By Megan Flemmit; Photography by Freepik
Ever since Gigi Hadid opened up about her battles with Hashimoto’s Disease, thyroid diseases have been in the spotlight.
More women than ever before are concerned about their thyroid health. And with good reason. Integrative medicine specialist, Dr Robin Miller, co-author of The Smart Woman’s Guide To Life told Health.com that women are 10 times likelier than men to develop a problem with their thyroid.
Your thyroid produces the thyroid hormone (TH), which regulates your heartbeat, body temperature and metabolism. When too little TH is produced you may experience fatigue, cold sensitivity, constipation and weight gain. This is a HUGE problem when you’re trying to manage your weight.
READ MORE: Just How Worried Should You Be About Thyroid Disease?
Thankfully your body doesn’t just rely on your thyroid to ensure good metabolic function. We spoke to Paarl Dieticians to find out what else could give your metabolism a boost.
1. A Diet Rich in Whole Food
Loading up your plate with whole foods including fruit and veggies is the best support for your body processes. Getting enough protein also prevents further muscle loss, which negatively affects your metabolism.
2. Beware of Food Intolerances
Gut dysfunction, which is worsened by food intolerances, can trigger inflammation and as a result you end up bloated. It also makes it difficult for thyroid medication to restore the imbalance in your body. Studies suggest that addressing food intolerances early can help manage hypothyroidism. Speak to a dietician to identify any possible food intolerances you might have.
READ MORE: 8 Common Signs You Have A Thyroid Problem
3. Address the Adrenals
Constant stress hampers our adrenal health. When our adrenals are weak the body reduces metabolic function. Support your adrenal health by exercising and eating a healthy diet.
4. Vitamin D
A surprising benefit of vitamin D is how it aids weight loss. Unfortunately studies have found that more than 90% of patients with a thyroid problem have a vitamin D deficiency. An inflamed GI tract (which is common in people with hypothyroidism) reduces the absorption of vitamin D. Have your doctor test your blood and supplement your diet with D3 if your blood levels are low.
5. Supplement Interactions
Researchers have found that a variety of supplements, when taken in conjunction with thyroid medication, slows the absorption rate of the medication, rendering them less effective. Iron, calcium and chromium picolinate should be taken four hours apart from thyroid medication, while fibre supplements should be taken one hour apart from the medication. Vitamin C, on the other hand, has been shown to improve absorption.
Looking for more ways to boost your metabolism? Here’s 10 metabolic boosters ranked in order of effectiveness, plus here’s 4 things you want to avoid if you wan to keep your metabolism burning.
