When suffering from thyroid disorders, it becomes more difficult to lose weight because it plays a very important role in regulating reproductive hormones, mood and weight. Here’s how to lose weight if your thyroid plays tricks on you!
THYROID GLAND: WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE THYROID IN THE METABOLISM?
The thyroid is a gland responsible for production of hormones. To do this, the blood vessels carry the essential iodine in order to manufacture these hormones. Unfortunately, in certain situations, the production of these hormones can be disrupted, and cause disorders like:
Hypothyroidism is characterized by a slow functioning of the body. The gland is slow and disrupts the metabolism. Therefore, you gain more weight.
In hyperthyroidism, the gland is very active. The heart beats faster, mood disorders are persistent and the metabolism is accelerated. Therefore, you lose weight suddenly.
Thyroid plays an important role in the control of metabolism in all body tissues. It regulates the metabolism of lipids, stimulates oxygen consumption and promotes the growth of healthy cells. Thus, in hypothyroidism, the gland promotes weight gain, while in cases of hyperthyroidism, you lose weight.
TIPS TO SPEED UP YOUR METABOLISM AND LOSE WEIGHT
Avoid foods containing goitrogens
Foods like kale, horseradish, sweet potatoes, soybeans, broccoli or cabbage contain chemical compounds, goitrogens, which prevent the thyroid gland from absorbing iodine. The iodine is essential in the production of hormones. However, you can cook the food by steaming it to inactivate the goitrogens.
Eat foods rich in iodine
Iodine deficiency is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism. Therefore, it is important to provide the body with adequate daily intake of iodine for it to produce the proper amount of hormones. For this, consume foods like nuts, parsley, fish, beets, bananas and oatmeal.
Reduce consumption of gluten
Foods rich in gluten can increase the sugar levels in the blood. Therefore, the pancreas produces insulin to regulate the amount of sugar, and the metabolism is slowed down. It is therefore advisable to avoid foods high in wheat and which contain starch such as bread, cookies, pasta or pizza. It is also advisable to avoid processed foods high in sugar or salt such as chips or sodas.
Stress can disrupt the functioning of the body and cause serious health problems. The stress hormone, cortisol, promotes the storage of fat in the body. In some people, stress can encourage consumption of too sweet or too salty foods. To remedy this, you can practice relaxing activities such as sports, yoga, dance and meditation.
Get enough sleep
Researchers from the University of California have conducted a study on the brains of 23 people. They found that the lack of sleep promotes weight gain. Indeed, the more people were missing sleep, the more they were urged to consume foods high in calorie, especially late at night.
When sleep is disturbed, the production of leptin (a hormone responsible for satiety) and ghrelin (for hunger) is disturbed. Therefore, you’ll want to snack late at night. It is therefore advisable not to change your sleep schedule and sleep at least 7 hours per day.