 | A WEIGHT OFF MY MIND | April 2002
Helping Thyroid and Autoimmune Disease Patients Lose Weight and Feel Great
from Mary J. Shomon
Author of Living Well With Hypothyroidism, Living Well With Autoimmune Disease, and The Thyroid Diet Success Guide |
| IN THIS ISSUE:
Is Your Thyroid Causing Your Weight Problem?
The Ephedra Debate -- Yes or No on Metabolife, Herbalife, Xenadrine?
Are You a Carb-aholic? Can A New “Starch-Stopping” Supplement Help?
7 Tips to Help You Eat Less and Move More
Can You Lose Weight and Actually Get Fatter??
The “Thyroid Cure Diet Cookies” – What Does Dr. Siegel REALLY Think?
The Thyroid Diet Success Guide – Your First Step to Losing Weight
BACK ISSUES:
Online, back to December 2001
A Weight Off My Mind email edition is published monthly, and is copyright 2001-2002, by Mary Shomon.
Web: http://www.thyroid-info.com
Email: news@thyroid-info.com
Regular mail: Mary Shomon, P.O. Box 565, Kensington, MD 20895-0565
Fax: 425-977-1175
IMPORTANT NOTE: All information in this newsletter is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should always seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and always consult your physician or health practitioner before starting a new diet, fitness regimen, herbal therapy, supplement or other self-directed treatment.
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Welcome to the fifth issue of "A Weight Off My Mind," Mary Shomon's email newsletter for thyroid and autoimmune disease patients who are interested in losing weight and feeling better through diet and nutrition. You are receiving this issue because you signed up to receive this free email report. (Note: If you are no longer interested in receiving future
issues, or you wish to unsubscribe, email
weightoffmymind-unsubscribe@topica.email-publisher.com. If
you have something you'd like to see covered in future issues, drop me a line anytime at news@thyroid-info.com.
IF YOU’VE SENT ME A QUESTION: If you wrote me a personal message or question with your "subscribe" message, I'm afraid that my system automatically pulls out email addresses, so I didn't see your message. Feel free to send it again to me at news@thyroid-info.com, with a subject line that doesn’t say “subscribe.”
NOTE TO NEW SUBSCRIBERS: Welcome to the many thousands of new subscribers who found out about me via Woman's World and First for Women magazines. If you wrote to me to sign up for the Thyroid Disease Newsletter, you may, however, have accidentally ended up receiving this newsletter if you didn't specify "Subscribe Thyroid News" in your email to me. But do check out this Diet newsletter, as if you have a suspected or diagnosed thyroid problem, you may be struggling with weight issues, and you'll find a great deal of information of help to you, and will probably want to remain subscribed. If so, drop me another email to news@thyroid-info.com that says "Subscribe Thyroid" and I'll add you to that list as well.
But if you don't want this newsletter, and do want Thyroid News and didn't receive it yet, send me an email to news@thyroid-info.com that says "SWITCH DIET TO THYROID " in the subject line. Please be sure that you have that specific "SWITCH DIET TO THYROID" message, so I know to take you off the Diet news list, and add you to the Thyroid news list. THANKS!
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT VIRUSES
First, there’s no risk that you will get a virus from this newsletter itself, but I've been hearing that the Klez email virus -- which is swamping the internet right now -- may have signed up some people for newsletters such as this one without their knowledge or permission. You don't have to have the Klez virus for this to happen -- your email simply has to be in the address book of someone else who does. Naturally, I don't want to send you a newsletter that you don't want to get. If you have been accidentally signed up without your permission, here's how to get off this list quickly and easily. Simply send a blank email from the address you want to unsubscribe to:
weightoffmymind-unsubscribe@topica.email-publisher.com. |
LOOKING FOR THYROID-RELATED INFORMATION?
There are two key places where I provide in-depth thyroid information. First is my site, which features links, articles, and newsletters for thyroid patients:
http://www.thyroid-info.com.
Second, for thyroid/weight loss-specific information, check out the Thyroid Diet Information Center at my About.com site, located at:
http://thyroid.about.com/library/weightloss/blmain.htm.
