How does the thyroid gland affect weight loss?

How does the thyroid gland affect weight loss?

Sometimes kilograms do not go away, no matter how hard you try. And not at all because of the wrong approach.

Sometimes getting rid of extra pounds does not work. It seems that you do everything right: you train according to an individual plan, eat according to the recommendations of a nutritionist. But the weight does not go away. In such cases, the cause may be problems with the thyroid gland. This is an important organ, about the role of which not everyone thinks about. Irina Erofeevskaya, nutritionist and pediatrician, Evotren speaker and expert of the International Festival of Health and Sports SN PRO EXPO FORUM, tells us more about how the thyroid gland affects weight loss.

What is the thyroid gland for?

The thyroid gland regulates the metabolism of the entire body: it can speed it up, and can slow it down. If there is a lack of thyroid hormones, the metabolism slows down. Then it needs fewer calories to maintain basic metabolism (energy expenditure to maintain basic body functions).

As the basic metabolism slows down, a person becomes lethargic and apathetic, and their appetite also decreases. In addition, the intestines work slower and the amount of digestive enzymes decreases, so some calories are simply not digested.

How does the thyroid gland affect weight loss?

Against the background of reduced thyroid function, it is very difficult to lose weight. This can be the cause of severe swelling, which increases body weight. But it is worth only to normalize the level of hormones, as the same efforts will give the desired effect – excess weight will begin to go away.

How to normalize the level of thyroid hormones?

For such cases, there is a special modified diet – autoimmune protocol (AIP). It excludes all processed foods. It is important to realize that AIP is not just a diet, but a special lifestyle that involves:

• motor activity, preferably outdoors;
• use of eco-cosmetics and cleaning products – minimal contact with “chemicals”;
• improving the quality and duration of sleep;
• stress management.

In thyroid diseases, it is necessary to build a diet in a special way. The basis of the diet is green vegetables, in second place – offal, fish and seafood, in third place – meat. Then the right fats, in small quantities of fruits and berries. And with few exceptions – sweets.

Also, the nutritionist recommends consuming enough water (a minimum of 25 ml per 1 kg of body weight), exclude snacks and adhere to interval feeding 16/8 (eight hours for food and 16 hours of hunger).

On the AIP you can:

• offal;
• meat and poultry;
• fatty fish and seafood;
• greens and seaweed;
• root vegetables: carrots, beets, pumpkin, zucchini, yams;
• onions;
• citrus fruits;
• berries with small seeds and seasonal fruits, preferably locally sourced.

Not allowed on AIP are:

• alcohol;
• grains;
• legumes;
• dairy products;
• eggs, especially egg whites;
• nightshades, except potatoes;
• sugar and sugar substitutes;
• vegetable oils;
• seed spices;
• coffee (occasionally allowed);
• any chemicals: dyes, flavorings, glutamates, etc.

The system of nutrition according to the autoimmune protocol is also recommended for other diseases: allergies, atomic eczema, mental disorders, inflammatory diseases of the joints and others. But you should not self-medicate. Have an examination and consult your doctor.