Is Iodine Bad for Hypothyroidism?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Thyroid & Hormone Balance Leave a Comment

What is the iodine hypothyroidism connection? ‘Is iodine bad for hypothyroidism?’ This is among the most common questions I am asked by my patients. While it is true that your thyroid requires iodine to make thyroid hormone, too much iodine can harm certain individuals. In this video, I review who should be careful about taking iodine and what foods best …

10 Top Foods for Thyroid Health

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Thyroid & Hormone Balance Leave a Comment

Whether you are Hypothyroid or Hyperthyroid, this list of 10 top foods for thyroid health has got you covered! In my clinic, we like to focus on what you CAN eat, rather than all the foods you should be avoiding. And while there are certainly plenty of foods you should be avoiding if you have hypothyroidism, I want to encourage …

Why is Hypothyroidism More Common in Women?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Thyroid & Hormone Balance Leave a Comment

Why is hypothyroidism more common in women? Just how common is hypothyroidism or other thyroid problems in women? Nearly 1 in 3 people have thyroid disease, the majority of which are women. Yet more than half of those with a thyroid gland condition don’t know they have it. Top Reasons Hypothyroidism is More Common in Women Hormone imbalance Hormone fluctuations …

Going Gluten Free? Read this first!

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Food Leave a Comment

If you’re considering going gluten free then you’ll definitely want to test for this! I know it may seem counter-intuitive, but there’s something you might consider doing if you feel like gluten is harming your health. Eat more of it. Ok, let me explain. Our first instinct when we learn about the inflammatory properties of gluten is to eliminate it …

Birth Control — What Doctors Don’t Say About Birth Control Effects

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Birth Control Leave a Comment

Worldwide, 100 million use some form of birth control… Without knowing how it actually works and the possible damage it can do to their bodies. Are you aware that most women, at some point in their life, have been recommended the birth control pill by their doctor? The CDC estimates 10.6 million women use oral contraception in the U.S. alone. …

7 Natural Ways to Curb Your Anxiety

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Sex Hormones Leave a Comment

Have you ever felt tired and unable to concentrate and reached for the nearest sugary treat for that familiar, quick rush of energy? It’s true, stimulants like sugar, caffeine, and chocolate do provide a shock of energy, but this is often short lived and followed by a huge dip in blood sugar, resulting brain fog and even less energy than …

Hashimoto's Autism | Dr. Jolene Brighten | DrBrighten.com

The Hashimoto’s and Autism Connection

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Digestion Leave a Comment

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that primarily affects the thyroid gland and has been correlated with autism in the offspring of mothers with the condition. Without intervention, the result is immune destruction to the mother’s thyroid, often with a need for medication. There is somewhat of a “myth” in mainstream medicine that leads some doctors to the conclusion that once …

Hypothyroidism? Why You Should Absolutely Quit Gluten Now

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Thyroid & Hormone Balance Leave a Comment

It is estimated that approximately 90 percent of hypothyroidism in the United States is caused by an autoimmune condition. In these cases of autoimmune hypothyroidism, known as Hashimoto’s, antibodies attack the thyroid, resulting in thyroid tissue destruction. There is evidence showing gluten plays a significant role in driving the antibody attack against your thyroid.