iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll mmthsl mbThkThhpsbenefits for autoimmune conditions. Curcumin may be taken as a sup-
plement, but by itself it is quickly excreted out of the body. It needs to be
combined with piperine, an alkaloid found in pepper, to remain active
for a longer time in the body.
Curcumin appears to be extremely safe, even at doses of up to 8 grams a
day, but some individuals with Hashimoto’s (especially those with night-
shade sensitivities) may have an intolerance to piperine and may be unable
to use the supplement.
Increasing Regulatory T-Cells
Autoimmune conditions are also more likely to cluster in regions farther
from equator. This is likely due to inadequate vitamin D levels. Vitamin
D deficiency is associated with improper immune function, including a
lack of both CD8+ T cells that kill off viruses like EBV and T regulatory
cells that keep the immune system balanced.
In recent years, the role of vitamin D in the health of the human body
has been strongly emphasized by researchers and the medical community
alike. Serum vitamin D levels can be directly correlated with human life
expectancy. Dr. William Grant, PhD, a vitamin D expert, has proposed
that raising the serum vitamin D level would prevent 30 percent of can-
cer deaths per year.
Vitamin D affects about 3,000–30,000 genes in our bodies, and many
diseases have been connected to vitamin D levels, including heart disease,
depression, and autoimmune conditions.
Vitamin D is known for its role in balancing Th1 (cell-mediated) and
Th2 (humoral) immune system responses by influencing T regulatory
cells, which are responsible for control expression and differentiation of
Th1 and Th2.
Vitamin D actively prevents the development of autoimmunity in animal
models, and there is a strong connection between vitamin D deficiency
and autoimmune thyroiditis.
In humans, serum levels of 1,25(OH) 2D3 were found to be significantly
lower in autoimmune than non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism.
As skin cancer awareness and the use of sunscreen have become more
widespread, people stopped getting the appropriate amount of vitamin