You know that feeling when you are tired, cold and just don't care... I have been there. So many people don't realize that hypothyroidism isn't just about being cold all of the time. Many dealing with this are misdiagnosed with menopause for those flushing, sweating, heat intolerance, heart palpitations, and sleeplessness symptoms. This often mistaken illness really is effecting more women than we realize. In thyroid insufficiency, the reduced basal metabolic activity is what is causing that, so you need to support your metabolism. Also if you are still thinking about kids, it causes reduced folic absorption, so make sure you are getting enough folic via both nutrition and supplementation. All of this can lead to the reduced clearance of toxins by the liver, and so that is a big part of why people feel better in such a short time when using a plant based shake.

For this condition what is recommended is amino acids, fatty acids, co-enzymes and other raw materials needed to support the thyroid. I would personally also recommend you get some Ashwaganda into your diet. I like the Nature's Way supplement, and it can be had for under $10. Anyone taking Invigorate should also think about incorporating this because they have compounds that stimulate T3 and T4 synthesis. Our T3 and T4 functions it's pretty amazing.  Our thyroid hormones strongly influence the tight junctions in the stomach and small intestine - also known as our digestive brain. T3 and T4 have been shown to protect gut mucosal lining from stress induced ulcer formation. In another study, endoscopic examination of gastric ulcers found low T3, low T4 and abnormal levels of reverse T3.

What Does Leaky Gut Have To Do With Hypothyroidism?

And guess what... you don't get huge digestive issues or leaky gut issues until your glutathione stores are depleted. Why? The doctors at the San Jose Functional Medicine office say, "Glutathione is the main antioxidant that protects cellular mitochondria. Glutathione exists in reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) states. GSH (reduced glutathione) becomes GSSG (oxidized glutathione) by an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase. GSH can be regenerated from GSSG by the enzyme glutathione reductase. As long as these enzymes are working efficiently, your body is able to maintain this glutathione recycling system and you are fine."

So think about what's going on in your system if you a) have a failing T3 and T4 function, and b) your glutathione levels are depleted? It's clear that you really cannot have that healthy gut without a healthy thyroid, and you can’t have a healthy thyroid without a healthy gut. An unhealthy gut has been linked to diseases ranging from autism and depression to autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s, inflammatory bowel disease and type 1 diabetes.... and so you know what that is going to be doing to you. You also can boost your glutathione with support that can also help fortify the immune system to increase its ability to fight disease,

I also love what I have read about Irish Moss, being a plant based source of thyroid support. Nature is so nurturing. Try to boost your metabolic pathways with some natural supplementation, and a plant heavy diet, and perhaps add in the Ashwaganda to see if it helps. Hippocrates said: “All disease begins in the gut.” 2,500 years later we’re just beginning to understand how right he was. Really make some changes to your gut, along with the T3 and T4 I think will give you something you've been looking for.

Wait, I thought that Irish Moss was bad for you. There has been a lot of posting going on about the dangers of carrageenan which is extracted from Irish Moss. I know if you are reading this post, you've probably read those posts as well. We know that carrageenan is not something you want to consume frequently because of the inflammation that it causes.

But ingesting carrageenan is not that same as ingesting Irish Moss. It's not super heated and processed into a chemical form. It's seaweed. It has a natural nutritional value, which is what we know when we are looking at the difference in read foods, and genetically modified foods.

I learned about Irish Moss because of my adrenals and low thyroid. I learned that this amazing natural support food that it was better for me than I knew. It is able to dissolve catarrhs, or snotty mucus. If you know me you know I have allergies and I can use all of the natural support I can get. It also is a natural antimicrobial and antiviral which helps me to keep from getting those darn Pacific Northwest sinus infections. Irish Moss is not only amazing but it is all of the things we are looking for in our food and nutrition... wild-crafted, raw, non-gmo, fair trade, vegan and gluten-free. It is also an anti-coagulant and so you shouldn't use this if you take prescription blood thinners or are suffering from Crohn's disease. 

Irish Moss Paleo Vegeo Flatbread

Yield: Makes about 5 small rounds (1 serving)

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. Organic coconut flour 
• 1 1/2 tsp. organic Irish Moss, prepared {You may use Agar-Agar if you are unsure about this amazing superfood. are taking a blood thinner or have Crohn's disease.} :) 
• 3 Tbs. well cooked and mashed butternut squash
• 1 Tbsp.organic coconut oil, melted 
• 1 VeganEgg or local pastured egg 
• 1/4 tsp. Himalayan salt 

(could substitute with sweet potato instead of butternut squash)
Directions

1. Prep your Irish Moss by rinsing until clean. Soak for 6 - 24 hours at room temperature and then rinse again. This is to make sure all sand and salt is removed. Then blend 1 cup of Irish Moss with 1.5 - 2 cups of water in your high powered blender until smooth - it can be stored in your fridge for up to 3 weeks to be added to smoothies as well. You can try using powdered Irish Moss but I have heard bad things about how bad it tastes. 
2. When ready to make if your squash is cold bring it to room temperature.
3. Preheat the oven to 400 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
4. Stir together the coconut flour and Irish Moss. 
5. Stir together the squash and the coconut oil until smooth. Stir in the coconut flour/moss mixture until combined, then stir in the egg and salt. 
6. Spoon into rounds on the baking sheet 1/4 inch thick Bake for about 12 minutes, then carefully flip. Bake for another 7 minutes (less or longer depending on the thickness), until they are dry to the touch and the most important part, pliable. 
7. Let cool completely, then enjoy within an hour or so of baking for the best texture.

The family enjoyed having tacos... and I enjoyed knowing that they were eating healthy. So many options that you could use these for... so go veggie crazy!!