The
thyroid is responsible for hormones that affect mood, improve
circulation, increase metabolism, retain calcium, affect cardiovascular
health, improve tolerance to temperature fluctuations, minimize body
fat, reduce the tendency for obesity, minimize menstrual disturbances,
improve energy, reduce the dryness of skin and hair, and reduce
premature hair loss [1-3]. Yet thyroid problems are very
common [2].
Unfortunately, medical interventions are often incomplete as blood
tests often do not recognize certain forms of hypothyroidism
[2,3]. Furthermore, even when found medically, most medical
interventions are limited to the prescribing of synthetic T4
(levothyroxine), which tends to shut the thyroid down [4], and thus
possibly increasing the tendency for osteoporosis [3-5], as well as
sometimes increasing mood problems and some other symptoms associated
with low thyroid function.
Vegetarian Thyro is a 100% vegan Food supplement intended to nutritionally support the thyroid and improve metabolism. Vegetarian Thyro is basically Food intended for thyroid gland. If additional endocrine support is indicated, consider adding Vegetarian Adrenal or Vegetarian Tyrosine.
Burdock Root has long
been used to support the thyroid nutritionally [6]. It is
sometimes used in products that are given to people who take synthetic
thyroid medicines [6].
Carrots contain a variety
of carotenoids, which is a vitamin A precursor. Low levels of
vitamin A are associated with increased risk of thyroid goiters and
deficiencies affect thyroid metabolism [7]. “[A] decade-long
Harvard study indicat[ed] that by getting 50 milligrams of carotenoids
in every other day…significantly reduce[d] the risk of cancer,
cardiovascular disease, and cataracts” [8].
Dong Quai has long been
used to support the thyroid nutritionally [6]. It is sometimes
used in products that are given to people who take synthetic thyroid
medicines [6].
Folate forms have long
been used to support the thyroid nutritionally [6]. It is
sometimes used in products that are given to people who take synthetic
thyroid medicines [6]. Additionally, it has been reported that
deficiencies of folate have been found in those with inadequate
production of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) [9].
Iodine can be properly
called THE THYROID mineral since the body’s sole use of the mineral
iodine is for the thyroid to make thyroid hormones (T1,T2,T3, & T4)
[1,5,8]. The primary thyroid hormone (T1) is called
monoiodotyrosine, which means it needs iodine and tyrosine [5].
It gets converted to T2 with the addition of more iodine, then to T3
with more iodine then to T4 with even more iodine. Iodine is
naturally contained in Foods such as kelp and other sea vegetables [10].
Irish Moss Chondrus
crispus contains humic and fulvic acids (FAs) which increase the
solubility of toxic metals [11], thus it is sometimes used to
detoxify. Detoxification can be an issue with thyroid health as
some believe that substances like chloride and fluoride can bind with
the thyroid and interfere with iodine absorption. “Irish moss and
Kelp combination is used to balance hormonal indeficiency especially in
the thyroid gland. It increases the metabolic rate, thyroid
activity, and the detoxifying function of the body. The herbs
{also} supply trace minerals…[and] is commonly used in conjunction
with…the complex of B vitamins, vitamin A,…and zinc” [12] .
Kelp is a Food
source of trace minerals, and an excellent source of iodine [10].
Kelp has long been used (since 3000 B.C.) to provide nutritional
support for the thyroid gland [8,13]. Gary Null, Ph.D., has written,
“Kelp can rebalance thyroid metabolism, resulting in successful weight
management and the reversal of many conditions which are caused by a
thyroid imbalance, including stomach and respiratory disorders” [13].
L-tyrosine an amino acid
required for the production of thyroid hormones, T1,T2,T3, and T4
[5]. Tyrosine may reduce the net rate of protein breakdown in the
body and appears to help with endurance [14]. Tyrosine has an
effect nerve impulse transmission and may “improve vigilance and lessen
anxiety” [17]. Gary Null (Ph.D.) considers tyrosine to be
a therapeutic amino acid for depression as well was an
antiencephalopathic, antiparkinsonian, and an
antidepressant [16]. Women on oral contraceptives have been found
to have less plasma and brain levels of tyrosine which results in a
reduction in catecholamines, which affect mood. [17]. Oral consumption
of tyrosine has, in some case, been shown to completely alleviate
depression while increasing plasma tyrosine levels [18,19]. It
has also been shown to help when MAO inhibitors did not [19]. In
rat models vitamin C has enhanced the ability of tyrosine to decrease
blood pressure [8,20]. Interestingly, “Tyrosine has been known to
normalize blood pressure whether high or low. Tyrosine is being tested
by the Air Force to enhance performance under stress” [21].
