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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I was speaking to another Dear Thyroid lady this week about candida (that is, my immune system that is slowly recovering from being over-run by the stuff), and the most effective treatments in combating it. I do take several probiotics every day to help with this (I will be posting a resource list for HTKYTA in weeks to come, so you can see just which products, probiotics too, I find most effective and helpful). But, I know, intellectually, that a probiotic is not the best source of beneficial bacteria that I could potentially be ingesting. Naturally fermented foods are actually the best source for this immune-boosting, gut-healing bacteria. This means I have to get over my mental barrier with fermented foods. I may be a very adventurous eater, but I have a real problem with some fermented foods. It’s just a mental block, and it’s keeping me immobilized by candida.

Recently, I started trying (yet again) to incorporate real, healthful fermented foods into my diet — the same foods and the same way traditional cultures have eaten for thousands of years (kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, pickles, etc.). But keep in mind that fermented foods vary and some are pasteurized, heated, or force-fermented and devoid of good bacteria. So today, I’ve compiled a list of probiotics we can acquire from untraditional sources — those other than a pill supplement; that is, from real foods with live cultures.

Zukay sells a line of salsas, salad dressings, and relishes, all full of probiotics and live cultures: carrot ginger, cucumber mint, red pepper cilantro, sweet basil onion, and others. All products are raw and contain no soy. This would be a simple way to introduce fermented foods into your diet — simply add to salads, atop proteins, or dip with chips.

The Body Ecology Diet website (based on the book by author Donna Gates) offers a line of probiotic drinks that are fermented and contain the good bacteria we need, while still being tasty and refreshing. It is interesting to note that many of these drinks are grain-fermented, some from sources of gluten. However, the website claims that due to fermenting, no detectable gluten has been found in the products. Flavors include passion fruit, coconut, dong quai, whole grain, and innergy.

Recently I came across Coconut Aminos (essentially, a condiment that is used as a substitute for soy sauce), at Whole Foods. Besides being raw and naturally fermented, other health benefits include the fact that this product is soy-free and gluten-free (great for thyroid peeps who haven’t found a replacement for soy sauce or other soy- and gluten-derived condiments). The product is also rich in minerals, and essential amino acids that the body requires for muscle rebuilding and nervous system function.

And lastly — Rejuvenate Foods.  I’m a fan of the company and have been eating more of their raw sauerkraut recently, as well as on and off in the past. It’s good; yummy in fact, and I can actually feel a difference within minutes of eating — I feel better, and lighter (physically and mentally). Though, they also offer entire lines of other items, including salsas, kimchi, fermented salads and veggies, and various nut and seed butters. I buy their products at my local health food store.

Which fermented products do you use? Do you have a mental barrier with fermented foods too? Would you consider trying any of these, or other products that are fermented and contain good bacteria?

Until Next Week,

Love Always,

Liz

Also, Quin and Ericka, please email me your shipping info — you were announced as last week’s Shakeology winners, but we haven’t heard from you! Email me your addresses to claim your goodies!

I always love to introduce you to companies that provide their customers with healthy, nourishing, weight-friendly things to eat and cook with. This week is no different, and I am so pleased to bring you a product from one of our thy-ladies, the lovely and generous Beth Young. This product, called Shakeology — a nutritional drink — is not only full of wholesome ingredients, but also, purportedly, can aide in everything from weight loss to energy boosts to defense against colds.

Now, me being the skeptic that I am, I made sure to really look into Shakeology and carefully scoured its ingredients list. I have to say, I am impressed, and that, after all, is pretty difficult to do (impress me, nutritionally). (You can find PDFs of the ingredients lists here). Included in the shake are things like maca, spirulina, flax seed, chia seed, MSM, spinach, sprouted quinoa, green tea extract, wheat grass, a superfruits blend, even probiotics (my fav!), and others, depending on the flavor. Shakeology is also gluten- and caffeine-free, though it does contain dairy and soy; so, be aware — for those watching their intake.

