Foods to Avoid With Hypothyroidism - And Foods That Help

This article will discuss what foods to avoid with Hypothyroidism and it will also give some examples of what foods you can eat that will actually help improve your condition. I'll also explain what Hypothyroidism is and what some of the causes are.

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the Thyroid gland doesn't produce enough Thyroid hormones. This in turn starts to slow the body down bringing with it a whole range of symptoms such as extreme tiredness, intolerance to cold temperatures, weight gain and many others.

\"Losing Weight With Hypothyroidism\"

Hypothyroidism can be caused by Iodine deficiency and it can also be inherited but there may be many more causes such as exposure to toxins and chemicals throughout the course of our lives. The conventional method of treating Hypothyroidism is with a synthetic version of the Thyroid hormone Thyroxine (T4) and this usually works well for most people. Others may suffer from bad side effects as they are unable to tolerate a synthetic hormone and so they must find alternatives. This can be done with natural Thyroid hormones derived from pigs Thyroid glands or by naturopathic medicine which uses detox programs together with healing herbs, vitamins and minerals.

Foods to Avoid With Hypothyroidism - And Foods That Help

Even some foods can inhibit the Thyroid gland's production of hormones; so what are the foods to avoid with Hypothyroidism? Vegetables such as Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale and mustard greens and fruits such as pears and peaches all contain goitrogens which are substances which suppress the function of the Thyroid gland. The above can be eaten in moderation if cooked thoroughly because cooking usually inactivates the goitrogens contained in the food.

Foods which may help improve Hypothyroidism are foods rich in Tyrosine such as chicken, pork, legumes, avocados, bananas and dairy products. Also foods containing Selenium are good for the Thyroid because Selenium is needed to convert the hormone T4 in to the more active T3 (Triiodothyronine).

Foods to Avoid With Hypothyroidism - And Foods That Help

To find out more about Hypothyroidism and alternative methods of treatment please visit my Hypothyroidism remedies blog.

Hypothyroid Diet Tips To Help You Lose Weight

Many people who are diagnosed with hypothyroidism have difficulty losing weight, and are interested in finding the ideal "hypothyroid diet" to help shed those unwanted pounds. What they often times find is that modifying their diet and exercising regularly doesn't help them to lose weight. Since the thyroid controls metabolism, one can understand how it can be a challenge to lose weight with a hypothyroid condition, as this slows down the metabolism. However, losing weight will be a much easier process if you follow some of the tips I'm about to give.

In addition to following the hypothyroid diet tips I'm about to give, as well as exercising regularly, there is another big factor that will determine whether or not you will be successful in your weight loss efforts. So while you definitely need to pay attention to the following tips I'm about to give you, keep in mind that no matter how well you eat or how much you exercise, you won't lose weight without following the final "Bonus Tip" I'll be revealing at the end of this article.

\"Losing Weight With Hypothyroidism\"

With that being said, let's take a look at the three tips:

Hypothyroid Diet Tips To Help You Lose Weight

Hypothyroid Diet Tip #1: Cut Out Refined Foods And Sugars. The first thing you want to do is to minimize or completely eliminate the refined foods and sugars from your diet. Eating refined foods and sugars will spike up your blood sugar levels, which in turn will cause a surge in insulin to bring these levels down. The blood sugar levels will then drop down low, which in turn will cause the adrenal glands to release cortisol. Eating this way constantly will put stress on your endocrine system, especially your adrenal glands, which can lead to numerous problems, which I'll discuss shortly.

Hypothyroid Diet Tip #2: Don't Skip Breakfast. This is another common problem, as many people don't eat anything for breakfast, which isn't a good thing after you've gone eight or more hours without eating. If you find that you're not hungry upon waking up in the morning, the reason is because your endocrine system is not in balance. And while I'm not suggesting you need to eat a huge breakfast every morning, you really do need to begin eating something healthy on a daily basis, even if it's a small meal. Just make sure it consists of some high quality protein.

Hypothyroid Diet Tip #3: Eat Every 2 to 3 Hours Thereafter. After you eat breakfast, eating every two to three hours thereafter will help to keep your blood sugar levels balanced, which as you'll learn shortly, will help in your efforts to lose weight. Not eating regularly will once again affect the hormone cortisol, as when you go a long time without eating, your blood sugar levels will drop, and the adrenal glands will then secrete cortisol. If this happens daily over a period of many months and years, then this will stress out your adrenal glands.

How To Make Sure These Hypothyroid Diet Tips Work For You

Now that you have read these hypothyroid diet tips, I'm about to reveal the primary "bonus" tip that will make you understand why most people with hypothyroidism have difficulty losing weight. Here it is: the main reason why people with hypothyroidism have problems losing weight is due to an uncorrected hormonal imbalance. As Dr. Janet Lang tells her attendees during her Restorative Endocrinology Seminars, "hormones are stronger than diet", which means that changing your dietary habits alone won't allow you to lose weight if you don't address an existing hormone imbalance.

