With all the incredible effects of moringa powder, it’s not shocking that some out there use Moringa Oleifera to help with their thyroid hormones.
Nearly 20 million people in the United States have some thyroid disorder. (Source)
Let’s see how Moringa Olieferia can help improve thyroid hormones and, hopefully, get you back to normal thyroid function.
How can Moringa Improve Thyroid Health to Help Thyroid Disorders?
Studies have shown that Moringa Leaves Extract helps stabilize TSH values caused by both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Those experiencing the effects of hyperthyroidism will see their TSH values raised, while those experiencing hypothyroidism will see their TSH values lowered. This makes Moringa Leaves Extract an excellent thyroid medication. (Source: Int. J. Pharmacol., 15 (2): 222, 2019)
Basic Thyroid Function
The thyroid gland’s primary role is hormones.
Healthy thyroid function is one of those things that isn’t noticed until things start to go wrong.
The thyroid gland is responsible for the human body’s fundamental development, and most hormones entering the bloodstream.
With such a wide breadth of effects, once a thyroid disorder starts to show, the effects are immediate and intense.
Thyroid disease is a tricky thing to deal with, and many times, medication is prescribed to help patients deal with this.
While we always suggest you speak with a doctor, we’ve seen firsthand how Moringa Leaves support healthy thyroid function. [Source, Source]
Maybe you need to start taking your Moringa wellness shots!
What is the difference between Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism?
Both of these have to do with an impairment in the thyroid gland.
If your thyroid hormone production is accelerated, this is a symptom of hyperthyroidism (also called thyrotoxicosis)
However, if your thyroid hormone production is lower than normal, this is a symptom of hypothyroidism.
What is hypothyroidism
Those experiencing hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) will see the effects of weight gain, constipation, feelings of being cold, lack of excess water with decreased sweating, fatigue, and a possible change in voice and cholesterol levels.
On the other end, some will experience respiratory and cardiovascular activities.
A couple of causes, like iodine deficiency, will show effects through the swelling of the thyroid gland, also known as GOITER.
When you are experiencing low levels of thyroid hormones, the pituitary and hypothalamus produce more TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland.
Sadly, proper thyroid function is nearly impossible without iodine, and your thyroid responds by growing in size.
Sometimes, a thyroid disorder is genetic.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroid disease in which your body’s immune system slowly destroys the thyroid gland.
What is Hyperthyroidism
When the thyroid gland is too active and produces too many hormones (thyroid-stimulating hormones), you will experience side effects.
Those experiencing hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) will see many of the opposite effects of hypothyroid patients.
They will see an increased metabolism, hyperactivity, diarrhea, trouble gaining weight, excessive sweating, and brain fog.
One of the most common causes of hyperthyroidism is graves disease. This is another autoimmune disease that is characterized by the presence of an antibody called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI).
The Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the neck.
The thyroid gland is wrapped around the trachea below some other thyroid cartilage (Your Adam’s Apple).
Thyroid Hormone Breakdown
The two main thyroid hormones are T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).
The naming convention is unique, and the three and four both come from the number of iodine atoms present in a molecule of each of the different thyroid hormones.
Thyroid secretion is under control by the thyroid-stimulating hormone (which we referred to as TSH above).
Even more interesting is the anterior pituitary controls thyroid hormone secretion (TSH).
This means that your TSH values are induced by a thyrotropin-realizing thyroid hormone (TRH) signaled by the hypothalamus.
This is shown below.
The amount of the circulating thyroid hormones is now regulated by the thyroid gland by specific feedback loops.
For example, when the levels of a thyroid hormone (in the blood) are too high, your thyroid signals back to the endocrine system (the hypothalamus) to suppress these hormones.
The same happens in reverse when these values are too low.
Graves Disease and More Powerful Thyroid Hormone
Remember earlier when we discussed thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) from Graves disease?
The problem here is when your thyroid dysfunction starts, TSI is not regulated by the same sort of negative feedback mechanisms as before.
Moringa Oleifera and Hypothyroidism
Now that we know what can go wrong with our thyroid hormones and thyroid gland, the next question is
How do we fix it?
Fixing is tricky, but studies have shown scientific increases and fixes for hypothyroidism utilizing Moringa Oleifera. (Source)
Using Moringa products to treat hypothyroidism has shown significant promise, and many are screaming their stories from the highest mountains to get others on board. (Source for Testimonial)
What is causing these incredible effects?
Understanding Moringa and Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid; flavonoids are a diverse group of phytonutrients (or plant chemical constituents) found in most fruits and vegetables.
What’s even more interesting is flavonoids make fruits and vegetables appear colorful.
Health Benefits of Quercetin
Quercetin acts as an antioxidant and as an anti-inflammatory.
With this, we see significant effects in preventing heart disease and controlling blood sugar levels.
You’ll also see a lowering in the effects of aches and pain in daily activity.
This is vital for those with stiffness or pain after waking up or working out.
Quercetin is also beneficial for things like allergies, the Immune system, and neurocognitive enhancements.
How Much Quercetin Is In Moringa?
Moringa powder is loaded with quercetin, and whether you like to drink Moringa or eat the fresh moringa leaves, you’ll get a hefty amount of quercetin with every serving.
For reference, Moringa powder and Moringa leaves are loaded with quercetin at about 400mg per 100g.
How much Moringa Oleifera is usually taken for thyroid disorders?
In this study, rats were given 500mg/kg of body weight. While this is too high for humans, a great starting dose would be between 500mg and 1 gram of moringa powder.
Once comfortable with this, those with thyroid disorders or thyroid diseases should increase their Moringa powder intake to upwards of 15 grams.
Can you take Moringa with levothyroxine?
It may be helpful to treat thyroid problems with levothyroxine.
Moringa may reduce the amount of thyroxine you absorb.
Taking both Moringa and levothyroxine together may decrease their overall effectiveness.
What herbs should I avoid with hypothyroidism?
Bugleweed Lycopus Virginicosa or Lycopus Europaea can inhibit thyroid hormones.
Consult the physician for more information about thyroid hormone therapy.
These interactions are supported by preliminary, weakened incomplete, or contradictory research evidence.
Can Moringa Cause Thyroid Problems?
Moringa can potentially inhibit the T4, inactive thyroid hormone, to convert to T3. Also, Moringa has shown it can slightly overstimulate the thyroid gland, causing some symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Before Starting Moringa For My Thyroid issues, what should I do?
While a ton of research supports all the great things Moringa can do for your Thyroid, remember to check in with your doctor before you start taking Moringa. Your doctor understands your individualized needs and can help you devise a plan that will work best for you. You’ll also want to double-check that there aren’t any dangerous interactions with medications you’re already taking.
Our guide, Moringa 101, can be found in the article below:
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- Turmeric and Moringa for Weight Loss - September 17, 2023
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