According to Shakeology:
Shakeology is a nutritional protein shake that provides a wide spectrum of healthy nutrients in a low-calorie formula. Whether you use it as a meal replacement for weight loss or simply to ensure your body gets all the nutrients it needs for optimal health, Shakeology takes the guesswork out of nutrition.

What’s in it?
Shakeology contains over 70 ultra high-quality ingredients conveniently located in one glass, to deliver nearly all the nutrients you need to maintain a healthy diet. It’s good for you—and good for everyone—because everyone’s diet is deficient in some of the key nutrient groups packed into just one Shakeology serving:

- Protein from whey, which is highly absorbable, gives you 8 essential amino acids that help you build muscle, lose weight, support brain function, and keep your skin and bones healthy.
- Vitamins and minerals support optimum health.
- Antioxidants boost the immune system and help reduce free radical damage that can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, blood pressure, and stroke.
- Phytonutrients support immune function and have anti-inflammatory properties. Many phytonutrients have antioxidant properties as well.
- Prebiotics support digestive and immune health.
- Digestive enzymes help in the digestion of foods and increase the absorption rate of those foods for optimum health.

Let me say, I have never used this item myself, so I can’t endorse it. I wouldn’t be able to use it because of the dairy and grain, but in my mind, it’s reading like a wonderful nutrient-dense alternative for those who are busy or too overwhelmed to cook something nutritious. Here’s what Beth, our thyroid lady, Shakeology user and supplier, has to say about it:

I started drinking Shakeology in September 2009 after hearing about the good results it had for other people since it’s release in March 2009. After trying out a few different recipes for the Chocolate flavor, I found a few I liked and began making a shake every morning as my breakfast. A week or two went by and I began to notice that my energy level would pick up within the first 10-15 minutes of drinking it. I didn’t feel jittery like I did when I drink coffee, but I felt energetic, more awake. Funny thing was, I didn’t attribute that to the Shakeology at first because it had become such a part of my routine & my concoctions I made with it tasted so good I had forgotten how good it was for me. A month goes by and I notice my digestive tract is more regular than usual (which hadn’t been the case for awhile due to the side effects of varying thyroid levels) & my energy level continued to stay up for a longer period of time without that big crash you can get from drinking coffee or caffeinated soft drinks. For me, that was reason enough to keep drinking it. Before I would have days that I could barely keep my eyes open while driving into work and/or driving home from work. I have those days less and less often now.

Being hypothyroid, I really didn’t think this drink would help me lose weight, which has been another positive for others that drink it. At most, I have lost a pound or two while drinking Shakeology but I have noticed that I am able to maintain my weight very easily just by drinking it daily. I noticed this after drinking it continually for about two month and, for me, that is a huge positive! I am very close to my “ideal” weight so having something to help me maintain it is very exciting to me. I also use it as an additional way to keep my immune system strong. Although, I have had to fight off a few colds/bugs the past month or so – when I drink Shakeology everyday (along w/ taking my other vitamin supplements recommended by my doctor) I feel like it’s an extra boost to the immune system, which during these winter months is very important. With these positive results after four months of drinking Shakeology, I am happy to share it with others that have thyroid conditions and hopeful that you see many (if not more!) of these same results.

So this week, we’re giving away a gift set from Beth and Shakeology to two lucky readers! To enter, leave a comment explaining why you think you would like Shakeology. If you link this post on Twitter or Facebook, Digg or StumbleUpon, let us know in the comment box and you’ll receive another entry. If you email this post to five friends, and tell us here in the comment box, you’ll get yet another entry. Good luck and spread the word to your friends and family struggling with their weight, or those who may be too busy to cook nutritious food at every meal! The giveaway will close this Saturday at midnight, and the two winners will be chosen by Random.org and announced next week!

(Please note: because Beth is being so gracious and supplying the items for the giveaway herself, entries are open to those who live in the continental U.S. only.)

Until Next Week,

Love Always,

Liz

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

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