Hyperthyroid, Grave's Disease Natural Treatment OptionsThis is the follow up email written after the Free 15 Minute Phone Consult regarding: What can I do naturally for Grave's Disease? I do not want to radiate my thyroid. I am currently managed with medication.

Listen to the Phone Consult Podcast:
"Alternatives to Radiation for Grave's Disease"

Olga mentioned this about the Phone Consult:
"You seem to be very well versed on the subject of my health concern (Graves Disease) and were able to immediately make recommendations."

My follow up email to Olga after the Phone Consult:

Olga - 

Grave's disease has numerous causes as we discussed. Determining the cause is a lengthy process and I don't feel we isolated it in your case. If we had more time to discover and go over your history, exposures and order various laboratory testing, I believe we could isolate the cause.

I am trying to determine if radiation therapy for your tumor may have caused the Grave's disease.

In the meantime, there are natural alternatives to help reduce the autoimmune response and destruction of your thyroid.

1. Eliminate additional halogens

  • Avoid as much as possible the other common halogens such as fluoride, bromide and chloride. These all interfere with the binding of iodine to your thyroid.
  • Shower filters that remove chlorine are easy to install and help prevent additional exposure to chlorine. One shower is equivalent to drinking at least 8 glasses of chlorinated water. The hotter the shower and longer the duration of the shower, the more chlorine you're exposed to.
  • Eliminating the chlorine and fluoride from drinking water is only possible through distillation or reverse osmosis. My company offers a 10 stage water filter that reduces fluoride but does not remove it entirely. It does remove chlorine very effectively along with heavy metals and particulate. The 10 stage water filter is also vastly superior to any Britta or PUR unit and the savings are significant when comparing the replacement cost of filters.
  • Sodas which are citrus flavored contain brominated vegetable oils.

2. Replenish common nutrient deficiencies

  • Selenium is researched to be lowest in those with Grave's disease and highest in those with healthy thyroid function.
  • Zinc status is lower in hyperthyroidism as compared to those with healthy thyroid function.
  • Taking a potent multivitamin specific to women over 40 years of age will help provide you with nutrients you need on a daily basis to help prevent cardiovascular disease, hormone imbalances and support breast health. The Woman's Nutrients will help provide key nutrients such as selenium, zinc and magnesium which are all essential for thyroid function.
    • Consider taking 3 capsules of Woman's Nutrients in the morning with breakfast and 3 capsules at lunch.
    • This dose will provide the 200 mcg of selenium which is needed along with the 15 mg of zinc.
    • This dose also provides significant amounts of magnesium as well.
    • Mellissa, also known as Lemon Balm, is also found in Woman's Nutrients. This herb is commonly used in hyperthyroid individuals.
  • L-Carnitine is researched to be low in those experiencing hyperthyroidism. (Please see the study attached below. I attached the entire study)

3. Balancing the sugar cravings

  • Craving sugar and carbohydrates are the main desires for you as mentioned. We need to try and curb this desire.
  • This is easily accomplished by eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
    • Eat breakfast - eggs are great as they are complete protein.
    • Ensure that each meal you have contains some protein in it. This way your blood sugar is balanced.
      • Protein provides long term energy and provides satiety (feeling of fullness) superior to carbohydrates and sugars.
    • If one eats carbs or sweets often, the appetite is not satisfied and they will find themselves eating and eating throughout the day.
4.  Balance the immune reaction

