Dr. Natasha Paul About Natural Remedies For Hypothyroidism

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Posted on January 10, 2012 by Dr. Natasha Paul, MD

Being a consultant physician I have to deal with many different conditions, where I found hypothyroidism a common, as well as an evil health condition. If left untreated, it may lead to severe complications, and possibly become fatal. That is why I want to make people aware about hypothyroidism, so I occasionally write articles on hypothyroidism to increase the awareness of this chronic disease and the potential of the natural remedies for hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is a disease in which the thyroid gland produces fewer hormones. This decreased level of hormones slows down the metabolism of the body, which may cause many chronic symptoms. There are many side effects of hypothyroidism like:

heart problems,
mental problems,
myxedema (which may be considered an adult form of cretinism),
miscarriage and
birth defects; in which heart problems are the main cause of concern.

In hypothyroidism, the underactive thyroid increases the level of LDL (low-density lipoprotein), which is the ‘bad’ cholesterol. The increased level of high cholesterol blocks the small arteries which supplies blood to the heart, and finally causes heart attacks.

I also want to make the people conscious about the natural remedies of hypothyroidism by writing many informative articles on this website. The drugs and medications for the treatment of an underactive thyroid have numerous side effects. Some of the main side effects of taking hypothyroidism drugs are heart palpations, rapid heartbeats, and difficulty in swallowing and breathing, dizziness, headaches, excessive sweating, irritability and sometimes hot flashes.

Natural remedies of hypothyroidism and Ayurvedic (herbal) medicines generally cause no side effects (there are precautions to observe) and they have the same effects as normal drugs. Some of the more important natural remedies for hypothyroidism are:

iodine,
L-tyrosine,
L-arginine,
selenium,
bladderwrack (fucus vesiculosus),
coconut oil,
spirulina,
cayenne pepper,
agnus castus (monk’s pepper),
parsley root,
kelp and ginger,
primrose oil,
black cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa),
calamus root and
dandelion root.

The main Ayurvedic medicine for hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid is the herb “Yograj-Guggulu”. Other than medicine, in Ayurveda the Panchkarma therapy is also very effective in dealing with hypothyroidism.

Natural Remedies – Perfect for People Without Insurance

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Kevin A.

Having health insurance is really important. No matter how much you try to always be healthy and be in the best condition, getting some medical issues is hard to prevent. With the high prices of medications, having a health insurance is an advantage. However, not all people are insured. If you do not have a health insurance, you are one of the millions of uninsured Americans.

Being uninsured is not easy. When you get sick, as much as possible you avoid going to a hospital or consulting a doctor. You also have a tendency to not buy medicines because of their high prices. If left untreated, minor medical conditions can lead to major medical problems. That is why you should not take them lightly.

The next time you get a minor medical problem such as toothache, stomachache, nausea, or headache, try to treat it right away. Do not let being uninsured prevent you from relieving your pain. You can use natural remedies. You might be surprised at how effective those are. As a matter of fact, many people, whether insured or not, are using natural medicines.

If you were not aware of the existence of natural remedies, you most probably want to know more about them and how they can really benefit an uninsured person like you.

Natural remedies are also known as home remedies. That is because most of them are already present inside the home. There are many different kinds of home remedies. The medical condition that you want to treat is the basis of the kind of home remedies that you should use. Like for instance if you have a toothache, some home remedies that you can use are salt, garlic, pepper, and onion. For stomach pain, you can use ginger, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and licorice. Even though natural medications vary depending on the medical condition to be treated, most of them are no hard to get. In fact, you might already have some of them in your very own house. Just look at the examples I gave. I am sure you have most of those in your kitchen.

Natural remedies are safe to use. Unlike a lot of prescription medicines, home remedies do not have negative side effects, unless you are allergic to the product. Safety is a very important consideration, especially for someone like you who is uninsured. Because you are uninsured, you definitely cannot take the risk of getting negative side effects. That might require you to seek the help of a medical professional, and you do not have the extra money for that. Therefore, home remedies are really your best options. Most probably, you know the things you are allergic to. So just avoid using those home remedies. Anyway, there are many options in treating a certain kind of medical condition. That means there is always something that you could use.

Now that you know natural remedies exist and they are effective, safe, and easy to obtain, you are probably wondering what medical conditions they can treat and what home remedies should be used in treating a particular condition. Well, those are easy to find out. You can research about those online. There are lots of pieces of information regarding natural medicines that are readily available in the online world. In fact, there are many online sites which are dedicated to natural medicines. They talk about the medical conditions, their corresponding natural medications, and the instructions for using such medications. There are also books about home remedies. You can either go to the nearest public library or buy your own book at a bookstore.

