This hypothyroidism is no joke. People play with it all the time. But why? It completely fucks with your life. Sorry to be so blunt but it does. As diseases go, you would think that it would be a cinch to diagnose and pretty straightforward to treat. Each of us are unique individuals with different sensitivities. None of has the same exact routine as far as what foods we eat, what chemicals we are exposed to and what medications we take but yet we all are similar when it comes to our thyroids not working properly. Why is that?
See we have to understand is when your thyroid isn’t working properly it can wreck havoc on your life. Your thyroid is responsible for so many things. It regulates your metabolism, makes energy, adjusts your mood, helps you sleep, even helps aid in good digestion but your see this is where you come into play. Like anything else in life you get back what you give. Start today following my tips and you will start healing your thyroid naturally.
Your body is an awesome design but there is a complex balance between everything. It’s like a domino. One thing in your body that is overworked can cause a major shift in how things operate. Sometimes we have to do a little pruning of the branches, in order for the tree to be healthy again. There is not one size fits all.
I know, there is a information overload and most people are confused as to where to start. You can start by taking ownership of your health. I wanted you to understand or get a idea of how everything has a part to play in your body. I am on a path to help you, lead you and inform you through this terrible illness. Being diagnosed with hypothyroidism isn’t just here take this pill and it will fix your issues. Hypothyroidism has a root cause. Once you start addressing the root of your problems then your body can start healing itself. Your body is an awesome design but there is a complex balance between everything. It’s a domino affect. If you have something in your body that is overworked it will cause a major shift in your body. Don’t worry the good news is it can be healed.
One of the biggest issues is that many patients are being under treated or under dosed.
Not all medications are created equal. Trust and believe that! Also, medications can interact with other medications or interfere with how your body works. Sort of like help one thing but hinder another.
So much of our lives revolve around food. Its a staple everywhere from ads on social media to mouth watering commercials on television. I am a major foodie to the point where all of my books are about food! I blog about food all the time. Food is certainly a social lubricant at meetings, family gatherings, award dinners, and basically every function you must attend but loathe with every being of your fiber. Food understands our emotions in ways no words will never. It certainly makes it easier to bear and a lot less painful with the understanding that something tasty might be at that gathering that you are dragging yourself to attend. It’s all fun and games until we step on that scale , we can’t button our pants or our skin starts to break out with acne like we are hormonal teenagers . What we eat should be fun, healthy, healing, sometimes funky and always fresh.
A least less talked about area that people seem to ignore is starting to become more widely recognized. It’s food sensitivities. Most of the time these sensitivities seem to be more of a annoyance and not an immediate and/or severe allergic reaction. Therefore more people with food sensitivities are willing to annoy it, never look into their symptom’s without realizing that it can actually be disastrous to their health. More doctors, mainstream media journals and clinical practices are starting to realize how if they can start to identify and remove the food sensitivities it can and will improve the overall health and well-being of a individual. Thus, leading to a much better quality of life.
A food sensitivity has a delayed allergic reaction. Food sensitivities trigger the delayed antibody response after being consumed. For example, there are four different antibodies involved in a delayed reaction. IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgD — each of which can have a different and significant effect on our immune system.
Sometimes the delayed response can take up to three weeks before symptoms may appear. This makes it very hard to pin point which food, pollen, or substance is the cause of your symptoms! Some of the more common health concerns that can be triggered by a food sensitivity are:
Americans are in such a pathetic health crisis. We have the abundance of everything at our finger tips but yet we 1 in 3 people are on some sort of medication. It doesn’t matter if it’s Prescribed or over the counter. Meanwhile, there are people around the world who are in better health than the average American and they don’t have to be on some sort of medication but yet they seem to be in their correct body mass index. New York Times best-selling author and Blue Zones Founder Dan Buettner has written a book called: The Blue Zone Solution in his book he speaks about how people in these blue zones are living to be over 100 years old. We are in such a state of denial. Every Cell in your body responds to the foods you consume. These foods have a direct impact on your hormones and in return your hormones have a direct impact on every major system in your body. So many of us have these crazy phantom-like health problems. Our body is lacking certain nutrients that heavily influence the function of every cell in our body while certain foods can inhibit your body’s ability to absorb the replacement nutrients needed.
Did you know that products we use every day may contain toxic chemicals and has been linked to women’s health issues? They are hidden endocrine disruptors and are very tricky chemicals that play havoc on our bodies. “We are all routinely exposed to endocrine disruptors, and this has the potential to significantly harm the health of our youth,” said Renee Sharp, EWG’s director of research. “It’s important to do what we can to avoid them, but at the same time we can’t shop our way out of the problem. We need to have a real chemical policy reform.” The longer the length of ingredients on your food label means how much more unhealthy it is for you to consume. When an item contains a host of ingredients that most likely you cant even pronounce or remember to spell you can bet your lucky dollar that the natural nutrients are long gone. These highly processed frank n foods are very difficult for the body to break down and some of the chemicals will become stored in your body. Look at it another way. When is the last time that you seen a Azodicarbonamide grazing in a field or Sodium benzoate being grown in a garden?
Many different underlying reasons can play a role. We do know that hypothyroidism is a chronic condition of an underactive thyroid and affects millions of Americans. Environmental chemicals and toxins, pesticides, BPA, thyroid endocrine disruptors, iodine imbalance, other medications, fluoride, overuse of soy products, cigarette smoking, and gluten intolerance. All of these play a very important role in your thyroid health. A nonprofit group called Beyond Pesticides warns that some 60 percent of pesticides used today have been shown to affect the thyroid gland’s production of T3 and T4 hormones. Commercially available insecticides and fungicides have also been involved. Even dental x-rays have been linked to an increased risk of thyroid disorders.
Hypothyroidism means what exactly?
Hypothyroidism means your thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormone. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your throat. It makes the hormones that control the way your body uses energy. Basically, our thyroid hormone tells all the cells in our bodies how busy they should be. Our bodies will go into overdrive with too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) and our bodies slow down with too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). The most common causes of hypothyroidism worldwide is dietary and environmental. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is dietary and environmental! What does that mean exactly? That means you need to be eat to cater to your thyroid and stop using all these harmful chemicals to clean your home with and put on your body! It’s not hard. Yes, a little adjustment will be needed but isn’t everything we do in life for the better of our health worth a little inconvenience until it becomes a habit?
“You must realize that the thyroid has a relationship with all the hormones. It’s a very complex balance and there is no straight forward treatment of just treating your thyroid alone. 1st you must make sure your adrenal glands are in total support. Adrenal fatigue is a very common amongst people with hypothyroidism. Next you have to get your cortisol levels stabilized. Having hypothyroidism your cortisol levels are already above average. Next finding the right medication for you. Everyone is different it isn’t an easy one size fits all task.”
So this bullshit is up to you!
Start following my plan & listen to your body!!
You have to start removing the thyroid suppressive foods that are in your diet and instead focus on the right foods that stimulate your thyroid to produce an abundant amount of thyroid hormone to keep your cells happy and healthy. When you eat foods full of thyroid suppressive toxins its just like throwing fuel on the fire. This will only continue to drain you of your energy, continue to make your symptoms worse, promote even more inflammation in your body, contribute to a leaky gut and further damage your thyroid.
Listen to me when I say there’s a major disconnect between what YOU believe to be healthy foods and what research tells us is healthy. In fact, many of the health foods today that people go out of their way to eat daily are extremely thyroid suppressive.
It seems that the testing for thyroid is a dead end road at times with the test appearing to be normal but you has all the symptoms. Get this, your blood work can look just fine but there is major resistance at the receptor site. Most practitioners are unfamiliar with natural treatments for the thyroid and the meds they give sometimes just don’t work. Some doctors just don’t have a lot of experience with alternative treatments. Endocrinologists have the training to diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and problems by helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in the body. This is where you come into play. You have to take control of your health! Your gut’s ability to digest and absorb critical nutrients is very important for proper thyroid hormone health.
I am telling you to not fucking listen to what they are saying… Do your own research… learn how to read test results and become your own health advocate!! No body else will do it for you but you…
disclaimer:::::::::::::::: Bitches::::::::::::::::::: Listen:::::::::::::::: I am here to help & educate. I am not a medical doctor nor your personal guru specialist. …. You’ve got to do this!
A full thyroid panel for hypothyroidism should at least include these 7 key thyroid lab tests:
TSH
Free T4
Free T3
Reverse T3
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies
Thyroglobulin Antibodies
Reverse T3
How Is Hypothyroidism Diagnosed?
If you have symptoms of hypothyroidism, your doctor will order blood tests to check hormone levels. Lower-than-normal T4 levels usually mean you have hypothyroidism.
However, some people may have increased TSH levels while having normal T4 levels. This is called subclinical (mild) hypothyroidism. It is believed to be an early stage of hypothyroidism. If your test results or physical exam of the thyroid are abnormal, your doctor may order a thyroid ultrasound, or thyroid scan, to check for nodules or inflammation.
I want to thank you for reading my latest blog. Please let me know if you need any support with it.
Only you know how you feel………….. dot..dot…dot….dot…dot…. need I say more?
Thehypothyroidismchick.com is committed to providing information on natural and alternative health, but I am not a health care professional. All material provided by my website is for informational purposes only, and is not to be taken as medical advice or recommendation. Any health concern or condition should be addressed by a doctor or other appropriate health care professional. The information and opinions found on this website are written based on the best data available at the time of writing, and are believed to be accurate according to the best of my discernment .
If your serious about fighting hyperthyroidism.. Purchase one of my books…. Research this ! Teach yourself….
AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER
Links on this website may lead you to a product or service that provides an affiliate commission to the owners of this site should you make a purchase. In no way does any affiliate relationship ever factor into a recommendation, or alter the integrity of the information we provide.
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
Most people when they switch to armour thyroid except that their extra weight will magically start shedding off…
And about 90% of people who make the switch don’t see those results.
Why does this happen?
While Armour Thyroid is a great medication (that will probably help reduce your symptoms even if it doesn’t help you lose weight) it isn’t enough for weight loss by itself.
If weight loss were that simple, then Doctors would be prescribing low doses of Armour to every patient!
The truth is that your thyroid is probably only contributing to about 10-20 pounds of extra weight you may be carrying right now.
If you have more than that to lose there is a good chance your extra weight is from something else entirely.
Another hormone imbalance…
Poor diet…
Too much stress…
You get the picture.
So let’s talk about the 5 main reasons that patients who make the switch to Armour Thyroid don’t lose weight and what you can do to FINALLY lose those extra pounds:
1. You Aren’t Being Dosed Correctly
One of the biggest issues is that many patients are being under treated or under dosed.
Armour thyroid contains a combination of T4 (the inactive thyroid hormone) and T3 (the active thyroid hormone).
One of the main reasons that patients feel BETTER on Armour Thyroid is because of the active T3 portion.
This means that when transitioning from T4 only medication to armour thyroid many patients are usually under treated!
It’s also important to note that many providers aren’t as comfortable dosing Armour Thyroid as they are levothyroxine and so they will intentionally under dose patients because they are concerned about side effects.
Transitioning from T4 only Medication to Armour Thyroid
If you transitioned from Levothyroxine (T4 only medication) then you should know how to properly convert your medication.
Most conversion charts will show that 100mcg of T4 = 1 grain of Armour thyroid.
In my experience 1 grain of Armour Thyroid is closer to 50mcg of T4.
Using this conversion you can see how most people end up under-treated.
They are previously on 100mcg of T4 medication and are subsequently switched to 1 grain of Armour and they feel no different, when in reality they have most likely just cut their thyroid dosing in half.
More accurate conversion looks like this:
50 mcg of T4 = 1 grain of Armour
100mcg of T4 = 2 grains of Armour
150mcg of T4 = 3 grains of Armour
But remember:
If you are transitioning from a T4 only medication do NOT start yourself off at the maximum dose of Armour.
If you dose your Armour too quickly you are likely to end up with side effects from the T3: Heart palpitations, Anxiety, Heat intolerance, etc.
Instead start off on a lower dose and titrate up SLOWLY every 10-14 days.
