Many people reaching the age of 40-45 years find it increasingly difficult to lose weight, especially around the abdominal and the back areas. Following healthy diets and regular physical activity seems to be doing very little to improve things dramatically, the weight just does not budge or even continue to grow. Very often we begin counting calories, go for intermittent fasting, follow cleansing routines or blame the famous metabolism.
The real reason could be actually lay in the deficient work of the thyroid gland, our internal engine. This little organ directs the body to either burn fat for fuel or save it for energy. When its hormones begin to fail doing their work, it get increasingly hard to shift weight.
Thyroid gland produces hormones T4 (inactive form) and T3 (activated form) - the true metabolism modulator. They play a major role in regulating the body temperature, the heart rate and metabolic rate. The thyroid regulates the resting metabolic rate – the use of calories to fuel critical processes like breathing, brain activity and cell production. It also controls the fat-burning processes in the body.
After 40 the body finds it more difficult to convert T4 into T3. As a result the metabolism slows down and we begin to feel tired and cold, we accumulate excess fluids and our weight goes up without any apparent to us reasons.
Low thyroid function leads to reduction in breaking down of stored fat cells and an increase in insulin resistance. The extra weight gets deposited around the waist and the abdomen due to hormonal “self-defence” of the body.
Blood tests show the amount of hormones available but are not always good at determining how well they are being used by the body. TSH is the hypothalamic hormone that is produced by the body to encourage the thyroid to work harder. When this hormone is high, the body reads it as a signal that the energy is low and it is time to switch to the economy mode. This leads to reduced rate of burning fat and the slowing down of metabolism.
Additionally the thyroid is also involved in cortisol clearance. When the thyroid function is compromised cortisol remains elevated in the bloodstream longer and interferes with the conversion of T4 into T3. The body switches to survival mode, fat burning is practically prohibited – it is the way the body is trying to protect itself.
Harsh diets and fasting further aggravate the problem. The body sees the calory deficit as a threat, consequently lowers the thyroid activity and metabolism even further.
Among the natural support for thyroid health, herbal medicine has a long tradition using plants to support the thyroid and recent clinical research suggests supports their use as adjunctive therapy by stimulating hormone production and reducing symptoms of a failing thyroid function.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
is one of the most researched herbs for underactive thryroid. It increases conversion of T4 to T3, lowers TSH, reduces cortisol and has anti-inflammatory and calming effects.
Coleus (Coleus forskohlii) is another Ayurvedically herb containing the active compound forskolin that can increase thyroid function by upregulating cellular cAMP levels. It can also stimulate lipolysis withing adipocytes thus promoting weight reduction.
Guggul or Mukul Myrrh Tree (Commiphora mukul) produces a fragrant resin called gugal. It has been successfully used in Auyrvedic medicine to stimulate conversion of T4 to a more potent T3.
Black Cumin (Nigella sativa) is known for its potent antioxidant properties that protect the delicate thyroid tissue. Clinical trials confirm it can significantly reduce TSH and body weight in cases of underactive thyroid.
Addressing thyroid dysfunction often requires a multi-faceted, whole-person approach and a thorough understanding of the particular imbalance or pathology so it is always advisable to speak to a qualified practitioner.
This blog is intended as an informational guide. The remedies, approaches, and techniques described herein are meant to supplement, and not be a substitute for, professional medical care or treatment. They should not be used to treat a serious ailment without prior consultation with a qualified health care professional.
References
Ghaffari-Saravi F, Jokar A. Herbal remedies for hypothyroidism: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Caspian J Intern Med. 2024 Oct 19;16(1):1-8. doi: 10.22088/cjim.16.1.1. PMID: 39619751; PMCID: PMC11607114.
Swapnil R. Dudhakohar*, Dr. Khushboo Arora, Herbal Remedies in Traditional Medicine for Thyroid Disorders, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2025, Vol 3, Issue 10, 2734-2749
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17442806
Yarnell Eric and Abascal Kathy, Botnical medicine for thyroid regulation; Alternative and Complementary; copyright from US Library; year- 2006; page no-107- 112
