143 Your Family History Goes Beyond Genetics: A Novel Way to Look at Hashimoto’s
56m
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Thyroid Mystery Solved: Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism Revealed
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The Case:
- Mindy has Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism and experiences low energy and anxiety
- She’s worried genetics may be making it worse because her mother also has Hashimoto’s
- She’s feeling like the genetic cards are stacked against her and there’s nothing she can do to feel healthy again.
The Investigation
When I first met Mindy, I noted the stock she was placing on her genetics, missing things under her control. Genetics are important but they only account for 15% of our wellness picture. I knew that there were a myriad of things we could do to shift the impact of her genetics on her health. However, I also knew that a bigger shift might be needed at the epigenetic level.
The Epigenetic Expert - Anat Peri
To look further into what might be going on for Mindy, I invited Anat Peri back to the show. Longtime listeners may remember her from episode 55 of Health Mysteries Solved when she shared her insights on emotional resilience. I highly recommend going back and listening to (or relistening to) that episode. Anat is an inner child expert and the founder of Training Camp for the Soul. She has 18 years of experience as a trauma-informed coach using a variety of tools including mindset, somatic healing, safety connection, nervous system regulation, and inner child reparenting. Through her work, she has learned a great deal about epigenetics and how our upbringing can manifest physically in our adult minds and our health.
What is Epigenetics?
Epigenetics refers to the biology of our beliefs and how we view the world. It's about how our reactions to life impact our nervous system and whether we operate in a parasympathetic state or a stressful (sympathetic) state. This can have a huge impact on our health, as stress and trauma can lead to a range of health issues and can be a major trigger for Hashimoto’s.
Anat explains that everything we learn as children is learned from our caretakers, and if they were absent or dysfunctional, we may have learned unhealthy patterns that can impact our health as adults. Anat explains that we learn so much at a young age because as children we are like sponges; soaking up what we see, hear, and feel energetically from our caretakers. Our beliefs and the way we view the world are formed at a young age, and they can have a huge impact on our health later on. Often, we are completely unaware of the role epigenetics is playing in our health.
The good news is that we can turn our epigenetics on and off, just like gene expressions. Our ability to control our epigenetics depends on our beliefs, how we regulate our nervous system, and how we speak to ourselves.
Inflammation and its Impact on Health
Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system to injury or infection. However, chronic inflammation can contribute to a wide range of health issues, including autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's and thyroid issues. In my practice, I’ve seen how specific beliefs and behaviors can contribute to inflammation in the body.
Beliefs and Behaviors that Impact Inflammation and Hashimoto’s
One of the beliefs that can increase inflammation is shame. Anat explains that shame is a powerful enough emotion that it can cause us to close in on ourselves and hide our true selves. When we feel ashamed, we may try to suppress our emotions and our needs, which can lead to chronic stress and inflammation.
Fear is another powerful emotion that can contribute to inflammation, says Anat. When we are in a state of fear, our bodies release stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, chronic stress can lead to inflammation in the body.
Our parents may have ingrained shame and fear responses into us at a very young age without realizing it. Growing up in a chaotic or turbulent environment can also contribute to inflammation. When our nervous system is constantly activated by stress and fear, our bodies release stress hormones, which can lead to inflammation over time.
The Potential Role of Fathers in the Development of Autoimmune Diseases
In this episode, we really got personal. I looked at the roles my mother and father played in my life. I shared that I felt like my father was always there for me but he didn't necessarily stand up for me when my mother wanted me to do things I didn't want to do, like playing the piano. This experience taught me that my feelings didn't matter and that I had to do what others wanted me to do. I realize now that this is how I was trained to be a people pleaser. Anat was able to relate that to having a lack of boundaries as well as self-rejection and self-abandonment and the connection to my Hashimoto’s. It’s really fascinating.
Anat expanded the discussion further by explaining how fathers can impact the development of autoimmune diseases. She notes that fathers can influence the development of autoimmune diseases by being emotionally unavailable, neglectful, or critical. Children who grow up with fathers who are emotionally unavailable may feel rejected and develop feelings of low self-worth, which can trigger the onset of autoimmune diseases.
We also talk about how fathers can influence the development of autoimmune diseases by modeling certain behaviors. For example, if a father is always putting others' needs before his own, his children may learn that it's not okay to prioritize their own needs.