2. You Need More T3 Added to your Thyroid Hormone Replacement
While Armour does contain some T3, your body may actually need more.
Armour thyroid (and other forms of Natural Desiccated thyroid) contain fixed ratios of T4 to T3.
Meaning the amount of T3 in each grain of Armour is always the same.
In both of these conditions patients may require higher doses of T3 to saturate cellular receptors and allow thyroid hormone to get into the cells.
How do you know if you are someone who needs more T3?
Patients who need more T3 usually fall into one or more of the following categories:
They have high levels of Reverse T3
They have Leptin Resistance
They have Diabetes, Prediabetes or Insulin Resistance
They have extremely low body temperatures
They have a personal history of bipolar disorder or a strong family history of mental health disorders
They have a personal history of Fibromyalgia or Chronic fatigue syndrome
If you fall into any of the categories above AND you aren’t losing weight on Armour thyroid then you should talk to your Doctor about adding T3 to your regimen.
Adding T3 to Armour Thyroid
One problem with armour thyroid (and NDT in general) is the static dosing in each individual grain of hormone.
Each grain gives you 38mcg of T4 and 9mcg of T3.
This is ok for some patients but doesn’t allow for altering individual dosing of the T4 and T3 if necessary.
Patients with high stress, high levels of inflammation, leptin resistance, insulin resistance, etc. will generally require more T3 relative to T4.
Supraphysiologic dosing of T3 not only helps to overcome these hormone imbalances.
In my experience (and if used safely) lowering T4 dosing and increasing T3 dosing provides improved weight loss and improved lipid metabolism.
This is also confirmed with studies which have shown that transitioning from T4 to T3 dosing (based off of pituitary and TSH testing) improves all of these markers.
In many patients dropping armour thyroid total dosing and adding T3 can be sufficient to improve symptoms and provide improved weight loss by itself.
T3 can be added to armour thyroid with the following medications: Liothyronine, Cytomel or SR T3.
Leptin is a hormone that is pumped out by your fat cells (yes they pump out hormones!).
As fat cells grow, leptin levels increase. As they increase they are supposed to tell your brain to increase metabolism and start burning off that extra fat you just gained.
When you have leptin resistance the exact opposite happens: your body thinks you’re starving so it decreases metabolism and increases appetite (even though you have plenty of fat).
If you have leptin resistance it doesn’t matter how little you eat, how much you exercise or what your dose of thyroid hormone is…
Leptin levels can be tested easily in the serum and fasting leptin levels higher than 10-12 indicate leptin resistance.
Patients with leptin resistance generally require higher levels of T3 only medications to help reduce the T4 to reverse T3 conversion that occurs with this condition.
It’s important to note that leptin resistance is generally a late finding and indicates that heavy metabolic damage has occurred.
Leptin resistance is often accompanied by insulin resistance and thyroid resistance (all three conditions are caused by the same thing).
Patients with leptin resistance generally require aggressive treatment to reverse leptin levels to help with weight loss.
To see a case study example treatment plan please refer to this post.
I’ve outlined how to treat leptin resistance in this article.
4. You are Reacting to Inactive Ingredients in Armour Thyroid
Not all forms of Natural Desiccated thyroid are created equal.
While it’s true 1 grain of armour thyroid contains the same amount of active thyroid hormone (AKA active ingredients) as a grain of WP thyroid or Naturethroid – they differ in the inactive ingredients that they contain.
And it is the inactive ingredients that may cause non specific reactions in the body.
In addition these inactive ingredients may alter the breakdown and digestion of which then alters the absorption of thyroid hormone in the body.
It’s also possible that you may simply be reacting to the inactive ingredients and wrongly attributing your “negative” symptoms to thyroid hormone component.
Using the table below you can see that the NDT form of thyroid hormone with the least amount of ingredients is WP thyroid – though this doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the “best”.
These changes in inactive ingredients help to explain why some patients react poorly to Armour thyroid with symptoms like headaches, worsening fatigue or rashes – only to find that these symptoms completely resolve upon switching to naturethroid.
Again it’s not the difference in the concentration of thyroid hormone in each individual medication but most likely a reflection of digestion and absorption.
These are the inactive ingredients in armour thyroid that may cause some patients to either do better on the medication or worse.
You can think about methylcellulose as a glue which holds on tight to the thyroid hormone component of the medication, and in order for absorption your body must break the grip.
Unfortunately many patients with hypothyroidism also have gastrointestinal issues including low stomach acid.
This may result in decreased absorption of thyroid hormone or a “delayed” release of the medication into the blood stream.
This exact process is what happens when patients take Sustained release T3.
The “slow release” comes from the fact that it is harder to digest and absorb in the body, but this also reduces the overall amount of hormone available in each dosage.
In general patients with GI related issues tend to do better on WP thyroid or tirosint which both have fewer inactive ingredients and absorption tends to be better.
Bottom line: If armour thyrod isn’t helping you (either with weight loss or you still remain symptomatic) you might consider switching to a different from of NDT like Naturethroid or WP thyroid.
5. Your Reverse T3 is too High
If you aren’t familiar with Reverse T3 please read this article.
To recap:
T4 = INACTIVE storage form of thyroid
T3 = ACTIVE thyroid hormone
Reverse T3 = INACTIVE thyroid metabolite that competes with T3 for cellular binding
The higher Reverse T3 generally the more hypothyroid you will feel (unless the Reverse T3 is compensatory due to supraphysiologic levels of free T3).
Because T4 has the ability to turn into T3 or Reverse T3 we need to concern ourselves with what causes the body to preferentially create more reverse T3.
Reasons your body may produce Reverse T3 from T4:
Thyroid medications containing T4 (Synthroid, Levothyroxine but also NDT like armour thyroid) – This acts as substrate and in the presence of inflammation or other hormone imbalances your body may produce Reverse T3 over T3
Inflammation – From conditions like SIBO, Hashimoto’s, Food allergies, nutrient deficiencies, medications, etc.
LPS – Usually caused by increased intestinal permeability (SIBO, SIFO, SIBO, leaky gut, etc.)
Certain Medications: Anti-depressants, diabetic medications, anti seizure medications, blood pressure medications, Narcotics, etc. (Please don’t stop taking these medications if you are on them, but consider discussing options with your Doctor)
Two things should pop out to you after reading that list:
1) Thyroid medications containing can contribute to elevated reverse T3 levels
2) If you fall into one or more of the categories listed above AND you are taking T4 medication (including Armour thyroid, but especially T4 only medications like Synthroid or Levothyroxine) then your medication may be contributing to your inability to lose weight.
What happens when Reverse T3 levels are too high?
As Reverse T3 levels climb your cells will have more difficulty taking up active thyroid hormone.
This leads to a situation where you will have the symptoms of hypothyroidism but your lab tests may be “normal”.
Your temperature will drop, your metabolism will drop, your appetite will increase in an attempt to compensate for the low metabolism, etc.
All of these changes ultimately lead to weight gain.
The real question is what do you do about it?
How do you fix high Reverse T3 levels?
Because high levels of reverse T3 can be caused by different factors, the best way to treat it is to identify the cause in your body and attack that.
For instance:
If you have high levels of insulin – you need to lower them (use this as a guide)
If your T4 containing medication is too high you may need to decrease your T4 dose and/or increase your T3 dose.
Etc.
BUT addressing and fixing the cause of the high reverse T3 usually isn’t enough by itself.
For the most benefit this therapy should be coupled with a reduction in the total amount of T4 medication and an increase in the total amount of T3 medication you are taking.
Armour Thyroid is a great medication and it CAN help you lose weight but it is not a magic weight loss pill.
At most it will help you lose 10-20 pounds. If you have hypothyroidism and are more than 20 pounds overweight there is a high chance your weight gain is due to some other hormone imbalance.
If you switched to Armour recently and haven’t lost ANY weight then make sure you have addressed these 5 areas: your dose, how much T3 you are taking in addition to Armour, your leptin levels, your allergies and sensitivities to inactive ingredients in medications and finally your reverse T3 level.
Remember:
You won’t be able to lose weight unless all 5 of those areas have been addressed and reversed (if necessary).
Now I want to hear from you:
Are you taking Armour Thyroid? Has it helped you lose weight?
Why or why not?
Leave your comments below!
This is a New Year and a new you. I want you in 2017 regardless of the many daily issues and tasks that life throws at you. I want you to start putting YOU and YOUR health first. Try a new recipe, pull out that blender and make a smoothie, throw some ingredients in a crockpot, stop grabbing that take out burger. At the end of the day, the food we eat is the most important step in achieving best health. Eating is also entirely within our grasp. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, famously said, ” Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. In other words, food can be your friend and it can be your foe. It’s all up to you. It’s always been up to you. Eat with thought!
You and your health are important to me, Bon Appetit!
-A.L. Childers aka Thehypothyroidismchick
I want to thank you for reading my latest blog. Please let me know if you need any support with it.
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Food is thy medicine, right? Actually it can work one of two ways. Food can be thy medicine or food can be thy death. This book is a guide that will inform you from the perspective of a women. You will also be able to determine what areas in your life that may need a little bit of work and the skills needed to improve those issues along with some fabulous recipes to help get you started on how to eat KETO AIP. I will also help you understand how to fix your gut, strengthen your immunity and fight inflammation with an autoimmune approach. The Keto AIP removes all the common inflammatory food triggers that stimulate a possible autoimmune reaction in the body. We’re going to start resetting those adrenals, boosting that energy and doing a little booty kicking to those hormones that have decided to act like a wild college student and pull an all-nighter the day before final exams.
Sometimes we have to do a little pruning of the branches, in order for the tree to be healthy again. A number of things can be the reason why you have hormonal imbalances, food intolerances, thyroid issues, adrenal fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, personality changes, leaky gut, depression, an autoimmune disorder, chronic pain, no metabolism and low sex drive, bloating, anxiety, menstrual problems and infertility. It starts with becoming aware and how your health can be influenced by many different circumstances.
How would you define good health? Logically one would define good health as absence of a disease or following some sort of ground rules that avoid developing a disease. This book can help you begin to understand what a Keto Autoimmune protocol is and start guiding you in the redevelopment and healing of your body. You will begin to understand how to fix your gut, strengthen your immunity and fight inflammation with an autoimmune approach. The Keto AIP removes all the common inflammatory food triggers that stimulate a possible autoimmune reaction in the body. Along with helping to reset those adrenals, boosting that energy and doing a little ass kicking to those hormones that have decided to act like a wild college student and pull an all-nighter the day before final exams.
Your health doesn’t have to be a difficult situation but a positive realization that things need to change. This new lifestyle change has many parts to it and I hope you will embrace not only the physical but the spiritual awakening. Common food intolerances that are known to trigger inflammation are eliminated in this Keto AIP protocol are Nightshades, Eggs, Grains (gluten), Dairy, Legumes, Corn, Soy, Dairy and lectins.
This is a 21-day Meal plan to reset your thyroid and jump start your weight loss journey. It is filled with 21 smoothies breakfast recipes( bonus 14 other thyroid friendly breakfast idea’s) , 21 lunch recipes and 21 dinner recipes. They are packed full of nutrients, healthy fats and proteins. All are easy to make and I’ve done all the thinking for you! All you have to do is prepare the foods and eat. It takes 21 days to form a new habit, it will most likely take that long for your mind and body to stop opposing your new lifestyle change. Three weeks really isn’t a very long time. If you find yourself in a rut and coming up with excuses. You can regain control by reminding yourself that you only have to do it for 21 days. Motivate yourself to exercise. Choose something you honestly like to do and won’t loathe at least 3 times a week. Create an exercise plan that seems easy to accomplish. (And, stick to it!) Give yourself a chance and commit to yourself to stay with the program for 21 days.
Food is thy medicine, right? Actually it can work one of two ways. Food can be thy medicine or food can be thy death. This book is a guide that will inform you from the perspective of a women. You will also be able to determine what areas in your life that may need a little bit of work and the skills needed to improve those issues along with some fabulous recipes to help get you started on how to eat KETO AIP. I will also help you understand how to fix your gut, strengthen your immunity and fight inflammation with an autoimmune approach. The Keto AIP removes all the common inflammatory food triggers that stimulate a possible autoimmune reaction in the body. We’re going to start resetting those adrenals, boosting that energy and doing a little booty kicking to those hormones that have decided to act like a wild college student and pull an all-nighter the day before final exams.
