What to do and what not…

Introduction & background

Surrounding your windpipe (trachea) just beneath the voice box, the thyroid gland is a small organ with a powerful influence on your whole body. The thyroid secretes hormones that affect virtually every organ. Thyroid hormones are required for growth and development in children and they regulate the “metabolism,” in adults. For the same reason, which when thyroid hormone production and secretion is low, people are often tired, cold, and sluggish and become be excessively overweight / overweight. Clinically, the condition is called as hypothyroidism (Hypo = low / under, thyroidism = thyroid activity).

Statistics are alarming

On an average, hypothyroidism occurs in 1.5 to 2 percent of women and just 0.2 percent of men. The elderly are more prone to it.

The link between thyroid and your body weight

One of the most frustrating and unwanted symptoms of hypothyroidism is weight gain. It’s usually slow, but steady. As thyroid hormones basically regulate calorie consumption, the patients with an underactive thyroid tend to have a very low basal metabolic rate. As the low thyroid function indicates a slower metabolism than normal, a person can find him or herself gaining weight while eating less and doing more.

Complications of hypothyroidism

If a person is hypothyroid, he or she may be more likely to develop certain related conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, specifically the triglycerides, and pre-diabetes. It is, therefore, essential to not just treat the cause but to address the associated signs and symptoms (weight gain in particular) at the same time.
The following are tips to fight obesity if you have hypothyroidism/underactive thyroid:

What to eat

Iodine deficiency is one of commonest causes of hypothyroidism. According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sufficient iodine in the diet is needed for the thyroid to produce adequate levels of thyroid hormones. For the same reason, doctors advise the patients to eat iodine-rich foods like fish, kelp, nuts, seeds, beetroot, oatmeal, bananas, radish, parsley, potatoes, and oily fish.

What to avoid

Likewise, it’s best to avoid or eat less iodine-suppressing foods like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, peanuts, spinach, peaches, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, maize, lima beans, and soya beans. These foods contain natural goitrogens (chemicals causing goiter / hypothyroidism). These chemicals cause the enlargement of the thyroid gland by interfering with thyroid hormone synthesis. Cooking is known to make the goitrogens elements less effective but it would be wise not eat these foods raw. Also avoid caffeine drinks like coffee and sodas, fats, sugars, sodium chloride, red meat and eggs

Similarly, as a rule of thumb, you should avoid stimulants like smoking and alcohol and reduce stress.

Significance of exercise

Exercise stimulates thyroid gland secretion and increases tissue sensitivity to the thyroid hormone, especially for those who diet. It is because of the fact that with dieting, the metabolic rate decreases but exercise prevents this decline. Exercise for 30 minutes to one hour at least four or five days each week if you have hypothyroidism. This exercise must be strenuous to work your heart, such as playing active sports, walking, hiking, swimming, running and biking. Similarly, Exercises that build muscle mass can help you burn more calories than you consume. Keep in mind that although metabolism plays a role, in the end, it is the level of physical activity and the number of calories you eat and drink that essentially affect your weight.

Supplements

You might wonder if there are herbal supplements which can assist you in obtaining your weight loss goals by regulating the amount of thyroid hormone in your system. There are natural, organic and safe herbal supplements such as Proactol which can be used for this purpose. The good thing about Proactol is that it safe, clinically proven and recommended by several; health experts worldwide to lose weight quickly and efficiently. While it is essential to treat the cause (thyroid hormonal imbalance), Proactol does present an enticing option to specifically address the “weight gin” symptom of the disease