The standard treatment for hypothyroidism is taking daily medications to replace thyroid hormone. Of course, medications often cause side effects and missing a pill could lead to more symptoms. In some cases, natural remedies can cause fewer side effects and better suit your overall lifestyle. So learn this here now
Natural medicine
The goal of natural remedies or alternative medicine is to fix the root cause of the thyroid problem that sometimes begins due to:
- an improper diet
- stress
- lack of nutrients in your body
Changing your diet and taking an herbal supplement are two ways you can help your thyroid condition. These options may have fewer side effects than taking thyroid medications. Also, taking an herbal supplement to help treat a low or underactive thyroid can be helpful for people who do not respond well to medications. Consider the following five natural remedies as alternatives or additions to your treatment plan.
Selenium
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), selenium is a trace mineral that plays an integral part in thyroid hormone metabolism.
Many foods contain selenium, including:
- tuna
- Turkey
- Brazil nuts
- grass-fed beef
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an attack on the immune system in the thyroid, often reduces the supply of selenium in the body. Supplementing this trace mineral has been shown to help balance thyroxine, or T4, levels in some people. It is essential to talk to your doctor about how much selenium may be suitable for you, since everyone is different.
Sugar free diet
Sugar and processed foods can also cause increased inflammation in the body. Inflammation can reduce the conversion of T4 to thyroidine or T3, another thyroid hormone. This can make your symptoms and thyroid disease worse.
Also, sugar only increases your energy level in the short term; eliminating it from your diet can help regulate your energy levels. Additionally, eliminating sugar from your diet can help with your stress levels and your skin. It’s not easy to adopt a sugar-free diet, but the benefit to your thyroid health may be worth it.
Vitamin B
Taking certain vitamin supplements can have an effect on your thyroid health. Low thyroid hormones can affect the levels of vitamin B12 in your body. Taking a vitamin B12 supplement can help repair some of the damage caused by hypothyroidism.
Vitamin B12 can help with the fatigue that thyroid disease can cause. This disease also affects your vitamin B1 levels. You can add more B vitamins to your diet with the following foods:
- peas and beans
- asparagus
- Sesame seeds
- tuna
- cheese
- milk
- eggs
Vitamin B12 is generally safe for most healthy people at recommended levels. Talk to your doctor about how much vitamin B12 is right for you.