Melanie and others...
To early to say about weight loss, but I'm enjoying following the Zone
diet (as outlined in Barry Sears' books) for a few days so far. My
doctor recommended it to me as a good option for someone with
hypothyroidism, and frankly, there's some other information out there
that supports the nearly diabetic reaction that goes on with some folks
with diminished thyroid function.
A site called Alternative Medicine. http://www.alternativemedicine.com/
includes several articles relevant to the subject.
THE REASON BEHIND Weight Gain, Fatigue, Muscle Pain, Depression, Food
Allergies, Infections.... BY STEPHEN E. LANGER, M.D.
http://www.alternativemedicine.com/alternativemedicine/digest/issue16/i16-a52.shtml
This article is one of the most interesting I've ever seen re: thyroid
problems and natural approaches. It touches upon how and why the whole
body and its systems become underactive, and, interestingly, also
describes fairly clearly why a dietary approach such as the one in the
zone might in fact be the right approach for people with hypothyroidism
(how a hypothyroid system processes high sugar/glycemic foods is the
key.)
This article also deasl with Hashimotos, and, get this folks, here is
HIS list of symptoms...(have any of us heard doctors tell us this is NO
WAY related to our thyroids, perhaps??)??? :D
"sense of nervousness that can range from mild anxiety to serious panic
attack. You can also have allergies, irregular heartbeat or
palpitations, muscle and joint pain, sleep disturbances in which you
wake up with your mind racing and heart beating fast, reduced sexual
interest, menstrual irregularities, headaches, digestive disorders, and
intestinal problems from diarrhea to constipation."
This article is really fascinating, and talks about antibodies, dietary
approaches, supplements and herbal complements to thyroid hormone
therapy. Frankly, I'm printing it out and taking it to my doctor next
week.
The Alternative Medicine site also features two other articles of
interest...
Diabetes, It's Reversible, which talks about the relationship between
the the liver, thyroid, adrenals, and factors that cause chronic fatigue
and ultimately, in some cases, diabetes. [Because I'm really into
figuring out how to lose weight right now, and am trying the zone, I'm
also sensitive to the fact that it seems to back up the theory that high
carbo diets may not be the way to go for people with thyroid problems
(hence, the validity of a Zone approach, as well.)]
http://www.alternativemedicine.com/alternativemedicine/digest/issue12/i12-a44.shtml
Finally, another article here discusses treatment for depression and
underactive thyroid.
http://www.alternativemedicine.com/alternativemedicine/digest/issue10/i10-a14.shtml
I've weight watchered, and lowcalled, and so on, and phen/fen and all,
and not much luck. Was talking to my holistic MD re: Atkins (low-no
carbo) diet. She said NO ATKINS. Said that she didn't recommend the
Atkins ketogenic approach. But she felt good about the balanced aspects
of the Zone, and it's approach toward blood sugar.
So at this point, I'm Zoning, and so far so good.
--Mary
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