Throughout my latest book, you will find useful, informative and easy to understand recipes for your mind, body and spirit. When I started writing this book, I wanted to introduce you to the idea of a cleaner less toxic world and for you to learn just how simply easy it is for you to start creating your own cleaning recipes throughout your home but this book has transformed into so much more than just a book full of all natural DIY recipes.
This book will enlighten you and help you have a deeper understanding of not only why you should be more aware but how to be more aware.
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
So much of our lives revolve around food. Its a staple everywhere from ads on social media to mouth watering commercials on television. I am a major foodie to the point where all of my books are about food! I blog about food all the time. Food is certainly a social lubricant at meetings, family gatherings, award dinners, and basically every function you must attend but loathe with every being of your fiber. Food understands our emotions in ways no words will never. It certainly makes it easier to bear and a lot less painful with the understanding that something tasty might be at that gathering that you are dragging yourself to attend. It’s all fun and games until we step on that scale , we can’t button our pants or our skin starts to break out with acne like we are hormonal teenagers . What we eat should be fun, healthy, healing, sometimes funky and always fresh.
What do shellfish, tree pollen, bee stings, and peanuts all have in common? These are common allergies that we’ve all heard about. For some of you these allergy can be life threaten. Sometimes even a mild exposure to the above listed often results in an immediate allergic reaction of which create symptoms ranging from itchy skin, watery eyes, sneezing, severe anaphylaxis or even death.
A least less talked about area that people seem to ignore is starting to become more widely recognized. It’s food sensitivities. Most of the time these sensitivities seem to be more of a annoyance and not an immediate and/or severe allergic reaction. Therefore more people with food sensitivities are willing to annoy it, never look into their symptom’s without realizing that it can actually be disastrous to their health. More doctors, mainstream media journals and clinical practices are starting to realize how if they can start to identify and remove the food sensitivities it can and will improve the overall health and well-being of a individual. Thus, leading to a much better quality of life.
A food sensitivity has a delayed allergic reaction. Food sensitivities trigger the delayed antibody response after being consumed. For example, there are four different antibodies involved in a delayed reaction. IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgD — each of which can have a different and significant effect on our immune system.
Sometimes the delayed response can take up to three weeks before symptoms may appear. This makes it very hard to pin point which food, pollen, or substance is the cause of your symptoms! Some of the more common health concerns that can be triggered by a food sensitivity are:
“…Diets high in refined sugars, for example, are harmful to the brain. In addition to worsening your body’s regulation of insulin, they also promote inflammation and oxidative stress. Multiple studies have found a correlation between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function — and even a worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression.”
Never skip breakfast. In all my books, I have a ton of easy healthy breakfast idea’s with amazing delicious recipes from smoothies, overnight Oats, frittata’s and more. Of course, I also have mouth watering healthy lunch and dinner recipes too.
This is a New Year and a new you. I want you in 2017 regardless of the many daily issues and tasks that life throws at you. I want you to start putting YOU and YOUR health first. Try a new recipe, pull out that blender and make a smoothie, throw some ingredients in a crockpot, stop grabbing that take out burger. At the end of the day, the food we eat is the most important step in achieving best health. Eating is also entirely within our grasp. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, famously said, ” Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. In other words, food can be your friend and it can be your foe. It’s all up to you. It’s always been up to you. Eat with thought!
You and your health are important to me, Bon Appetit!
-A.L. Childers aka Thehypothyroidismchick
I want to thank you for reading my latest blog. Please let me know if you need any support with it.
Otherwise, are we friends on Facebook yet? If not let’s do that now, healing Hypothyroidism. I like to connect on a more personal level there and often; offer social media only products that can only be accessed on my page and share daily updates along with recipes. Remember sharing is caring. Please share and post a comment to this blog! I would love to hear from you. Sign up for my blogs @ thehypothyroidismchick.com . You can also Follow me on instagram @ Thyroidismchick or Follow me on twitter @Thyroidismchick.
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
Your really never know the true role the food industry has in your journey.
Have you ever stopped to think what the underlying reason why you have hypothyroidism?
Many different underlying reasons can play a role. We do know that hypothyroidism is a chronic condition of an underactive thyroid and affects millions of Americans. Environmental chemicals and toxins, pesticides, BPA, thyroid endocrine disruptors, iodine imbalance, other medications, fluoride, overuse of soy products, cigarette smoking, and gluten intolerance. All of these play a very important role in your thyroid health. A nonprofit group called Beyond Pesticides warns that some 60 percent of pesticides used today have been shown to affect the thyroid gland’s production of T3 and T4 hormones. Commercially available insecticides and fungicides have also been involved. Even dental x-rays have been linked to an increased risk of thyroid disorders.
Hypothyroidism means what exactly?
Hypothyroidism means your thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormone. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your throat. It makes the hormones that control the way your body uses energy. Basically, our thyroid hormone tells all the cells in our bodies how busy they should be. Our bodies will go into overdrive with too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) and our bodies slow down with too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). The most common causes of hypothyroidism worldwide is dietary and environmental. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is dietary and environmental! What does that mean exactly? That means you need to be eat to cater to your thyroid and stop using all these harmful chemicals to clean your home with and put on your body! It’s not hard. Yes, a little adjustment will be needed but isn’t everything we do in life for the better of our health worth a little inconvenience until it becomes a habit?
“You must realize that the thyroid has a relationship with all the hormones. It’s a very complex balance and there is no straight forward treatment of just treating your thyroid alone. 1st you must make sure your adrenal glands are in total support. Adrenal fatigue is a very common amongst people with hypothyroidism. Next you have to get your cortisol levels stabilized. Having hypothyroidism your cortisol levels are already above average. Next finding the right medication for you. Everyone is different it isn’t an easy one size fits all task.”
One cannot think well, love well, and sleep well if one has not dined well.
—Virginia Woolf 1882-1941, A Room of One’s Own
A diet for hypothyroidism should include whole foods rich in iodine:
whole baked organic potatoes with skin, cod, dried seaweed, shrimp, Himalayan crystal salt, baked turkey breast, dried prunes, navy beans, tuna, boiled eggs, lobster, cranberries, and green beans. Niacin-rich foods (required for normal manufacture of thyroid hormone) are tuna, chicken, prunes, bananas, turkey, salmon, sardines, and brown rice.
Riboflavin-rich foods:
Raw almonds, eggs, mushrooms, sesame seeds, salmon, and tuna.
Zinc: (as well as vitamins B6, C, and E, iodine) is a major component of thyroid hormone balance and is antimicrobial. Zinc-rich foods (boost thyroid function) are white cooked button mushrooms, chickpeas, kidney beans, dark chocolate (70 percent or higher), pumpkin, squash seeds, and almonds.
Selenium-rich foods: (helps to convert T-4 to T-3) are Brazil nuts and tuna.
High-polyphenols foods: (acts as an anti-fungal) are cocoa powder, dark chocolate, coffee, tea, flaxseed meal, red raspberries, blueberries, black currants.
Vitamin B6–rich foods: (required for normal manufacture of thyroid hormone) are raw unsalted sunflower seeds, quinoa, raw pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds, pistachio nuts, cashews, tuna, halibut, salmon, dried prunes, bananas, avocados, dried apricots, and raisins.
Vitamin C–rich foods: (boost thyroid gland function) are bell peppers, dark leafy greens, kiwis, broccoli, berries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peas, and papayas.
Riboflavin-rich foods: (or vitamin b2—essential for normal manufacture of thyroid hormone) are frozen peas, beets, crimini mushrooms, eggs, asparagus, almonds, and turkey.
Vitamin E–rich foods: (work with zinc and vitamin A to produce thyroid hormone) are raw almonds, shrimp, avocados, quinoa, salmon, extra-virgin olive oil, and cooked butternut squash.
See you are NOT limited to what you can eat with hypothyroidism. You have many options to what you can eat and why you need to be eating this. Here are more foods and YES you may read repeats from the paragraph above but I want you to see what an abundance of foods that you can eat. The only limit you have in the kitchen is your imagination. My recipes are a starting point. You can start to creating your favorite recipes and healing your thyroid as you eat! Your diet is part of the solution.
Fatty fish like wild salmon, trout, halibut, cod, albacore tuna, flounder, cod or sardines (omega-3s and selenium) only a few times per week….
No farmed fish, period!
No gluten.
Split peas, lentils, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, artichokes, raspberries, blackberries, chia seeds, red apples with skin, prunes, green peas, raw almonds, garbanzo beans, winter squash, spaghetti squash, summer squash, butternut squash, zucchini, popcorn (no microwave-ready, bagged popcorn), cherries, citrus fruits, kiwi, cantaloupe, papaya, mango, plums and red grapes, tomatoes, carrots, gluten-free, steel-cut oats or gluten-free rolled oats, watermelon, green tea, organic apple cider vinegar, lemon, garlic, leeks, parsley, celery, ginger root, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, asparagus, organic whole baked potatoes with skin, shrimp, Himalayan crystal salt, Celtic sea salt, baked turkey breast, dried prunes, navy beans, gluten free steel cut or rolled oats, cranberries and green beans, organic no hormone chicken, brown rice, raw almonds, eggs, sesame seeds,, chickpeas, kidney beans, dark chocolate 70 percent or higher, walnuts, cocoa powder, hempseeds, red raspberries, blueberries, black currants, brazil nuts, raw unsalted sunflower seeds, quinoa, raw pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseeds, pistachio nuts, cashews, dried prunes, bananas, avocados, dried apricots, and raisins, red, green and orange bell peppers, romaine lettuce, kiwis, papayas, beets, all mushrooms, quinoa, extra-virgin olive oil and cooked butter nut squash. sea vegetables, dried seaweed, kelp, dulse, nori, arame, wakame, kombu, tomato paste, brewer’s yeast, brown rice, algae, healing spices (Ceylon cinnamon, turmeric, gloves, cayenne pepper, garlic, oregano, sage, ginger .
I want to thank you for reading my latest blog. Please let me know if you need any support with it. Otherwise, are we friends on Facebook yet? If not let’s do that now, healing Hypothyroidism. I like to connect on a more personal level there and often; offer social media only products that can only be accessed on my page and share daily updates along with recipes. Remember sharing is caring. Please share and post a comment to this blog! I would love to hear from you. Sign up for my blogs @ thehypothyroidismchick.com . You can also Follow me on instagram @ Thyroidismchick or Follow me on twitter @Thyroidismchick.
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
References
Hadithi, M (03/21/2007). “Coeliac disease in Dutch patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and vice versa”. World journal of gastroenterology : WJG (1007-9327), 13 (11), 1715.
Velentino, R, et.al. Markers of Potential Coeliac disease in patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. European Journal of Endocrinology (2002) 146; 479-483
Sategna-Guidetti C, et.al. Prevalence of thyroid disorders in untreated adult celiac disease patients and effect of gluten withdrawal: an Italian multi-center study. Am J Gasteroenterology; 2001, Mar; 96(3):751-756
Many people don’t know about the thyroid and what it does until after they’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. It’s tasked with producing thyroid hormone, which controls a host of activities in the body, including how quickly you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid is sluggish and does not make enough thyroid hormone, causing many of the body’s functions to slow. It’s typically treated with replacement thyroid hormones, and most people will need to remain on the medication for the rest of their lives, according to the American Thyroid Association
1.Thyroid Medication Usually Needs Tweaking
“Many people may feel frustrated when they first start taking replacement thyroid hormones as there can be a lot of trial and error before we get the right dose,” says Melanie Goldfarb, MD, director of the Endocrine Tumor Program at John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California. “It can take three to four weeks for the medication to take effect, and it can take a while to get on the right dose, too.”
2. Medication Should Be a Morning Ritual
I’ve learned to take my medication as soon as I get up along with a warm lemon water with my thyroid medication..
Lemons are loaded with healthy benefits, and particularly, they’re a great vitamin C food source. One cup of fresh lemon juice provides 187 percent of your daily recommended serving of vitamin C — take that, oranges! Lemon juice also offers up a healthy serving of potassium, magnesium and copper.
