Anatomical Nourishment: 5 Holistic Guides to Support Hyperthyroidism

Written By: Vivian Benjamin

What is Hyperthyroidism?
In my previous article, I wrote about how you can utilize 6 strategies to manage hypothyroidism. In this article, I’m going to explore another common type of thyroid disorder – hyperthyroidism; and how you can apply 5 holistic guides to help you manage this disorder.



Please note that for treating hyperthyroidism, you must utilize pharmacological management; my article only serves as a guide to help you manage this disorder along with medicines. However, you can also use these guides to help prevent hyperthyroidism.



Hyperthyroidism is a syndrome associated with excess production of thyroid hormones. It is not to be confused with “thyrotoxicosis”. However, hyperthyroidism can lead to thyrotoxicosis. Thyrotoxicosis happens when excess thyroid hormones are exposed to the tissues inside the body. There are 2 types of hyperthyroidism, which are overt and subclinical.



Overt hyperthyroidism develops when thyroid stimulating hormones (TSH) decrease while triiodothyronine (T3) levels and thyroxine (T4) levels are elevated. Subclinical hyperthyroidism occurs when thyroid stimulating hormones are low while T3 and T4 levels are normal.



This thyroid disorder generally affects the female population than the male population around the world. According to a recent study, it is reported that more than 12% would develop this illness due to poor dietary and lifestyle measures. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism which is Graves Disease is reported to affect 60 – 80% of the population in the UK. 




Causes of Hyperthyroidism
Now that you know about hyperthyroidism and its prevalence, let’s explore the causes of this thyroid disorder.

1. Graves Disease – this is an autoimmune disease that affects the younger population around the world (30 -50            years of age)

2. Toxic Multinodular Goiter – enlarged thyroid glands that often affect older adults or living places where there is        iodine deficiency.

3. Toxic adenoma  - a benign tumour on the thyroid gland

4. Thyroiditis – inflammation of the thyroid gland

5. High levels of Iodine from diet, supplements or medications (amiodarone & lithium)

6. Smoking




Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Individuals suffering from hyperthyroidism can develop these symptoms, though symptoms may vary between different individuals.

• Unintentional weight loss

 

• Weight gain due to increased appetite as a result of increased metabolism

 

• Palpitations

 

• Tremors

 

• Heat intolerance

 

• Shortness of breath on exertion

 

• Increased anxiety and irritability

 

• Fatigue

 

• Muscle weakness

 

• Increased bowel movements

 

• Hair loss

 

• Loss of libido

 

• Infrequent menstruation or absence of menstruation in women

Complications of Hyperthyroidism
Untreated or unmanaged hyperthyroidism results in thyroid storm; a life-threatening situation that raises the body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure to a dangerously high level. It is also associated with risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and infertility. 





5 Holistic Tips to Manage Hyperthyroidism

1. Dietary Approaches
A balanced diet and holistic nutrition are the best ways to manage hyperthyroidism, where you consume food in a way that connects your mind, body, heart and soul. Let’s explore what types of food you can incorporate into your daily diet and what kind of food is best to avoid when you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.

Foods to consume:

• Cruciferous vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, kale

 

• Natural probiotics and prebiotics – fermented foods, onion, garlic

 

• Anti-inflammatory food – berries, leafy greens, ginger, turmeric

 

• Healthy fats – avocado, olive, seeds, nuts, fish like mackerel & salmon

Foods to avoid:

• Seafood which includes agar and seaweed

 

• Iodized water & iodized salts

 

• Brazil nuts

 

• Processed and highly processed food

 

• Coffee 

 

• Alcohol

2. Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants can be found in any part of the plant such as leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, bark, roots and many more. These plant-based natural ingredients are great for treating and managing illnesses, in addition to having no side effects when used in a balanced way. Let’s explore the medicinal plants that can be used to manage hyperthyroidism.

• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) – reduces thyroid hormones

 

• Bugleweed (Ajuga) – reduces the function of the thyroid glands

 

• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) – supports heart health and reduces anxiety 

3. Mindful Meditation
Mindfulness is being aware of your thoughts, behaviours, feelings, body sensations and the environment in the present moment while being kind, compassionate, open, accepting and non-judgemental. 


Meditation is a technique used to connect your body and mind to increase focus and concentration on the present moment. It’s all about connecting with yourself and letting go of thoughts to create a sense of inner peace. This holistic approach can be used to alleviate the symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety, irritability and fatigue.


There are plenty of mindful meditations you can integrate into your life, however; I’ve chosen a few you can apply:

• Visualisation meditation - practised by visualizing positive images or scenes to initiate calmness and relaxation

 

• Focused meditation - performed using all the five senses (touch, hear, sight, taste & smell). To illustrate, you can listen to something pleasant such as birds chirping or look at something that makes you happy.

 

• Body scan meditation - practised by progressively relaxing your muscle groups one area at a time to reduce muscle tension. 

4. Yoga
Yoga is an ancient holistic lifestyle approach that cultivates positive thinking, inner happiness and inner peace. It is a technique that connects your mind and body to promote mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Yoga can help you manage the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. However, it is advised to follow a proper yoga instructor for these poses. Examples of poses you can try are Bridge Pose, Corpse Pose, Dragon Pose and Butterfly Pose.



5. A good and restful sleep
When you sleep your body repairs itself so you can be recharged as soon as you wake up. Hence, a good restful sleep is essential to maintain bodily functions. Check out my article on the 10 best ways to naturally fall asleep without medications. 
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All in All
Though hyperthyroidism can only be suppressed with medication you can balance it out by integrating holistic interventions to help manage the symptoms. Nutrition Takes explores 5 holistic tips to support your journey in managing hyperthyroidism.


Share or ask questions in the comment section if you would like to know more about this topic or if you have different insights that you would like to share. I am always happy to know about your journey in holistic interventions.










References
1. Mathew P et al (2023); Hyperthyroidism; In: StatPearls

2. Se-Min K et al (2021); Thyrotropin, Hyperthyroidism and Bone Mass; The Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism;
    106(12): 4809-4821.

3. Bereda G et al (2022); Hyperthyroidism: Definition, Causes, Pathophysiology and Management; Journal of Biomedical and
    Biological Sciences; 1(2): 1-11.
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