You'll find many of your thyroid-related questions answered in my five years' worth of articles and thyroid information online at my About.com Thyroid site as well. To search for the various articles at the site that address your questions, start at the specialized search page, http://thyroid.about.com/library/news/blsearch.htm.
 | Information-wise, a helpful starting place is also my book, "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctors Don't Tell You...That You Need to Know."
The book, published in 2000 by HarperCollins, is a top 40 Amazon.com health bestseller, and now in its 12th printing. "Living Well With Hypothyroidism" provides in-the-trenches, practical, patient-oriented advice on everything you need to know about hypothyroidism.
Living Well With Hypothyroidism explains how to find the right doctor to diagnose and treat various forms of hypothyroidism, the drugs for hypothyroidism you and your doctor may not know about, fertility and successful pregnancy with hypothyroidism, alternative therapies for hypothyroidism and its symptoms and side effects, combating weight gain and successful weight loss, depression, babies and children with hypothyroidism, and much more. |
Doctors don't always take thyroid symptoms seriously, and even after diagnosis, getting the right treatment, and getting rid of troublesome symptoms, can be a challenge. That's where the book comes in. It's a manual of living well for anyone with an underactive or non-existent thyroid. Keep in mind, if you've had your thyroid removed due to cancer, nodules or hyperthyroidism, or you've had radioactive iodine treatment, you're almost always dealing with the condition of "hypothyroidism," even if you're being treated. So ultimately, people with every type of thyroid problem have found my book a help in their struggle to return to wellness.
You can find out more information, read a free chapter online, and get more information on the book and how to order it at
http://www.thyroid-info.com/book.htm, or order it now from Amazon.com. The book is available at online bookstores, or your local bookstore, and at many libraries as well.
IS THYROID DISEASE CAUSING YOUR WEIGHT PROBLEM?
Those of you who are already diagnosed thyroid patients can skip this article. This one is for the many new subscribers who have signed up in the last few weeks who read about my work and this newsletter in Woman's World. You are having trouble losing weight, and you may have some of the symptoms described in the article, but you're not sure if you are hypothyroid,
and you're looking for more information. So, let's get started.
First, some experts estimate that there are more than thirteen million Americans have a thyroid problem but don't know it yet. The thyroid -- a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck behind and below the Adam's apple area -- is the master gland of metabolism.
When your thyroid doesn't function, it can affect every aspect of your health -- and in particular, weight, depression and energy levels. Hypothyroidism -- an underactive thyroid -- is by far the most common thyroid condition, and is more common in women, affecting as many as one in five women at some point in their lives. Out of those undiagnosed people, the vast majority have hypothyroidism. Undiagnosed hypothyroidism can dramatically increase your risk of obesity, heart disease, and depression -- and can make it particularly hard to lose weight, or even cause you to gain weight on a health diet and exercise program.
You don't need to have all of these symptoms in order to have a thyroid problem, but here are some of the most common signs that you might have a thyroid condition.
10. Muscle and Joint Pains, Carpal Tunnel/Tendonitis Problems, Plantar's Fasciitis/Foot Pain
Aches and pains in muscles and joints, and a tendency to develop carpal tunnel in the arms/hands, tarsal tunnel in the legs, and plantar's fasciitis in the feet, can all be symptoms of undiagnosed thyroid problems.
9. Neck Discomfort/Enlargement.
A feeling of swelling in the neck, discomfort with turtlenecks, scarves or ties, hoarseness, or a visibly enlarged thyroid can all be symptoms of thyroid disease. One way to see if your thyroid is enlarged is to hold a mirror so that you can see the area of your neck just below the Adam's apple and right above the collarbone. Tip your head back, while keeping an eye on your neck and thyroid. Take a drink of water and swallow. As you swallow, watch your neck carefully for any bulging, enlargement, protrusions, or unusual appearances in the neck area. If you see anything unusual, see your doctor right away. (Keep in mind that you can have an enlargement or nodule without it being visible during this test. Only your doctor can perform a thorough thyroid evaluation.)
8. Hair / Skin Changes.
Hair and skin are particularly sensitive to hypothyroidism. With hypothyroidism, hair frequently becomes coarse and dry, tangled, breaking, brittle, and can fall out easily. Skin can become coarse, thick, dry, scaly. In hypothyroidism, there is often an unusual loss of hair in the outer edge of the eyebrows as well.
