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Thyroid Dysfunctions &
The Obesity Epidemic:
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| Editor's note: Many people blame their obesity on "thyroid" problems and then use that as an excuse to keep overeating. In this article, Dr. Hyman addresses how to ascertain if thyroid problems exist, and how to correct them if they do. Remember, a thyroid dysfunction doesn't sentence you to a life of obesity, if you do something about that dysfunction and make the other necessary changes in your eating patterns. |
There’s no doubt that thyroid disease is on the rise. Now the question is why?
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But exactly how
does your environment affect your thyroid?
We now have substantial
research to demonstrate that environmental chemicals have a
direct impact on the thyroid gland. It’s clear that PCBs and
other industrial petrochemical toxins can lower thyroid
function, as well as other pollutants such as chlorine,
fluoride, and bromide.
Since the thyroid produces
hormones that manage your metabolism, anything that affects
your thyroid will ultimately affect your metabolism. In
fact, there’s evidence that toxins boost the excretion of
thyroid hormones, leaving you with less of this hormone to
control your metabolism—and a decreased ability to burn fat.
The truth is, your thyroid
plays a huge role in weight control, and in determining your
metabolic rate.
The question is not
if, but how much is today’s obesity epidemic linked to the
harmful effects of environmental toxins on metabolism.
I’ve seen so many patients
struggle with their weight, only to have the pounds melt off
when we addressed their thyroid problems.
True, not everyone’s weight
problems are caused by thyroid dysfunction—but if you’re
overweight, you should consider the connection. That’s why
the best medical doctors always check their patients’
thyroid functions and will consider all the possible causes
of subtle thyroid imbalance, including toxins, food
allergies, nutritional deficiencies, and stress.
Now let’s talk about
some of those other factors.
For example, food allergies,
like sensitivities to gluten and other foods, also
negatively affect thyroid function—and are frequently
undiagnosed. Likewise, deficiencies in nutrients important
to good thyroid function—like selenium, zinc, omega-3 fatty
acids. and iodine and tyrosine—can also trigger thyroid
problems.
With all of these factors that
can affect your thyroid, it’s clear that we need a new
approach to the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease.
Many doctors can miss the subtle signs of thyroid problems,
and conventional medicine often treats low thyroid function
with inadequate, one-size-fits-all drugs like Synthroid.
However, thyroid dysfunction
requires a more personalized, integrative approach—one that
you can help control by becoming an active partner in your
care. First, keep an eye out for the symptoms of a low
thyroid function, including:
• fatigue
• sluggishness • trouble getting up in the morning • depression • dry skin • dry hair • constipation • fluid retention • menstrual problems and PMS • hair loss • cracked or chipping fingernails • low sex drive • weight gain • muscle aches • cramps
Yes, a lot of those symptoms
are pretty common and vague—which is one reason why thyroid
dysfunction often goes undetected. But if you notice any of
these signs, bring them to your doctor’s attention, and ask
him or her to test your thyroid function.
If you are diagnosed with low
thyroid function, the following steps recommended:
1. Eliminate the causes of
thyroid problems, like toxins, food allergies, and
nutritional deficiencies.
2. Exercise and take saunas. 3. Eat foods that provide nutritional support to your thyroid—and avoid those that don’t. 4. Use supplements that protect your thyroid, such as vitamins A and D, selenium, zinc and fish oil. 5. Work with your doctor to choose the right thyroid replacement for you. It should combine both the inactive and T4 hormone found in Synthroid and the active hormone T3, found in other medications.
Remember, thyroid hormone is
the master metabolism hormone. If your thyroid is out of
balance, your metabolism is out of balance, too.
Do you have a dysfunctional
thyroid?
Know that the problem can
be fixed. By following the program here you can get your
thyroid working properly, keep your weight under control and
start feeling better today.
Mark Hyman, MD, author
of UltraMetabolism -- The Simple Plan for Automatic
Weight Loss, shows you how to reprogram your body to
burn fat by turning on the message of weight loss and
health and turning off the messages of weight gain and
disease. To download free sneak preview of
UltraMetabolism, click here now: http://www.ultrametabolism.com/prlarticle1
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