Dear Thyroid^TM

For those who haven’t been following this column and my health journey from the beginning, I’d like to ask you to head on over to The Nourished Life blog and read a piece I wrote for the site this week.  But before you do that, let me give you a little background.

I based this column, How To Kick Your Thyroid’s Ass, on a Dear Thyroid letter I wrote, in which I mentioned I was working on kicking my thyroid’s ass, meaning, it wouldn’t get the best of me and I would find some way to get it working better.  That one line prompted this entire column, whose focus is on natural lifestyle choices, and food and the many ways it can help or hurt the body.

In short, food is science too, and I think that often gets overlooked.  Dietary choices aren’t only a means to lose weight or a caloric equation, they are scientific reactions within the body that can prevent, or contribute to disease.  And it’s funny to me that dietary solutions to symptoms and illness get marked as “alternative” because, since when is science an “alternative” approach?  In my opinion, dietary solutions aren’t in the financial interest of a doctor or pharmaceutical company, which is why they have been branded as “fringe”, “alternative”, “unsafe”, and “ineffective”.  The reality is, however, some doctors and researchers dedicate their entire lives to the discipline of food science.  Take the Rudd Center at Yale for example.  These people spend their waking lives studying food, it’s scientific components, and the effect of those on the body.  So how does this get lost in the doctor’s office?

You can hate me (in the comments section, wink wink), but I believe that our current medication-only approach in much of Western medicine (for the chronically-ill) is inevitably flawed because it does not address root problems of sickness.  Addressing root problems are considered alternative and controversial, and actually support financial interests that have nothing to do with the patient.  Patients who are on medication for years and never truly feel good or normal (even with balanced numbers) know this all too well.  My post for The Nourished Life blog goes in to this.

If we start looking at food as scientific reactions within the body, we can start relying on it more for better wellness and be less scared of its “alertnative-ness”.  Goitrogens, food allergies, inflammation, hormones, genetically-modified foods, vili damage, iodine deficiency or overload, enzymes, antinutrients, bacteria, lectins, amino acids, fatty acids, chemicals in industrial food, food contamination (mercury in fish, ammonia in beef, aflatoxins on nuts and seeds), irradiation, and the list goes on — all science.

My story of food and health and my Hashimoto’s in un-medicated remission started with food science.  Over the months, I’ve recommended a ton of great books, the ones I used in my journey, in hopes you’ll also benefit from it.  Another book I’d like to suggest today is “Win The War Within” by Floyd Chilton, Ph.D.  This book explores the epidemic of inflammation in our country, and how so many diseases are actually related, though they may not seem like it, via inflammation: diabetes, asthma, lupus, eczema, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, cancer, obesity, arthritis, dementia, atherosclerosis, psoriasis, and so many others.  Because autoimmune diseases, by nature, are inflammatory diseases, I’d suggest this book to anyone with autoimmune thyroid disease, or any inflammatory condition.  Along with extensive science and research, Chilton also provides a food plan that has been proven to reduce inflammation and inflammatory disease.  Let’s use this science to our advantage.

Until Next Week

Love Always,

Liz

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This week, I’d like to give you all a little glimpse into my weekly routine.  A most logical place to start is with the information I find, read, and learn from (whether I agree with it or not).  I have found that the best way to be more well is to read and learn and expand my little understanding of the vastness of health (and also disease). For me, the best way to gain this information is via e-newsletters.  It’s a simple and effective way to circulate information and gather news and resources from the people I find most interesting on the internet.  So here’s a list of the health e-newsletters to which I subscribe, in hopes maybe you’ll also enjoy them and subscribe too!  And please, in the comment box, share any newsletters you think I’ve missed and that we need to know about!

I didn’t realize, before compiling this list that I’m such an About.com fan.  Of course nearly everyone in the thyroid community knows and loves Mary Shomon.  It goes without saying, she’s first on this list: Thyroid.about.com.  I also subscribe to Celiacdisease.about.com, Glutenfreecooking.about.com, Nutrition.about.com, Altmedicine.about.com, and Vegetarian.about.com (which actually happens to slant toward veganism).

Other gluten-free resources I subscribe to include ElanasPantry.com first and foremost. I absolutely love her take on food: low glycemic index, grain-free, whole food, and largely dairy-free.  She also avoids soy (good news for thyroid patients). ImGlutenFreebBaby.com is another GF newsletter.  Though it isn’t updated quite as often, it does have some yummy-looking recipes.  Also, the author is in Britain, so I feel like I’m getting a bit of a different perspective on GF eats and trends.

For “real food” or whole food info, my first e-newsletter suggestion is Mercola.com. I practically worship the man. Also, members of the Real Food Media: Cheeseslave.com, FoodRenegade.com, and KellyTheKicthenKop.com.  For good deals on food products (things like coconut oil, coconut flakes, wild-caught fish, grass-fed organic meats, other “traditional” foods, as well as natural beauty and cleaning products), I look to the TropicalTraditions.com e-newsletter, which always offers coupons and promos.  Buying their products in bulk and with their promotional codes is a really cost-effective way to purchase whole foods.

