Can Ashwagandha Benefit the Endocrine System? A Review

Adaptogens exert their anti-stress effects by modulating the activity of the HPA axis. This has been confirmed with clinical studies that have measured significant reductions in stress hormones (cortisol and DHEA-S) in stressed and anxious individuals taking supplemental ashwagandha. Hyperthyroidism results from an overactive thyroid that produces excessive hormones, causing symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and heat sensitivity. 80% of hyperthyroid cases in the United States are caused by Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder characterized by autoantibodies that stimulate the thyroid gland to overproduce thyroid hormones.

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The different biological species of the Withania genus also differ in the content of these substances. Different parts of the plant vary in the composition of chemical compounds 2. For example, the leaves contain five unidentified alkaloids, 12 withanolides, many free amino acids, chlorogenic acid, glycosides, glucose, condensed tannins and flavonoids. In addition, the roots are rich in alkaloids, amino acids, steroids, volatile oil, starch, reducing sugars, glycosides, hentriacontane, dulcitol and withaniol 23. It seems that this wealth of active substances is not yet fully understood and still requires further research. Table 1 synthroid hepatitis shows the classification of the active substances found in Ashwagandha.

Managing Thyroid Health: How to Use Ashwagandha and Its Compatibility with Thyroid Medication

Untreated thyrotoxicosis can lead to life-threatening complications including cardiac arrhythmias or thyroid storm. A study was conducted on rats with 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson’s disease. Prior to an injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the striatum, the rats were orally administered a Withania somnifera extract at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight for 3 weeks. Kataria et al. isolated the hypothalamic clonal cell line, GnV-3 cells, which are GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) neurons isolated from rat brain.

• In another animal model study, the efficacy of single or combined administration of matcha and Ashwagandha tea against H2O2-induced utero-ovarian oxidative injury and cell death in female rats was investigated.
• The mechanism of how ashwagandha works, for all of its purported benefits, is not well understood.
• When the thyroid is not functioning correctly, it can lead to a range of health issues related to thyroid imbalance, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
• The hypothalamus and pituitary gland tightly control thyroid function through a signaling cascade called the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis.

A study was conducted on adult male rats where the animals were subjected to sleep deprivation for one week. Indicators of oxidative stress were measured by spectrophotometry, while serotonin and dopamine levels were measured by ELISA. A reduction in antioxidant enzyme levels was observed in the sleep-deprived rat group.

The safety and toxicity of Ashwagandha also remain important issues, which may affect its potential use in specific patient groups. The above results are not only promising, but also repeatable, which was confirmed in a similar study by Noha Abdellatif Ibrahim et al. In this project, researchers also induced hypothyroidism in a group of rats. The group of rats which they administered only propylthiouracil (PTU) had significantly lower T3 and T4 values and higher TSH values than the group of PTU + Ashwagandha rats, which confirms the “protective” effect of W. What is even more interesting, the authors point out the lack of toxicity and safety of using Ashwagandha in their study.

Despite its many benefits, the plant should not be used during breastfeeding and pregnancy. Evidence is still lacking to unequivocally confirm the safety of taking Ashwagandha-based preparations during such sensitive periods of life. Some insight into this aspect of safety is provided by studies evaluating the effects of vitania sluggard extract on pregnant rats. Importantly, this is a particularly sensitive time due to increased organogenesis and histogenesis in the fetus. No toxic effects were observed as a result of the study, and no changes were observed in the body weight of the pregnant females, the number of corpus luteum or embryo implantation. Furthermore, no external, skeletal or visceral deformities of the fetuses were detected 143.

Therapeutic duplication warnings

In addition to regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, ashwagandha can also help improve thyroid function by increasing the production of thyroid hormones. This can be beneficial for individuals with hypothyroidism, where there are lower than normal levels of thyroid hormone in the body. Ashwagandha can also help improve the conversion of T4 to T3, which is the active form of thyroid hormone. Ashwagandha might increase the effects and adverse effects of thyroid hormone drugs.

As always, be sure to talk to your doctor about combining any over-the-counter dietary supplement with your prescribed drugs as they have your complete medical profile. Again, be sure to talk to your doctor about adding ashwagandha to immunosuppressant drugs. Therefore, it could theoretically increase the risk of hypoglycemia (i.e. low blood sugar). Additionally, it has been noted that withaferin A in the form of Ashwagandha extract significantly inhibits not only the production of amyloid β, but also the gene expression of neuroinflammatory molecules related to NF- κB 21.

This effect on HPA axis, a main regulator of stress response, is evident through lowered morning cortisol levels (a biomarker of stress) following Ashwagandha supplementation 3. Ashwagandha can help manage thyroid health naturally, but it is essential to follow the advice of a qualified healthcare professional to determine the optimal way to incorporate it into your thyroid health routine. Lifestyle changes, natural remedies, and stress management techniques can also contribute to maintaining thyroid health. Speak to a qualified healthcare professional if you suspect you have a thyroid issue or experience any symptoms.

In this type of hypothyroidism, the immune system produces antibodies that attack and damage the thyroid, impairing its ability to produce sufficient hormones. If you are interested in taking ashwagandha, discuss any medications or supplements you may be taking with your healthcare provider. If you suspect that you have a thyroid condition, it is essential to speak to a qualified healthcare professional. A healthcare professional can conduct blood tests, physical examinations, and imaging tests to diagnose a thyroid issue accurately. Some common symptoms of thyroid imbalance include weight gain or loss, fatigue, mood swings, forgetfulness, dry skin, hair loss, and changes in menstrual cycles.