It is really hard when you have a medical condition; even more so when you do not have a health insurance. The prices of prescription medicines and healthcare services are quite high, and they constantly increase. If you do not have insurance, getting the much needed treatment really becomes a problem. Fortunately, there are natural remedies that you can use. They are effective, safe, easy to use, affordable, and most of the time are already present in your own home.

Is Zinc A Natural Remedy for Hypothyroidism

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Kevin A.

Zinc is a mineral that’s vital to our body. Our cell’s use zinc and we aren’t capable of generating it ourselves. We can eat foods that contain zinc or get the mineral in supplements. When our zinc levels are low and we can’t get enough from food, then supplements are a good option. Zinc is one of the natural remedies for hypothyroidism.

We need zinc because it helps regulate a large number of processes in our body. This includes cell growth, tissue regeneration, joint support, boosting our immune system, hair growth, sexual function, and it helps to heal wounds.

Zinc is also beneficial for our sensory organs that regulate our smell, sight, and taste. It has been found in studies that a lack of this mineral can result in vision loss. We may also find a decrease in our ability to taste and have problems with our hearing or sense of smell. Elderly people can benefit from taking zinc too. While zinc is beneficial it shouldn’t be taken in high doses above the recommended level.

Doses of zinc over 100mg can damage the immune system and there is anecdotal evidence that regular use of zinc may negatively impact your sense of taste.

Zinc supplements may cause problems with copper absorption so you should take your supplements in the proper proportions. Taking zinc with copper and other minerals in the correct amounts can decrease the chances of those difficulties. Zinc together with copper is one of the natural remedies for hypothyroidism.

You should take zinc that is GMP (good manufacturing practice) compliant. This will ensure your zinc supplements don’t have contamination issues and that the dosages are balanced.

Research your supplements before choosing one. GNC online can help you pick the right supplement or you can visit a supplement store in your area. If you are unsure about your zinc supplement, visit your health care practitioner to determine if you have any medical conditions such as zinc deficiency or if zinc supplements are right for you. Your health care provider may provide you with ways of managing your diet so you don’t need zinc supplements in the first place. Zinc supplements in general won’t impact your pocketbook when you purchase them.

Siberian Ginseng One of The Natural Remedies for Hypothyroidism

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Kevin A.

If a person is suffering from fatigue, low blood pressure, weight gain, slow metabolism, muscle and joint pain, and constipation, it is highly likely that he or she has hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, which is also known as underactive thyroid, is a disorder wherein the thyroid glands do not produce enough of the thyroid hormone thyroxin. Like what most people do when they have disorders, a person with hypothyroidism tends to take medicinal drugs to treat such condition. The problem with medicinal drugs is that while they can really cure certain medical conditions, a lot of them can cause undesirable side effects. For this reason, it is much better to use natural remedies for hypothyroidism. They have no undesirable side effects and they are very effective in curing underactive thyroid.

There are many natural remedies for hypothyroidism such as spirulina, Siberian ginseng, kelp, Monk’s pepper, coconut oil, and dandelion root. Among these natural medications, Siberian ginseng is one of the most effective.

Siberian ginseng’s scientific name is Eleutherococcus senticosus. It belongs to the family Araliaceae. It is also known as Ciwujia or eleuthero. This herb is said to have originated from Northeastern Asia. Eleuthero is quite easy to grow. It can grow in almost any kind of soil and it can survive even without direct sunlight.

Benefits of Siberian ginseng

Eleuthero is very effective in relieving stress and fighting off depression. The Chinese, who are known to be avid users of natural medications, have been using this herb for a long time to cure hypothyroidism.

Siberian ginseng has been detected as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is an herb which increases the resistance of the body to trauma and stress. The active components found in this herb are called eleutherosides. They have glycosides which normalize metabolism, thus making the thyroid gland function properly. Eleutherosides are found in this herb’s roots. For this reason, the roots of Siberian ginseng are considered as the most important parts.

It has been proven that Siberian ginseng improves a person’s alertness and memory. It also increases the ability of the body to resist the negative effects of environmental factors and to recover from such factors. Aside from using this herb as a remedy for hypothyroidism, the Chinese also used it for respiratory infection prevention and for boosting energy.

