There are many natural treatments available to treat hypothyroidism. While hormone pills are among the most common natural treatments, vitamins, exercise, and dietary changes are natural options to improve thyroid health.
It’s important to be sure that one does not have a vitamin deficiency, so starting with a multivitamin is advisable. The best way to find a good quality multivitamin is to check health food stores; pharmacy brands will not be potent enough. Along with a multivitamin, other supplements can be taken to help the thyroid.
An important vitamin for thyroid health is iodine. Kelp tablets are affordable, natural, and iodine-rich.
Bladderwack, which is seaweed, is also a good source of iodine. It is considered a factor in the thyroid gland increasing metabolism.
Before taking bladderwack, one should speak to a medical professional, as it can be contaminated with heavy metals.
Selenium deficiency is often a factor in hypothyroidism, as selenium is an important component in the thyroid’s function. Taking too much could be harmful, so one should take care not to overdo it.
The amino acid Tyrosine helps the body produce thyroid hormones, and including this in the diet is beneficial.
This helps combat hypothyroidism symptoms by improving alertness, focus and mood. Tyrosine is also essential because iodine requires it to convert to thyroid hormone.
Coconut oil is also a beneficial natural supplement for hypothyroidism. It can also boost metabolism, which helps hypothyroidism sufferers who have associated weight issues.
The Hypothyroidism Diet
While people disagree about how much difference a person’s diet can make in their hypothyroidism symptoms, some feel that dietary changes can have a positive impact. There is much debate about this, but all can agree that a healthy, well balanced diet is beneficial to anyone regardless of whether a person has hypothyroidism.
To alleviate symptoms of hypothyroidism, some advise eating foods high in protein and complex carbohydrates. Include fruit, non-starchy vegetables, low fat proteins, and whole grains in your diet, along with Omega 3s and Omega 6 fatty acids. You can find these in seeds, leafy greens, walnuts, cold water fish, and shrimp.
Other good choices for hypothyroidism sufferers are foods high in iodine, such as yogurt, eggs, oatmeal and potatoes. Brazil nuts and some lean meats are good sources of another important part of kidney function, selenium. You should favor natural foods over processed ones. If you’re on a hypothyroidism diet, you should include plenty of fiber. However, be careful not to consume too much as it can disrupt the absorption of synthetic thyroid hormone.
Natural Treatments for Hypothyroidism
One should also take care to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day. Green tea can also be beneficial, as long as it is caffeine free.
Many doctors concur on the necessity to avoid certain foods because these types interfere with the beneficial effects of hormone medication. Therefore, it’s advisable to steer clear of foods high in salt. You should also reduce or eliminate your consumption of white bread, pasta, rice, chips, and desserts.
Likewise, it’s best to avoid artificial sweeteners. Be mindful of goitrogenic foods, those known to contribute to the development of goiter – an enlargement of the thyroid gland. You should consume these only in small quantities or preferably, not at all. These include broccoli, kale, soy, cabbage, strawberries, peaches, pears and radishes.
Some advise hypothyroidism sufferers to cut back on fatty meat and alcohol. In a similar vein to certain foods affecting hormone medication, supplements can cause similar issues. When taking iron or calcium supplements, one should wait several hours before taking hormone pills.
This is also the case with certain antacids (containing aluminum and magnesium) and cholesterol and ulcer medications. Some believe a hypothyroidism diet should include five to six small meals eaten throughout the course of the day. No more than five hours should pass between meals. Along with a healthy diet, hypothyroidism sufferers should also take a good quality multivitamin and get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day
Natural Thyroid Treatments in terms of Exercise
Exercise specialists suggest that people with hypothyroidism should include at least half an hour of exercise daily. This could take the form of walking, yoga, or Pilates. They particularly highlight the benefits of yoga and Pilates for thyroid health.
Natural Treatments for an Underactive or Overactive Thyroid
Underactive and overactive thyroid, also called hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, are disorders that occur when the thyroid is not functioning properly. An underactive thyroid doesn’t make enough hormones, while an overactive thyroid, as would be assumed, makes too many.
With an under-active thyroid, the body’s immune system attacks its own thyroid. In less common cases, a tumor can prevent the pituitary gland from working properly and interrupt the production of hormones that the thyroid needs to function. Some people have an underactive thyroid and don’t realize it.
Those who do exhibit symptoms like constipation, dry, pale skin, thinner hair, more brittle nails, pain and stiffness in muscles and joints, and sensitivity to cold. Those with underactive thyroid sometimes gain weight, become depressed, and feel fatigued. If left untreated, the skin can thicken, the face can become puffy, and one’s sense of taste and smell can decrease. Speech can also become slower.
Underactive thyroid can be treated with hormone pills, and these usually must be taken for the rest of a person’s life. The condition can also be improved with supplements containing iodine, such as kelp tablets or bladderwack.
Selenium
Selenium is also essential for proper thyroid function. When a person has an overactive thyroid, the overabundance of thyroid hormone causes body functions to speed up. Symptoms include tiredness, anxiety and irritability, sensitivity to heat, increase in heart rate and goiter. Although there is sometimes an increase in appetite, weight loss is far more common than weight gain in those with overactive thyroid.
Women can have irregular menstrual periods or lose their period altogether and trouble conceiving. Doctors treat overactive thyroid with anti-thyroid medicines, particularly when the patient is under 50 and the thyroid gland is only mildly swollen. For those over 50 or those with thyroid nodules, doctors prefer using radioactive iodine as a treatment.
Beta-blockers can alleviate symptoms such as tremors, but they don’t cure the overactive thyroid. Doctors don’t usually opt for a Thyroidectomy unless the swollen thyroid gland impedes swallowing or breathing. Even if you don’t experience bothersome symptoms due to these issues, seeking treatment remains crucial.
Without treatment, symptoms could escalate, and the body may sustain damage. A recommended diet for managing both underactive and overactive thyroid includes high protein, whole grains, and fresh produce. Doctors advise those with underactive thyroid to eat seafood, but they discourage it for those with an overactive thyroid. Avoiding processed, starchy, and sugary foods is beneficial for both conditions.