your routine,
especially if you have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. This is where spore-based
probiotics come in. What makes spore-based probiotics special?
- · The survive the acidic environment of the stomach on their way to the intestines.
- · They resist breakdown by digestive enzymes.
- · They are heat stable and don’t need to be stored in the refrigerator.
- · Some spores are antibiotic-resistant, which means you can take while taking antibiotics.
Once in the small intestine,
spore-based probiotics can germinate if you provide the right environment with
plenty of plant fiber — which in itself is another great strategy to help
dampen Hashimoto’s autoimmunity.
Spore probiotics and healthy gut
bacteria in general can help improve your health in several ways. They improve
the health and integrity of the lining of the small intestine. This lining
contains not only bacteria but also plenty of immune cells to defend the
bloodstream from bad bacteria, yeast, toxins, undigested foods, and other
pathogens that can trigger inflammation if they make their way through the gut
lining into the bloodstream. This is called leaky gut and it plays a large role
in Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism.
For instance, one strain of
spore-based probiotic, bacillus coagulans, has been well studied for its beneficial
effect on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s disease. Bacillus
coagulans produces lactic acid, which has been shown to help protect the gut
and boost immune resistance to viruses. It has also been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce
pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
Ask my office for more information on how to support healthy gut
bacteria, eradicate bad bacteria, and manage Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism. Dr Eric Balcavage
Chronic Condition Recovery Center
www.chronicconditionrecoverycenter.com
610-558-8920
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