The body’s ability to fight stress is improved by Siberian ginseng by making the adrenal gland work properly. When the adrenal gland works properly, the body is able to deal with heat exposure, exertion, and any other kind of physical stress better. For this reason, this herb is used as a supplement by many athletes.

Aside from being one of the most effective natural remedies for hypothyroidism, Siberian ginseng is also effective in improving fertility and in relieving menstrual cramps.

Siberian ginseng as one of the natural remedies for hypothyroidism in cats

Human beings are not the only ones that can be afflicted with underactive thyroid. Even cats can have this condition. A cat’s thyroid gland controls metabolism, weight, and level of energy, like what it does in humans. When a cat has hypothyroidism, it loses hair, becomes aggressive, gets tired easily, and gains weight fast even though it loses its appetite.

Cats with hypothyroidism can be treated the same way as human beings with hypothyroidism are treated. They can undergo surgery, hormone therapy, or take natural medications. Steroids and surgery are not 100 percent safe and a cat owner will definitely not want his or her cat to suffer from negative side effects of these kinds of treatments. Like with humans, natural remedies for hypothyroidism are best for cats. Siberian ginseng can effectively and safely cure a cat’s hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism, either in humans or in cats, should not be taken lightly. It should be treated as soon as it is detected. If left untreated, it could lead to a more serious condition like cancer. There is no reason to fear the high price and negative side effects of medication. There are natural remedies for hypothyroidism which are effective and much cheaper than other types of medication.

Is Monks Pepper A Natural Remedy For Hypothyroidism

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Kevin A.

Many natural remedies for hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid are available these days. Iodine, Siberian ginseng, dandelion root, kelp, L-Tyrosine, spirulina, Sarpagandha root, and gotu kola (Centella asiatica) are just some of the natural medications that someone with an under-active thyroid can use to address such a medical condition. One of the natural remedies for under-active thyroid is Monk’s pepper.

Monk’s Pepper

Monk’s pepper is an herb. Other names for Monk’s pepper are Vitex, Vitex Agnus Castus, Abraham’s Balm, and Chaste tree berry. It is not only considered as one of the more effective natural remedies for hypothyroidism, it is also widely considered to be capable of treating other conditions. Monk’s pepper has the ability to regulate estrogen production. Regulation of estrogen is important because when there is too much estrogen in a person’s body, the thyroid gland’s function is affected. The thyroid gland cannot function properly if the body has high levels of estrogen. The pituitary gland regulates the production of thyroid hormones. By supporting the pituitary gland function properly, Monk’s pepper makes the thyroid gland work properly as well.

Various parts of the Monk’s pepper plant can be used for medicinal purposes. Its berries, flowers, ripening seeds, as well as its leaves are commonly used to make herbal tinctures and remedies. By taking herbal supplements made from Monk’s pepper, a person who has underactive thyroid will be treated. Vitamins A, B12, C, and E are also recommended to be taken. These vitamins are also beneficial to someone who has hypothyroidism. Like Monk’s pepper, they make sure that the thyroid hormone levels are right.

Monk’s Pepper as an Effective Cure for Other Medical Conditions

Aside from being one of the known natural remedies for hypothyroidism, Monk’s pepper is also used to relieve menstrual pain and to treat other problems of the female reproductive system. Acne treatment is another use of Monk’s pepper.

Monk’s Pepper’s Effects On Men and Women

Monk’s pepper is a proven anaphrodisiac for men. This means that it reduces men’s sexual cravings and restrains the sex hormones. On a positive note, Monk’s pepper may effectively treat prostate cancer. It is also beneficial to men who have prostatitis.

For women, Monk’s pepper is known to increase female fertility, resulting in twin or multiple conceptions. Taking the herb may also result in having longer and heavier periods.

For both men and women, Monk’s pepper may cause skin rashes, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, upset stomach, and insomnia.

Precautions

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding must not take Monk’s pepper. It is also not to be taken by women who have cervical cancer, anemia, or breast cancer. The herb should never be given to children. Monk’s pepper can also reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives and some medicines like L-Dopa, which is used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Monk’s pepper may be one of the effective natural remedies for hypothyroidism. It is also a cheaper alternative treatment. However, as taking the herb has side effects, it is very important to consult a licensed medical practitioner before using it to treat an under-active thyroid.

