Is My
Holiday Weight Gain
Related to My Thyroid?
Were the holidays ‘too
good to you’? Did Santa leave some excess baggage? What
are your plans to make your weight gain return to its pre-holiday
level?
How do you know if your weight gain is caused
by a slow thyroid or by hormonal imbalance?
Some common signs that weight gain is related
to an underactive thyroid or hormonal imbalance are: cold
intolerance, constipation, insomnia, dry skin, thin hair,
PMS, and a general decrease in vitality.
Frequently, underactive thyroid will respond
well to medications, botanicals and vitamins, but supplementation
is not something that can be undertaken on your own because
of the complexity of them. For example, at least five minerals
are related to thyroid function: iodine, selenium, lithium,
manganese, and boron. Then there are the vitamins, vitamin
B-1, B-2, B6, and others that affect the thyroid gland, and
even heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, and arsenic can create
problems for this master gland that controls so many body
functions.
Now if you increase one of the vitamins or
minerals without increasing others, you’ll create an
imbalance. That’s why I always recommend that minimally,
we run a laboratory serology for heavy metal toxicity and
lack of essential elements. This will provide some objective
evidence and your supplements can be customized.
But there’s a lot more to the thyroid
picture. Are you exposed to high levels of phthalates, the
chemicals that creates plastics? Phthalates can decrease function
of the thyroid gland, especially if there’s already
a low iodine level.
Can you see why self medication according
to what someone says on the internet or what you read in a
book can go wrong fast?
There are times when a low dose, time-released
T3 therapy is appropriate; and times when it’s not.
One of the easiest way to get a handle on
holiday weight gain is to simply evaluate your diet, then
make minor changes. Easy-to-digest proteins such as chicken
and fish are absolutely essential. Even grass-fed beef has
its place; where else will you get sizable amounts of vitamin
B12?
Keep your consumption of carbohydrates –
the sweets, breads, potatoes, and rice – down to serving
sizes about the size of your palm.
Don’t starve yourself for hours; it’s
too easy to binge later. Avoid low blood sugar and you’ll
avoid headaches, irritability, loss of concentration and focus,
anger outbursts, gorging on cookies or ice cream, fatigue,
and other symptoms that interfere with you putting your best
foot forward all day long.
One fact many people don’t consider
is that a diet high in soy can bind thyroid hormones and cause
problems.
Did you know that you can monitor your body
temperature when you wake in the morning, and record the readings
for a one-week time period? Bring in your record to your doctor
and he’ll use this data as well as other blood work-ups
to interpret your thyroid status.
The basic good health principles of exercise,
rest and stress reduction are crucial. Exercise is an important
endocrine system regulator; thus, it’s good for your
thyroid. That’s why, for example, diabetics can’t
miss a day of exercise without feeling like they’re
losing ground. So get some exercise!
Rest and stress reduction always increases
your body’s rejuvenative power and shows up in how others
perceive your vitality.
Have a safe, healthy, and happy New
Year! Take care of your thyroid and it will take care of your
holiday weight gain.
Dr. Bruce Sadilek is Medical Director
of Integrative Medicine Center in Tucson, Arizona. He offers
a range of services from thyroid management, hormone balancing,
metabolic weight loss, hair restoration, skin care, nutritional
services, and primary care medical services. See www.DrSadilek.com
for more info about lab tests that give us information to
create the foundation for your body to heal itself quickly.
Call him at 520-297-9664 for more information.
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