There are actually two hormonal conditions that will make it almost impossible for anyone with a hypothyroid condition to lose weight. These two conditions are:

• Estrogen Dominance. Many people with hypothyroidism are in a state of estrogen dominance, which relates to the ratio of estrogen and progesterone. While the wording suggests an excess of estrogen, this isn't always the case, as frequently this is caused by a deficiency in progesterone. In either situation, the estrogen dominance will usually result in weight gain, and losing weight will be extremely difficult, if not impossible to achieve, unless the estrogen dominance is corrected.

• Insulin Resistance. This is another common condition among people with thyroid conditions, and frequently has to do with poor eating habits, as eating a lot of refined foods and sugars, skipping meals, etc. will cause problems with the hormones insulin and cortisol, and very well might lead to this condition if you continue to eat this way. So essentially following the hypothyroid diet tips I gave above will help to prevent this condition from developing.

If you have either of the above conditions and don't address them, then no hypothyroid diet will make much of a difference. Actually, this isn't entirely true, as modifying one's diet will help to some extent, especially with regards to insulin resistance. However, there are other factors involved, especially with estrogen dominance, and so just eating well and taking nutritional supplements alone usually won't correct this hormone imbalance. This is why it's a good idea to consult with a competent natural endocrine doctor, who will recommend a natural hypothyroid treatment protocol that not only can help you lose weight, but just might help restore your health to normal.

The reason for this is because natural hypothyroid treatment methods address the actual cause of the thyroid condition. Although most endocrinologists and other doctors aim their treatment directly towards the thyroid gland, and usually recommend that someone with hypothyroidism take thyroid hormone for the rest of their life, in most cases the malfunctioning thyroid gland isn't the actual cause of the disorder. So for those who have a condition such as estrogen dominance, taking thyroid hormone won't do anything to correct his, which means that the person will continue to gain weight, plus most likely will have other symptoms related to this condition. This doesn't mean that taking thyroid hormone won't help at all with weight loss, as if the sole cause of your weight gain is due to the thyroid gland then it might help. But if estrogen dominance is the primary reason for your weight gain, then taking thyroid hormone isn't going to fix this problem.

In summary, if you have hypothyroidism and are having difficulty losing weight, then in addition to following the hypothyroid diet tips I listed above, you also might want to consider consulting with a natural endocrine doctor to help diagnose and address any hormonal imbalances you may have. In addition to helping you lose weight and correcting any hormone imbalances, being on such a protocol also can potentially restore the function of your thyroid gland back to normal, which means you wouldn't need to take synthetic or natural thyroid hormone daily for the rest of your life.

Hypothyroid Diet Tips To Help You Lose Weight

Dr. Eric Osansky is a licensed healthcare professional who personally used natural treatment methods to restore his health when he was diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disorder. For more information on how to use Natural Hypothyroid Treatment methods to restore your health back to normal, including a free video and 46-page guide that shows you how to treat your thyroid disorder naturally, please visit his website at www.NaturalEndocrineSolutions.com.

Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss - Treatment and Supplements

One of the major concerns of people with hypothyroidism is uncontrollable weight gain. This is also one of the most difficult to remedy for those who have an under-active thyroid. Weight loss in this case should be attained by treating the main source of the problem which is an under-active thyroid.

When the thyroid gland fails to produce the necessary hormones which are responsible for the body's growth, development, and rate of metabolism, then the patient will gain weight even without eating too much.

\"Losing Weight With Hypothyroidism\"

Treating hypothyroidism and weight loss can both be attained simultaneously in one single treatment. There are a lot of supplements that contain only natural ingredients that help in losing unwanted pounds and relieve you from other symptoms.

Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss - Treatment and Supplements

Weight Loss with Hypothyroidism

Although proper diet and regular exercise may help, it is still important to get the right hypothyroidism treatment. Weight loss can be achieved once the body will get the right amount of hormones. You must be able to get the right amounts of needed vitamins and minerals. This is where supplements come in.

Having proper diet also involves refraining from goitrogenic foods such as soya, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes. These foods contain substances that will negatively affect the functions of the thyroid gland.

Supplements for Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss

Iodine - Generally, thyroid problems are caused by lack of iodine. It is one of the most important mineral in the production of thyroid hormones and it can be found in sea foods and sea vegetables such as kelp. But intake should also be limited as too much will result in inhibition of thyroid function.

L-tyrosine - This is very important in boosting the levels of thyroid gland hormone and it is commonly found in green vegetables, seaweeds and other seafood, egg, and cheese. It can help improve your mood and prevent depression.

Selenium and Zinc - Selenium is useful in thyroid hormone metabolism and lack of it is found to be a possible cause of goiter. Zinc is also known for improving thyroid condition and increases the production of thyroxin. Both minerals are also needed in converting T4 to T3 hormone.

Vitamin B Complex - These vitamins are keys in giving our body energy and functions of the brain. Getting sufficient amounts of B vitamins can significantly reduce the sluggishness and fatigue. Aside from B complex, it is also helpful to get Vitamins A, C, and E.

Hypothyroidism and Weight Loss - Treatment and Supplements

Visit HYPOTHYROIDISM AND WEIGHT LOSS and know more about natural ways to lose weight.