Antioxidants Beneficial for Graves' Disease

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Antioxidants Beneficial for Graves’ Disease

 

By Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP)

 

Healthnotes Newswire (March 25, 2004)—Adults with Graves’ disease (GD) who take

antioxidants (vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and selenium) in addition to

prescription medication may help normalize thyroid function faster than with

medication alone, according to a study in Clinica Chimica Acta (2004:341:55–63).

This may mean that taking daily supplemental antioxidants will help people with

Grave’s disease feel better more rapidly.

 

GD is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid function). It

is an autoimmune disease, in which antibodies bind to the thyroid gland and

cause an overproduction of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and a decrease in TSH

(the hormone responsible for stimulating production of thyroid hormones). As a

result, excess amounts of thyroid hormones speed up metabolism and cause the

body to utilize more nutrients and oxygen. Some studies suggest that increasing

metabolism may cause more free-radical damage and contribute to the severity of

GD symptoms. Symptoms include swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter), bulging

eyeballs (exophthalmos), fatigue, heart palpitations, rapid heart rate,

insomnia, sweating, weight loss, increased appetite, and nervousness or tremor.

Treatment consists of using propylthiouracil (PTU) or methimazole (Tapazole®),

which block the production of thyroid hormones. In some cases, radioactive

iodine is used to block thyroid hormone production; surgical

removal of the thyroid gland may be necessary to control symptoms.

 

In the new study, 57 adults with GD were randomly assigned to receive

methimazole with or without the addition of 200 mg of vitamin C, 36 IU of

vitamin E, 60 mcg of selenium, and 6 mg of beta-carotene per day for eight

weeks. Blood levels of TSH, free T3, free T4, and selenium were measured

initially and after four and eight weeks of treatment. The activity of

glutathione peroxidase (GPx), an important selenium-dependant enzyme that

scavenges free radicals, was also measured in the blood at the same intervals.

 

Those receiving supplemental antioxidants in addition to methimazole attained

normal thyroid function faster than those treated with only methimazole. The

free-T3 and free-T4 levels after four and eight weeks were significantly lower

in the antioxidant group than in the medication-only group. TSH and blood levels

of selenium were also significantly increased in the antioxidant group, whereas

no change in TSH was observed in those only treated with methimazole. GPx

activity increased in both groups; however, the activity was significantly

higher among those taking antioxidants.

 

Antioxidants may play an important role in the treatment of GD by preventing

free-radical damage to thyroid cells. Since a mixture of antioxidants was used,

it is unclear how much each nutrient contributes to reducing free radicals in

the thyroid. It is also not clear if using higher amounts of antioxidants would

produce more favorable results. Since antioxidants were only used in conjunction

with medication to treat GD, it is unknown whether antioxidants alone would be

as effective. More research is necessary to clarify these issues.

 

Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue

University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in

Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering

Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima,

2000). He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health

Associates located in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental

medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and

Healthnotes Newswire.

 

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