7. Bowel Problems.
Severe or long-term constipation is frequently associated with hypothyroidism.
6. Menstrual Irregularities and Fertility Problems.
Heavier, more frequent, more painful periods are frequently associated with hypothyroidism. Infertility and recurrent miscarriage can also be associated with undiagnosed thyroid conditions.
5. Family History.
A family history of thyroid problems puts you at higher risk of having a thyroid condition yourself. But you may not always be aware of thyroid problems in your family, as among older people, you'll often hear about "gland trouble" or "goiter." So pay close attention to discussions of glandular conditions or goiter or weight gain due to "glandular trouble" as this may be your family's way of talking about thyroid conditions.
4. Fatigue.
Feeling exhausted even when you've just gotten up, feeling as if 8 or 10 hours of sleep a night is not enough to sustain you, needing a nap in order to function a full day can all be signs of hypothyroidism.
3. Depression and Anxiety.
Depression or anxiety -- including sudden onset of panic disorder -- can be symptoms of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism is most typically associated with depression, but sometimes, people who are hypothyroid go through periods when the thyroid sputters into hyperthyroid mode, and you can have high pulse rate, anxiety, shortness of breath -- what feels like at panic attack. Depression that
does not respond to anti-depressants may also be a sign of an undiagnosed thyroid disorder.
2. Brain Fog/Memory
Difficulty concentrating and remembering things, and an inability to focus that some patients refer to as "brain fog," can be a symptom of hypothyroidism.
1. Weight Changes.
You may be gaining weight but eating and working out the same as always. Or, you may be on a low-fat, low-calorie diet with rigorous exercise program, but are failing to lose any weight, or even gaining. Or you may have joined a diet program, or support group like Weight Watchers, and you're following it to the letter, and are the only one who isn't losing any weight. Difficulty losing weight can be a sign of hypothyroidism.
Your Next Steps…
If you have many of the signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism, what is your next step? Well, the first step is to request thorough thyroid testing from your physician. That means, TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and thyroid antibodies levels. Many doctors may balk at doing the entire panel, but push for the full panel whenever possible. If your doctor is particularly reluctant to test (some HMOs try to contain costs, and some doctors just don't like an idea if it's not their own) -- consider ordering your own thyroid bloodwork. See
my page on MyMedLab for more information.
Once tested, you'll need a doctor who can interpret the blood tests, in conjunction with your symptoms and family history – or even make subtle diagnosis if you are one of the many people who have “so-called” normal blood test results, but subclinical thyroid disease. A good starting point for finding the kind of doctor who really understands thyroid disease is my Thyroid Top Docs list, featuring patient-recommended experts.
And for information on how to get diagnosed when tests are not conclusive, see my book, Living Well With Hypothyroidism, for detailed guidelines on the various additional tests to look for, and how to work with your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
THE EPHEDRA DEBATE: DIET PILL INDUSTRY FIRES THE LATEST VOLLEY
You're going to see quite a bit in the media in the next few weeks about the debate over the use of the herb ephedra as a diet aid. Ephedra is a natural herb that is used as a stimulant and as a decongestant. The synthetic version of this herb, pseudoephedrine, is also known as "Sudafed." Ephedra, sometimes called ma huang, is a common ingredient in some formulations of popular herbal diet
supplements, including Metabolife, Herbalife, and Xenadrine, to name a few. The aptly named "Ephedra Education Council" is launching a big PR blitz to publicize results of some studies they did that they claim found that ephedra dietary supplements were "safe" when used as directed. (Facetious question: would they conduct research or release results to show that the products they take aren't safe?) In any case, they are claiming that this study was conducted by researchers at Harvard and Columbia Universities, and concludes that "...herbal ephedrine/caffeine herbal supplements, when used as directed by healthy overweight men and women in combination with healthy diet and exercise habits, may be beneficial for weight reduction without significantly increased risk of
adverse events." Keep in mind how they have phrased this, of course -- you have to be a "healthy" overweight person, and the products "may be" beneficial, and without "significantly increased" risk of adverse events. And the researchers have described that the trial subjects -- who were culled out to remove anyone with any health conditions or health risks -- took an herbal combination of
Ma Huang (Ephedra) and Kola Nut (a source of caffeine) at a daily serving level of 90/192 mg (ephedrine alkaloids/caffeine, two tablets, three times a day) for a period of six months and were counseled on proper nutrition and exercise. Supposedly, the subjects typically lost around 11 to 12 pounds extra over the 6 month period.