It Aids in digestion and detoxification. It tricks the liver into producing bile, which helps keep food moving through your body and gastrointestinal tract smoothly. Lemon water also helps relieve indigestion or ease an upset stomach.
I’ve also learned to wait 1 hour before I eat and wait 4 hours before you take any other vitamin supplements because it can interfere with the absorption of your medication. I’ve also found out that If I wanted to drink coffee I must wait 1 hour after I’ve taken my medication because it can also interfere with the absorption of your thyroid medication and to never ever to forget to eat breakfast! I need fuel but I have to wait 1 hour After I’ve taken my thyroid pill.
3. Let thy food be thy medicine
Food is not just calories it is information. It talks to your DNA and tells it what to do. My most powerful tool to change my health was my fork. I needed to stop going long periods of time without food. My body always needed energy. If my blood sugar starts to drop this creates a stress reaction and now your adrenal glands will do what it needs to do to maintain my body’s function by releasing more cortisol or adrenaline. Eating often would help put my body back in its normal cycle. I needed to eat foods that nourish my body and not hinder it.
I really had no idea how powerful food really was until after I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. Many people with hypothyroidism are deficient in Magnesium, B-12, Zinc, Iodine, B2, Vitamin C, Selenium, Vitamin D and Vitamin A.
The Standard American diet in a nutshell is loaded with unhealthy saturated and trans fats. Our meals are unbalanced, over-sized and loaded with sugar, salt, artificial ingredients and preservatives. We have an abundance of food at our finger tips but yet we are extremely malnourished and mineral deficient. We are literally starving our bodies to death! People are not obtaining the basic nutrients their bodies needs in order to fuel what is needed to perform its proper functions. We are literally running on empty! There is about 20 million estimated Americans with some type of hypothyroid disorder.
Although my thyroid is small, it produces a hormone that influences every cell, tissue and organ in the body. My thyroid determines the rate in which my body produces the energy from nutrients and oxygen. So I need to start eating foods that fed my thyroid. I needed to start nourishing my body back to health with foods that jump kicked my metabolism too.
4. There is no one size fits all diet for Hypothyroidism
I started to research to begin to try to understand that there’s really not a one size fits all diet for us with hypothyroidism but there are certain ways we can eat that will certainly help begin the healing process. Diet alone wasn’t enough to help my body start fighting this battle that is raging in your body. I needed to start addressing other area’s in your life that can cause inflammation like Dietary Allergies, Addressing gut health and avoiding Chemical toxins and endocrine disruptors.
5. I had become my own advocate for my health
After being diagnosed my priorities were made more clear. I had to start listening to my body, stop taking my health for granted and continuing to research to figure out what I needed to do to “fix me”. I started making my own cleaning products, lotions and deodorant’s. Our skin is the largest organ in our body and it absorbs everything we put on it. Here is a recipe that I make all the time for homemade deodorant.
(You can pick your favorite scent. I like lavender or grapefruit.)
Mix baking soda and arrowroot together. Melt your coconut oil in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Mix all ingredients (the baking soda and arrowroot powder) with the oil. Pour into clean small mason jar. Add your essential oil to the mason jar; close with the lid. Give it a good shake to combine the essential oil with the other mixture. By doing it this way, you can still use that bowl to eat with. Once you mix that essential oil in the bowl, it can only be used for the purpose of making your deodorant. Everything you’ve used is edible except the essential oils.
6. Stop Stressing the Small Stuff
My thyroid has been having a relationship with my adrenal gland. It’s never been straight forward with my body and it never will be. The butterfly shaped gland that sits in front of my neck does more than control my metabolism. My thyroid puts out hormones in my body that knock on every cell and tells it what to do basically but for some reason with my hypothyroidism those cells simply refuse to answer that door.
My adrenal gland is only the size of a walnut and are locked on top of each of your kidney’s. She is in charge of producing vital hormones that help regulate your body’s functions which include two major important things in your life my sex hormones and my cortisol levels. When you have hypothyroidism your cortisol levels are naturally higher than someone without hypothyroidism. You see I’ve learned that my Cortisol is more than just a steroid hormone that is made in the cortex of the adrenal gland. It has a greater task than just being tagged as your fight or flight response system. Almost every cell in my body contains receptors for cortisol. When my stress levels are high cortisol is released into my blood stream. Our bodies aren’t designed for us to be in a constant state of emergency. Our adrenal glands doesn’t know the difference between a true emergency or just being stressed out. So in return she will continue to produce extra cortisol into our blood stream. After a while of pumping out the constant need for cortisol she will become weakened and start decreasing her ability to produce cortisol and instead produce extra adrenaline. So do you see why we must get our stress under control and not stress the small stuff! Let things roll off our back like a duck does water.
7. Start Addressing the Root Cause of my Hypothyroidism
I needed to understand or get a idea of how everything has a part to play in my body. Being diagnosed with hypothyroidism wasn’t just here take this pill and it will fix my issues. Hypothyroidism had a root cause. Once I started addressing the root of your problems then my body can start healing itself. My body is an awesome design but there is a complex balance between everything. It’s a domino affect. If I had something in my body that is overworked it can cause a major shift in my body. Two things I needed to start doing immediately is getting my immune system in check and decreasing inflammation. Inflammation disrupts the production and regulatory mechanisms of thyroid hormones. Sometimes we have to do a little pruning of the branches, in order for the tree to be healthy again. A number of things can be the reason why I had hypothyroidism. It could be a wide range of things from celiac disease, Hashimoto’s, leaky gut, autoimmune disease disorder, nutrient deficiency’s, adrenal fatigue, exposure to chemicals, gluten or other food allergies, and hormonal imbalance. It most defiantly started with the foods that I was eating and the chemicals in the environment, my thyroid could be influenced by many different circumstances. I needed to start figuring out what the root cause of my hypothyroidism was.
8. Start Loving Myself Again
All I do is run, run and run! I am exhausted and felt so guilty anytime I needed to have down time because there was things that needed to be done. So I started to allow myself to take a day and do nothing. I mean absolutely nothing. WHY? Because my body needed to recharge and stop being ran into the freaking ground. I am not a machine. I started taking Epsom salt baths. I will also take a day where I lay around and watch movies. Get up take a shower and put on more pajama’s.
We all have to die someday but do me a favor. Don’t die not trying, Don’t die not seeking after the truth, don’t die just accepting this is your fate. It’s up to you to make a difference in your life. This your life, your body and your choice. We all have a story. You are the author of your book, make it fantastic.
I want to thank you for reading my latest blog. Please let me know if you need any support with it.
Otherwise, are we friends on Facebook yet? If not let’s do that now, healing Hypothyroidism. I like to connect on a more personal level there and often; offer social media only products that can only be accessed on my page and share daily updates along with recipes. Remember sharing is caring. Please share and post a comment to this blog! I would love to hear from you. Sign up for my blogs @ thehypothyroidismchick.com . You can also Follow me on instagram @ Thyroidismchick or Follow me on twitter @Thyroidismchick.
Health and Happiness,
Audrey
XoXo
Disclaimer
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
Nothing like that waking up to the smell of coffee. It’s gets the juices flowing with that very 1st sip. It’s offer you a energetic boost and mental clarity on a feeling that life can go on.
The thyroid gland is such a very important part of the body’s regulatory mechanisms; thyroid problems can affect everything in the body from our temperature to appetite to the pulse. Caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee, can affect the thyroid in a number of ways and has an effect on your central nervous system, your digestive tract, and your metabolism.
According to the recent article, in new study from the journal Thyroid people who consume coffee at the time of taking their thyroid medication, we see a 25-57% drop in T4, one of the thyroid hormones, compared to non-coffee drinkers. This adverse effect persists for up to one hour.
Researchers have also found that for patients taking levothyroxine tablets, absorption is affected by drinking coffee and espresso within an hour of taking the thyroid drugs.
According to “Coffee and Health,” by Gerard Debry, in experiments on rats, very high doses of caffeine caused the thyroid gland to enlarge, but at doses of about 300 mg, caffeine in humans did not change levels of thyroid hormones.
What about the benefits? Yes, there are many reliable studies that say coffee is full of antioxidants and polyphenols. However, these same antioxidants and polyphenols can also be found abundantly in many fruits and vegetables.
There are many other reliable studies that show coffee can play a role in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, depression, cirrhosis of the liver, gallstones, etc.
Many coffee drinkers report feeling good for the first two hours (mainly due to a dopamine spike).
(If you just can’t give up that morning cup of Joe recommendations by researchers are clear: wait at least sixty minutes after taking levothyroxine before drinking coffee.)
What about decaf you ask?
Many manufacturers use a chemical process to remove caffeine from the coffee beans. The result is less caffeine, but more chemicals. It is the caffeine in the coffee that has the health benefits. Without it, you are left with little benefit.
Here are 11 reasons other reasons to give up your morning coffee even if you don’t have hypothyroidism. Written by Magdalena Wszelaki, Thyroid Diet Coach
1. Increases blood sugar levels
According to this study, caffeine increases blood sugar levels. This is especially dangerous for people with hypoglycemia (or low sugar levels) who feel jittery, shaky, moody and unfocused when hungry. Blood sugar fluctuations cause cortisol spikes, which not only exhaust the adrenals, but also deregulate the immune system. This is highly undesirable for those of us with adrenal fatigue, Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease. Such cortisol spikes are also highly inflammatory.
2. Creates sugar and carbohydrate cravings
As the result of the above, when our blood sugar levels come down, we need an emergency fix to bring them back up. This is why people who drink coffee at breakfast or indulge in sugary and processed breakfasts crave carbs and sugar by 11am or later in the day.
3. Contributes to acid reflux and damages gut lining
Coffee stimulates the release of gastrin, the main gastric hormone, which speeds up intestinal transit time. Coffee can also stimulate the release of bile (which is why some people run to the bathroom soon after drinking coffee) and digestive enzymes.
In a person with a healthy digestion, this is not a big deal. However, for people with autoimmune conditions, compromised digestion (such as IBS, or “leaky gut”), this can cause further digestive damage to the intestinal lining (source).
4. Exhausts the adrenals
Coffee stimulates the adrenals to release more cortisol, our stress hormone; this is partly why we experience a wonderful but temporary and unsustainable burst of energy.
What many of us don’t realize is that our tired adrenals are often the cause of unexplained weight gain, sleeping problems, feeling emotionally fragile, depression and fatigue. Drinking coffee while experiencing adrenal fatigue is only adding fuel to the fire.
5. Worsens PMS and lumpy breasts
It’s well-established that coffee contributes to estrogen dominance (source), which can mean one of two things: we either have too much estrogen in relation to progesterone, or we have an imbalance in the estrogen metabolites (some are protective and some are dangerous).
PMS, lumpy breasts, heavy periods, cellulite and even breast cancer (which is an estrogenic cancer) can be symptoms of estrogen dominance.
6. Gluten-cross reactive food
50% of people with gluten sensitivities also experience cross reactivity with other foods, including casein in milk products, corn, coffee, and almost all grains, because their protein structures are similar. Cyrex Labs provides a test for gluten cross-reactive foods.
Many people report having a similar reaction to coffee as they do to gluten.
7. Impacts the conversion of T4 to T3 thyroid hormones
Coffee impacts the absorption of levothyroxine (the synthetic thyroid hormone); this is why thyroid patients need to take their hormone replacement pill at least an hour before drinking coffee.
The indirect but important point is that coffee contributes to estrogen dominance, cited above, and estrogen dominance inhibits T4 to T3 conversion.
8. Can cause miscarriages
This study showed that women who drink coffee during their pregnancy are at a higher risk of miscarriage.
9. Is highly inflammatory
Any functional or integrative doctor would say the majority of modern diseases are caused by inflammation – a smoldering and invisible fire found on a cellular level.
This study found that caffeine is a significant contributor to oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Chronic body pains and aches, fatigue, skin problems, diabetes and autoimmune conditions are just some of the conditions related to inflammation.
10. Can contribute to and even cause osteoporosis
It is well-known that coffee changes our body pH to a lower, and thus more acidic, level. A low pH (which means a more acidic body) can contribute to osteoporosis.
