Celiac disease is a malabsorption syndrome and chronic digestive disorder. The intestine is not able to absorb vital dietary nutrients from foods containing gliadin, an alcohol-soluble portion of gluten. This condition which is often hereditary means the sufferer has a serious intolerance to wheat (including durum, semolina and spelt), rye, oats, barley, and related grain hybrids such as tritaclae and kamut.
Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joint. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is characterised by joint degeneration and loss of cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis which is also an autoimmune disorder. In this case the body's immune system attacks its own cartilage and tissue surrounding the joints.
Some detoxification experts advocate fasting, while others do not. It is known that the components of any well-designed detox program will stimulate the body to cleanse itself, but people who are underweight, are undernourished, have weak hearts, have blood sugar issues or are ill should avoid fasting. Some studies have shown that restricting food intake can actually lead to bingeing.
Hemorrhoids are extremely common in industrialised countries and it is estimated that fifty percent of persons over fifty years of age have symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease. Although most people may begin to develop hemorrhoids in the twenties, the symptoms do not become evident normally until in ones thirties!
The Thyroid- Hyperthyroid and Hypothyroid: natural treatment plans
- What is the thyroid gland and what is hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism?
- How can I treat hypothyroid naturally?
- Herbs for hypothyroidism
What is the thyroid gland and what is hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism?
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate growth, maturation, and the body's metabolism. An over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism) produces too much hormone, the symptoms of which can include insomnia, disturbed bowel movements, increased appetite with weight loss, high blood pressure, nervousness, and a faster heartbeat. The main complaint of those suffering from an under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism), is exhaustion. Since the thyroid controls energy production, the metabolism of sugars and fats, your growth rate, the conversion of vitamin A into beta carotene, your heart rate, your blood pressure, your rate of breathing, mental alertness, and libido it is no wonder, when it malfunctions, you feel so very low.
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate growth, maturation, and the body's metabolism. An over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism) produces too much hormone, the symptoms of which can include insomnia, disturbed bowel movements, increased appetite with weight loss, high blood pressure, nervousness, and a faster heartbeat. The main complaint of those suffering from an under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism), is exhaustion. Since the thyroid controls energy production, the metabolism of sugars and fats, your growth rate, the conversion of vitamin A into beta carotene, your heart rate, your blood pressure, your rate of breathing, mental alertness, and libido it is no wonder, when it malfunctions, you feel so very low.
An over-active thyroid is more common in women than men and may affect up to 2% of the adult female population - the most common cause is Graves disease, which is an autoimmune disorder.
Treating the thyroid can be quite complicated and should generally be undertaken under the supervision of an experienced health professional. To test the functioning of your thyroid it is a great idea to take your basal temperature reading (between days 2 - 12 of your cycle for menstruating women). Your temperature should be taken in the morning, mid day, and evening...then average this out. Do this for a few days. If your average temperature is over 37 degrees it is quite likely that you may be hyperthyroid and if it is under 36.5 you are tending towards hypothyroid. Doctors will test your thyroid hormone levels, but bear in mind that it is clinically poven that sub clinical thyroid problems can cause a lot of undesirable symptoms i.e.. under the range of diagnosed 'problem' levels of thyroid hormones).
Another simple test is to paint iodine tincture from the chemist on the base of your foot at night. If the paint remains after 12 hours you are iodine deficient and may be low thyroid. Keep painting the iodine on every 24 for 3 days or stop before if the stain remains for up to 24 hours.
How can I treat hypothyroidism naturally?
odine and L-tyrosine supplementation is often recomended. L-tyrosine (500 mg two or three times a day) supports normal thyroid function but have caution as it may make high blood pressure worse if you are hypertensive.
Reduce soya products
Avoid goitrogens (cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, chinese greens as their sulphur content interferes with thyroid hormone synthesis)
Decrease linseed and flaxseed.
Take the antioxidant zinc as a supplement or eat foods rich in this nutrients
Increase tyrosine foods including almonds, avocados, bananas and dairy. To be effective in the body, iodine needs the presence of an amino acid tyrosine and this, in turn, needs enough vitamin E, A, B2, B3, B6, and C, as well as copper, zinc, and selenium. Organic foods contain up to four times more selenium than non-organic, so it would be worth making the changeover if you haven't done so already.
Take a selenium supplement or eat selenium rich foods.
Essential Fatty Acids such as fish oils are very important to have as well as they are necessary for hormone production. (1,000 to 1,500 mg three times per day)
Make sure you have adequate protein and foods high in Vitamin B's such as wheatgerm, wholegrains, nuts and seeds and brewers yeast. If you are going to supplement take B complex [(50 to 100 mg/day), augmented with vitamins B2 (riboflavin, 15 mg), B3 (niacin, 25 to 50 mg), and B6 (pyridoxine, 25 to 50 mg)]
To boost your dietary intake of iodine, which is crucial to thyroid functioning, eat more sea vegetables, especially kelp and dulse, and switch to iodised salt. Again, make sure your intake remains moderate though - since in excess, these foods will also have the opposite effect. Kelp supplementation and eating nori and other seaweeds is great for iodine. To supplement with iodine take (300 mcg per day) in most cases.
Other nutrients necessary for thyroid function are: Vitamin C (1,000 mg three to four times per day), vitamin A (10,000 to 25,000 IU per day) selenium (200 mcg per day), vitamin E (400 IU per day), and zinc (30 mg per day) are necessary for thyroid hormone production. Calcium (1,000 mg per day) and magnesium (200 to 600 mg per day) help many metabolic processes function normally.
Reduce stress!
Aims of Treatment will depend on the causative factor. for e.g. in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis which is an inflammatory autoimmune disease in which cells within the thyroid are gradually destroyed by autoantibodies one of the aims will be to reduce the production of thyroid antibodies by regulating immune function.
Other treatment aims are:
To reduce the inflammatory process and the increased free radicals that result from
inflammation. Treat symptoms such as fatigue and weight gain.
Bladderwrack is used traditionally for the treatment of hypothyroidism. It provides iodine which is essential for the synthesis of thyroxine.
Both Withania and Bacopa have been shown to increase thyroxine levels. Withania has also been shown to have an antiperoxidative (antioxidant) effect.
Additional Treatment (as required) may be St John's Wort. St John’s Wort provides antiviral activity for viruses that are classed as ‘enveloped’, including Herpes viruses, Epstein Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, Ross River virus, Hepatitis B and C,Rubella virus, and many of the viruses that cause the common cold and influenza. It also has antidepressant and nervine tonic activity making it an ideal adjunct to other herbal treatments for autoimmune diseases.
*Do not stop medication for thyroid complaints without medical supervision.