This is why it’s so important to have a healthy relationship with both parents to reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. It's crucial for fathers to be emotionally available and supportive of their children's feelings and needs. It’s also important for fathers to model healthy behaviors, such as setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, to help their children develop a healthy attitude towards themselves and others.
Techniques to Connect with Your Inner Child and Begin the Healing Process
Regardless of our relationship with our fathers and how it may have impacted our health, it is possible to change it now. Anat says this is possible by connecting with our inner child. This allows us to identify our emotions, feelings, beliefs, and desires as they relate to our health issues. She suggests grabbing a journal or a piece of paper and writing down everything we feel triggered, upset, frustrated, or stuck about.
Alternatively, we can record ourselves talking as if we are calling our best friend who listens to us without judging. Once we have our thoughts and emotions recorded, we can identify our inner child's voice by looking for statements that begin with "I feel" or "I want." This practice helps us weed out our inner critic, ego, and shadow, which can hinder our ability to connect with our true feelings and desires.
Anat says it’s important to make sure that we are truly hearing our inner child’s voice because it’s generally not the loudest. Often, our inner critic, ego, and shadow are much more overbearing. She explains that statements that begin with "I am," "I'm upset," "I'm angry," "I feel like he doesn't listen to me," "I feel like I'm being left behind," or "I'm all alone" represent our inner child's voice. On the other hand, statements that contain "I should," "I must," or "I have to" reflect our inner critic. Meanwhile, statements that blame others and avoid taking responsibility for our feelings are the product of our ego. Finally, statements that contain shame, fear, and guilt reflect our shadow.
By identifying our inner child's voice and distinguishing it from our inner critic, ego, and shadow, we can begin the healing process. Connecting with our emotions and desires is crucial to understanding ourselves and our experiences fully. It also helps us identify limiting beliefs that hold us back from living fulfilling lives. Anat Peri emphasizes the importance of being willing to look inward and confront our internal world. This practice can help us shift our focus from external factors to our internal landscape, which is where true healing begins.
Scanning and Embracing Sensations in Our Body
We discuss many ways to create a transformation through connecting with the inner child (and the challenges that many face doing this). One of the keys to making that connection, according to Anat, is to embrace the sensations of the body because sensations are the language of the nervous system. So, when we can learn to be with sensations and name sensations, we speak to the nervous system, and the nervous system can respond and adjust accordingly. She says that we normally put our feelings into two buckets, good feelings, and bad feelings. We label them as happy or scared or anxious, but the opportunity is to go one layer deeper, where we can identify the sensations at the root of these emotions.
The following are the steps to scan and embrace sensations in our body:
Step 1: Take a Deep Breath
To start, take a deep breath and exhale all the stagnant air out of your mouth. Then take a deep breath, filling up the whole body deep into the belly, feeling it expand. Continue to take deep breaths from the belly while sitting in a way that feels supported.
Step 2: Connect with Your Body
Next, connect with your body. Feel the weight of your feet on the ground, the support of the chair or couch, and the sensation of your clothes against your skin.
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The Expert on Candida and Thyroid Issues
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What Is Candida?
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What You Need to Know about Candida and Probiotics
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As soon as you find out that you have a thyroid issue, or that you’re diagnosed with Hashimoto's, your instinct is to learn as much as you can. As the internet becomes more and more crowded with information, it can be so difficult to find useful information. And, it can be hard to determine who to trust as you try to navigate your way to overcoming your Hashimoto’s and hyperthyroid symptoms.
I know because I was once in this position and because I’ve spent the last decade helping Hashimoto’s and hypothyroid patients regain their health.
A lot has changed in this time - and more changes are coming (more on that at the end of these show notes) but over the years, I’ve discovered that there are 5 key drivers of success when it comes to overcoming your thyroid issues and Hashimoto’s symptoms. I share them in this episode along with a big announcement about this show and support for anyone dealing with autoimmunity, Hashimoto’s, and hypothyroidism.
The 5 Keys to Overcoming Hashimoto’s
These five proven strategies have made a huge difference for me and many of my clients struggling with Hashimoto's.
