Natural treatment & home remedies for hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism is an excess of parathyroid hormone in the bloodstream which is happening due to the over-activity of one or more of the body’s four parathyroid glands. These glands are about the size of a grain of rice and they are located in the neck.

It is known fact that there are two types of hyperparathyroidism – primary and secondary. Usually, the hyperparathyroidism is diagnosed before signs and symptoms of this disorder are apparent. The most common signs and symptoms of the hyperparathyroidism include kidney stones; fragile bones that easily fracture; nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite; frequent complications of illness with no apparent cause; abdominal pain; excessive urination; bone and joint pain; depression or forgetfulness; tiring easily or weakness.

The most common factors which increase your risk for hyperparathyroidism include: you are a woman who has gone through menopause; you have taken lithium, which is a drug that is most often used to treat bipolar disorder; you have had prolonged, severe calcium or Vitamin D deficiency; have had radiation treatment for cancer which has exposed your neck to radiation; you have a rare, inherited disorder, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1. The most common complications of hyperparathyroidism include neonatal hypoparathyroidism; cardiovascular disease; kidney stones and osteoporosis. You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from hyperparathyroidism before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies so in this way you will avoid side effects. [1]

Home remedies for hyperparathyroidism

Dandelion for hyperparathyroidism

You can use dandelion leaf tincture or tea as your home remedy for hyperparathyroidism. There are some drugs which can interact with dandelion, such as lithium and some antibiotics. You should talk with your doctor if you want to start taking dandelion as your home remedy for hyperparathyroidism. Also, people who suffer from Ragweed allergies can have an allergic reaction to dandelion so you should be careful before you start using it.

Chaste tree extract for hyperparathyroidism

You can take a standardized extract of chaste tree as your home remedy for hyperparathyroidism. There are no proven studies for people who use chaste tree as their home remedy for this so you should talk with your doctor before you start using it as your natural treatment for your condition. It can interact with drugs and it can have hormone – like effects in the body so talk with your doctor if you want to add chaste tree in your diet. Also, it can make side effects if it is taken with hormone medications so you should be cautious before you start using it. [2]

Avoid smoking and certain medications

It is known fact that smoking can lead to many different health problems, including weakening in the bones and this can contribute to cardiovascular problems. You should talk with your doctor or a therapist about the best way to quit smoking, such as using a nicotine patch, joining a smoking cessation group or trying meditation, hypnosis or other approaches. Also, you should avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol or using calcium – raising drugs, including lithium and some diuretics. You should talk with your doctor about any medications that you want to take so you should be sure that will not cause the hyperparathyroidism. [3]

Stay hydrated

It is very important to stay hydrated. You should drink water, coconut water or herbal tea and you should eat fresh fruits and veggies. In this way you can combat nausea and loss of appetite.

Essential oils for hyperparathyroidism

It is known that essential oils can help to calm your stomach and improve your mood or appetite. Some of the best essential oils which you can use as your home remedy for this include lemon, peppermint, frankincense, lavender, chamomile and ginger essential oils.

Get enough sleep

It is very important to get enough sleep because the fatigue can make you to not feel well. You should aim to take eight hours sleep at night so this can help to improve your overall well – being. [4]

Prevent Vitamin D deficiency

It is known that the Vitamin D can help you to maintain appropriate levels of calcium in the blood and it can help your digestive system to absorb calcium from your food. It is recommended 600 IUs on daily basis for people who are 1 – 70 years old, while for people who are 71 and older, the daily recommended intake amount is 800 IUs. You should get direct sun exposure so in this way you will prevent the Vitamin D deficiency. We know that the body is producing Vitamin D when the skin is exposed to the sunlight. Also, you can consume Vitamin D from your diet. You should try to spend 15 – 20 minutes in the sun each day without sunscreen and to allow your skin to be exposed as much as possible. During the winter days, if you cannot spend time outside, you should take supplement Vitamin D on daily basis. You should talk with your doctor if you should add Vitamin D supplements in your diet and which is the best way to maintain normal levels of Vitamin D throughout the whole year. [5]

Use healthy oils

You should use healthy cooking oils when you are making your food, such as coconut oil or olive oil.

Avoid refined foods

It is very important to avoid refined foods, such as sugar, pastas and white bread.

Limit carbonated beverages

It is known fact that carbonated beverages are high in phosphates which can leach the calcium from your bones.