This study has confirmed that habitual coffee drinking among postmenopausal women was the leading cause of osteoporosis.
11. Can cause insomnia and poor sleep
This study showed that 400mg of “caffeine taken 6 hours before bedtime has important disruptive [sleep] effects.”
There are healthier alternatives to drinking coffee.
This is a great alternative to coffee. It has caffeine to give you a gentle jolt to wake up, but the caffeine content is nowhere as high as that of coffee, so you won’t experience a midday crash and fatigue your adrenals over time. One cup of this wonder tea can keep you going for most of the day.
This Indian tea is rich in antioxidants and contains a plethora of spices including cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, and ginger that is sure to awaken all your senses in the morning. The smooth creamy flavor actually makes you feel like you are sipping a cup of coffee, but without all the extra caffeine.
Warm Water with Lemon
This is a great way to rehydrate and alkalinize your body and perk up after sleep. It also detoxifies the liver and helps get your bowels going. This really should be the first thing everyone sips in the morning.
Who doesn’t enjoy a yummy protein smoothie? It is a terrific way to load up with energy and nutrition. Use almond, soy, or coconut milks and your choice of agood quality protein powder. Throw in some bananas and berries which add heaps of extra minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that are sure to fill you up and get you going for the grueling day ahead.
Coconut water is Mother Nature’s perfect drink. It has an abundance of electrolytes and minerals while being low in fat and sugar. This is the best alternative to an energy or sports drink, and can really give you a burst of energy in the morning.
This protein-rich natural energy drink may soon make its way into the stores…be prepared almond and soy and coconut milks…it’s the next big health thing! Quinoa (pronounced keen-WAH), is a gluten-free, alkaline-forming, high-protein grain that has tremendous health benefits. Click on this link to read more of the healthy benefits!
Quinoa milk can be made from scratch, at home. Consumers of quinoa milk do not need acreage or a cow to make this refreshment. The ingredients necessary to create quinoa milk can be purchased at a local health food store. The recipe is simple and cost, affordable. Here’s a recipe from OmNomNally.com:
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa grain
2 cups + 5 – 6 cups water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
Soak quinoa overnight in water and drain on the day of cooking or rinse quinoa under running water to remove bitter saponins. Cook 1 cup of quinoa with 2 cups of water. Add cooked quinoa to blender with 2 cups of water. Blend on high until smooth. Add water to the desired consistency, blending the mixture after each addition. Up to 6 cups total of water may be needed for the consistency of store-bought non-dairy milks. Add vanilla extract and cinnamon and agave if using. Pour milk into nut milk bag, hold over a bowl or large jug. Massage contents until all liquid has passed through the material – leaving only the ‘pulp’ behind
You’ve probably heard about this one but don’t know too much about it. Kombucha is a type of yeast. When you ferment it with tea, sugar, and other flavors or ingredients you make Kombucha tea. While the benefits of Kombucha are debated, many claim that it is useful for treating memory loss, regulating bowel movements, preventing cancer, helping with high blood pressure, and more.
Yerba mate is the good alternative to coffeefor those who can’t start the day without a cup o’ caffeine. Providing the same buzz that coffee gives, Yerba Mate is preferred by many as it’s packed with nutrients, too. Mate is made from the naturally caffeinated leaves of the celebrated South American rainforest holly tree. It is widely known for not having the heavy “crash” that coffee can bring. Another benefit of Yerba Mate is that it can be prepared and consumed in a variety of ways–hot, cold, with honey, in a tea infuser, in a French press, or even in a traditional coffee machine.
Sparkling Water
While it’s not the most exciting beverage in the world, sparkling water can be a refreshing alternative to both coffee and water. Especially when flavored with natural, sugar-free, fruit extracts, sparkling water is delicious and hydrating. There is a lot of competition in the marketplace from Perrier to San Pellegrino.
Hot Apple Cider
Hot apple cider’s sweet tanginess offers its own unique pick-me-up in lieu of caffeine, and its soothing warmth is just as satisfying as that of coffee on a cold fall or winter morning. In addition to its natural sweetness, because apples are the key ingredient, apple cider offers health benefits not available in coffee.
Turmeric is highly anti-inflammatory, and this golden turmeric tea recipe is sure to help heal your body from a number of inflammatory health conditions. Turmeric can help detoxify the liver and protect cell damage caused due to environmental pollutants, attack from free radicals . Research has found that turmeric extracts can lower blood cholesterol levels – especially LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol. It has lipid lowering properties. This can reduce cholesterol levels and benefit weight loss by reducing adipose tissue weight gain.
This rich creamy and lightly sweet beverage is something you’re sure to enjoy!
Pour coconut milk and water into the saucepan and warm for 2 minutes
Add in butter, raw honey and turmeric powder for another 2 minutes
Stir and pour into glasses.
You have to exercise caution when combining it with medications or supplements taken to slow down blood clotting. Turmeric supplements must be stopped two weeks prior to a surgery.
It must not be consumed by diabetic patients, those with gallbladder problems and pregnant and breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor about the right dosage to consume for a specific medical condition
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The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
Every day in the news, we see health stories that can create confusion, uncertainty , fear, and self-doubt. They advertise , a particular food is the best thing in the world for you — and the next we’re told to run for the hills.
I really enjoy reading questions from my viewers , other bloggers and from the online community about something they’ve read or heard. They’re not sure how to take which health fears are founded on evidence — and which ones need to be banished.
To help, I’m sharing some of the most common health tips I’ve heard that I think are worth questioning: Hope you enjoy!
1.”We need dairy for strong bones.”
We certainly have seen some creative advertising schemes that has been successful at convincing us that dairy is this extremely important thing that we must have tons of, or else we’ll get all sorts of nutrient deficiencies and diseases.
The truth is, you don’t necessarily need milk or cheese or yogurt to have strong bones. In the good ole U.S., dairy consumption rates are amongst the highest in the world — and yet we also have some of the highest rates of osteoporosis. Studies have suggested that drinking more milk doesn’t protect against fractures.
Yes, calcium is essential to our bones. But no one mineral is an island. Vitamins and minerals work in synergy: It’s not just calcium we need but also magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin D, vitamin K, and more.
Plant-based sources of calcium such as sesame seeds, kale, black strap molasses, turnip greens, hemp milk, almond butter, great northern beans, almonds, dark leafy greens, rhubarb, broccoli, black berries, oranges, dried apricots, dates , artichoke’s, navy beans and seaweed are more bioavailable to us — meaning we are better able to digest, absorb, and use the calcium in those foods.
2.”Avoid saturated fat because it causes heart disease.”
We spent the last few decades terrified that fat would make us fat and lead to cardiovascular disease. This led to the low-fat and fat-free food craze — which really just replaced fat with sugar and refined carbohydrates.
We’ve now learned that we had it wrong: sugary foods and refined carbs increase our risk of heart disease, while a recent meta-analysis concluded that the nutritional warnings we had received about fats decades ago was unfounded.
In fact, good fats contain a multitude of health benefits, including nourishing the brain and liver and improving our mood. It’s the source of fat that is key: Choose clean, organic sources from either animals or plants to reap the health rewards.
3.”Stay out of the sun and always use sunscreen.”
We’ve long been told that we should avoid the sun and slather ourselves in sunblock when we’re exposed to its “death rays.”
But some sun is incredibly important to our overall health. It’s our primary source of vitamin D, which is crucial to bone health, the immune system, and hormone production. Although vitamin D is found in small amounts in some foods, 80 to 90 percent of our supply comes from being exposed to the sun’s rays.
That means wearing a film of sunscreen can block that crucial absorption from happening. And don’t even get me started on sunscreen itself, what with its toxic chemicals.
Want to enjoy the sun and protect your skin? Covering up well, getting sunshine during off-peak hours, eating sun-protective foods, and whipping up a batch of homemade natural sunscreen are all simple, natural, and effective sun protection strategies.
4. “We have to eat meat to get our protein”
Man has historically been carnivorous. But today, due to delicate stomachs, environmental concerns and an ever-expanding empathy for our four-legged friends, vegetarianism and veganism are becoming increasingly popular. Yet many critics claim a diet without meat is less nutritionally-sound than one that includes it, primarily due to a dearth of protein.
Protein is essential to existence. Hair, skin and muscle are primarily derived from protein. In fact, a protein deficiency can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, hair loss and a variety of other maladies.
The thyroid gland synthesizes thyroid hormones and iodine is an essential trace mineral that is crucial for the thyroid to function properly. Eating foods rich in iodine ensures the thyroid is able to manage metabolism, detoxification, growth and development.
Research has shown that a lack of dietary iodine may lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland, lethargy, fatigue, weakness of the immune system, slow metabolism, autism, weight gain and possibly even mental states such as anxiety and depression.
Sea veggies, cranberries, organic yogurt, navy beans , strawberries, raw cheese, potatoes.shrimp, turkey breast, tuna, eggs
Be aware of your required iodine intake, based on age and gender. Depending on your age and gender, you will need to ensure you are getting a certain amount of iodine each day.
If you are 0-6 months: you need 110 micrograms per day (mcg/day) of iodine.
If you are 7-12 months: 130 mcg/day.
If you are 1-3 years old: 90 mcg/day.
If you are 4-8 years old: 90 mcg/day.
If you are 9-13 years old: 120 mcg/day.
If you are male and 14 and older: 150 mcg/day.
If you are female and 14 and older: 150 mcg/day.
Women who are pregnant or breast feeding need higher amounts of iodine. Speak to your doctor about exactly how much iodine you should be getting every day based on your age, gender, and other factors, such as pregnancy
6.”Soy products are adequate substitutes for meat and dairy products”
There is little doubt that the billion-dollar soy industry has profited immensely from the anti-cholesterol, anti-meat gospel of current nutritional thought. Whereas, not so long ago, soy was an Asian food primarily used as a condiment, now a variety of processed soy products proliferate in the North American market. While the traditionally fermented soy foods of miso, tamari, tempeh and natto are definitely healthful in measured amounts, the hyper-processed soy “foods” that most vegetarians consume are not. –
Processed soy foods are also rich in trypsin inhibitors, which hinder protein digestion. Textured vegetable protein (TVP), soy “milk” and soy protein powders, popular vegetarian meat and milk substitutes, are entirely fragmented foods made by treating soybeans with high heat and various alkaline washes to extract the beans’ fat content or to neutralize their potent enzyme inhibitors These practices completely denature the beans’ protein content, rendering it very hard to digest. MSG, a neurotoxin, is routinely added to TVP to make it taste like the various foods it imitates –
On a purely nutritional level, soybeans, like all legumes, are deficient in cysteine and methionine, vital sulphur-containing amino acids, as well as tryptophan, another essential amino acid. Furthermore, soybeans contain no vitamins A or D, required by the body to assimilate and utilize the beans’ proteins (115). It is probably for this reason that Asian cultures that do consume soybeans usually combine them with fish or fish broths (abundant in fat-soluble vitamins) or other fatty foods. Parents who feed their children soy-based formula should be aware of its extremely high phytoestrogen content. Some scientists have estimated a child being fed soy formula is ingesting the hormonal equivalent of five birth control pills a day (116). Such a high intake could have disastrous results. Soy formula also contains no cholesterol, vital for brain and nervous system development. –
7. ” Microwaving Foods Kills Nutrients” Microwaving is actually among the best ways to keep all the good things in your veggies intact. Boiling can leech out valuable vitamins and minerals, but because microwaving heats up food without using a lot of water, it helps foods to stay nutrient-packed.
8. The More Grains, the Better While grains are certainly preferable to refined white flour because they contain more fiber and vitamin B, you shouldn’t fall into the multigrain trap. Just because a product has multiple grains doesn’t mean those grains aren’t processed and stripped of many of the good things you want from them. “In processing grains for convenience, you’re potentially losing the nutrients and changing the degree to which they are absorbed,” says Nicolette Pace, a spokesperson for the New York State Dietetic Association.
