Alternative Therapies for Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the situation in which, thyroid gland is underactive. The thyroid gland is responsible for the metabolism in the body. This important gland is situated at the middle of the neck at front side. Disturbance in the metabolism affects the entire body system and therefore, this disease is to be controlled as soon as possible. There are couple of ways to keep thyroid gland in normal state with normal functioning. Apart from the supplement of the thyroid hormones, some of the alternative therapies, which can keep thyroid gland healthy and can keep thyroid hormones within normal level.

Diet is what comes first in mind as safe method to treat and to control any disease including hypothyroidism. If you restrict your diet from the beginning, it will not only prevent all the diseases but will also keep thyroid gland healthy and to function normally. Foods that depress the thyroid glands' activity should be avoided. The food such as soy, beans, cauliflowers, cabbage, broccoli, mustard greens etc can depress thyroid activity one or the other way.

One should also avoid refined foods, sugar and dairy product in abandon. Give up wheat, caffeine and alcohol when you are suffering from hypothyroidism. The food that is to be taken is essential fatty acids. Take 1000 to 15000 mg of essential fatty acids three times a day. This helps the thyroid to produce normal level of thyroid hormones.

It is proven by researches that vitamin C, vitamin B complex, vitamin A and vitamin E are very beneficial for thyroid hormone production and thyroid gland's health. Take these all vitamins regularly but the caution here is, one should take all vitamins in proper dosage as less or over dose will be harmful to the body. Along with the thyroid functions, essential elements like L-tyrosine and calcium are also effective. Many dieticians recommend selenium and iodine.

There are many herbs, which are proven to have good effect in hypothyroidism case. For example, the tea or a tincture that is made up with horsetail (Equisetum arvense), oatstraw (Avena sativa), gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is said to be very beneficial in hypothyroidism. Some of the herbalists advise Kelp (Laminaria hyperborean), Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) and irish moss (Chondrus crispus). They not only help in production of good quality thyroid hormone but they also keep the quantity under control. 

Another good concept to treat hypothyroidism is something called contrast hydrotherapy. This is the therapy in which, there is cold and hot applications. These applications are applied alternately to neck and the throat. It is said to be stimulating for thyroid glands. The ideal method is to keep the hot application for three minutes and then applying cold application for about one minute. The entire procedure is repeated three times as a set and there should be two to three sets each day to gain maximum benefits.

Alternative therapies do help in preventing and treating hypothyroidism. However, this therapy is not to be considered as first line therapy.