The Thyroid Gland and it’s Important Function with Weight Loss

THYROID THE MASTER METABOLISM HORMONE

The thyroid gland is your metabolic gate keeper.   This small, butterfly-shaped gland, located in your neck, is responsible for keeping your metabolism running smoothly. If it’s under-producing thyroid hormones then you will have a hypothyroid condition.  Basically,  your metabolic engine is idling really low, and this can increase the chances of weight gain.  On the HCG Diet protocol, I like to see a thyroid lab run with in the past 6 months to assure the thyroid is functioning optimally.

“When the thyroid gland is releasing inadequate amounts of thyroid hormone to meet the body’s metabolic demands, the metabolic rate is therefore reduced,” writes David Brownstein, MD, one of the leading experts in the integrative treatment of thyroid disorders.  “Thyroid hormone acts as the body’s metabolic regulator,” writes Brownstein, “every single muscle, organ and cell in the body depends on adequate thyroid hormone levels for achieving and maintaining optimal functioning.”

What Can Slow the Thyroid Down?

There are SO many things that can have a negative impact on our thyroid and one of them is diet. Eating devitalized food will result in deficiencies of vitamins, minerals and other essential products and often leads to hormonal and immune system issues.” I find the consistent use of  sugar and refined carbohydrates to be challenging to the thyroid gland.

I love detoxification plans to help the thyroid. Toxins and heavy metals can be a common reason for thyroid dysfunction.  Exposure to heavy metals, including mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic and nickel can poison enzyme systems throughout the body and decrease the normal functioning of various organs and glands including the thyroid gland. Detoxifying the body and removing these harmful elements can vastly improve the overall picture of wellness for many.

The Viscious Cycle of Carbs, Leptin and Thyroid Function

When you have a sugar/carbohydrate burning metabolism, it can create a lowering of thyroid function.  As we’ve seen, a sugar-burning metabolism is a fast track to leptin resistance.  Then leptin resistance is a fast track to being hungry all the time.  With leptin resistance there’s a disconnect between the brain and the body.  Your fat cells and your belly may be full, but your brain never gets the message. In this case, your brain thinks you are hungry (even though you are full) and it makes an “executive decision” to conserve energy, which it does by slowing down the thyroid.  This  vicious cycle continues.

Categories: Body Composition, hCG Diet, HCG Diet Weight Loss, HCG Weight Loss, Weight Loss