Eat foods high in magnesium

There are some studies in which are said that the foods high in magnesium can help to manage this. Some of the best foods rich in magnesium are all types of leafy greens; fresh herbs and spices; grass – fed meats; healthy fats like olive oil and coconut oil, bananas, avocado and cocoa. [6]

Avoid foods that make digestive issues worse

You should avoid some foods which can make your digestive issues worse, such as strong – smelling veggies; high – sodium packaged foods; fatty/greasy foods; too much cheese, oil, spices or animal protein.

Eat calcium – rich foods

You should add calcium – rich foods in your diet, such as dark green leafy vegetables (such as kale and spinach); almonds and beans.

Minimize bone and joint pain

You should try to stay active and stretch on daily basis because this can help you to maintain flexibility and to reduce the stiffness. You should exercise on regular basis, especially weight – bearing exercises and strength training exercises because they can help to keep your bones strong. Also, exercises can help to reduce your risk of complications, such as cardiovascular disease. Also there are other ways which can help to manage bone and joint pain, such as eating an anti – inflammatory diet; getting enough sleep; taking anti – inflammatory supplements, including Omega – 3 fatty acids and turmeric; massage therapy or acupuncture; taking warm baths with Epsom salts; doing yoga or Tai Chi; applying peppermint essential oil to achy areas.

Avoid calcium – raising drugs

There are some medications, like lithium and diuretics which can raise calcium levels. If you need to take these medications, but you suffer from this, then you should ask your doctor if there are some other medications which are appropriate for you.

Get fresh air

It is very important to get a fresh air by walking outdoors. You should try to keep with gentle exercises as long as possible because this can help to regulate your appetite.

Manage depression and fatigue

If you are feeling lethargic, depressed, then you can try to take interpersonal therapy, cognitive – behavioral therapy, problem – solving therapy, counseling or talk therapy. You should aim to eat whole foods which support the production of neurotransmitters, which are the brain’s messengers that can control the appetite, energy levels and mood. Also, there are some supplements which can help to lift your mood, such as St. John’s Wort, B vitamins, probiotics, Omega – 3s and adaptogen herbs, such as ashwagandha and rhodiola. Also, there are other ways which can help you to manage stress and support the mental health, such as exercise; spending time outdoors; finding social support; getting adequate sleep; acupuncture; volunteering; reading and journaling. [7]

Lemon for hyperparathyroidism

You should add some lemon and lime juice to ice water and sip it throughout the day.

Ginger for hyperparathyroidism

You should add ginger in your diet because it can help you in the fight against this. You can try to consume ginger tea, ginger root, ginger essential oil or you should take ginger capsules several times per day. Also, you can take Vitamin B6, one to three times per day because it can help to cure nausea. You need to ask your doctor if you should add ginger in your diet. [8]

References:

[1] El Kossi M, Rana A, El Nahas M. Risk factors of hyperparathyroidism in advanced stages of chronic kidney disease. Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation. 2009;20(4):623-7.

[2] Rafieian-Kopaei M, Movahedi M. Systematic review of premenstrual, postmenstrual and infertility disorders of Vitex Agnus Castus. Electronic Physician. 2017;9(1):3685–9.

[3] Fujiyoshi A, Polgreen LE, Gross MD, et al. Smoking habits and parathyroid hormone concentrations in young adults: The CARDIA study. Bone Reports. 2016;5:104–9.

[4] Murray SE, Pathak PR, Schaefer SC, et al. Improvement of sleep disturbance and insomnia following parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. World Journal of Surgery. 2014;38(3):542–8.

[5] Grey A, Lucas J, Horne A, et al. Vitamin D repletion in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and coexistent Vitamin D insufficiency. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2005;90(4):2122-6.

[6] King RG, Stanbury SW. Magnesium metabolism in primary hyperparathyroidism. Clinical Science. 1970;39(2):281-303.

[7] Kearns AE, Espiritu RP, Douglass KV, et al. Clinical characteristics and depression score response after parathyroidectomy in primary hyperparathyroidism. Clinical Endocrinology. 2019;91(3):464-70.

[8] Mashhadi NS, Ghiasvand R, Askari G, et al. Anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of ginger in health and physical activity: Review of current evidence. International Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2013 Apr; 4(Suppl 1): S36–S42.