Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Women - Menopause - Thyroid and Weight Gain

Menopause is a time of profound transition which is a nice way of saying Yipes! I'm getting old!

Menopause effects both the mind and body, particularly the thyroid and for those of you who don't know - Hypothyroidism makes you FAT!! In my opinion, the best way to restore healthy thyroid function is naturally through food and supplementation. My opinion comes from my personal expereince working with a wonderful women Naturopath - Dr. Laura Heib, Renton, Washington.

Nutrient-rich foods to replenish thyroid health

* Iodine (I): seaweed (e.g., nori), clams, shrimp, haddock, oysters, salmon, sardines, pineapple, eggs.
* Selenium (Se): smoked herring, smelt, wheat germ, Brazil nuts (just one nut provides ~139 mcg), apple cider vinegar, scallops, barley, lobster.
* Zinc (Zn): fresh oysters, ginger root, pecans, dry split peas, Brazil nuts, egg yolk, whole wheat, rye, oats, peanuts.
* Vitamin E: wheat germ oil, olive oil, sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts.
* Vitamin A: dark green leafy veggies, liver, winter squash, cantaloupe, stone fruits, papaya, and cod liver oil.
* B vitamin complex: brewer’s yeast, wild rice, brown rice, whole wheat, beans, peanuts.
* Vitamin C: Red chili, guava, parsley, dark green leafy veggies, strawberries, papaya, citrus fruits.
* Support your adrenals. If this is the only thing you do, I promise it will benefit your health on many levels. Not only will supporting your adrenals lighten the burden on your thyroid, it will also help restore your energy levels and overall well-being.
* Start using a quality multivitamin–mineral. I encourage all my clients, especailly perimenopausal and menopausal, to take a pharmaceutical-grade supplement like our Essential Nutrients. Giving your body proper nutrition by supplementing your diet may be all you need to get yourself back on track.PLEASE NOTE: The FDA regulates supplements in the USA - they only check the health standards of the manufacturing company. The DO NOT check for quality and quantity of ingredient in the products. In other words, They often RIP YOU OFF AT THE COST OF YOUR HEALTH.
* Consider supplementing with selenium and iodine. Ask your practitioner to test your iodine levels in addition to your multivitamin. You can do this through the foods you eat or with selenium or iodine supplements.

Please work with a professional Naturopatic Doctor to monitor your levels appropriately. And when it comes to selenium supplements, I do not recommend taking more than 200 mcg/day.
* Reduce stress. Most Women give too much to those around us. Learn to say "No, I can not do that for you." and reduce YOUR Stress. Don’t feel guilty about asking for help yourself. You deserve a break — and so do the cells in your body!

Remember to have your Naturopath check your thyroid levels once a year, to stay on top of any changes. Prevention is easier than repairing your thyroid.

1 comment:

  1. The nutrient-rich foods that you mentioned are amazing! They can really replenish thyroid health.

    ReplyDelete