This latest research is bound to reopen the advertising and promotional blitz pushing these ephedra/caffeine diet pills, but the operative question is, should you take these supplements to help lose weight? Not according to the Food and Drug Administration. Back in late 2000, they announced that ephedra poses too great a risk to warrant its use, publishing results of an FDA study in the November, 2000 New England Journal of Medicine. According to the research, the most common adverse effect of ephedra is hypertension (high blood pressure), followed by heart palpitations, rapid heartbeat (known as tachycardia), stroke, seizures, and even death. And, the research found that these effects can occur in people who are young and otherwise healthy, and even after short-term use of ephedra. According to experts, at least 54 known deaths and about 1,000 reports of various complications have been associated with the use of ephedra since the mid-1990s. The FDA has even considered removing these products entirely from the
market.
In that New England Journal article, the study's lead investigator, Dr. Neal L. Benowitz of the University of California, San Francisco said that he believes that anyone with heart disease, high blood pressure, a previous stroke, psychiatric problems, an overactive thyroid or kidney disease should steer clear of any products that contain ephedra and caffeine. The warnings against ephedra for hyperthyroid patients have been understood. And ephedra supplements and drugs containing the synthetic version pseudoephedrine (i.e., Sudafed), already carry warnings for thyroid patients. But in addition to people who are hyperthyroid, as reported in my book, "Living Well With Hypothyroidism," there are also potential concerns for people with hypothyroidism. There are reports of people with an underactive thyroid becoming extra-sensitive to stimulants, and in particular, to the norepinephrine that is released by exposure to ephedra. As quoted in the book: ". . . some people with hypothyroidism seem to develop sensitivities to caffeine, or to pseudoephedrine, and even natural ephedra, an herb used in many diet and energy supplements."
In my own case, for example, I used to be able to take a Sudafed without a problem. Now, I find I can only take half without developing some heart palpitations. And I really have to be careful not to take it with a caffeinated beverage, or I definitely have an hour of palpitations. I can take other cold products and antihistamines for example, without a problem, so I typically will choose cold medicines that don't include pseudoephedrine to avoid the problem I have with them. And as for ephedra...I took one ephedra diet pill one day, and went around the entire day feeling as if I had had 5 cups of strong coffee, with my heart racing 120 beats a minute, and realized they were definitely not for me, and could put me at significant risk.
So, what CAN you take? The reality is, most of the over-the-counter diet drugs are not suitable for thyroid patients, and while the ephedra industry is going to promote their latest findings, keep in mind that they are being very careful to say that only "healthy" patients should take their products. And remember that the FDA -- which does not have a vested interest in selling ephedra -- found that even young, healthy people were at risk from ephedra products, and suggested that no one take them.
So, at minimum, thyroid patients should avoid ephedra products. And if you listen to the FDA and many physicians, no one should be taking ephedra for weight loss. If you are interested in supplements to support weight loss, your best bet is to talk to a trained herbalist or naturopath about other options for weight loss support that might be helpful.
Your best bet of all is to follow a diet and exercise program specially designed for thyroid patients that will help you lose weight safely, and for good!
ARE CARBOHYDRATES YOUR DOWNFALL? CAN A NEW SUPPLEMENT HELP?
New progress in nutrition research may help with weight loss. While diet medications-even natural products containing stimulants such as ephedra-have troublesome side effects, researchers have found that an extract of white kidney beans may be able to safely reduce the body's absorption of complex carbohydrates, also known as starches. Starches -- found in potatoes, bread, pasta and rice -- contribute nearly one-half of the total calorie intake in the average American diet.
Pharmachem Laboratories has introduced Phase 2, also known as Phaseolamin 2250, or “Starch Stopper, which they describe as the "first, all-natural starch neutralizer made from white kidney beans and clinically proven to reduce starch absorption and promote weight loss," according to company biochemist, Dilip Choksi.
