ADVERTORIAL
Herbal and Nutritional Support for Healthy Thyroid Function
By BioMedica Nutraceuticals
Thyroid dysfunctions impair physical and mental health , and their incidence is increasing in western countries , in part due to exposure to insidious environmental pollutants and widespread chronic stress . 1 , 2 Diseases of the thyroid are typically classified as thyroid dysfunction ; hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism , or as structural disease presenting as nodules , goitre and cancer . 3
In Australia , hypothyroidism is decidedly more prevalent than hyperthyroidism ( 5.5 % vs . 0.6 % respectively ) and subclinical hypothyroidism ( sHT ) is the most common thyroid dysfunction . Thyroid autoimmunity represents a significant concern with 10- 15 % of the population testing positive for thyroid antibodies , a known risk factor in the development of thyroid dysfunction . 3 , 4
Withania somnifera ( Withania )
Withania is frequently used for its adaptogenic properties ; to regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal ( HPA ) axis and increase resistance to stress . Clinical trials support the use of Withania extracts standardised to withanolides , for supporting multiple stress-related presentations , 5-9 which may explain its role in sHT .
An 8 week RDBPCT on W . somnifera , standardised to 5 % withanolides ( KSM- 66 ) at a dose of 300mg BD , resulted in a normalising effects on thyroid indices in sHT patients . After 8 weeks , compared to baseline Withania treatment significantly : increased serum T4 by 19.6 % ( p < 0.001 ); increased serum T3 by 41.5 % ( p < 0.0001 ); and reduced serum TSH by -17.4 % ( p < 0.0001 ). The differences were also statistically significant compared to placebo . 10
Nutritional support for the thyroid
Iodine Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide . 11
Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone synthesis and is well known for its role in thyroid function . Deficiency may lead to low T4 levels , hence adequate intake should be ensured to maintain healthy thyroid function .
Selenium The thyroid gland contains the highest concentration of selenium per gram of tissue . Adequate selenium is required for the function of iodothyronine deiodinases ( DIOs ) and conversion of T4 to T3 . Therefore , deficiency in selenium can lead to decreased DIO enzyme function , decreased synthesis of thyroid hormone , and increased TSH production due to lack of negative feedback control and stimulation of the HPA axis . 12
Zinc Preliminary evidence suggests that zinc may play a role in thyroid function by influencing aspects of peripheral thyroid hormone conversion . 13 Zinc also appears to be involved in the formation and mechanism of action of thyrotropin-releasing hormone
14 , 15 and T3 binding to its nuclear receptor .
Vitamin D A deficiency of vitamin D has been linked to a number of autoimmune conditions , including autoimmune thyroid disease . Several studies have shown that low vitamin D status is correlated with the presence of both Hashimoto ’ s thyroiditis and Grave ’ s disease , as well as TPO antibodies . 1 , 2 Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects are likely to underlie the role of vitamin D in autoimmunity . 16
Vitamin A Vitamin A has been shown to regulate thyroid hormone metabolism and inhibit TSH secretion via downregulation of TSH-ß gene expression . 17 , 18 A deficiency of vitamin A may aggravate thyroid dysfunction caused by iodine deficiency , hence maintaining adequate intake is important . 19
REFERENCES
1 . Yarnell E , Abascal K . Botanical medicine for thyroid regulation Altern Complement Ther . June 2006:107112 .
2 . Kim D . The Role of Vitamin D in Thyroid Diseases . Int J Mol Sci . 2017 Sep 12 ; 18 ( 9 ). pii : E1949 . doi : 10.3390 / ijms18091949 .
3 . Walsh JP . Managing thyroid disease in general practice . Med J Aust . 2016 Aug 15 ; 205 ( 4 ): 179-84 .
4 . Chistiakov DA . Immunogenetics of Hashimoto ' s thyroiditis . J Autoimmune Dis . 2005 Mar 11 ; 2 ( 1 ): 1 .
5 . Chandrasekhar K , Kapoor J , Anishetty S . A prospective , randomized double-blind , placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults . Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine . 2012 Jul ; 34 ( 3 ): 255 .
6 . Choudhary D , Bhattacharyya S , Bose S . Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha ( Withania Somnifera ( L .) Dunal ) root extract in improving memory and cognitive functions . Journal of dietary supplements . 2017 Nov 2 ; 14 ( 6 ): 599-612 .
7 . Choudhary B , Shetty A , Langade DG . Efficacy of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera [ L .] Dunal ) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults . Ayu . 2015 Jan ; 36 ( 1 ): 63 .
8 . Mahdi AA , Shukla KK , Ahmad MK , Rajender S , Shankhwar SN , Singh V , Dalela D . Withania somnifera improves semen quality in stress related male fertility . Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine . 2011 ; 2011 .
9 . Dongre S , Langade D , Bhattacharyya S . Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ) root extract in improving sexual function in women : a pilot study . BioMed research international . 2015 ; 2015 .
10 . Sharma AK , Basu I , Singh S . Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients : A Double-Blind , Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial . J Altern Complement Med . 2017 Aug 22 . doi : 10.1089 / acm . 2017.0183
11 . Thomson CD . Selenium and iodine intakes and status in New Zealand and Australia . Br J Nutr . 2004 ; 91 ( 5 ): 661 .
12 . Ventura M , Melo M , Carrilho F . Selenium and Thyroid Disease : From Pathophysiology to Treatment . Int J Endocrinol . 2017:1297658 . doi : 10.1155 / 2017 / 1297658 .
13 . Braun L , Cohen M . Herbs and natural Supplements : an evidence-based guide . 4th ed . Vol 2 . Sydney : Elsevier / Churchill Livingstone . 2015 .
14 . Kelly GS . Peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones : a review . Altern Med Rev . 2000 Aug ; 5 ( 4 ): 306-33 .
15 . Al-Juboori , I , Al-Rawi , R , A-Hakeim , H . ( 2010 ). Estimation of Serum Copper , Manganese , Selenium , and Zinc in Hypothyroidism Patients . European Journal of Biology , 68 ( 2 ), 121-126 .
16 . Liontiris MI , Mazokopakis EE . A concise review of Hashimoto thyroiditis ( HT ) and the importance of iodine , selenium , vitamin D and gluten on the autoimmunity and dietary management of HT patients . Points that need more investigation . Hell J Nucl Med . 2017 Jan- Apr ; 20 ( 1 ): 51-56 . doi : 10.1967 /
Disclaimer : The views and opinions expressed in these advertorials are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ATMS or its Directors .
186 | vol30 | no3 | JATMS