9. Fat-Free Salad Dressings Are Healthier Fruits and vegetables have fat-soluble nutrients that your body can’t absorb without fat—like the lycopene in tomatoes, which has been linked to a lower cancer and stroke risk. Opting for a fat-free dressing may deprive you of those benefits. Try olive oil-based options, or add avocados and nuts to your salad, both of which contain healthy fats.
10. 4: You Should Avoid White Vegetables Nutrition experts advocate for colorful foods—the brighter and more diverse the rainbow on your plate, the better. And that’s still true: Carrots and strawberries are high in beta-carotene, an important antioxidant that fights damaging inflammation in cells. Dark green produce is a rich source of antioxidants, fiber, calcium, and vitamins like C and K.
But that doesn’t mean that their white cousins are nutritional failures. In fact, cauliflower, garlic, onions, mushrooms, and, yes, even potatoes are good sources of fiber, antioxidants, and potassium. And while the white potato has become off-limits for dieters, adding a moderate amount of potato to your diet won’t derail your weight-loss efforts. In fact, because it’s so full of fiber, a little goes a long way toward making you feel full and helping you eat less overall. “It’s something you can use as a vehicle to build a meal,” says McDaniel. “If you add broccoli and little bit of cheese, it can be a satisfying meal for someone trying to lose weight.”
11. 5: Juice Cleanses Help You Eliminate Toxins “People think juice cleanses are a good way to detox the body,” says McDaniel. “But I remind my clients that you have a built-in detox organ, the liver, and it’s very good at what it does.” It probably won’t harm you if you go on a juice cleanse for a day or so, but as a way to lose weight, it’s not such a good idea since it deprives you of proteins and fats and may lead to muscle loss.
12. Coffee Will Only Make You Thirstier While the caffeine in coffee is a diuretic, meaning it draws water out of your body, the amount of water in coffee means that overall, it can actually be a thirst quencher. Pure water is still your best option to stay hydrated, but you don’t have to avoid coffee just because you think it will dehydrate you.
13. Eggs yolks should be avoided because they are high in cholesterol, which increases your risk for heart disease
We’ve been advised to cut back on whole eggs because the yolks are high in cholesterol.
However, cholesterol in the diet has remarkably little effect on cholesterol in the blood, at least for the majority of people .
Studies have shown that eggs raise the “good” choleserol and don’t raise risk of heart disease .
One review of 17 studies with a total of 263,938 participants showed that eating eggs had no effect on the risk of heart disease or stroke in non-diabetic individuals (15).
However… keep in mind that some studies have found an increased heart attack risk in diabetics who eat eggs .
Whole eggs really are among the most nutritious foods on the planet and almost all the nutrients are found in the yolks.
Telling people to throw the yolks away may just be the most ridiculous advice in the history of nutrition.
14. All calories are created equal , it doesn’t matter where they come from
It is simply false that “all calories are created equal.”
Different foods go through different metabolic pathways and have direct effects on fat burning and the hormones and brain centers that regulate appetite,
A high protein diet, for example, can increase the metabolic rate by 80 to 100 calories per day and significantly reduce appetite.
In one study, such a diet made people automatically eat 441 fewer calories per day. They also lost 11 pounds in 12 weeks, just by adding protein to their diet .
There are many more examples of different foods having vastly different effects on hunger, hormones and health. Because a calorie is not a calorie.
15. The more grains, the better
While grains are certainly preferable to refined white flour because they contain more fiber and vitamin B, don’t fall into the multigrain trap. Just because a product has multiple different grains doesn’t mean those grains aren’t processed and stripped of many of the good things you want from them. “In processing grains for convenience, you’re potentially losing the nutrients and changing the degree to which they are absorbed,” says Nicolette Pace, spokesperson for the New York State Dietetic Association.
Check the label and look for the word “whole” before any grains listed. And make sure the whole grains are the first thing among the ingredients, which confirms that they make up the most important part of the food.
Another clue is the fiber content. “If you’re seeing that an 11-cracker serving contains 1g of fiber, there’s probably not a lot of whole grain in there,” says Pace.
Try eating more of these grains listed .
Whole Rye. This cereal grain has more nutrients per 100-calorie serving than any other whole grain. …
Quinoa. …
Oats. …
Barley. …
Millet. …
Brown Rice. …
Buckwheat. …
Spelt.
16.
Plastic chopping boards are more hygienic than wooden ones
Plastic boards are supposedly safer, as, unlike wood, they don’t harbour the bacteria that can make you sick. But wooden cutting boards, says Harold McGee, soak up meat juices, drawing the bacteria away from the surface, plus wood also often contains natural anti-bacterial compounds. Plastic cutting boards are easier to clean (and can be put in a dishwasher) but they develop scars, in which bacteria will lodge. Scrub both plastic and wooden boards vigorously after cutting meat, and when a plastic cutting board develops scars, replace it.
17. ZERO grams trans fat on the label means you’re not getting any trans fat in your food.
FALSE! The FDA allows any food with .5 grams of trans fat or less to claim “0 grams trans fat” on the label. If you happen to eat several servings or a few different ‘trans fat-free’ foods during a day, you can wind up consuming a measurable amount, which leads to increased levels of artery-clogging, bad (LDL) cholesterol. Don’t be fooled! Check the ingredient list, and if you see “hydrogenated” or “partially-hydrogenated oil” listed, step away from the package.
18. Sugar-free and fat-free items are practically calorie-free or very low in calories.
FALSE! Items that decrease sugar or fat to qualify as “sugar-free” usually increase fat and sodium content and vice versa for “fat-free” (defined as less than .5 grams of sugar or fat per serving) products. Additionally, sugar-free items can use artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols that could cause digestive issues (gas, bloat, diarrhea … not pretty.)
19. Nuts are fatty.
TRUE and FALSE! Although nuts do contain fat, there’s no need to be fat phobic. Most nuts contain healthy, monounsaturated fats that help promote heart health and may even stabilize blood sugar. Almonds, for example, provide a satisfying mix of protein and fat that can also help you slim down without compromising crunch and with an added bonus of fiber and calcium.
20. Brown eggs are healthier than white.
FALSE! This one’s easy. The only reason some eggs are brown and others are white is because the chickens that hatch the eggs have different colored feathers! Save some green in your wallet – there’s no nutritional difference between brown and white eggs. Do try to buy organic, cage-free, or free-range eggs. Make sure they have the organic seal. Organic operations have a much higher level of oversight than conventional farms do. To maintain their certification and use the organic seal on their product, farms have to be inspected annually, at a minimum, by a third-party certifier with USDA accreditation. Compare that with the sporadic oversight of conventional facilities by the FDA, which has been chronically strapped for resources. Which does requires that the poultry receive organic feed, are cage-free, and have “outdoor access.
Read what these labels really mean:
Certified Humane Raised and Handled
Meets the standards of the Humane Farm Animal Care program—an independent nonprofit. The standards include being cage-free and having sufficient space to engage in natural behaviors such as dust bathing and perching.
United Egg Producers Certified
The eggs were produced in compliance with industry-codified standard practices. (More than 80% of commercial eggs carry this seal.)
All Natural
The hens eat vegetarian feed, with no animal slaughterhouse products.
Cage-Free
Hens must live in an open space, not a cage or a coop, but the “open space” can be inside a crowded henhouse. Both organic and conventional hens can be cage-free.
Free-Range
Similar to cage-free, except that birds have some degree of outdoor access—though the amount, duration, or quality of that outdoor time is not specified.
Pasture-Raised
Hens are allowed to range on fresh pasture. Often they are housed in trailers that can be towed to different fields.
Organic
Hens must be given organic feed, which contains no toxic pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides and no GMOs or slaughterhouse by-products. They must never be caged, and they must have outdoor access. The USDA certifies this designation.
21. Breakfast isn’t important.
FALSE! We’ve long been told that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, and now there are many scientific studies backing up this claim. For Better Breakfast Month. You have no excuse to not eat breakfast now. I have many slow cooker recipes in my latest E Book! Click on this link and download it for free!
1/4 cup cashew butter (or nut/seed butter of choice)
1/4 + 2 T cup pure maple syrup
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 medium banana, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup quinoa flakes
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon all spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Whisk together the flaxseed meal and water, and set aside.
Beat together cashew butter, syrup, pumpkin, banana and vanilla in a large bowl. Add flax egg and mix to combine.
Pour in oats, quinoa flakes, baking powder, spices and salt to the bowl and stir together. Fold in chia seeds (if using).
Drop 2 tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet and repeat until no dough remains. Gently flatten the cookies with your fingers before you pop them in the oven.
Bake cookies on center rack for 15 – 18 minutes until edges are golden brown. Remove and let cool on the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
Enjoy at room temp or slightly reheated in a microwave
Simple Slow Cooker Overnight hot quinoa and steel cut oats
This is a power filled breakfast! It’s a blend of quinoa and steel-cut oats.
½ cup steel cut oats – I use BoB Red Mill’s gluten free oats
½ cup well rinsed quinoa – You can find a brand that is pre-washed so you don’t have to rinse it
3½ cups (28 ounces) filtered water –
¼ teaspoon fine Himalayan sea salt
Spray your slow cooker with non-stick spray. In a mesh strainer, rinse out the quinoa for about 3 minutes. If you didn’t purchase the already rinsed quinoa. Combine the steel cut outs, rinsed quinoa, water and sea salt into the slow cooker. Mix well. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or until liquid has been absorbed
Mix all the ingredients together in a glass jar. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
The next morning, remove from the fridge, top off with your favorite fruit, and enjoy.
What health advice or tips make you skeptical? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear what you have to say. Please like and share my blog.
Please Like and share my blog!
I don’t know where to start
Hang in there. This wont happen overnight.
I know, there is so much information overload that most people are confused as to where to start. You can start by taking ownership of your health. I wanted you to understand or get a idea of how everything has a part to play in your body. I am on a path to help you, lead you and inform you through this terrible illness. Being diagnosed with hypothyroidism isn’t just here take this pill and it will fix your issues. Hypothyroidism has a root cause. Once you start addressing the root of your problems then your body can start healing itself. Your body is an awesome design but there is a complex balance between everything. It’s a domino affect. If you have something in your body that is overworked it will cause a major shift in your body. Don’t worry the good news is it can be healed.
Sometimes we have to do a little pruning of the branches, in order for the tree to be healthy again. A number of things can be the reason why you have hormonal imbalances, food intolerances, thyroid issues, adrenal fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, personality changes, leaky gut, depression, an autoimmune disorder, chronic pain, no metabolism and low sex drive, bloating, anxiety, menstrual problems and infertility. It starts with becoming aware and how your health can be influenced by many different circumstances.
How would you define good health? Logically one would define good health as absence of a disease or following some sort of ground rules that avoid developing a disease. This book can help you begin to understand what a Keto Autoimmune protocol is and start guiding you in the redevelopment and healing of your body. You will begin to understand how to fix your gut, strengthen your immunity and fight inflammation with an autoimmune approach. The Keto AIP removes all the common inflammatory food triggers that stimulate a possible autoimmune reaction in the body. Along with helping to reset those adrenals, boosting that energy and doing a little ass kicking to those hormones that have decided to act like a wild college student and pull an all-nighter the day before final exams.
Your health doesn’t have to be a difficult situation but a positive realization that things need to change. This new lifestyle change has many parts to it and I hope you will embrace not only the physical but the spiritual awakening. Common food intolerances that are known to trigger inflammation are eliminated in this Keto AIP protocol are Nightshades, Eggs, Grains (gluten), Dairy, Legumes, Corn, Soy, Dairy and lectins.
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
1. (a) S Fallon and M Enig. Nourishing Traditions, (New Trends Publishing; Washington, D.C.), 2000, 5; (b) Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University, Department of Animal Science. 2. Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University, Department of Animal Science. 3. W Bender and M Smith. Population, Food, and Nutrition. Population Reference Bureau;1997. 4. B Carnell. Could vegetarianism prevent world hunger?. Accessed on January 3, 2002. 5. M Purdey. The Vegan Ecological Wasteland. Journal of the Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation [hereafter referred to as Jnl of PPNF], Winter 1998. 6. Ibid. 7. R Audette with T Gilchrist. Neanderthin. (St. Martins; NY), 1999, 200-2. 8. S Fallon and M Enig, Nourishing Traditions, 6. 9. M Purdey, op cit. 10. Ibid.