In recent studies, starch absorption averaged 66 percent less in subjects taking the ingredient, Phase 2, compared to those taking a placebo. In a second weight loss study of 60 people, those on Phase 2 lost an average of 6.45 lbs. in 30 days, compared to those on placebo, who lost less than one pound on average.
According to the manufacturer, this new ingredient has been shown to be safe and well tolerated. Combined with a healthy weight loss program that includes exercise and eating a sensible diet, it may help many people look better, feel better and reduce their risk of chronic disease.
 | Many thyroid patients report that they are particularly sensitive to – and gain weight easily from – starches, so this product seemed particularly interesting to me. I can’t, however, tell you whether or not this really works or vouch for it yet, because I’ve just started it myself. The product using Phaseolamin that I have just started trying is Carbohydrate Blocker, by Source Naturals. I get mine from Iherb.com’s online store, but you can find this and similar products (i.e., MeTrim Block, Carbotame, Carb Shredder, Carb Extractor, Carb Eliminator, Carb Phaser 1000, Carb Intercept, Carbo Reduce, CarboBlocker, Swanson Best-Weight Control, Calorie Quencher, Slimming Caps, Phaseolamin 2250, Carb Erase) at your favorite vitamin or health foods stores and online outlets. Look for Phaseolamin as the key ingredient. (Note: these are not the same as the diet supplements that contain “chitosan” and claim to block fat absorption.) |
If anyone else has tried products with Phaseolamin, please write in and report your results to me as well – news@thyroid-info.com. I’ll update you in a future issue as to whether this has helped speed up my weight loss efforts.
SEVEN TIPS TO EAT LESS AND MOVE MORE
"The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity" recently reported that six out of every ten adults in the United States are now overweight or obese. As weight increases, so does the risk for heart disease. Here is some practical weight loss advice from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
How to Eat Less
1. Use smaller plates. We eat most of what is on our plate, no matter what the size. Smaller plates mean smaller portions.
2. Share an entrée. Portions are often super sized and enough for two or more people to share. More for your money is not always better for your health.
3. Drink up. Eight glasses (8 oz. each) or more of water or other non-caloric beverages daily fills you up and keeps you refreshed.
4. Eat your fruits and vegetables. Vegetables and fruits can help you feel fuller, especially when eaten raw.
5. Slow down. It takes 15 minutes or more for the message that we're full to reach our brains.
How to Move More
6. Go thirty most days. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, most days of the week, to help burn up extra calories.
7. Think beyond the gym. Give yourself credit for the activities that you're already doing. Common activities such as climbing stairs, pushing a stroller, gardening and walking for 30 minutes all count as physical activity. Just make sure you do enough of them.
Get more practical tips at NHLBI's "Aim for a Healthy Weight" Web site , or call the NHLBI Health Information Center at (301) 592-8573.
Source: NAPSI
CAN YOU LOSE WEIGHT AND ACTUALLY GET FATTER?
The number of obese Americans continues to increase, according to a recent Harris Poll. The poll indicates that 80 percent of people older than 25 are overweight, a figure that has risen 22 percentage points since 1983. Obese Americans have a 50 to 100 percent increased risk of death from all causes, compared with normal-weight individuals, and are at greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Most individuals with excess body fat understand that their health and well-being are at risk. An incomplete or inaccurate assessment of progress, however, may confuse those aiming to reduce their risk for medical problems through exercise and a smart diet. For example, many fad diets rely on water and muscle loss to produce results. Overall weight might decrease but an individual's body
fat-what truly matters in a diet and exercise program-might remain the same or even increase.
"Weight loss can be deceiving if an individual is really losing water and muscle, when excess fat is the true risk factor," said Dr. Steven B. Heymsfield, deputy director of the Obesity Research Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York. "Monitoring changes in both body fat and weight gives a more accurate picture of health."
Ultimately, weight loss does not always equal fat loss. For example, two women, both weighing the same amount, go on different weight loss programs and each lose 10 pounds. While Woman A lost 10 pounds by cutting calories, her percentage of body fat actually increased. In contrast, Woman B's health regimen combined cutting calories and exercising. Her weight dropped 10 pounds in addition to a six percent decrease in body fat.
