Thyroid problems are common, particularly in women; an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can have a significant impact on health, as the thyroid is the master gland of metabolism. An overactive thyroid can cause the body’s metabolism to speed up causing diarrhea, weight loss, hair loss, palpitations and many other symptoms.
There are three main treatments for hyperthyroidism – antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine (RAI) and surgery (partial or total thyroidectomy). However, none of these treatments is 100% effective, and all have other negative effects on the body. Most patients, for example, will suffer from hypothyroidism for the rest of their lives after RAI treatment or thyroidectomy.
Still, there are some natural cures and remedies that can alleviate the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and have been shown to have a positive effect, without all the negative consequences of conventional medicine.
lemon balm – Lemon balm lowers TSH levels and has been used to treat Graves’ disease. The rosmarinic acid in lemon balm apparently binds to thyrotropin (TSH) and prevents it from connecting to the gland. This action is relatively weak, but I guarantee that it will calm you down, help your insomnia, and reduce your stress. And it is harmless.
L-carnitine – effectively inhibits the activity of excess thyroid hormone and reduces the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Studies dating back to the 1960s in animals and recently in humans suggest that the amino acid L-carnitine blocks the effects of excess thyroid hormone on some body tissues. L-carnitine does not affect the thyroid gland itself, but it does effectively reduce the symptoms of hyperthyroidism in the autoimmune hyperthyroid disorder Graves’ disease.
flax seed oil – is the most abundant plant source of omega-3 fatty acids, omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid. The seeds and oil of the flax plant contain substances known to promote good health. Flaxseed oil is good for: the circulatory system, the immune system, the reproductive system, the nervous system, and especially if you have thyroid eye disease, which is one of the symptoms of Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism.
