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Thyroid Dysfunctions & Obesity: Is Your Weight Loss Canary Suffering

There's no doubt that thyroid disease is on the rise. Now the
question is why?

The reason your weight loss attempts might not be working is
because your weight loss canary might be suffering...let me
explain.

From the research I've reviewed and the patients I've seen in
the last 20 years, it's clear to me that the thyroid gland is
your body's own yellow canary. It's sensitive to many different
influences-your diet, your lifestyle, and the world around you.
And all of these influences can affect how well your thyroid
functions.

Remember how miners used to detect toxic methane gas and carbon
monoxide? They sent bright yellow canaries into the mines.
Canaries are highly sensitive to these gasses-so much so that
they die when exposed to them. Their deaths served as a warning
system for miners so they do not enter and become exposed to
poisonous air.

So, it's not surprising that as we eat more toxic foods and are
increasingly exposed to pollution, petrochemical and industrial
wastes, and heavy metals that thyroid problems have also
skyrocketed. In fact, more than 20 percent of women and 10
percent of men in the United States have thyroid dysfunctions-and
half of them don't even know it!


But exactly how does your environment affect your thyroid?

We now have substantial research to demonstrate that
environmental chemicals have a direct impact on the thyroid
gland. It's clear that PCBs and other industrial petrochemical
toxins can lower thyroid function, as well as other pollutants
such as chlorine, fluoride, and bromide.

Since the thyroid produces hormones that manage your metabolism,
anything that affects your thyroid will ultimately affect your
metabolism. In fact, there's evidence that toxins boost the
excretion of thyroid hormones, leaving you with less of this
hormone to control your metabolism-and a decreased ability to
burn fat.

The truth is, your thyroid plays a huge role in weight control,
and in determining your metabolic rate.

The question is not if, but how much is today's obesity epidemic
linked to the harmful effects of environmental toxins on
metabolism.

I've seen so many patients struggle with their weight, only to
have the pounds melt off when we addressed their thyroid
problems.

True, not everyone's weight problems are caused by thyroid
dysfunction-but if you're overweight, you should consider the
connection. That's why the best medical doctors always check
their patients' thyroid functions and will consider all the
possible causes of subtle thyroid imbalance, including toxins,
food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, and stress.


Now let's talk about some of those other factors.

For example, food allergies, like sensitivities to gluten and
other foods, also negatively affect thyroid function-and are
frequently undiagnosed. Likewise, deficiencies in nutrients
important to good thyroid function-like selenium, zinc, omega-3
fatty acids. and iodine and tyrosine-can also trigger thyroid
problems.

With all of these factors that can affect your thyroid, it's
clear that we need a new approach to the diagnosis and treatment
of thyroid disease. Many doctors can miss the subtle signs of
thyroid problems, and conventional medicine often treats low
thyroid function with inadequate, one-size-fits-all drugs like
Synthroid.

However, thyroid dysfunction requires a more personalized,
integrative approach-one that you can help control by becoming an
active partner in your care. First, keep an eye out for the
symptoms of a low thyroid function, including:

* fatigue
* sluggishness
* trouble getting up in the morning
* depression
* dry skin
* dry hair
* constipation
* fluid retention
* menstrual problems and PMS
* hair loss
* cracked or chipping fingernails
* low sex drive
* weight gain
* muscle aches
* cramps


Yes, a lot of those symptoms are pretty common and vague-which is
one reason why thyroid dysfunction often goes undetected. But if
you notice any of these signs, bring them to your doctor's
attention, and ask him or her to test your thyroid function.

If you are diagnosed with low thyroid function, the following
steps recommended:

1. Eliminate the causes of thyroid problems, like toxins, food
allergies, and nutritional deficiencies.

2. Exercise and take saunas.

3. Eat foods that provide nutritional support to your thyroid-and
avoid those that don't.

4. Use supplements that protect your thyroid, such as vitamins A
and D, selenium, zinc and fish oil.

5. Work with your doctor to choose the right thyroid replacement
for you. It should combine both the inactive and T4 hormone found
in Synthroid and the active hormone T3, found in other
medications.


Remember, thyroid hormone is the master metabolism hormone. If
your thyroid is out of balance, your metabolism is out of
balance, too.

Do you have a dysfunctional thyroid?

Know that the problem can be fixed. By following the program here
you can get your thyroid working properly, keep your weight under
control and start feeling better today.


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New York Times best selling author, lecturer, and practicing
physician Mark Hyman, M.D., is Editor-in-Chief of Alternative
Therapies in Health and Medicine and Medical Editor of
Alternative Medicine Magazine. In his most recent book,
UltraMetabolism -- The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss,
he teaches you how you can ignite the fat burning code hidden
in your own DNA. To download a free sneak preview of
UltraMetabolism, click here now:
http://www.ultrametabolism.com/prlarticle1

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