Does Ashwagandha Have a Negative Impact On The Thyroid?
The thyroid is one of the important glands in individuals. It is a small gland present in the front of your neck and has a shape similar to that of a butterfly.
This gland is crucial for maintaining various processes in the body and maintaining overall health and well-being.
Several people suffer from issues related to this small gland in the body. These issues may be treatable, however, they might not be reversible.
Thus, it is important to understand the effects of different drugs on thyroid conditions and to determine whether these are safe for consumption.
Ashwagandha has been used as an herbal remedy for treating stress, anxiety, fatigue, and other problems.
This adaptogenic herb may help to curb some symptoms of Thyroid health issues.
However, the question is, if it is safe for consumption if you suffer from thyroid problems.
Ashwagandha may be used as an alternative treatment option for individuals with thyroid health issues. However, it may not be recommended for everyone.
In this article, we provide you with information on this gland called thyroid, its functions, and issues related to the thyroid gland, and help you determine if it’s good or bad for thyroid problems.
What is the Thyroid Gland?
As mentioned earlier, the thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland situated on the front side of your neck.
The main function of this small gland is the production, regulation, and maintenance of various hormones. These hormones are primarily used for producing energy.
However, the hormones are then circulated to almost all the organs in your body and are involved in maintaining several functions in the body.
Thus, Ashwagandha is very important for maintaining health and well-being in individuals. However, over the years, individuals may face issues related to the functions of this gland.
As a result, many of the functions of the body get affected as well causing various other health problems.
Thus, maintaining the health of your thyroid is crucial for several reasons.
What are the functions of the thyroid gland?
The thyroid is a part of the endocrine system which consists of several other glands. All these glands create and secret hormones in the body to support various functions.
From making digestive juices to regulating other functions, these glands are crucial for maintaining several aspects of health.
The thyroid gland produces and releases some hormones that support various functions in the body.
First, the thyroid is responsible for producing hormones called T3 and T4. Both of these hormones maintain metabolic processes. Next, it produces a hormone called RT3 which reverses the effects of T3.
It also produces a hormone called THS which is released when there is an imbalance in the levels of the T3 and T4 hormones.
Finally, the last hormone that is produced by the thyroid gland is called Calcitonin which is responsible for regulating the amount of calcium present in your blood.
These hormones then support various bodily functions including energy production, optimizing energy, maintaining a steady heart rate, breathing, digestive processes, body temperature, brain health, mental acuity, and much more.
This is why, maintaining healthy thyroid health and functions is important.
What are the different conditions related to thyroid health issues?
Two common conditions related to improper thyroid functions are known to everyone. These are called Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism.
Here’s some more information about the two conditions:
● Hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is where the thyroid gland overproduces the hormones that it is in charge of.
The most common symptoms of this condition include irregular heartbeat, fatigue, hair loss, and weight loss.
● Hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is the exact opposite of hyperthyroidism. In individuals with this condition, the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of the thyroid hormones.
Thus, it affects several functions in the body and causes other health issues.
Common symptoms of this condition include sudden weight gain, fatigue, constipation, dry skin, and much more.
Other thyroid disorders can also affect people, however, the ones mentioned above are the most common.
The most common treatment option for thyroid problems is using synthetic chemicals. However, individuals may look for natural alternatives to support the condition that they have.
Ashwagandha is also used by some people for maintaining the functions of the thyroid gland.
Let’s take a look at how bioactive compounds in Ashwagandha affect the health of your thyroid.
Ashwagandha and Thyroid disorders
Ashwagandha which is an ancient herb used for several years in traditional medicine has several health benefits.
The ancient herb is a house to important compounds that give it the properties that it possesses.
● First, ashwagandha is known to reduce stress and anxiety. Hence, it can be beneficial for reducing stress and related issues if you suffer from thyroid problems.
● Ashwagandha is good for regulating metabolic processes. Hence, in the case of hypothyroidism where hormone production goes down, using Ashwagandha can help to regulate metabolic processes.
● Additionally, in hypothyroidism, individuals suffer from a lack of energy. Ashwagandha is a potent energy-promoting herb that can be beneficial for maintaining all-day energy.
Thus, Ashwagandha can be beneficial for individuals who suffer from hypothyroidism.
On the other hand, things are different for individuals with hyperthyroidism. Ashwagandha has been shown to stimulate an increase in the levels of thyroid hormones.
However, hyperthyroidism is characterized by an increase in the functions of the Thyroid hormones.
Thus, taking Ashwagandha in individuals with pre-existing hyperthyroidism can cause excessive levels of T3 and T4 that can be dangerous for health.
Thus, it is not recommended to use Ashwagandha in individuals with hyperactive thyroid.
Is Ashwagandha bad for the thyroid?
There is no definite answer to this question as research on Ashwagandha and its effects on the thyroid gland still have a long way to go.
It has been proven that individuals with a healthy thyroid can use Ashwagandha and improve their health.
It can also benefit those with hypothyroidism as it supports functions of the body that get affected by this thyroid condition.
Finally, it has not been recommended for individuals with hyperthyroidism as it may cause dangerously high levels of thyroid hormones as well.
Thus, individuals with hyperthyroidism may not benefit from using Ashwagandha.
Bottomline...
Using Ashwagandha may be beneficial for maintaining healthy thyroid functions.
However, individuals with thyroid disorders or problems must consult a doctor before using Ashwagandha.
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