Whilst losing weight may be more difficult to a person who’s been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it is not impossible and a course of diet and exercise should be undertaken. A healthy diet is just as important for a patient with hypothyroidism as any other individual but it is more crucial to the hypothyroidism patient because of the fact that the condition is a big contributing factor of potential weight gain. Here are some tips to help hypothyroidism sufferers manage their weight and get themselves back on track.
The challenge of losing weight can be daunting to most people. However, to someone suffering from hypothyroidism, this can be even more daunting as they have to work harder just to maintain their current weight.
The condition affects approximately 1% of the world’s population and although it commonly affects elderly women, it can be diagnosed in both men and women of all ages. The condition can be tested by a simple blood test and depending on the severity of the condition; it may involve a course of replacement therapy treatment. Normally, the weight gain may be arrested by taking a course of treatment although the patient should expect to increase weight if the treatment is stopped at any time; this means that treatment is usually required for life once it has started.
Typical symptoms of hypothyroidism include rapid weight gain as a result of reduced metabolism, with average weight gains of 5 to 10 pounds being experienced although generally speaking, the higher the weight gain, the more severe the case. Other symptoms include hair weakness or loss, flaky skin, feet and hands feeling cold, reduced heart rates and general tiredness and lethargy as a result of the thyroid gland not producing sufficient energy-producing hormones.
Whilst losing weight may be more difficult to a person who has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it is not impossible if a course of diet and exercise is undertaken. It is important to undertake regular daily exercise, if possible for between 30 minutes and an hour although this should be built up gradually if the patient hasn’t taken regular exercise regimes previously. In the case of someone who hasn’t taken regular exercise regimes, it is helpful to start with 15 to 20 minutes per day, building up by adding 5 minutes every few days until they reach their recommended time duration.
As stress may also be linked to thyroid issues, it’s important that exercise is enjoyable too; otherwise it can also be counter-productive. In cases where the exercise may be more difficult, for instance with the elderly, an alternative may be to take up yoga – a good combination of stress reduction and gentle exercise. In more extreme cases, meditation is also good for reducing stress levels.
It is also important to control diet; feelings of tiredness and lethargy often lead to cravings for sugar, one of the products that should really be avoided, along with foods containing high levels of salt.
Food generally recognized as being good for hypothyroidism sufferers are non-processed and contains sources of iodine and selenium. Oily fish such as salmon and tuna are particularly good, as are shrimps, cod and snapper. It is also important to maintain a good balance of vitamins B6, C and E that are required for good health and vitality. These can be found in white meats such as chicken, turkey and pork, as well as fresh fruits such as oranges, strawberries and pineapples. Wherever possible, it’s also good to substitute fresh and organic for the pre-packed and processed, and also to include root vegetables with main meals such as parsnips and carrots.
This of course is a broad overview of how you could lose weight. These methods don’t work for all. That is why Thyromine has been created.
