I just saw this article and thought you ought to see it. Something to watch out for if your celiac condition continues. I highlighted a couple of things.
Tired of being tired? You could be suffering from a underactive thyroid The Orlando Sentinel
Recognize this scenario? You diet and exercise, but your waistline stays the same -- or worse, it steadily expands. It might not be your fault. You could be suffering from hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid.
Because thyroid hormones regulate many different systems in the body, including growth and metabolism, deficiency causes a broad spectrum of symptoms, most commonly -- but not limited to -- depression, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems, weight gain, fatigue and chronic constipation.
The condition has several causes. Adults most commonly suffer from Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune response in which antibodies mistakenly attack thyroid tissue, eventually destroying the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland, which sits at the front of the neck.
According to the American Thyroid Association, 2 percent to 3 percent of Americans have severe hypothyroidism, and as many as 10 percent to 15 percent have mild hypothyroidism.
As with other autoimmune diseases, the condition affects more women (post-menopausal women are most vulnerable) than it does men, although "as more men live into their 70s and 80s, their chance of developing the condition increases," Dr. Gregory Brent says.
Brent is professor of medicine and physiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He attributes the rise in hypothyroidism cases to growing awareness and increased testing. Standard treatment is thyroid hormone replacement therapy with thyroxine (T4).
Cindy Heroux, a registered dietitian and author of The Manual That Should Have Come With Your Body, advocates replacement therapy but says three dietary modifications are also key.
Because the condition causes cholesterol levels to rise, Heroux recommends a diet that keeps cholesterol in check, cuts back on calories and increases fiber to combat constipation.
But be careful which fiber you consume. Most grains contain gluten, and research shows that a higher incidence of celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder also known as gluten intolerance or sensitivity) in patients with Hashimoto's. Brent says celiac disease interferes with T4 absorption. So does the consumption of soy.
Some food tips if you suffer from hypothyroidism:
Limit intake of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and cabbage. They contain goitrogens that suppress the thyroid.
And remember, fruit is your friend. Snacking on fruit at regular intervals helps the liver maintain glucose production, which is vital in creating thyroid hormone.
Certain vitamin and mineral supplements might enhance the results of thyroid-replacement therapy, but consult your dietitian or nutritionist.
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Date: 2006-06-14 06:41 pm (UTC)Hey,
I just saw this article and thought you ought to see it. Something to watch out for if your celiac condition continues. I highlighted a couple of things.
Tired of being tired?
You could be suffering from a underactive thyroid
The Orlando Sentinel
Recognize this scenario? You diet and exercise, but your waistline stays the same -- or worse, it steadily expands. It might not be your fault. You could be suffering from hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid.
Because thyroid hormones regulate many different systems in the body, including growth and metabolism, deficiency causes a broad spectrum of symptoms, most commonly -- but not limited to -- depression, irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems, weight gain, fatigue and chronic constipation.
The condition has several causes. Adults most commonly suffer from Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune response in which antibodies mistakenly attack thyroid tissue, eventually destroying the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland, which sits at the front of the neck.
According to the American Thyroid Association, 2 percent to 3 percent of Americans have severe hypothyroidism, and as many as 10 percent to 15 percent have mild hypothyroidism.
As with other autoimmune diseases, the condition affects more women (post-menopausal women are most vulnerable) than it does men, although "as more men live into their 70s and 80s, their chance of developing the condition increases," Dr. Gregory Brent says.
Brent is professor of medicine and physiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He attributes the rise in hypothyroidism cases to growing awareness and increased testing. Standard treatment is thyroid hormone replacement therapy with thyroxine (T4).
Cindy Heroux, a registered dietitian and author of The Manual That Should Have Come With Your Body, advocates replacement therapy but says three dietary modifications are also key.
Because the condition causes cholesterol levels to rise, Heroux recommends a diet that keeps cholesterol in check, cuts back on calories and increases fiber to combat constipation.
But be careful which fiber you consume. Most grains contain gluten, and research shows that a higher incidence of celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder also known as gluten intolerance or sensitivity) in patients with Hashimoto's. Brent says celiac disease interferes with T4 absorption. So does the consumption of soy.
Some food tips if you suffer from hypothyroidism:
Limit intake of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and cabbage. They contain goitrogens that suppress the thyroid.
And remember, fruit is your friend. Snacking on fruit at regular intervals helps the liver maintain glucose production, which is vital in creating thyroid hormone.
Certain vitamin and mineral supplements might enhance the results of thyroid-replacement therapy, but consult your dietitian or nutritionist.