iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll mmthsl mbThkThhpsdefine worsening or improvement of our condition, thus this type of test
may not be the best option for all of us.
Some professionals propose taking a multitude of supplements to try to
shift one’s Th1/Th2 balance. This may be helpful for some but not for all
of those with Hashimoto’s.
Furthermore, taking supplements on a chronic basis to “dim” the im-
mune response may be helpful in treating symptoms, but it does not get
to the root cause of Hashimoto’s.
Additionally, as inflammatory Th17 cells—which suppress our im-
mune-regulating Treg cells—have been found to be present in most
cases of autoimmune conditions, researchers are now suggesting that
immune modulation should be anti-inflammatory and aimed at in-
creasing the production of T regulatory cells rather than on trying to
manipulate the Th1/Th2 ratio. An increased amount of Tregs should
rebalance the Th1/Th2 ratio through suppression and promotion of
recognition and tolerance of self-antigens by down-regulating an over-
active immune system.
Anti-Inflammatory Approach
In doing research for healing myself, I was surprised to learn smoking
tobacco reduces the risk of Hashimoto’s. At first, this angered me because
here I was a former smoker trying to be more healthy, and instead, I got
stuck with an autoimmune condition!
Of course, starting to smoke again would be foolish because of the many
other risks which greatly outweigh the benefits. I then began to wonder
what it was about smoking that reduced the incidence of Hashimoto’s—
until I came across a new supplement.
Anatabine
Anatabine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the nightshade plant
family (e.g., tomato, tobacco, peppers). Anatabine has anti-inflammatory
effects and reduces the expression of cytokines (IL-18, IL-1R2) associated
with the development of Th1–mediated autoimmunity.
In 2012, John Hopkins researchers found anatabine reduced the inci-
dence and severity of Hashimoto’s in mice.
The following year, a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-con-
trolled study (this time in humans) followed a total of 146 patients with
Hashimoto’s for three months. Seventy of those patients were treated