There are two sites that I subscribe to for news in medicine, natural health and/or the “politics” of those two things.  The first is NaturalNews.com, which is run by a natural health advocate who shares research as well as his opinion from time to time.  He demands alot of accountability for the U.S. F.D.A., and many of his writings deal with issues of drug and food safety.  Organic Consumers Association is another wonderful resource for medical, health, and food news from across the world: OrganicConsumers.org. They champion organics and safe and ethical practices in the food industry.

To round off this list of newsletters, a few miscellaneous others I receive weekly: RawReform.blogspot.com, which is written by a woman who lost approximately 200 pounds on a raw food diet and healed her thyroid (I believe she was hypo); also, the New York Times health blog, which highlights treatments, studies, and coping strategies for those with chronic illness; and finally, AOL’s care2 site.  I never actually signed up for this one — it just started showing up in my inbox, but it’s all about green living and natural lifestyle choices, so I enjoy it.

And before you leave… the winner of last week’s probiotic supplement contest from Swanson vitamins is… Shan!!  Congratulations, Shan!  Be sure to email me at Liz@DearThyroid.com with your shipping info, please and we’ll get those probiotics on their way to you!

Until Next Week,

Love Always,

Liz

Have a question, comment, story, love letter, or rant/rave to send me?: Liz@DearThyroid.com

It was in Kansas City over the winter holiday that I found Dr. Mercola’s The No-Grain Diet in a little used bookstore.  It was an unexpected find and the best present to buy myself because I’m a big fan of his (big is an understatement).  His ideas make so much sense to me, and he provides the scientific research to back up his claims.  He’s also very meticulous and delves into things in a very deep way, not leaving anything out of his line of vision.  In my opinion, he’s very unique in this way. I also like him because he slants negative — telling us the things to avoid, what’s dangerous — those things to be wary of.  I enjoy that because I think most of us already innately know what’s healthy; what’s more important is learning what isn’t healthy in this toxic environment of ours.  Not to mention, he’s very aware of thyroid, endocrine, and autoimmune health.

Because I follow Dr. Mercola’s writing via his website, I assumed The No-Grain Diet would be an extension of the same voice and extensive research.  However, I was definitely surprised by this book because it is nothing like the Dr. Mercola I have come to know and like via the internet.

The No-Grain Diet is very light on research.  It’s more of a very basic primer in grain consumption.  The main reason Dr. Mercola advocates eliminating grains in this book is because it causes a destructive cycle of blood sugar and insulin spikes.  This, then, leads to weight gain and health problems.  That’s it — no more research.  No mention of antinutrients, candida overgrowth caused by grains, mycotoxins on grains, genetic modification of some grains, that many grains are bleached with chemicals and endocrine disruptors, or the opiodic nature of grains.  There is a one-paragraph mention of gluten intolerance.

Most of this book felt like one big prologue.  He keeps leading into teasers for what the grain-free diet will be like.  It gets tiring — you can only read so many times that in the next chapter there will be more information on such and such.

Mercola delves deeply into the emotional issues surrounding grain over-consumption. He provides his own technique for overcoming an emotional food addiction, via the Emotional Freedom Technique, which is a sort of acupressure.  It’s a simple tapping of one’s fingers on certain pressure points on their body to release tension.  Because of all of that, this book is ideal for someone really battling carbohydrate addiction.  For anyone who feels they’re struggling with this, The No-Grain Diet would be an invaluable resource because it provides tools to not simply restrict carb consumption (as on traditional low-carb or low-calorie diets), but to overcome and conquer it.

There is a great section on which kinds of foods we should be eating: good fats, clean protein sources, probiotics, certain dairy products, fresh vegetables, green juices, low-sugar and low-starch goods, and organics whenever possible.  These very specific recommendations of Dr. Mercola’s prove that he’s very in-tune with the state of our food supply and the many ways it can be toxic to our bodies.  He also explains why clean water for drinking and bathing is important (chlorine and fluoride), as well as why getting enough sunlight and sleep and exercise is biologically important.  There are also a ton of yummy-looking recipes to get you launched on your grain-free eating plan, as well as gradations to the diet so you can choose a level that’s comfortable for you.

If you’re looking for delicious grain-free recipes (and so many of them at that), as well as the tools to conquer carb and grain addiction, this is the book for you.  If you’re hoping for extensive food science, keep looking; that’s just not what this book is about.  For me, this was disappointing.  The book is a quick read, however, which is great for anyone really serious about grain-free eating — you can read it quickly and then get started on the eating plan right away.  More than anything, The No-Grain Diet is a very practical approach to healthy eating and is ideal as a how-to manual.

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If you have a health story or healthy New Year’s resolution you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment!  We all need all the support and encouragement we can get and this is the best time to make your personal health commitments public — so we can learn from each other.  Also, we’re having a discussion about oats and oatmeal over on our forum.  Be sure to learn more about this grain and share your knowledge with us!

