The Best Natural Thyroid Replacement After RAI

Radioactive Iodine (RAI) therapy has a variety of uses for thyroid patients. Although it has been used successfully for many years, RAI is difficult to tolerate for many people. After going through RAI treatments, patients are often eager to find a more natural alternative for their thyroid therapy going forward. There are natural options for thyroid treatment after RAI, but which one is right for you depends on the nature of your thyroid condition.

Understanding RAI

There are two kinds of RAI therapy used for thyroid patients: I-123 and I-131. Both are administered orally. The former is harmless to thyroid cells and is used for diagnostic purposes. The second kind of RAI, I-131, destroys thyroid cells. Small doses are used to treat overactive thyroids while large doses are used for thyroid cancer treatment. Nearly all patients who receive RAI will need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication after they recover, even if their initial problem was an overactive thyroid.

Natural Treatments Post-RAI

In the wake of RAI treatment, most patients develop an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. A number of natural remedies exist that natural health experts and thyroid patients themselves recommend for treating an underactive thyroid, and any of them make fine choices post-RAI.

First, consider some dietary changes. Your thyroid needs iodine to function properly, so make sure your diet is iodine rich. In most countries, iodine is added to salt specifically for thyroid health, but do more than season your meals with salt. Red meat, eggs, yogurt, oatmeal, seafood, bananas and even parsley are all good dietary sources of iodine, so get plenty of them.

Coconut oil has been used successfully by many underactive-thyroid patients. Although it is not clear why coconut oil helps, Dr. Ray Peat speculates in an article entitled "Unsaturated Vegetable Oils Toxic," published in his newsletter, that replacing animal fats with coconut oil frees up enzymes that would be used digesting animal fat to help with thyroid hormone production.

Natural thyroid hormone supplements, found in health food stores, are another option. Dietary changes, coconut oil and natural thyroid hormone supplements can all be used together to boost results.

A word of warning about natural remedies: not all patients have success with these treatments. After RAI, your thyroid may be severely underactive, and natural therapies may not be enough. Be sure to keep your doctor involved in the process as you recover so she can monitor your blood work. If the natural remedies are not working, you will need to start taking a synthetic thyroid hormone replacement pill such as Synthroid.

Natural Cures for Children's Allergies

Creating an allergen-resistant lifestyle, taking natural supplements and eating a controlled diet are the best ways for kids to fight allergies and learn how to manage what could potentially be a lifelong affliction without using medications that could make them drowsy and possibly have unknown side effects. Teaching children about nature and the exact plants and animals that make them sneeze as well as good hygiene techniques are all part of creating a plan to cope with and fight back against allergies.

Environment

One of the best ways to cure a child's allergies is to create an allergen-free environment. Thoroughly cleaning the home or area in which the child spends the majority of his or her time will significantly reduce the allergens in the atmosphere. Choose a vacuum with a HEPA filter because it can trap smaller particles of dust and pollen that a standard vacuum will not. Further, close windows that are adjacent to pollen sources such as trees and any other plants to which a child may be allergic.
Do not allow anyone to smoke in the home, use natural cleaning products rather than the more harsh traditional options and use a type of laundry detergent that is free of perfumes and dyes.

Natural Additives

Although it is impossible to always control a child's environment, children can be taught techniques on how to stay healthier, avoid allergens and use natural additives to control their surroundings. Two of the more popular items that can be used to control dust mites are tea tree oil and citronella oil. Both of these can be put in a spray bottle and misted on the surrounding area. Children can take this mixture to a sleepover, which could significantly improve their quality of sleep and help them spend more time with friends rather than rubbing their eyes or blowing their noses.

Diet and Vitamins

Making sure a child has adequate amounts of vitamins, especially vitamins C and E, protects children by supporting their immune systems and making it easier for them to fight off irritating allergens, thereby preventing sinus irritations from turning into a larger issue.
According to AchooAllergy.com, diet contributes to the fight against allergies. Some of the best foods to fight allergies are also the foods that promote overall health. Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as flaxseed oil, salmon, haddock, cod and other cold-water fish help to reduce inflammation, which is one of the most uncomfortable aspects of having allergies. Further, fruit juices are antioxidant rich and, as such, promote overall health. Foods that are high in fiber help digestion and promote colon health, allowing children to pass waste, encouraging growth of good bacteria and making them healthier overall. Yogurt can also improve colon health.

Vinegar Cures for Toenail Fungus

Home Remedies for Blackheads on the Nose

Open comedones, also known as blackheads, are enlarged follicles that are filled with a mix of dead skin cells and a natural oily substance called sebum. The mixture is what makes the blackheads their signature dark color, and they show themselves on 85 percent of young adults and adults. There are home remedies that can be used to help eliminate your blackheads by proper washing, treating with things found in most kitchens, and covering them up in a way that doesn't make your efforts a waste of time.

