If you lose weight, feel great, and continue to lose weight, you might be experiencing hypothyroidism. What is hypothyroidism and how does it affect your weight loss journey? Find out here.
What Is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is the under-active thyroid condition. Your thyroid produces thyroid hormones that help keep your body in a state of homeostasis – normal function. If your thyroid stops producing these hormones, this can cause you to gain weight and lose muscle mass even if you are eating healthy foods.
Your thyroid also works in conjunction with your pituitary gland to regulate your reproductive system, energy levels, and heart rate. An underactive thyroid can cause problems in these areas as well, making you susceptible to developing hypothyroidism if you are not already.
Hypothyroidism is typically treated with oral or injected thyroid hormone. However, there are options for those who want to try a natural remedy. Depending on your situation, you might try one of these effective and safe remedies to raise your thyroid levels:
L-Tryptophan
L-Tryptophan is an amino acid that the body uses to make serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps your brain put your body into a better state by keeping you calm and relaxed. When you have too little serotonin, you can experience extreme anxiety and depression. Fortunately, L-Tryptophan encourages your body to make more serotonin, which in turn boosts your thyroid function and helps you lose weight. This substance also helps those who suffer from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). For those who are interested, read our full beginners guide to L-Tryptophan here.
Chamomile Flower Extract
Chamomile flower extract is considered safe and effective for treating hypothyroidism. Chamomile flower extract encourages your body’s production of thyroid hormones. In an in vitro (test tube) study performed by Brite Pharmaceuticals, Inc., isolated chamomile flower extract exhibited a concentration-dependent effect on thyroid hormone synthesis, with a maximum stimulatory effect at a concentration of 12.5 mg/L.
Chamomile flower extract is considered safe even for those with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a condition that makes the thyroid less able to produce thyroid hormones. In a study of patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Chamomile flower extract was not only safe and well-tolerated, but also helped increase T3 (triiodothyronine), a major active thyroid hormone.
In clinical trials, people taking chamomile flower extract experienced greater weight loss than those taking a placebo. This suggests that chamomile flower extract can stimulate thyroid function and fat burning in those who are obese, even those who are already taking thyroid medication. In general, those who used chamomile flower extract as part of a weight loss program lost around two pounds more than those who took a placebo. To learn more, please read our full review of Chamomile Flower Extract here.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a bright orange fruit that contains high levels of vitamin C, citric acid, and antioxidants. Since these are all chemicals that damage cells, grapefruit is probably best kept away from those with Thyroid cancer, as it can stimulate the growth of these cells. However, for those who are healthy and want to try a natural remedy, grapefruit can help with weight loss by boosting your thyroid function.
In a 2007 study, participants were divided into two groups. One group consumed 4 ounces of grapefruit daily, while the other group consumed a placebo. After eight weeks, those who ate grapefruit experienced a significant increase in T3 levels, as well as a significant decrease in T4 (thyroxine) levels. T3 is the major active thyroid hormone, while T4 is the inactive form. This suggests that grapefruit can help increase the amount of active thyroid hormones in your blood, which in turn boosts your body’s fat-burning capacity. In addition, grapefruit can help those who suffer from depression and anxiety. Thus, it’s an effective natural remedy for those who want to try something novel for improving their mental health. If you’d like to try grapefruit, read our guide here.
Green Tea
Green tea is a popular and healthy drink that has been shown in studies to help reduce body weight. In a study published in Nutrition & Metabolism, researchers investigated the effect of green tea on body composition in women with metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and a high cholesterol level. They found that those who took green tea experienced an average weight loss of 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs), compared to those who took a placebo.
What makes green tea so effective for weight loss is its catechin content. Catechins are chemicals that act as signaling molecules within your body, encouraging your cells to communicate with each other and maintain a healthy state. One of these catechins, called EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), has been shown to enhance the bioavailability of T3, increasing the amount of active thyroid hormone in your system. In addition, green tea has potent antioxidant properties and can help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals – molecules that can lead to cell decay and therefore weight gain. Green tea is considered safe even for those who have thyroid problems and can be a source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients that help fight the effects of aging. To learn more, please read our full review here.
How Does Hypothyroidism Affect My Weight Loss Journey?
Hypothyroidism throws a wrench in your weight loss plans, making it harder for your body to shed those extra pounds. While it can be challenging to lose weight when your body is not functioning at its optimum capacity, you can still achieve your goals. The key is to figure out what is causing your thyroid to malfunction so you can correct it.
Since your thyroid is important for regulating a number of functions in your body, it is essential that you get it checked by a medical professional if you experience any signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism. Once your thyroid is properly identified and treated, you can look forward to healthier living and a more effective weight loss journey.