| An overactive thyroid gland quickly uses up certain | | | | excretion of calcium, so blood levels of calcium can |
| vitamins, causing them to become dangerously | | | | return to normal. |
| deficient. The B vitamins are responsible for our mental | | | | Vitamin d is a fat-soluble vitamin, and it can be acquired |
| health, and it is possible some of the mental symptoms | | | | either by ingestion or exposure to sunlight. It is known |
| of hyperthyroidism are due to B vitamin deficiencies, | | | | as the "sunshine" vitamin because the action of the |
| especially vitamin B1 (thiamine). Therefore, a high intake | | | | sun ultraviolet rays activates a form of cholesterol |
| of this vitamin is necessary. Likewise, demand for | | | | present in the skin, converting it to vitamins D. However |
| vitamin B6 is high in hyperthyroidism and also when | | | | air pollution, clouds and window lass inhibits the sun |
| protein intake is generous. | | | | action on the skin. Foods containing high amounts of |
| Depletion of this vitamin in hyperthyroidism of | | | | natural vitamin d are: cod liver oil, salmon, sardines, |
| sometimes so great that only a daily infection can | | | | herring, egg yolk, organ meats and bone meal. |
| prevent muscle weakness - a common symptom. | | | | Too much thyroid hormone uses up essential fatty |
| Other vitamins, too, are drawn upon heavily in | | | | acids (EFA), which the thyroid gland needs to function |
| hyperthyroidism, particularly vitamin C and E, which are | | | | normally. In one study, rats deprived of EFA became |
| literally drained from the tissues. | | | | hyperactive with excessive thyroid hormone |
| If you have any family or personal history of thyroid | | | | production. The two families of essential fatty acids |
| problems, make sure you take supplemental vitamins | | | | are omega-6 (linolic acid), found in seeds and seed oils |
| C and E. Too little of these antioxidant vitamins can not | | | | and omega-3 found mainly in fish, fish oils (cod liver oil) |
| only mimic the symptoms of an overactive thyroid, but | | | | and green leafy vegetables. |
| a shortage of these can worsen a thyroid problem. In | | | | Independent clinical tests show that borage oil contains |
| some cases, hyperthyroidism can be alleviated by | | | | up to 26 percent GLA. Compare this to evening |
| adequate amounts of these vitamins. | | | | primrose oil and black currant oil, which contain no |
| Bone loss is one of the ling term effects of | | | | more that 18 percent. Not only that, borage oil costs |
| hyperthyroidism. This is because an overactive thyroid | | | | less because the borage seed is three times larger |
| causes an extreme depletion of calcium. Some | | | | than black currant or evening primrose seeds. Finally, |
| experimenters have found that natural vitamin D (not | | | | borage is more bio available. In other words, the body |
| the hormone found in milk) counteracts the usual rapid | | | | more readily accepts it. |