1. Diet: Balancing Blood Sugar Is Key
It all starts with food! While everyone's needs are unique, there's one common thread: balanced blood sugar. Eating a balanced diet with all the macronutrients – carbs, proteins, and fats – is crucial. Avoid blood sugar spikes by avoiding excessive carbs at once and pair your meals with protein and healthy fats. Remember, stress can be physical too! Unbalanced blood sugar creates stress on the body, hindering progress.
2. Clean Eating: Ditching Chemicals and Going Organic
Our world is full of chemicals like pesticides and herbicides. Research shows these chemicals can negatively impact our health. So, the cleaner you eat, the better. Prioritize whole, unprocessed foods straight from the earth. Consider going organic, especially for the "Dirty Dozen" – the foods most heavily laden with pesticide residues (check the Environmental Working Group's list). Organic meats and dairy are also beneficial to avoid added hormones and antibiotics.
3. Identify and Address Food Sensitivities
Gluten is a common culprit for many with Hashimoto's. Not everyone needs to be gluten-free, but some may have the DQ2 and DQ8 genes, making gluten processing difficult. When you consume gluten, even without immediate symptoms, the immune system attacks it. This can lead to accidental attacks on the thyroid due to molecular similarities between gluten and thyroid molecules (cross-reactivity).
I personally struggled with gluten for years, but identifying it as a trigger made a significant difference. Consider exploring food sensitivities to see what might be hindering your progress.
4. Targeted Supplements for Personalized Support
Supplements can be extremely helpful, but a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work. Our immune triggers and thyroid types vary. However, some supplements have been particularly beneficial for me and my clients:
- SPM (Specialized Proresolving Mediators): Helps reduce inflammation and calm the immune system.
- Glutathione: An amazing antioxidant that supports detoxification and promotes immune balance. I recommend the APEX Trizoma Glutathione brand for its liquid form and good taste.
- Vitamin D: Another immune balancer and natural anti-inflammatory. I recommend Designs for Health's Vitamin D Synergy or Vitamin D Supreme.
- Remember: These are just a few suggestions. It's important to find what works best for you.
5. Calm the Nervous System
The nervous system has a powerful influence on the immune system. A calmer nervous system translates to a more balanced immune system. Here are some ways to achieve this:
- Meditation
- Movement
- Visualization
- Reframing negative thoughts
- Releasing negativity
- Setting positive intentions
- Affirmations
- Faith
- Mantras
- Self-worth exercises (like clearing feelings of "not enoughness")
I find meditation and movement particularly helpful. Experiment and find what works for you.
Bonus Tip #1: Building a Morning Practice Can Make a Big Difference
Mornings can be tough, but incorporating a self-care routine can shift the entire day. I recommend starting your day a little earlier, even before the kids wake up (believe me, I get it, I'm not a morning person either!).
The book "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod offers great tips on establishing a morning practice and provides ideas to optimize your early-start time. It’s hard to believe but the benefits of improved sleep quality and stress reduction outweigh the initial sacrifice of a little extra sleep.
Bonus Tip #2: Increase Your Capacity to Receive
This may sound surprising, but it's incredibly powerful. We all want optimal health, vibrant energy, and freedom from Hashimoto's. But sometimes, we struggle to allow ourselves to truly receive these things.
My question for you is, can you allow all of the things you picture when you see yourself in optimal health? Take a moment and really feel this question in your body. How much good health can you really receive without feeling like, ‘Oh, gosh, this is too much’? All the things that you want to be able to do when you are feeling better; when you have more energy; when you lose that weight – how much of that joy can you actually allow and take in?
This might feel like a strange concept, but explore it. Notice any tightness or resistance in your body when you imagine complete freedom from symptoms. Do you feel undeserving of such good health?
We often have subconscious beliefs about deservingness. We may feel good things like joy, love, and health need to be earned. This can block our ability to receive the very things we desire.
You’ve heard the stories about lottery winners who lose their winnings quickly. This is often due to a deep-seated feeling of not deserving it. They sabotage their own success.
The same can happen with health. If you don't feel deserving of good health, your nervous system won't feel safe receiving it. This can lead to unconscious sabotage of your healing journey.
Learning to receive is crucial for overcoming Hashimoto's and any chronic health issues. I have entire programs dedicated to overcoming these blocks: "Clear Your Thyroid Blocks" and my signature program "Thyroid Mystery Solved." You can find more information on my website … which brings me to my important announcement!
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