Tag Archives: lowering blood pressure

Do you suffer from hypothyroidism brain fog?

Thinking Woman

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.

Here are a few suggestions from thehelpguide.org

  1. Exercise your mind

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. 

2. Aerobic exercise

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.

3. Get more Sleep

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.

4. Laugh at yourself

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.

  • If you’re not a fan of seafood, consider non-fish sources of omega-3s such as walnuts, ground flaxseed, flaxseed oil, winter squash, kidney and pinto beans, spinach, broccoli and pumpkin seeds .
  • 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.    

Holiday Hypothyroidism

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

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Hashimoto’s crock-pot recipes: Added Bonus: How I put my Hashimoto’s into remission

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.

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Kicking Hypothyroidism’s booty, The Slow Cooker way: 101 Slow Cooker recipes!

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.

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 A Survivors Cookbook Guide to Kicking Hypothyroidism’s booty.

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.

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Reset Your Thyroid, 21 day Meal plan Thyroid reboot

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.

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Hypothyroidism Clarity

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.

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Hypothyroidism: The beginners Guide

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.

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Secrets to my Hypothyroidism Success: A personal guide to Hypothyroidism freedom

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

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The Best Little Hypothyroidism Autumn Cookbook

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.

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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.

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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

 

 

Sources:

American Thyroid Association. Thyroid Disease in Older Patients. Accessed April 26, 2013. http://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism-elderly/

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

International Journal of Neuroscience. 116:895-906, 2006. Memory Improvement with Treatment of Hypothyroidism. http://ict.usc.edu/pubs/Memory%20Improvement%20with%20Treatment%20of%20Hypothyroidism.pdf

The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, VOL. 19, No. 2. Verbal Memory Retrieval Deficits Associated With Untreated Hypothyroidism. http://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleID=103017

Medicine and Health / Rhode Island. Neurobehavioral Functioning in Thyroid Disorders. Accessed April 26, 2013. http://med.brown.edu/neurology/articles/gt31803.pdf

The Newsletter of the Memory Disorders Project of Rutgers University. Memory Loss & the Brain. Thyroid Disorders. Accessed March 22, 2013. http://www.memorylossonline.com/glossary/thyroiddisorders.html

Thyroid. 2001 Dec;11(12):1177-85. Hypothyroidism and cognition: preliminary evidence for a specific defect in memory. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12186506

Thyroid Foundation of Canada. Thyroid Disease: Know the Facts. Accessed April 26, 2013. http://www.thyroid.ca/know_the_facts.php

For the love of Chickpea!

chickpea

Chickpeas are a gluten free source of protein and fiber. Chickpeas also contain exceptional levels of iron, vitamin B-6 and magnesium, vitamin K, folate, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, choline and selenium and Amino acids. Possible health benefits of consuming chickpeas are Diabetes (high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels), Bone health (The iron, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin K content present in chickpeas all contribute to building and maintaining bone structure and strength) Blood pressure (low-sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure) Heart health (high fiber, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B-6 content, coupled with the lack of cholesterol found in chickpeas, all support heart health) Cancer (Selenium is a mineral plays a role in liver enzyme function, and helps detoxify some cancer-causing compounds in the body. Additionally, selenium prevents inflammation and also decreases tumor growth rates.) Lowers cholesterol, fights inflammation and aids in your Digestion and regularity! So why not eat this “superfood” up? I listed some recipes from my up & coming book! I hope you find these recipes fun & delicious! From my family to  yours..

A survivor’s cookbook guide to
Kicking Hypothyroidisms Booty

Copyright, 2015, by Audrey Childers

Simply roasted chickpea
2 tabs extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. ground cumin
1 tea garlic powder
½ teas of chili powder
1 pinch Celtic sea salt
1 pinch of ground black pepper
1pinch of crushed red pepper
1 (15oz) can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and toss with the remaining ingredients until evenly coated. Spread the chickpeas in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 30 to 40 minutes

 

Chili-Lime Roasted Chickpeas
2 15-ounce cans chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans), drained, rinsed and blotted dry
1 tbsp. Chili powder
2 tbsp. olive oil
The juice from half of a freshly squeezed lime
Pinch of Himalayan sea salt
2 tsp cumin
1 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and toss with all the ingredients until evenly coated except the lime zest. Spread the chickpeas in an even layer on a non-aluminum baking pan or in a large cast iron skillet bake until crisp, about 40 to 45 minutes. Sprinkle the lime zest on the chickpeas after cooked. Note: Every 10 minutes shake your pan to move the chickpeas around.

Fire Roasted tomato quinoa penne pasta with crispy chickpeas and zucchini
1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes, not drained
1 cup organic uncooked zucchini, diced
1 can (15 oz) cooked chickpeas
2 tablespoon goats cheese, crumbles
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoon olive oil
8 oz quinoa penne pasta
Celtic sea salt and pepper to taste
Cook pasta according to package. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté zucchini and garlic over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes. Add chickpeas, and cook until browned and crispy, about 5 additional minutes. After pasta cooked according to the packaging, drain and toss with zucchini, roasted tomatoes, and chickpeas. Cook additional 5 minutes to allow and blend all the flavorings together. Season to taste and sprinkle goat cheese crumbles.

 

 

Hello World, It’s Me, A.L. Childers.

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After being diagnosed with hypothyroidism over 25 years ago. I knew there was something more than just being labeled with a medical condition. There wasn’t a lot of information on how to heal myself from the inside out. You really must begin to understand that there really isn’t a one size fits all diet for everyone who is has been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism but there are certain ways you can eat that will certainly help begin the healing process. Diet alone isn’t enough to help your body start fighting this battle that is raging in your body. The food you eat is your first line of defense against hypothyroidism. You must start addressing other areas in your life.

My new purpose is to empower people to embrace who they are, to add value to their life, to inspire them and to connect with those who are struggling with hypothyroidism. You need to realize that you have to invest in your health. You are worth investing money into yourself and take charge of your health. Will it “hurt” a little? Ha, you bet, but it will change your life.

I wish somebody had given me a step-by-step roadmap back when I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

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.

I  want to thank you  for reading my latest blog.  Please let me know if you need any support with it. 

 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

 

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. She is the published author of : A survivors cookbook guide to kicking hypothyroidism booty, Reset your Thyroid, The Ultimate guide to healing hypothyroidism ,  A survivors cookbook guide to kicking hypothyroidism booty: the slow cooker way and  Hypothyroidism: The Beginners Guide: How to stop surviving and start thriving. You can find all these books on Amazon.  You can also find her actively involved in her Facebook Group : Healing Hypothyroidism. This blog may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement.

 

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