Natural Remedy For Hypothyroidism: Seaweed, Seafood and Other Food Sources That Can Be Easily Incorporated Into One’s Diet

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Dr. Natasha Paul, MD

Did you know that iodine is a key mineral to the healthy functioning of the thyroid gland? And, did you know that it’s also a natural remedy for hypothyroidism that you can easily include into your diet? Yes, you read that right! You can easily include iodine in your diet to keep your thyroid gland working at optimum performance.

Most folks are under the mistaken impression that the only way to get iodine is from table salt. You should know, however, that even though most table salt has iodine added to it, it’s not the only way to get your salt. And, any of the processed, junk or fast foods you eat, don’t have the iodized salt you need in your diet. Worst of all, commercial sea salt doesn’t have the dietary iodine your body needs.

Several Kinds Of Seaweed Loaded With Iodine

So, if you can’t get iodine from processed foods processed foods frequently have a lot of non-iodized salt added) or get adequate amounts in table salt, what natural remedies for hypothyroidism are out there for you to use? After all, you want your thyroid to be working as best as possible. The best possible iodine-rich product out there is seaweed… any kind of seaweed such as:

Kelp
Wakame
Fucus
Dulse
Nori
Hijike
Kombu

These and other kinds of seaweed are loaded with iodine because they thrive in the salty ocean water. The above seaweeds and others can boost the functioning of thyroid and the maintenance of a healthy thyroid gland. Besides being such an asset to the healthy functioning of the thyroid, it’s also great in body detoxification, which is important to people who have thyroid problems. After all, folks who have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis need help eliminating the toxins from their body. Toxins tend to cause iodine displacement and obstruct the healthy functioning of the thyroid.

Kelp: The Most Popular Seaweed To Boost Thyroid Function

Kelp is seen as the most natural remedy for hypothyroidism. It contains a number of amino acids, elements and minerals, which is why it’s so worthwhile. It’s got all the stuff your body needs to treat hypothyroidism. However, iodine is very important to improving the function of the thyroid.

In fact, kelp has been used as a natural remedy for quite some time even before iodine was understood in treating hypothyroidism. And, it’s not just good as a natural remedy for hypothyroidism. People who don’t have thyroid problems can consume it to control their weight, treat their low blood pressure and relieve their tiredness and goiter, which can all be from the hypothyroidism.

Fucus: T4’s Fundamental Building Block

This is greenish brown seaweed has Diiodotyrosine in it; this is very important to the basic building block of T4. It can be consumed in powered supplemental form… a natural remedy for hypothyroidism. You need just five grams every day…taken one hour before you eat. Within weeks, you’ll notice some positive results. Folks using T4 medications ended up quitting their medication after using Fucus supplements.

However, people who have had complete thyroidectomy or radiation ablation will still need to use T4 medication.

Kombu: Additional Health Benefits From Brown Seaweed

Kombu and many other brown types of seaweed have several health benefits, which are possibly because of the ambiguous thyroid hormone supplementation. These benefits include:

Mood enhancement
Weight loss promotion
Lowering of arterial blood pressure
Skin problems

How Natural Remedies For Hypothyroidism Can Be Taken

If you want to ensure your thyroid functions properly, doctors and other health care providers suggest taking up to five grams of dried, ground kelp or other seaweed every day. These products can be purchased in your local health foods, natural food stores and Asian markets. How can you take these foods? There are four ways that you can take the natural remedy for hypothyroidism:

Salads
Snacks
Soups
Sushi

Whatever way you feel you can consume seaweed to get the most from the natural remedy for hypothyroidism, go ahead and do it!

Bear in mind that the amount of iodine in seaweed varies by plant as well as the place where the seaweed was harvested. There is no confirmed way to know how much iodine is in seaweed so it’s best to speak with your doctor before you consume it. If you consume seaweed with too much iodine, it can cause the thyroid to become overactive.

While it’s believed that seaweed contains no side effects, it’s still a good idea to speak with your doctor before including them in your diet. It’s not very likely that a minute amount of seaweed will do you harm; it’s still a good idea to know how seaweed and iodine affects the body and its thyroid gland…especially if you’re going to take iodine supplements.

Don’t Forget The Other Sources Of Iodine

Iodine isn’t just found in seaweed. It can also be found in other natural remedies for hypothyroidism such as oysters, saltwater fish, shellfish, soy milk and egg yolks.

If you’re not sure whether a food has iodine in it or not, speak with your healthcare practitioner to learn what foods you should incorporate into your diet…today!