11. (a) L Dunne. The Nutrition Almanac, 3rd ed. (McGraw Hill; New York), 32-33; (b) AL Rauma and others. Vitamin B-12 status of long-term adherents of a strict uncooked vegan diet (“living food diet”) is compromised. J Nutr, 1995, 125:2511-5; c) MG Crane and others. Vitamin B12 studies in total vegetarians (vegans). J Nutr Med, 1994, 4:419-30; (d) I Chanarin and others. Megaloblastic anaemia in a vegetarian Hindu community. Lancet, 1985, Nov 2:1168-72 ; (e) M Donaldson. Vitamin B12 and the Hallelujah Diet.(f) MS Donaldson. Metabolic vitamin B12 status on a mostly raw vegan diet with follow-up using tablets, nutritional yeast, or probiotic supplements. Ann Nutr Metab, 2000, 44(5-6):229-234 12. (a) S Ashkenazi and others. Vitamin B12 deficiency due to a strictly vegetarian diet in adolescence. Clin Pediatr, 1987, 26:662-3; (b) G Cheron and others. [Severe megaloblastic anemia in 6-month old girl breast-fed by a vegetarian mother.] Arch Fr Pediatr, 1989, 46:205-7; c) T Kuhne and others. Maternal vegan diet causing a serious infantile neurological disorder due to vitamin B12 deficiency. Eur J Pediatr, 1991, 150:205-8; (d) MC Wighton and others. Brain damage in infancy and dietary vitamin B12 deficiency. Med J Aust, 1979, 2:1-3. 13. (a) PC Dagnelie and others. Vitamin B12 from algae appears not to be bioavailable. Amer J Clin Nutr, 1991, 53:695-7; (b) L Lazarides. The Nutritional Health Bible. (Thorsons Publishing; CA), 1997, 22-23; c) V Herbert. Vitamin B12: plant sources, requirements, and assay. Amer J Clin Nutr, 1988, 48:852-8. 14. (a) IE Baille. The first international congress on vegetarian nutrition. J Appl Nutr, 1987, 39:97-105; (b) A Smith. Soybeans: Chemistry & Technology, vol 1 (Avi Publishing Co; CT), 1972, 184-188. 15. L Dunne. Nutrition Almanac, 22-23. 16. (a) HL Abrams. Vegetarianism: An Anthropological/Nutritional Evaluation, J Appl Nutr, 1980, 32:2:53-87; (b) M Rose. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Australian adolescent vegetarians. Lancet, 1976, 2:87. 17. (a) L Dunne. Nutrition Almanac, 31; (b) J Groff and S Gropper. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, Third Edition. (Wadsworth/Thomson Learning; CA.), 1999, 298. 18. WA Price. Nutrition and Physical Degeneration. (Keats Publishing; CT.), 1989, 256-281. On page 279, Price stated that, “It will be noted that vitamin D, which the human does not readily synthesize in adequate amounts, must be provided by foods of animal tissues or animal products. As yet I have not found a single group of primitive racial stock which was building and maintaining excellent bodies by living entirely on plant foods.” 19. RL Horst and others. Discrimination in the metabolism of orally dosed ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol by the pig, rat, and chick. Biochem J, 1982, Apr 20:4:185-9. 20. Krispin Sullivan, CN, personal communication
I’ve been do my best to manage my hypothyroidism for years. After tons of research. Here is a list of 28 ways you can boost your energy and fight back against hypothyroidism when it flares up! Most common 16 symptoms of having hypothyroidism is:
16 symptoms of hypothyroid
Fatigue
Increased sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Dry skin
Unexplained weight gain
Puffy face
Hoarseness
Muscle weakness
Elevated blood cholesterol level
Muscle aches and pain
Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
Thinning hair
Slower heart rate
Depressed mood
Impaired memory
Ways on how you can start to manage your life with Hypothyroidism when a flares up :
Eat a Clean, Balanced Diet
Manage Your Stress
Drinking organic green juices.
Cooking all cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts and not eating them raw, which can effect and slow your thyroid.
Remove sugar, gluten and alcohol from your lifestyle.
Drink green Matcha tea.
Daily walks , meditation and yoga.
Take Epsom salt baths.
Finding a balance with Selenium/Zinc in my body to support my thyroid.
Removing parabens from all beauty products including makeup, shampoo, conditioner, soaps, sunscreen, dish soap, etc.
Using organic dyer sheets and organic laundry soap from Seventh Generation.
Using organic cotton shower curtains, towels and sheets.
Using steam saunas weekly to help detox and assist with auto-immune symptoms.
Reading all labels-making sure you stay away from Soy products
Get plenty of sunlight to optimize your vitamin D levels and take 1000-2000IU daily of Vitamin D3
Lift weights
Make sure your medication dose is correct
drink more water
take a nap
Use organic coconut oil in your cooking
Adding chlorella, parsley, or cilantro to your daily smoothie to help your body detoxify from chemical exposures (petrochemicals, PCBs, pesticides, and mercury).
P.S.
It’s an utterly ridiculous notion to think that your work can’t make your heart sing and your soul smile. My life is to short and too valuable to be unfulfilling. I don’t want my life to be in a routine where I start to feel dull and I start to slowly die on the inside. I will express myself with all my skill and my life with enthusiasm! I am here to stay and screaming out to the world, “Here I come ready or not”!
I know, that I’ve found my sense of purpose and what makes my heart leap with joy it’s writing, blogging and being an investigative journalist.
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
Magnesium is a mineral that plays a important part in our health and well-being. It’s one of the forgotten minerals and it’s vital for many processes within the body. Magnesium helps to keep the nervous system healthy and to calm your nerves when you are stressed. In fact, did you know that magnesium is the first mineral depleted when you are stressed? So if you have any type of stress in your life magnesium is the first mineral that goes out the window. Magnesium is also an important mineral co-factor for enzymes that have biochemical reactions in the body. In other words it plays a large role in digestive system health as it helps enzymes do their job as well as to loosen the body to relax and ease to support the metabolic processes.
How much magnesium do you need?
About 60% of your magnesium is in your bones, the rest is in body tissues, and only about 1% is in your blood. Adult men should take in 400 mg, while women should get 310 mg; this increases to 420 mg and 320 mg
Other body benefits: Almonds are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that keeps the immune system strong and eyes healthy. They’re also packed with protein, which helps fill you up and slim you down, as well as heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Other body benefits: Sesame seeds may add some sizzle to your sex life—they’re chock-full of zinc, which can help testosterone and sperm production in men. They’re also a good source of iron and vitamin B-6.
Other body benefits: Sunflower seeds are a surprisingly good source of bone-building calcium. Additionally, they’re high in polyunsaturated fats, which can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood when eaten in moderation.
4.Bananas
Magnesium: 33 mg in one medium banana
Other body benefits: When bananas are still a little green, they are one of the best sources of resistant starch, a healthy carb that fills your belly and fires up your metabolism. Bananas also offer a dose of potassium, an electrolyte that can help lower blood pressure naturally.
Other body benefits: A serving of cashews provides nearly 10% of your daily iron needs. The nuts are also a good source of folate and vitamin K.
Best ways to eat them: Have them on their own for a satisfying snack (just buy the unsalted kind). You could also toss them into a stir-fry or on top of a salad.
6.Tofu
Magnesium: 37 mg in ½ cup
Other body benefits: This vegetarian soy protein source gives you 43% of your daily calcium needs in a ½-cup serving. You also get a dose of iron, a mineral the body needs to produce hemoglobin—the protein that helps red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout the body.
( Please remember that if you have hypothyroidism you are to avoid soy products. It hinders your bodies ability to absorb medication per Mayo clinic )
Side note: Since we are talking hypothyroidism at this moment, generally, it’s best to wait four hours after taking thyroid medication to consume any products that contain soy. The same guidelines apply to other products that may impair the body’s ability to absorb thyroid medication, including concentrated iron and calcium supplements, and antacids that contain calcium or aluminum hydroxide per mayo clinic.
Other body benefits: The seeds from your jack-o-lantern are a good source of fiber, with 5 grams per ounce. Pumpkin seeds also have plenty of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, as well as 5 grams of protein per serving.
Other body benefits: A sprinkling of ground flaxseed turns a cup of yogurt or cereal into a heart-healthy breakfast: a tablespoon contains more than half your recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed also gives you doses of fiber and the antioxidant lignan.
9.Milk (skim)
Magnesium: 27.8 mg in 1 cup
Other body benefits: You’ve had the health benefits of milk drilled into your head since you were a kid, but here’s a quick review: a cup of milk provides about a third of your daily recommended intake of calcium, which you need to build healthy bones and keep them strong as you age. Milk is also a good source of potassium, vitamin D, protein, and vitamin B-12.
Side note: If you don’t drink cow’s milk like me you can also Use almond milk. It also can vary in magnesium content depending on whether the company has added magnesium to the product. However, the amount of naturally occurring magnesium in one cup of almond milk is about 16 mg .
However, Coconut Milk is loaded with Magnesium
Coconut Milk Nutrition
The nutritional information outlined in the table below is based on one cup of coconut milk or 240g.
Other body benefits: This healthy whole grain fills you up with folate, fiber, and potassium. Plus, it can help lower cholesterol, and oats are even rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
11.Broccoli
Magnesium: 51 mg in ½ cup cooked
Other body benefits: A serving of the cruciferous superfood contains more vitamin C than an orange. Plus, research shows that people who eat lots of broccoli may have a lower risk of certain types of cancer, including colon and bladder cancer.
( please remember that if you have hypothyroidism raw cruciferous vegetables can harm the thyroid. You would have to really consume a ton of cruciferous vegetables the scientific studies are still out but try to limit raw cruciferous vegetables and eat cooked. Please do eat your cancer fighting veggies)
12.Sweet corn
Magnesium: 33 mg in 1 ear
Other body benefits: Some people say carb-heavy corn is a diet no-no. Though corn does have 6 to 8 grams of naturally occurring sugar in one ear, this healthy whole grain is also a great source of fiber, B vitamins, vitamin C, and plant-based protein.
13.Peas
Magnesium: 48 mg in 1 cup
Other body benefits: A cup of peas provides nearly a day’s worth of vitamin C. Peas also provide protein, potassium, and vitamin A.
Best way to eat them: The possibilities are endless: toss peas in a stir-fry or on top of a salad, make a belly-warming split-pea soup, mix them into pasta, or even eat them raw.
Spinach — 1 cup: 157 milligrams (40% DV)
Chard — 1 cup: 154 milligrams (38% DV)
Pumpkin seeds — 1/8 cup: 92 milligrams (23% DV)
Yogurt or Kefir — 1 cup: 50 milligrams (13% DV)
Black Beans — ½ cup: 60 milligrams (15% DV)
Avocado — 1 medium: 58 milligrams (15% DV)
Figs — ½ cup: 50 milligrams (13% DV)
Dark Chocolate — 1 square: 95 milligrams (24% DV)
14. DIY Trail Mix: Take a handful of walnuts (which have loads of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids), add another handful of gluten free whole-grain toasted oat cereal, 70% dark chocolate bite, handful of dried cranberries, another handful of raw sunflower seeds or raw pumpkin . Toss it all into a baggie, give it a shake, and hit the road. It couldn’t be easier — or healthier!
1 cup of hot water (not boiling)- Can also use strong Chamomile Tea as the base if you want to lighten hair or black tea as the base if you want to darken hair, but you will need to keep in the fridge.
2 tablespoons epsom salts (or more for extra texture)
1/2 tsp Himalayan or Sea Salt (optional but adds stiffness)
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel
1/2 tsp conditioner (optional- don’t use if you have fine/oily hair)
Optional: a few drops of essential oils or a spritz of your favorite perfume for scent- Lavender and citrus are great options
Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon vodka or alcohol- if you want to lighten hair (the lemon juice lightens and the alcohol preserves)
Hair Spray Instructions
Get a spray bottle that holds at least 10 ounces. I used a glass bottle made from an old apple cider vinegar bottle and a regular spray top. I also tripled the recipe to accomodate the size of my bottle.
