Liver and Hashimoto's (Part 2)

Many doctors overlook a critical issue: when your body can't efficiently convert thyroxine (T4) into active triiodothyronine (T3), even proper medication dosing might not help your symptoms. Your liver plays a crucial role in this conversion process.

1. Support the liver through nutrition

Increase consumption of beneficial foods:

• ‍Leafy greens except for spinach and kale (chard, arugula, cilantro, parsley, romaine lettuce, basil) – reduce liver load due to their ability to bind and remove toxins from the body, also rich in antioxidants and flavonoids which reduce overall inflammation in the body‍
• Beets – stimulate detoxification and bile production‍
• Citrus fruits (lemon, grapefruit) – improve liver enzyme function‍
• Berries – rich in antioxidants that protect the liver

Limit or eliminate:

• ‍Sugar and refined carbohydrates (cause inflammation and overload the liver)‍
• Alcohol (directly damages the liver and slows down its functions)‍
• Foods with trans fats and ultra-processed foods (chips, fast food, margarine)‍
• Excess caffeine can increase cortisol levels, negatively affecting the liver and overloading it as it filters our hormones, including cortisol. High cortisol levels contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver. According to all research, 1 cup of coffee per day is safe. But if you can give it up completely - do it.

2. Improving bile flow and detoxification

Drink more water - a minimum of 1.5-2 liters daily to eliminate toxins

Add bitters to your diet (these are foods and herbs containing bitter compounds that stimulate bile production, improve digestion, and support the liver): arugula, chicory, artichoke, dandelion, wormwood, turmeric

3. Support gut microflora

The liver and intestines are closely connected, so it's important to:

• ‍Add probiotics to your diet (goat milk kefir, coconut or almond-based yogurt, sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables) and prebiotics (Jerusalem artichoke, green bananas, asparagus, gluten-free oats, apples, flaxseed, etc.)
• ‍Eliminate irritating foods (gluten, dairy products)

4. Reducing inflammation and stress levels

• ‍Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, flaxseed oil, and walnuts) – reduce inflammation‍
• Turmeric – a natural anti-inflammatory agent that supports the liver‍
• Magnesium (pumpkin seeds, almonds, avocado, buckwheat) – helps reduce stress levels‍
• Yoga, breathing practices, and walks in fresh air reduce cortisol levels, which affect the liver

5. Additional liver support

• ‍Milk thistle (silymarin) – protects the liver and stimulates its regeneration‍
• Zinc and selenium – participate in the conversion of T4 to T3

6. Sufficient sleep and physical activity

• ‍Sleep at least 8 hours daily – active liver regeneration occurs during sleep‍
• Regular physical activity – improves blood circulation and liver function

Conclusion: To support the liver and improve the conversion of T4 to T3, it's crucial to reduce toxic load, include beneficial foods in your diet, support intestinal function, and control stress levels. A comprehensive approach will help restore liver function and normalize hormonal balance.