Wash Properly

Don't fall for the myths, and don't forget the basics--cleaning your face properly. Some people believe they need to buy the most expensive face washes and astringents in order to have any hope; others think that a quick splash of water on the face suffices. Neither is true.

Proper cleansing only needs to be performed once a day, but make sure you stay on the ball and do it around the same time every day. This makes it easier for the face to release natural oils without overdoing it or not doing enough. Forget the expensive stuff at the store. The best thing for your face is a simple and mild bar soap. Many blackheads are worsened by lingering soap residue, so after gently massaging the soap into your face for about 30 seconds, make sure to rinse just as long to strip it all off.

Remedies You Can Make at Home

Make a remedy from simple kitchen items. The acidity in lemon juice, for example, is great for helping break down a blackhead so it can be easier extracted during a cleansing. Here are a few quick recipes to make the ultimate blackhead blasters:

Mix 1 tsp. lemon juice with 1 tsp. ground cinnamon powder. Apply it to the affected area and wash it away with warm water after the mixture dries. Use whenever needed.
Or, in a small bowl, add equal amounts of salt, lemon juice and honey. Gently rub the scrub in small circles on the affected area for five to 10 minutes before washing as usual and patting dry. (Scrubs do a great job of getting rid of blackheads, but only use them once or twice a week to avoid over-irritating.)
Or create a paste made with ground radish seeds and water. Apply the paste to affected areas, let it dry, then rinse with warm water.

Covering Up the Right Way

When covering blackheads with makeup, remember to save all powder and foundation routines for special occasions. They're too heavy and have a negative effect on blackheads. Instead, try to dot a concealer wand on the affected areas before lightly dusting with baking soda, which will take away shine while helping the blackheads. If you must use your foundation, use a brand that doesn't use oils and contains ingredients that fight blackheads.

Don't Stress!

Stay calm and relaxed. Most people have blackheads. Stress can make blackheads worse.

Ganoderma Treatment

Ganoderma lucidum is also known as the reishi mushroom. These mushrooms have medicinal properties and are used in the treatment of cancer. Ganoderma lucidum is a red mushroom that can be found growing on oak trees in Russia, Japan, China and the United States. Reishi mushrooms used for medical purposes are cultivated rather than collected from the wild.

Cancer Treatment

Ganoderma lucidum is used to treat cancer because of its ability to enhance the immune system. It helps bolster standard cancer treatments such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. It also helps lessen the severity of side effects from these treatments.

According to the University of Pennsylvania's OncoLink website, ganoderma lucidum has been shown to slow the growth of prostate cancer cells and may possibly be useful for treating or preventing breast cancer.

Other Uses

Ganoderma lucidum may also be beneficial for treating hepatitis B and may even prevent those patients from developing liver cancer. In addition, this mushroom may help lower blood pressure, enhance heart health, treat asthma and be helpful for autoimmune disorders and HIV.

How It Is Used

Ganoderma lucidum is very bitter and tough, and therefore inedible. Ganoderma lucidum is ingested by drinking the tea or tincture made by boiling the mushroom. This tea is also bitter. Reishi mushrooms are also available commercially in dried-powder form, capsules, syrup, tincture or tea. Drugs.com reports the standard dose is 0.5 g to 1.0 g daily for healthy people, 2 g to 5 g daily for those with chronic illnesses, and 15 g of extract daily for serious conditions. Common names for ganoderma lucidum include ling chi, lin zi, ling zhi and the mushroom of immortality. According to the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the active ingredients are thought to be beta-glucan polysaccharides and triterpenes. These biological substances have anti-allergenic properties and inhibit the spread of tumors.

Side Effects

Minor side effects have been associated with reishi mushrooms. These include abnormal sweating, thirst, sleepiness, rash, bloating and frequent urination. The real danger lies with people who hunt for these mushrooms in the wild and pick poisonous mushrooms by mistake. To be safe you should buy ganoderma lucidum from a trustworthy commercial source.

Natural Health Cures for Diabetes

People with diabetes have very high levels of sugar in their blood. Their bodies cannot properly utilize insulin, a substance responsible for converting starches, sugars, and other forms of food energy. This leads to high levels of glucose building up in the body, which can cause serious damage if left untreated. Many natural substances can help manage diabetes.

Note that diabetes is a serious condition. It is best to consult with a healthcare provider to determine a safe and effective treatment plan.

Herbal Treatments

Salacia oblonga has a long history of use in Indian medicine to regulate the increase of blood sugar after a meal. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, a study published in a 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that the substance controlled the levels of blood sugar after eating and lowered insulin levels. It is important to note that the study was not specifically related to diabetes and none of the participants had the condition. It is best to discuss this treatment with a doctor.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the following herbs have demonstrated ability to manage diabetes. Consult with a physician to determine appropriate dosages.