And before you go — this week we’re pleased to announce a giveaway of probiotic supplements from Swanson Vitamins! Wooo hoooo!  We all love our probiotics, right?  I take one or two daily and put my bodily flora as top priority (sounds funny, but I’m not kidding). To enter to win this most fabulous, one-of-the-best probiotics out there, simply leave a comment telling us one happy, lovely, warm and fuzzy moment from your winter holiday.  To gain another entry, link this post on your Twitter, Facebook, Digg, or StumbleUpon, or email this post to five friends.  Leave a comment telling us what you did and how many entries you have.  We will announce the winner next week in this column, as chosen by Random.org.

Until Next Week,

Love Always,

Liz

Have a question, comment, story, love letter, or rant/rave to send me?: Liz@DearThyroid.com

Today, I’d like to acquaint you with a woman who has used nutritional methods to heal her thyroid disease.  I think it’s important to read stories like this; we don’t tend to hear too many positive outcomes for thyroid disease.  I don’t think her healing is through some freak coincidence, though I also don’t mean to imply everyone can heal their thyroid disease as she has.  I try not to make generalizations like that, or discredit the hard work we’re all already doing to keep our health in check.  I think her story is hopeful, and she really had the worst of it — many different incantations of thyroid disease.  Her message, in my opinion, is very inspirational (or, thynspirational).

You may recognize the name Andrea Beaman, or at least her face — she was a contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef.  Diagnosed at the age of 28 with hyperthyroidism and a goiter, which later evolved into hypothyroidism, and Hashimoto’s Disease, Andrea used nutritional methods to heal her disease(s).

Her background in Macrobiotics, she advocates eating a whole and unprocessed diet, which includes grass-fed meats and dairy, candida-fighting foods, various grains (both gluten-free and some gluten-filled), and nuts and seeds, fruits and tons of veg.  She hosts two shows on the Veria network — a television cable channel dedicated to natural living, where she gives viewers nutritional ideas and recipes to aide in calming their physical ailments, and is the author of The Whole Truth: How I Naturally Reclaimed My Health, And You Can Too! – a memoir in eating and healing.  She currently hosts classes in the NYC area for nutritional ideas for thyroid health.

Here are some links and resources to read up on.  Gather from them what you will, and as always, with your discerning eye:

• Interview with Top Chef’s Andrea Beaman on The Healthy Apple
• Andrea on the candida epidemic
• Don’t Believe The Hype About Thyroid Disease
• One on One with Top Chef Alum Andrea Beaman
• Basil Magazine: Flavor of the Month: Chef Andrea Beaman

To conclude this week, I’d like to ask a favor of you all.  Whether you’ve been following this column and Dear Thyroid since near its inception, or whether this is your first or second week reading, I want to hear from you.  Each week, I end this column with a “Until Next Week, Love Always, Liz; Have a question, comment, story, love letter, or rant/rave to send me?: Liz@DearThyroid.com”. And over the past few months, I have received some of the nicest and most uplifting personal health stories from you.  Off the top of my head, I can recall an email from a Dear Thyroid lady who shared with me that her fatigue, moodiness, cravings, and insulin levels came into check once she omitted grains from her diet.  Another woman recently emailed to tell me that after ten years of probiotic therapy, there are no remnants of her (non-thyroid-related) autoimmune disease. I love hearing these things because no matter how “big” or “small” the success may seem in relation to the vastness of disease, these steps forward are all important and all worthy in my book because they make us feel even just a little bit better. And when we feel a little bit better, the quality of our lives becomes a little bit better.

I’m not looking for miracle cure-all stories.  I just want to hear about any nutritional or lifestyle choices that you’ve made that you can tell are helping you feel better — be it something you read on this column that prompted you, or something you discovered on your own.  Whether it be something so big as your blood sugar stabilizing, a significant weight loss, or less and less depressive episodes; or something else like the ability to think clearly, without brain fog, enjoy a conversation, or sleeping through one single solitary night to get a full eight hours.  Maybe your skin cleared up, maybe your joints aren’t achy anymore, maybe you can take a shit where you couldn’t before, or maybe you stopped shitting as frequently so you can go out to dinner without worrying where the hell the closest bathroom’s located (or, if you’re anything like me — worrying about participating in “normal” activities like going to the movies, or getting a coffee with someone because you know you’ll need to pee every twenty minutes and will end up feeling dehydrated). I won’t use your name, if you prefer anonymity.

Also, How To Kick Your Thyroid’s Ass will be taking a little hiatus until the first week of January.  We’re all busy this time of year — traveling, eating, spending time with friends and family, and I’m no exception.  So please savor this week’s article and links, and enjoy your holiday season!  Let’s all come back refreshed and committed to happy, healthy lives the beginning of next year (2010).

Until Next Week,

Love Always,

Liz

Have a question, comment, story, love letter, or rant/rave to send me?: Liz@DearThyroid.com