Monitoring body fat allows individuals to better evaluate the progress of a diet and exercise program, and provides a more complete assessment of health risks. Unlike weight, however, body fat is not always visible and can't be determined using an ordinary bathroom scale.
Home-use body fat monitor/scales enable individuals to see their bodies better by monitoring their body fat and weight, while tracking changes over time. There are various affordable monitors, at prices starting from around $50, that make body fat monitoring affordable for a majority of consumers. The newest models have innovative features that compare body fat percentage to the healthy range,
estimate the number of calories necessary to maintain current weight and graph an individual's progress over time. Health clubs and fitness consultants can also help you monitor body fat percentage as well.
Some body fat monitors and scales calculate body fat percentage using a person's height, weight, body type and impedance measurement. Impedance is determined by sending safe, low-level electrical signal through the body from the footpads on the monitor. Signals pass more quickly through fat-free mass, which is mostly water. The signal is impeded in fatty tissue. Within seconds, the user's weight and body fat reading appear on an LCD display.
Source: NAPSI
DR. SIEGEL'S COOKIES AND THE "THYROID CURE:" WHAT DOES DR. SIEGEL HAVE TO SAY?
I've had contact several times with physician and author, Dr. Sanford Siegel, who was featured in the Woman's World article along with me, in the article titled "The Thyroid Cure." Dr. Siegel is a caring physician who believes that one of his most important missions is to help educate his fellow physicians who are routinely missing the diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
As part of the article, the magazine published a recipe for what they called "Thyroid boosting cookies," suggesting that they were providing an "easy-bake" version of a recipe recommended by Dr. Siegel. When I saw the recipe, which includes Chex cereal, oats, wheat bran, bananas, sugar and eggs, I knew that there was no way this recipe was recommended by Dr. Siegel, as it is very high in fat, sugar and starch -- all the things that thyroid patients DON’T need to lose weight.
I checked personally with Dr. Siegel, who has told me in no uncertain terms that people should NOT follow this cookie diet. According to Dr. Siegel, his trademarked "'Siegal Cookie(tm)' has nothing to do with metabolism or thyroid. We have manufactured this product for over 30 years, to be used exclusively and simply for hunger suppression..." He does not sell the cookie commercially.
Dr. Siegel had this to say specifically about the "Woman's World" cookie recipe.
The Siegal CookieTM has been made by us for over 30 years and is used in my medical practice as well as by certain select physicians around the country. It is not available to the general public. (Please don't contact me to request them.) When the "Woman's World" reporter asked me for the formula, I, of course, said, 'No.' Apparently, the tabloid then chose to invent its own 'Siegal Cookie.' What shameful tabloid journalism! The real Siegal Cookie formula has at least 15 ingredients that are nowhere to be found in the Woman's World recipe. Instead, the recipe in the magazine has whole eggs, bananas, breakfast cereal, etc., none of which would we ever be allowed for our patients. From the e-mails I have received, it seems that people all over the country will be baking the Woman's World cookie with the hope that it will remedy a metabolic problem. Ridiculous! It would be laughable if it weren't so tragic. Don't waste your time baking from their cookie recipe.
Warning: The Woman's World cookie is not The Siegal CookieTM and contains none of the appetite suppressing ingredients of our cookie. If you are diabetic, you should be particularly careful. I see nothing about their recipe that would have any value for weight loss. Their high calorie cookie might perhaps turn out to taste good but I suspect that those of Mrs. Field's or Pepperidge Farms might taste even better.
Dr. Siegel is not able to personally respond to the many emails and questions being sent to him at present, but he did convey that he hopes that his participation in the Woman’s World article will help to increase patient and physician awareness of thyroid disease, and the role of weight gain in helping to identify that condition, as well as the role of thyroid treatment in helping with thyroid-associated weight problems.
MARY SHOMON’S “THYROID DIET SUCCESS GUIDE”
 | To help you get started on the right track in your own efforts to lose weight, I've compiled in-depth information so many people regularly ask for into a special "Thyroid Diet Success Guide." The "Thyroid Diet Success Guide" features information about why it's harder for thyroid patients to lose weight, insulin resistance, the role of the adrenal system, and lots of practical suggestions to help you finally enjoy weight loss success.
