Supplementing With This Ancient Herb Could Help Regulate Your Thyroid

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By Alexandria Brooks, First For Women

I have a habit of searching for the latest and greatest natural supplements to help me feel healthy all year round. However, I often find that some of the ingredients in these capsules aren’t new at all. In fact, some of them have been around for a very long time. One such ingredient that I’ve recently stumbled across is called Ashwagandha, and it’s a research-packed herb that helps boost thyroid health!

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha (also known as “Indian Winter cherry” and “Indian Ginseng”) is an herb native to Asia and Africa that’s been used for over a thousand years and is considered to be one of the most important herbs of the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine. A 2021 study published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine looked at the health benefits of taking Ashwagandha every day for an eight week period.

This study involved 80 healthy adults (40 men and 40 women) between the ages of 18 and 45. Participants took either 300 mg. of Ashwagandha root extract or a placebo capsule twice a day for eight weeks, and their weight, blood pressure, and body temperature were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study.

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Ashwagandha and Your Thyroid

The results? Researchers found that taking Ashwagandha helped stabilize thyroid hormones in participants better than the placebo capsules. And just as important, the herb wasn’t found to disrupt the functioning of any other organs — especially the liver, which helps remove toxins from our bodies.

Hyperthyroidism, which is when your thyroid glands produce more hormones than needed, can cause symptoms such as loss of appetite, muscle weakness, and fatigue. The American Thyroid Association notes that hyperthyroidism is very common in women over 60, and the risk factor steadily increases with age. The study authors concluded that taking an Ashwagandha supplement can be a safe way to help maintain a healthy thyroid!

How much Ashwagandha should you take per day?

While participants in this study took a total of 600 mg. of this herb each day, you should always speak with your doctor before supplementing. This way you’ll consume the right amount of Ashwagandha that your body needs for a thyroid health boost. Also, take a look at our list of the best thyroid supplements, which feature several capsules made with this herb.

It’s nice to know that there’s a tried and true herb that can help with regulating thyroid hormones. Plus, I love that it comes in supplement form to make getting that daily dose of Ashwagandha super simple!

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