Bitter melon has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It lowers levels of glucose serum. Fenugreek seeds regulate glucose levels. Gymnema was studied as a complement to traditional diabetes medications and it appears to increase their effectiveness. This herb can affect the ability to taste sweet foods. Cinnamon reduces the level of glucose, blood sugar, and the amount of fat and cholesterol in the blood. American ginseng reduces blood sugar levels. In particular, it can lower the typical spike in blood sugar after consuming a meal, if it is taken before or during the meal.

Supplements

Chromium helps the body utilize insulin more efficiently by transferring it from the bloodstream into the cells for energy production. It also reduces the level of blood glucose. Do not exceed 200 micrograms daily. Chromium is found naturally in brewer's yeast, cheese, meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Research indicates a strong link between low magnesium levels and type 2 diabetes. Taking magnesium supplements or eating foods rich in this mineral such as whole grains, leafy greens, bananas, legumes, nuts, and seeds, can promote healthy blood glucose levels. Discuss magnesium supplementation with your doctor to determine dosage.

Vanadium, a trace mineral, acts in a similar fashion as insulin. It increases insulin sensitivity, restores blood glucose to normal levels, and can reduce insulin doses. Talk to a healthcare provider to determine an appropriate dosage.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals, which are damaging molecules that can cause a host of problems in the body. People with diabetes tend to have high levels of free radicals and low levels of antioxidants. Supplementing with these beneficial substances can reduce symptoms of diabetes. Discuss appropriate dosages with your doctor. Beneficial antioxidants include selenium, zinc, vitamin C, beta-carotenes, and coenzyme Q10. Conenzyme Q10 also protects the heart; people with diabetes are at increased risk for heart conditions.

Neuropathy Treatments

Many people with diabetes suffer from neuropathy, a painful condition that causes nerve damage. Free radicals, which are present in higher amounts in people with diabetes, negatively impact the nerves and blood vessels. Alpha-lipoic acid and gamma-linolenic acid (most abundant in evening primrose oil) can address this condition. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, several studies indicate acupuncture can offer relief from this painful condition.

Mind/Body Medicine

Stress can negatively impact people with diabetes. Designing a plan to manage stress is strongly advised. Natural methods like tai chi, yoga, meditation, and positive visualization can help. Biofeedback, which involves training yourself to become more aware of and control your body's response to stress, can positively influence blood sugar levels. Not only can these things serve as tools to manage stress, they can provide motivation to make better choices to help control the condition.

Honey Remedy for a Sore Throat

Most sore throats are caused by bacterial or viral infections. Although Grandma may not have understood that, she did have effective home remedies. Many people dismiss these as "old wive's tales," but Grandma was nobody's fool. She may not have known why soothing natural honey worked to ease your discomfort, but somehow her remedies held the power to make us feel better.

Honey Hot Totty

Slice a whole small lemon into eight ounces of cold water. Add cup of honey and a cinnamon stick, or teaspoon ground cinnamon. Bring to a boil and simmer for five minutes. Remove the elixir from the heat and allow it to steep for another five minutes. Breathe the vapors during this time. Slowly sip to cup of warm honey elixir as needed for sore throat discomfort.

Add a shot of whiskey, vodka or rum to half a cup of very hot honey elixir and sip at bedtime. Bundle up under lots of blankets to avoid catching a chill, because you'll sweat profusely all night. You'll feel much better in the morning. Grandma would say that's because the honey hot totty made you sweat the bug out of yourself.

Cooling Hot Pepper Honey Relief

Bring one cup of water to a boil and remove it from the heat. Stir in cup of honey. Whisk in teaspoon of cayenne pepper until well dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Gargle, or tilt your head backward and just allow the pepper honey mixture to sit in your throat for 30 seconds. The honey soothes sore, raw tissues, and the cooled pepper will actually numb the sore throat pain somewhat. Repeat this as needed.

Coat and Soothe

Combine equal parts of honey, liquid Benadryl and Mylanta antacid, and gargle as needed. Don't swallow this unless you don't care if the Benadryl makes you sleepy. Honey helps ease discomfort with its soothing action. Benadryl has potent antiseptic properties, so it eases some minor pain quickly and effectively on contact. The Mylanta serves to gently coat and protect sore, inflamed tissues.

Honey Juice Ice Pops

Ice pops are great sore throat remedies. You can mix almost any concoction that you wish and freeze it in an ice pop tray. This is particularly helpful for kids suffering from sore throats, since it's often difficult to get them to gargle. Try adding cup of honey to a cup of orange juice. Spike it with a little shot of liquid vitamin C. Freeze the mixture in pop trays and let your child have as many of them as she wants. The honey and orange juice will soothe and ease the sore throat discomfort, and kids think they're just getting lots of sweet, great-tasting Popsicles.