Put the hot water (or tea) in the spray bottle and add the epsom salts, sea salt (optional), aloe vera, conditioner, scent (optional) and lemon juice/vodka (if using).
Put the cap on the bottle and shake for 1-2 minutes or until epsom salts and sea salt are dissolved. Store in the fridge if using lemon juice or tea base, or at room temperature if you aren’t. Will last 3-4 months or longer.
Steep tea in almost boiling water for 5 minutes. Then discard tea bag.
Combine all ingredients except aloe vera in a reusable spray bottle.
Shake well to dissolve salt.
Let cool completely then add aloe vera.
Keep refrigerated.
Disclaimer
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this blog. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this blog. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this blog will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health.
Do you walk into a room and forget why you walked in there? Do you have to write yourself a honey do list? Many things can cause brain fog like stress, pregnancy, no sleep, illness, brain tumors, alcohol, head trauma, Vitamin B-12 deficiency, menopause and even medications. Many studies have proven that an underactive thyroid can be damaging to your mental health. This happens to me quite often and frankly its aggravating, very frustrating, and makes me take my worrying to the next level thinking, ” Can it be early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease?” Don’t fret you can do things to help your memory.
Memory, like muscular strength, requires you to “use it or lose it.” The more you work out your brain, the better you’ll be able to process and remember information. But not all activities are equal. The best brain exercises break your routine and challenge you to use and develop new brain pathways.
Aerobic exercise is particularly good for the brain, so choose activities that keep your blood pumping. In general, anything that is good for your heart is great for your brain.
Sleep is critical to learning and memory in an even more fundamental way. Research shows that sleep is necessary for memory consolidation, with the key memory-enhancing activity occurring during the deepest stages of sleep.
Listening to jokes and working out punch lines activates areas of the brain vital to learning and creativity. As psychologist Daniel Goleman notes in his book Emotional Intelligence, “laughter… seems to help people think more broadly and associate more freely.”
5. Eat a brain-boosting diet
Get your omega-3s. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids are particularly beneficial for brain health. Fish is a particularly rich source of omega-3, especially cold water “fatty fish” such as salmon, tuna, halibut, trout, mackerel, sardines, and herring.
Limit calories and saturated fat. Research shows that diets high in saturated fat (from sources such as red meat, whole milk, butter, cheese, cream, and ice cream) increase your risk of dementia and impair concentration and memory.
Eat more fruit and vegetables. Produce is packed with antioxidants, substances that protect your brain cells from damage. Colorful fruits and vegetables are particularly good antioxidant “superfood” sources.
Drink green tea. Green tea contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that protect against free radicals that can damage brain cells. Among many other benefits, regular consumption of green tea may enhance memory and mental alertness and slow brain aging.
Drink wine (or grape juice) in moderation. Keeping your alcohol consumption in check is key, since alcohol kills brain cells. But in moderation (around 1 glass a day for women; 2 for men), alcohol may actually improve memory and cognition. Red wine appears to be the best option, as it is rich in resveratrol, a flavonoid that boosts blood flow in the brain and reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Other resveratrol-packed options include grape juice, cranberry juice, fresh grapes and berries, and peanuts.
Per thehealthguide.org Research shows that diets high in saturated fat (from sources such as red meat, whole milk, butter, cheese, cream, and ice cream) increase your risk of dementia and impair concentration and memory. Eat more fruit and vegetables. Produce is packed with antioxidants, substances that protect your brain cells from damage
Over 200 million people suffer from a thyroid disorder over time your thyroid gland will produce less hormones and it starts to affect your neurological functioning. A hormone deficiency slows everything down, including your brain functions. This can leave you with a chemical imbalance that can includes symptoms like:
Inability to concentrate
Detachment from personal relationships and activities
Low self-esteem
Depression
Inability to connect details
Short-term memory problems
Slowed mental reactions
Confusion
If memory lapses are bothering you, talk with your doctor to make sure its not a underlying “other” medical condition. Getting to the root cause is the smartest thing you can do it could be an easy fix like getting more sleep, switching a medication, or taking a stress reduction class to get your memory back on track.
Please check out my other books online @ Amazon, Barnes n Noble or Books a Million.
Finally a Holiday cookbook that will have you sincerely appreciating all the hard work that I put into creating it. This cookbook not only has recipes that caters to your hypothyroidism but the recipes are extremely easy to prepare while still being delicious as they promote your health, help you begin to heal, and you’re eating cleaner on top of it all. These recipes can be used year-round not only around the holidays and will be a great addition to your library. I hope you find this Holiday book a godsend to the particularly crazy holiday season. This book includes a good variety of recipes that I know you will find to be delicious, full of flavor, healthy and just perfect for your Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner table. From appetizers to main meals, side dishes and desserts these recipes are just wonderfully delicious. I am not kidding when I tell you that the recipe options in this book are endless and you won’t be disappointed! You will be able to find that perfect recipe in this book that makes your taste buds soar, fits your dietary needs and has your family bragging on your cooking skills. They may even think you secretly took lessons from Gordon Ramsay or Julia Childs
There’s nothing like the aroma of a home-cooked dinner welcoming you at the door. No time to be in the kitchen? The wonderful thing about a crock pot is you have little prep time. You won’t have to stand over a hot stove cooking your food and it’s perfect for those hectic days. We all want that convenience! Do you need foods that promote thyroid health? You can start today healing your body from the inside out. Over 101 wholesome and nourishing Hashimoto’s fighting recipes that will cater to your mind, body and soul. This helpful book will start to guide you in the right direction along with a step by step plan that is clear and doable.
It’s not about being skinny, it’s about energy, vitality & feeling good when you look in the mirror.
I wanted to create a user-friendly handbook to help anyone affected by this disorder. I’ve seen many doctors over the years and none offered me ideas on diet change. I’ve included recipes, ideas on solutions for a healthier home, what you should be eating and shouldn’t, how to shed those extra pounds, regain your self-confidence and vitality back into your life. I want you to feel strong, sexy, and beautiful. This is my heartfelt guide to you. Together, once again, you can start to gain that wonderful life that you deserve. I am a student in this thing called life. I want to be remembered as a pioneer who thought, imagined, and inspired. What we feel at times is the impossible or unthinkable. Life is a wonderful journey.
Do you need foods that promote your thyroid health? Let’s heal your body from the inside out. We’ve all heard that our gut is called the “second-brain”. Given how closely the two interact with each other one thing you may not realize is your emotions and weight gain can start in the gut. Your gut and digestion can also cause you to hold onto that excess weight and just feel lousy. I’ve included 101 hypothyroidism fighting recipes that cook themselves. Our main concern is kicking hypothyroidism’s booty. I hope this book inspires you to use your slow cooker more often and create your own new recipes. Let’s together shed those extra pounds, regain your self-confidence and vitality back into your life.
This is a 21-day Meal plan to reset your thyroid and jump start your weight loss journey. It is filled with 21 breakfast recipes, 21 lunch recipes and 21 dinner recipes. They are packed full of nutrients, healthy fats and proteins. All are easy to make and I’ve done all the thinking for you! All you have to do is prepare the foods and eat. It takes 21 days to form a new habit, it will most likely take that long for your mind and body to stop opposing your new lifestyle change. Three weeks really isn’t a very long time. If you find yourself in a rut and coming up with excuses. You can regain control by reminding yourself that you only have to do it for 21 days. Motivate yourself to exercise. Choose something you honestly like to do and won’t loathe at least 3 times a week. Create an exercise plan that seems easy to accomplish. (And, stick to it!) Give yourself a chance and commit to yourself to stay with the program for 21 days.
Hypothyroidism clarity is designed to help give you FREEDOM and EMPOWERMENT. I’m sharing the EXACT STEPS I’ve used to overcome my eating issues WITHOUT dieting. All the recipes are specially crafted to be easy, super delicious and they have been kid tested-mother approved. A family-friendly way to eat that your entire family will enjoy. This book contains wonderfully crafted hypothyroidism recipes for your home and body that will help transform you and your family’s life.
This book thanks everyone suffering from hypothyroidism and looking for answers. Hypothyroidism is the kind of disease that carries a bit of mystery with it. This book is not for readers looking for quick answers. There is not one size fits all. You have to be in charge of your health. I didn’t write this book to sell you any “snake oil” in a bottle. I’ve written this book to be an eye opener for you and to share with you what I have learned on my journey. The solutions in this book has helped so many people. There are many incredible holistic practitioners, authors and researchers with experience and expertise in this area. I’ve done my best to pull from all their expertise, as well as my own knowledge and clinical experience. I want to make it easy for you to find the answers quickly, all in the one place, because I’m all too familiar with that awful side effects of hypothyroidism. I certainly don’t want you to have to spend years finding solutions, like I did. I also what you to understand that there isn’t an easy “one pill” solution, but the “one pill” approach that our current medical system is using is NOT WORKING because the underlying cause for hypothyroidism is not being addressed. Get ready to go on a journey of discovery where you are going to learn how everything ties into one. A lack of knowledge is a lack of power.
I wish somebody had given me a step-by-step road-map back when I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism. The solutions in this book has helped so many people. I’ve done my best to pull from all their expertise, as well as my own knowledge and clinical experience. I want to make it easy for you to find the answers quickly, all in the one place, because I’m all too familiar with that awful side effects of hypothyroidism. I certainly don’t want you to have to spend years finding solutions, like I did. I also want you to understand that there isn’t an easy “one pill” solution, but the “one pill” approach that our current medical system is using is NOT WORKING because the underlying cause for hypothyroidism is not being addressed. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this book will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health
I wanted to create a fall cookbook for those of us suffering from hypothyroidism that makes you feel as if you’re inviting an old friend in for coffee. If you’ve been considering switching to a hypothyroidism diet, you may be wondering if you have to give up your favorite foods along with flavor. This is far from the truth. Switching to a hypothyroidism diet means that you are catering to heal your thyroid. You can still enjoy your favorite fall recipes following a hypothyroidism diet- you’ll just need to learn what substitutions you will need to make to create wonderful fall hypothyroidism recipes. This is where this book that I’ve written for you comes into play. In this book, you will find a collection of many fall favorite recipes that you and your family are sure to love. If you’ve ever considered a hypothyroidism diet, this recipe book is a great starting resource.
Audrey Childers is a published author, blogger, freelance journalist and an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in research and editorial writing. She is also the creator and founder of the website the hypothyroidismchick.com. Where you can find great tips on everyday living with hypothyroidism. She enjoys raising her children and being a voice for optimal human health and wellness.
Disclaimer
The information and recipes contained in blog is based upon the research and the personal experiences of the author. It’s for entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate, up to date and reliable information. No warranties of any kind are expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. By reading this blog, the reader agrees that under no circumstance the author is not responsible for any loss, direct or indirect, which are incurred by using this information contained within this book. Including but not limited to errors, omissions or inaccuracies. This blog is not intended as replacements from what your health care provider has suggested. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations or procedures discussed in this book. All matters pertaining to your health should be supervised by a health care professional. I am not a doctor, or a medical professional. This blog is designed for as an educational and entertainment tool only. Please always check with your health practitioner before taking any vitamins, supplements, or herbs, as they may have side-effects, especially when combined with medications, alcohol, or other vitamins or supplements. Knowledge is power, educate yourself and find the answer to your health care needs. Wisdom is a wonderful thing to seek. I hope this book will teach and encourage you to take leaps in your life to educate yourself for a happier & healthier life. You have to take ownership of your health
European Journal of Endocrinology. December 1, 2009 161 917-921. Treated hypothyroidism, cognitive function, and depressed mood in old age: the Rancho Bernardo Study. http://www.eje-online.org/content/161/6/917.full
This hypothyroidism is no joke. People play with it all the time. But why? It completely fucks with your life. Sorry to be so blunt but it does. As diseases go, you would think that it would be a cinch to diagnose and pretty straightforward to treat. Each of us are unique individuals with different sensitivities. None of has the same exact routine as far as what foods we eat, what chemicals we are exposed to and what medications we take but yet we all are similar when it comes to our thyroids not working properly. Why is that?
thehypothyroidismchick 