Home Remedies for hyperthyroidism are largely based on inclusion of certain specific foods in your daily diet. Foods with antioxidant properties are good food to control your thyroid which is in overdrive. However, food alone will not be sufficient to take care of hyperthyroidism. You will have to take medicine.
The thyroid gland is located in the neck just below the Adam’s apple and it regulates the body’s metabolism and energy levels.
Overactive thyroid or < strong > hyperthyroidism is a condition in which thyroid gland produces too much thyroxine . As a result of too much production of this hormone thyroxine, you may get < strong > irregular heartbeat, sweating, nervousness and irritability . Your metabolism significantly increases causing sudden weight loss.
Once proper diagnosis is done and medicines are taken, most people respond well to hyperthyroidism treatment. There are a number of food based home remedies for hyperthyroidism that supplement your treatment very well.
Hyperthyroidism runs in families and it is more prevalent in women than men. Other common causes of hyperthyroidism include < strong > inflammation of the thyroid gland, abnormal secretion of thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH), or benign lumps or nodules in the thyroid. An autoimmune disorder called Graves’ disease also causes hyperthyroidism. You have to take medicine to control hyperthyroidism.
So take your medicines regularly and use the following home remedies to improve hyperthyroidism effectively and much faster.
Home Remedies for Hyperthyroidism
Some of these herbs and food items will slow the production of hormone thyroxine but on their own they may not be sufficient to bring the thyroxine levels to normal levels. These remedies will help you to reduce the requirements of chemical based medicine but will not completely replace medicine for hyperthyroidism.
1. Broccoli
Broccoli contains compounds such as isothiocyanates and goitrogens, generally found in other cruciferous vegetables also. These compounds restrain the thyroid from producing too much hormone thyroxine that causes hyperthyroidism.
You should add more broccoli to your food if you have hyperthyroidism. Uncooked broccoli is much better than cooked one to reduce hormone production.
Other cruciferous vegetables should also be added to your daily diet to reduce hyperthyroidism. These are Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, rutabaga, turnips, kohlrabi, kale, mustard greens, and radishes.
2. Cabbage
Cabbage contains a good amount of dietary goitrogens which makes it one of the most useful foods for treatment of hyperthyroidism. It reduces thyroid hormone production. Uncooked cabbage is tasty and produces better results than cooked one to reduce hormone production in hyperthyroidism patients.
You can eat it raw in sandwiches, salads and other raw food dishes along with kale and radishes to get the best results to deal with hyperthyroidism.
3. Berries
Berries will not reduce production of thyroxine but berries can reduce inflammation and pain of hyperthyroidism. Berries are rich in vitamins and various antioxidant properties that can help reduce inflammation of the thyroid gland.
You can eat all available different types of berries such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cherries and others. You may have local berries which are not listed here. Find out if they contain vitamins and antioxidants which they are most likely to contain. Eat local berries to improve your immunity and reduce hyperthyroidism inflammation.
4. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential to improve the body's immune system. They also play a vital role in balancing production of hormone thyroxine that goes in overdrive during hyperthyroidism.
Food containing Omega 3 fatty acids such as fishes like salmon and tuna and plant based foods such as flax seeds and walnuts can control production of hormone thyroxine which goes in overdrive in hyperthyroidism.
If your body is not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids, then these foods must be added to your daily diet.
5. Soy
Soy is protein rich plant based food. Protein-based foods are good for hyperthyroidism.
Protein transports thyroid hormones to different body tissues. Research suggests that a moderate concentration of soy sterols can help improve hyperthyroidism.
Most people like to eat soy products but some do not. If you are one of them those who do not like it, then add other proteins such as nuts, legumes, quinoa, eggs and farmed fish to your daily diet.
Once your treatment begins for hyperthyroidism, symptoms should subside and you should start feeling much better. Ask your doctor about supplementing your diet to regain lost weight and muscles due to hyperthyroidism. Protein supplements and meal plans from a nutritionist will be very helpful in regaining normal weight and strength.
Make sure that the treatment should not increase your weight beyond acceptable limits, which the hyperthyroidism treatment is capable of increasing, if you do not take extra precautions in your diet. The meal plan you begin to gain weight should be only for a short term. Once you regain your normal weight, you have to be watchful. Change your diet to ensure you do not add more weight from that point onward.
Your bone may become thin due to hyperthyroidism, so get enough calcium and vitamin D. If you do not get enough calcium then osteoporosis will set much earlier and you will be more susceptible to frequent bone fractures and irreparable damages in some cases.
Depending on your age profile doctors will prescribe you Vitamin D doses. Follow them regularly and keep checking your Vitamin D levels periodically.
Daily sun exposure during morning hours before 8:00am in most places, when the concentration of ultraviolet ray is minimum, is one of the best ways to get vitamin D. 15-30 minutes of daily exposure is what you really need.
Exercise also helps to strengthen muscles which are lost during hyperthyroidism. With supplements recommended by doctor, protein rich diet and exercise you can regain your muscles. You do not have to go for strenuous exercises. Simple walking for 45 minutes or a 30 minute swim will suffice.
If you can swim in the morning sun time 8:00 am in the outdoors, you will get both the required sun exposure as well as exercise. However, it may not be possible for everyone due to work schedules. You must find your best slots but do the exercise regularly and keep an eye on your diet to get rid of ill effects of hyperthyroidism.
Overall, hyperthyroidism is a condition which requires proper medical as well as personal attention. If you catch it early and take all the precautionary and curative measures with discipline, life with hyperthyroidism can be made more comfortable.