Ayurvedic Diet as a Supplement to Levothyroxine Treatment of Myxedema

AYURVEDIC DIET AS A SUPPLEMENT TO PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT OF MYXEDEMA

I. INTRODUCTION Hypothyroidism (myxedema) has an estimated prevalence of 3% (1). Mostly women are affected by metabolic diseases in general with a gender distribution of 83% women versus 17% men, according to the Danish Metabolic Association (stofskifteforeningen) (2). Iodine deficiency is a common cause of thyroid diseases, including hypothyroidism. Hashimotos disease (chronic autoimmune thyroiditis) is the primary cause in countries with sufficient iodine (1,3-4), typically requiring lifelong treatment and is partly hereditary affecting across generations (3). Primary hypothyroidism is diagnosed by elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level and a reduced thyroxine (T4) level in plasma (4). Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, cold intolerance and constipation (1,4). Other common symptoms are weight gain, pain in muscles and joints, reduced memory and ability to concentrate, depression as well as hair loss and lack of energy (4). Untreated or undertreated hypothyroidism increases the risk of infertility, neurological and musculoskeletal symptoms, cardiovascular diseases and increased mortality (4-5). Hypothyroidism is associated with reduced quality of life and increased sick leave days (6-11). Levothyroxine, a synthetic form of T4, is clinically recommended as the first-line treatment of hypothyroidism (1,4). The effect target for Levothyroxine treatment is primarily defined based on a normalization of the TSH level (12). This means that the accompanying symptoms can still be present and be a nuisance to the patient, and 15% of patients will continue to have symptoms (7,13), most often reduced cognitive skills and an increased risk of anxiety and depression (14,17) which impair the quality of life (14-18). Even with normalized TSH levels, there is an increased risk of higher BMI and increased use of beta-blockers, statins and antidepressants (19). Most recently, combination treatment with levothyroxine and liothyronine (a synthetic form of T3), as well as treatment with dried thyroid extracts, has attracted great interest, but the effects are still debated, as large randomized clinical studies are lacking and there is uncertainty about the side effect profile (2,20 -21). Recent research has shown that the microbiota affects the metabolism and the thyroid gland (22), and a clear association between the microbiome and our brain function, the so-called gut thyroid axis (23-24) has been shown. Furthermore, it is evident that the composition of the diet is important for the composition of the microbiome (22). For metabolic diseases such as diabetes and overweight, diet planning, so-called medically tailored meals, is used as part of an effective treatment. This also applies to heart disease and chronic liver disease (25). The interest in food as medicine is clear and e.g. the Rockefeller Foundation and the American Heart Association launched a $250 million research initiative (25-27). The microbiome also plays a significant role in a well-functioning thyroid gland and metabolism, and changing the gut bacteria to create dysbiosis increases intestinal permeability. An inflammatory response can thereby occur with proinflammatory cells in the intestines but also in the thyroid (28-29). Dysbiosis is often seen in thyroid patients, where Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae are reduced, which affects the level of thyroid hormones and inhibits TSH (30-31). This may explain the increased comorbidity of thyroid and intestinal diseases (celiac disease and gluten intolerance) (32-35). In addition, the microbiota has an influence on the bioavailability of essential minerals, such as iodine, iron and copper, which are part of the synthesis of thyroid hormones, but also selenium and zinc, which are important for the conversion of T4 to T3. These minerals are often deficient in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, resulting in thyroid malfunction (30,36-38). The Indian medical system, Ayurveda, is based on generations of experience and knowledge in disease prevention and treatment, including various diet plans that are put into context for physical and mental health such as exercise, daily routines and lifestyle (39-42). The interest in Ayurvedic phenotypes (prakriti) has potential for precision medicine, and a study has shown association between these phenotypes and the microbiome (43). It indicates that prakriti (pheno)typing can be a marker for the gut microbiome, which is of importance for an individual's health, disease and treatment (43-44). There are four different Ayurvedic digestive types, agni; Samagni (normal metabolism, agni), Tikshnagni (intense metabolism, agni), Mandagni (mild/weak metabolism, agni) and Vishamagni (irregular metabolism, agni) (40). The digestive types are determined anamnestically based on the digestive pattern; the number of toilet visits per day, the consistency of the stool, appetite, hunger and thirst, acid regurgitation and belching, bloating and flatulence from the intestines as well as pain and pressure in the abdominal area. The most dominant type of digestion, defines the primary type of digestion for an individual, and determines which eating habits, foods and flavors are beneficial and which will be disadvantageous for digestion. The Vishamagni digestive type is considered the easiest to treat, and differs from the other digestive types by being irregular with varying hunger, appetite, thirst, stool pattern, flatulence and belching. In addition, pronounced bloating, pressure and pain in the abdominal area, alternating stools with both hard and loose stools, periodic constipation, exhaustion after meals and varying energy levels are seen (40-41). In comparison, normal digestion is characterized by a balanced appetite, thirst, weight and energy level as well as hunger just before meals and stools 1-2 times a day with normal consistency. In addition, there is no discomfort after meals and no pain, acid regurgitation, flatulence, as well as regular evacuation of air from the intestines and belching (40-41). Ayurveda generally recommends a lacto-vegetarian diet (40-41,45). There is a lack of scientific studies that test the effect of Ayurvedic diet, especially in combination with medical treatment. We wish to generate a pilot study, in order to create scalable effect studies (25).

II. HYPOTHESES A Vishamagni diet plan, as a supplement to medical treatment of hypothyroidism, improves digestion and has a positive effect on frequent symptoms of hypothyroidism, measured by self-reported questionnaire.

III. PURPOSE To investigate the effect of an Ayurvedic Vishamagni diet plan among patients with hypothyroidism. Self-reported changes from before, during and after the treatment are compared for a number of digestion-specific parameters and general health parameters.

IV. METHOD The study is a prospective, exploratory case-control trial in which clients are randomized to follow a Vishamagni or placebo (unchanged) diet plan. The participants are divided, by simple randomization method, into two groups with N participants = 44 in each, where group A receives a Vishamagni diet plan and group B continues the unchanged diet (control group). Both groups A and B must also take a digestion test (oral questions), fill in questionnaires with effect parameters and fill in a diet diary.