The body naturally produces tyrosine by converting it from
phenylalanine [8]. “Compared with tyrosine which has a de novo
synthesis component limited by phenylalanine oxidation, most
nonessential amino acids have a very large de novo synthesis components
because of the metabolic pathways they are involved in” [8]. This
might explain why taking separate tyrosine is more helpful for many
than taking other separate amino acids classified as nonessential—they
can be made with much easier (with less restriction) than tyrosine can
(tyrosine requires liver hydroxylation).
Sea Vegetables supply iodine and various trace minerals that the thyroid needs [10].
Vitamin B-6 forms have
long been used to support the thyroid nutritionally [6]. It is
sometimes used in products that are given to people who take synthetic
thyroid medicines [6].
Vitamin B-12 deficiencies have been found in those with inadequate production of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) [9].
Zinc deficiency in humans
can cause thyroid problems, alopecia, impotence, skin problems, immune
deficiencies, increased susceptibility to infection/sore throats, night
blindness, impaired taste, delayed wound healing, impaired appetite,
photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), difficulty in dark adaptation,
growth retardation, male infertility (low sperm counts), liver
enlargement, and spleen enlargement [8,22].
Many people simply take Vegetarian Thyro as a Food supplement to help them feel better.
Nutrition from food, what a concept!
Vegetarian Thyro Video
References
[1] Robbins J, Rall JE, Gorden P. The thyroid and iodine
metabolism. In Duncan’s Diseases of Metabolism, 7th ed. WB
Saunders, Phil.:1009-1104, 1974
[2] Many thyroid conditions are underdiagnosed. Med Trib, Jan 25,1996;2
[3] Thiel R. Suspected hypothyroidism: treat, ignore, or feed?
International Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, 2002; 1(1): 12-22
[4] Physician’s Desk Reference, 60th ed. Thompson PDR, Montvale (NJ), 2006
[5] Guyton AG, Hall JE. Textbook of Medical Physiology, 9th
ed. W.B. Saunders Co., Phil., 1996 [21] Ensminger AH, Ensminger
ME, Konlande JE, Robson JRK. Food & Nutrition Encyclopedia,
2nd ed. CRC Press, New York, 1993
[6] Thiel R. Serious Nutrition, 3rd edition. Center for Natural Health Research, 1997
[7] Michael B. Zimmermann, Rita Wegmüller, Christophe Zeder, Nourredine
Chaouki and Toni Torresani. The Effects of Vitamin A Deficiency and
Vitamin A Supplementation on Thyroid Function in Goitrous
Children. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89(11):5441-5447
[8] Ensminger AH, Ensminger ME, Konlande JE, Robson JRK. Food
& Nutrition Encyclopedia, 2nd ed. CRC Press, New York, 1993
[9] Agarwal R, Chhillar N, Kushwaha S, Singh NK, Tripathi CB. Role of
vitamin B(12), folate, and thyroid stimulating hormone in dementia: A
hospital-based study in north Indian population. Ann Indian Acad
Neurol. 2010 Oct;13(4):257-62
[10] Seaweed, kelp, raw. USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 11-1, August 1997
[11] Wu J, West LJ, Stewart DI.. Effect of humic substances on
Cu(II) solubility in kaolin-sand soil. J Hazard Mater. 2002 Oct
14;94(3):223-238
[12] Pedersen M. Nutritional Herbology. Whitman Books, Warsaw (IN), 1998
[13] Null G. The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing. Kensington Books, 1998
[14] Blomstrand E, Newsholme EA. Effect of branch-chain amino
acid supplementation on exercise-induced change in aromatic amino acid
concentration in human muscle. ACTA Physiol Scand,1992;146:293-298
[15] Specific nutrients aid in high-performance activity. Nutr Week, June 4, 1994:7
[16] Null G. The Clinician’s Handbook of Natural Healing. Kensington Books, NY, 1997
[17] Moller SE. Tryptophan and Tyrosine Availability and Oral Contraceptives. Lancet, September 1, 1979:472
[18] Gelenberg AJ, Wojcik JD, Growdon JH, et al. Tyrosine for the
Treatment of Depression. Am J Psychiatry, 1980;137(5):622-623
[19] Goldberg IK. L-Tyrosine in Depression. Lancet, August 16, 1980:364.
[20] Hemila H. Vitamin C and Lowering Blood Pressure: Need
For Intervention Trials. Journal of Hypertension, 1991;9(11):1076-1077
[21] Hamiliton K. Clinical Pearls, 1992. ITServices, Sacramento, 1991
[22] Cunnane SC. Zinc: Clinical and Biochemical Significance. CRC Press, Boca Raton (FL),1988
Some of these studies (or citations) may not
conform to peer review standards (though most do). Therefore, the
results are not conclusive. Professionals can, and often do, come to
different conclusions when reviewing scientific data. None of these statements have been reviewed by the FDA. All
products by Food Research International, LLC are nutritional and are
not intended for the treatment or prevention of any medical
condition.