  • Plant Sterols are potent immune balancers known as immune modulators. My wife experienced Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and I was able to treat it successfully by having her take Sterol 117, a highly concentrated plant sterol formula with antioxidants, along with avoiding gluten containing foods. 
  • Avoiding gluten containing foods is paramount in any autoimmune thyroiditis. This is because the amino acid sequence of gluten has some components which mimic the amino acid sequence of the thyroid gland. Thus, when one eats gluten, has intestinal permeability, (otherwise known as leaky gut), the gluten escapes the confines of the intestines and enters into the blood stream and lymph. The immune system recognizes the gluten as foreign, begins developing antibodies against it and attacks gluten. Over time, the antibodies continue to rise and the same antibodies that attack the gluten are now attacking the thyroid as the thyroid amino acid sequence looks the same. Only way to stop the attack is by eliminating gluten-containing foods.
  • Decreasing inflammation, mortality rate and immune system reactivity may be improved by taking 5 grams of EPA/DHA daily.
    • Consider taking 2 teaspoons of Finest Pure Fish Oil daily with dinner. 
    • Research shows that harmful fats are released by hyperthyroidism. Taking a fish oil high in EPA/DHA can counteract the harmful inflammatory fats. (Please see attached complete study below)
      • An excerpt from the research states:
        • "The high mortality rate caused by a severe thyrotoxicosis in mice or rats is significantly reduced when either linoleate or a concentrate of 20:5 (EPA) and 22:6 (DHA) is included in the dietary fat." - Journal of Lipid Research, Volume 9, 1968
  • Unhealthy digestive bacteria and yeasts are likely prevalant in your digestive system. This is due to the constant craving of sugar and carbohydrates. 
    • In order to curb this, eating smaller meals with protein throughout the day will help significantly with the cravings.
    • Eating raw garlic is quite beneficial. Crush the garlic and put on your salads, soups or add to your favorite wild salmon or shrimp dish.
    • Taking a multivitamin, such as Woman's Nutrients,  with a potent B complex will also help curb the sugar cravings. Those who are vitamin B deficient and mineral deficient typically crave sugar.
    • However, one must address the rebalancing of the bacteria immediately as the unhealthy digestive bacteria lead to inflammation and autoimmune conditions.
    • Probiotics restore the proper balance in the digestive tract if they are in high numbers and across multiple strains. The probiotic must also be dairy free for those who are sensitive and contain a prebiotic as a nutritive base for the beneficial bacteria.
      • ProBiota 12 Powder contains 200 billion bacteria per 1/2 teaspoon across 12 beneficial bacterial strains grown in a dairy-free environment and also contains chicory as a prebiotic.
      • Take 1/2 teaspoon of ProBiota 12 Powder each evening with dinner time.
      • Once the bottle of ProBiota 12 Powder is gone, your digestive system will be vastly improved with beneficial bacteria and the immune system should be less reactive.
        • An excerpt from the research states:
          • "Regulation of microflora composition (e.g. by probiotics and prebiotics) offers the possibility to influence the development of mucosal and systemic immunity but it can play a role also in prevention and treatment of some diseases." - Immunology Letters, May 2004
        • There is a ton of research supporting the use of probiotics and prebiotics in those with autoimmune conditions.
      • There is no need to take additional probiotics past one bottle of ProBiota 12 Powder unless you have to take antibiotics.

In summary, the main supplements you should consider taking are:

  1. L-Carnitine
  2. EPA and DHA found in Finest Fish Oil
  3. Multivitamin high in zinc, selenium and magnesium along with other antioxidants found in Woman's Nutrients
  4. Potent probiotic at 200 billion beneficial microorganism across 12 strains found in ProBiota 12 Powder.
  5. Sterol 117 to balance the immune response

Lifestyle things you should consider:

  1. Shower Filter to remove exposure to chlorine
  2. Drinking water filter to remove exposure to chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals
  3. Get tested for Celiac Disease to determine if you have it or not.
  4. Get your vitamin D3 levels tested. If below 60, consider taking 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day.

Dietary changes you should consider:

  1. Eliminating gluten intake completely due to the close relationship between thyroiditis and gluten.
  2. Eat smaller, but more frequent meals which have protein in them throughout the day.

With the above changes in supplementation and lifestyle/dietary changes, you will notice significant improvement likely in one to two weeks.

Do follow up with me in 2 weeks to one month. Given the complexity, two weeks may be a better idea.

The HealthE Membership is free with the purchase of any Seeking Health supplement. ProBiota 12 Powder by Seeking Health will qualify you for a free HealthE Membership. The HealthE Membership provides you 10% off regularly marked items for one year. The discount is applied immediately during checkout.

A recording of the entire phone consult may be found here.

In health,

Dr Ben
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