Are you struggling to shed those stubborn pounds despite your best efforts? It might not be your diet or exercise routine to blame. In this blog, we’ll delve into the intricate relationship between Thyroid and weight gain. Learn how your thyroid can influence your metabolism and discover weight loss tips to address this common issue.
Understanding Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease can be caused when the thyroid gland which is present in the front section of our neck and is wrapped around the windpipe, does not function properly. Due to this malfunctioning, the thyroid gland doesn’t secrete the essential hormones for our body in a balanced manner.
It can sometimes cause various symptoms and damage to the body if not taken to medical attention.
Relationship between Thyroid and Weight Gain
Thyroid and weight gain are connected, with the thyroid gland being crucial in regulating metabolism. When people suffer from hypothyroidism, one of the major problems they face is weight gain.
It is due to the underproduction of hormones that are essential for better metabolism, growth, healing of the body and determining how quickly our body is burning calories and processing its nutrients.
Weight gain in hypothyroidism is due to the accumulation of excess fat, as the body loses its efficiency in processing nutrients. Hypothyroidism can also promote excess fluid retention in our body, further contributing to a higher number on the scale.
Managing hypothyroidism symptoms involves thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which helps restore hormone levels and can alleviate weight gain as the metabolism normalizes.
But the weight gain can be managed if certain precautions and tips are taken into consideration.
Tips for Effective Weight Loss with Hypothyroidism
1) Small But Frequent Meals
The most common hypothyroidism symptom that patients with this disease face tends to be problems with the slower digestion of food.
This causes the food to remain in the body in form of fat and becomes the reason for weight gain.
So, instead of having one large meal people with the thyroid can try to have smaller but more frequent meals filled with a balanced number of macronutrients.
This will not only keep you filled but also will be easy on your stomach and digestive system.
Therefore, having small but frequent meals can be an advantage for them.
2) Keep Hydrated
Hydration is important to slim down faster and is one of the simplest ways in which we can regulate hormones.
Water can ease your metabolism work more efficiently. It may help to cut back your appetite, drop water retention and bloating, and improve elimination and digestion.
Drinking lots of water is additionally effective to accelerate weight loss and has multiple different advantages too. Hence it is recommended to drink 8 ounces of water per day.
3) Power of Quality Sleep
One of the most important things you can do for weight loss with hypothyroidism is to get enough sleep.
Many studies have linked lack of sleep with slow metabolism and weight gain.
Lack of sleep can also make you more vulnerable to have heart disease or diabetes.
Get enough sleep, because when you don’t get enough sleep, you also tend to eat junk food and high-fat foods.
If weight loss with hypothyroidism is a problem for you, try to sleep for seven hours or more every night.
4) Avoid Simple Carbs and Sugar
Sugar is clearly considered to be one of the main enemies of thyroid and weight gain and related health problems.
If you want to lose weight, high carbohydrates are also not a good choice.
Change to foods that do not increase insulin levels, that is foods with a low glycemic index.
It is best to choose a low-to-medium carbohydrate diet with a high complex carbohydrate content.
Some studies have shown that eating complex carbohydrates and avoiding simple carbohydrates can help reduce the production of cytokines, and tiny proteins can affect inflammation in the body.
In addition, try a paleo diet based on a low sugar or try a ketogenic diet.
5) Get Moving
Develop the habit of exercising through a healthy diet to burn calories and keep hormones running, alleviating hypothyroidism symptoms. Exercise regularly.
Exercise helps your body stay healthy and fit. An hour of exercise can help.
You should do more strength training, bodybuilding, and weightlifting.
Pilates has been proven to be more effective than regular aerobic exercise because it can regulate TSH levels and optimize weight loss with hypothyroidism.
6) Increase Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Anti-inflammatory foods can help relieve joint pain, soreness, and depression, which are the most common hypothyroidism symptoms.
Adding anti-inflammatory foods to the diet can accelerate weight loss in thyroid patients.
Foods that help the body cut back active inflammation or have an effect on autoimmune functions which will affect thyroid function conjointly help accelerate weight loss in thyroid patients.
Add tomatoes, fatty fish, green leafy vegetables, nuts, fruits, and olive oil to your shopping list to ascertain how they affect your health.
7) Increase Your Iodine Intake
Iodine is additionally an important mineral that may stimulate thyroid function within the body.
Therefore, if you suffer from hypothyroidism, it’s important to add iodine to your diet to increase the assembly of TSH in the body.
Eggs, fish, and dairy products will help a lot to improve the iodine intake in the diet.
8) Having Fiber Is Important
If you want to lose weight, getting enough fiber is one of the most important thyroid treatments or strategies. it can come be obtained from anywhere, either it is high-fiber foods, supplements, or both.
Eating fiber helps digestion, detoxification, and maintaining calorie control.
Fruits, green vegetables, and legumes can help increase fiber content in the body and for better results in weight loss.
9) Beat The Stress
Stress reduces the function of the thyroid gland, which leads to weight gain. Stress also usually leads to unhealthy eating habits and overeating.
The stress response is controlled by the adrenal glands, this gland produces hormones that help regulate metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, stress response, and other important functions.
The adrenal glands are already overused and do not affect patients with hypothyroidism.
Stress also increases cortisol levels the most important stress hormone, which increases hunger and affects insulin levels.
Focus on deep breathing exercises such as pranayama and meditation to calm your mind and body and reduce stress.
10) Correct Medication Is Key
Thyroid medicine should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach and with plenty of water.
Before drinking morning tea or breakfast, do not take any other medicines and wait at least 30 minutes.
Also, try not to skip your medication. Having medication on proper timing without any ignorance can help you fix your problem of thyroid and weight.
Pro Tip: Take Gluten Out Of Your Diet
The protein gluten, which is present in wheat, barley, and rye, can make hypothyroidism symptoms worse and make it harder to lose weight.
Furthermore, gluten intolerance can exacerbate several hypothyroidism symptoms, including fatigue and gastrointestinal problems. You may be able to get rid of these symptoms and enhance your general health by switching to a gluten-free diet.
It is crucial to seek medical advice and submit to appropriate testing to ascertain whether gluten removal is appropriate for your particular situation.
Making educated dietary decisions, such as those that are gluten-free, can be helpful in promoting thyroid health and controlling thyroid and weight gain.
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