Just a few of the key features in the 35-page Guide include:
- Weight Loss Secrets for Thyroid Patients
- The Thyroid/Weight Loss Connection - Some Theories
- How To Lose Weight With Hypothyroidism
- Weight Loss Success: How I Lost 25 Pounds in 12 Weeks
|
- The Ultimate Thyroid Exercise Program
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Overview
- Choosing the Right Weight Loss Program
- The Habits of Successful Weight Loss
- How Much Weight Do You Really Need to Lose?
- Popular Weight Loss Myths
- Seeing Results with Weight Loss and Exercising
The "Thyroid Diet Success Guide" features a diet plan that you can follow, and specific information on exercises, and many other tips and resources. The Success Guide will help you get on the right track, with information that has actually helped other thyroid patients -- including me -- to effectively lose weight!
ORDER THE GUIDE NOW: To order, U.S. residents can send a check for $15 (which includes shipping and handling) made out to "Sticking Out Our Necks" to:
Mary Shomon's "Thyroid Diet Success Guide"
P.O. Box 565
Kensington, MD 20895-0565
Click here for an order form you can print out to pay by mail (using check or credit card),or for non-US orders.
ORDER TOLL FREE: Call our toll-free order line during weekday business hours at 888-810-9471 to order using your credit card. If you’d like a call-back, leave a message with your name and number, and Pat at the office will call you back to take your order.
SPECIAL OFFER: Everyone who orders Thyroid Diet Success Guide by May 17th will receive a free pocket-sized "Mini-Guide" that summarizes the key diet tips in a portable, easy-to-carry format.
NEW AT THE THYROID SITE
Check out some of these recent articles at the About.com Thyroid Site, for more in-depth news and information on thyroid disease.
When To Get A Second Opinion
Drs. Richard and Karilee Shames, authors of Thyroid Power, share their thoughts on when you should have a second opinion for your thyroid care, and how to know when the time is right.
Estrogen, Menopause and Thyroid
With researchers discovering that the benefits of estrogen are overrated and the dangers underreported, it may be time to focu on your thyroid, says thyroid experts Richard & Karilee Shames.
Is It Allergies or Sinusitis?
With allergies and sinus infections more common in thyroid patients, and allergy season upon us, it's key to figure out if you’re suffering from allergies, or a sinus infection.
Complications After Total Thyroidectomy
One particular complication is the most common in people who have had a total thyroidectomy. Find out more now.
Ric Blake: 'Today is full of possibilities'
"...Ric Blake will tell you one of two things. He is either fighting his battle with terminal illness for the long haul or he is ready to hang up his gloves..." Find out more about Ric's difficult yet inspirational experiences with thyroid cancer in the latest installment of his story.
Yoga and Thyroid Disease
A look at the role of yoga in healing various thyroid conditions, including the various yoga poses that can help and even heal the thyroid.
Soy's Thyroid Dangers
A look at the dangers of soy foods to the health of your thyroid, and what some of the nation's leading soy experts have to say about the connection.
Do You Have Irritable Male Syndrome?
Experts say sudden drops in testosterone can turn “confident, chest-beating Tarzans into withdrawn, grumpy wimps.” Do you or your man have “irritable male
syndrome?” Find out more now.
WEIGHT WATCHERS SUCCESS, FAVORITE PROTEIN BAR
In response to my piece on Weight Watchers, a reader, Becky, writes in to say:
I'd like to add that I am a Weight Watcher success story, too. I joined the program in April 2000, because I refused to buy plus sizes at the age of 24. That was two weeks before my ob/gyn diagnosed my hypothyroidism. Once was diagnosed, I was happy that I'd already started WW, as I knew people with hypothyroidism can often have problems losing weight. I was so successful on the program, that I reached my goal weight in September. Much to the surprise of myself and my WW leader, I kept on losing. My weight finally stabilized in December 2000, 16 pounds lower than my goal, but still in the healthy range. When I went back last year for my annual exam, my ob/gyn did a double-take on my weight number. I'm happy to report that I lost a total of 40-42 pounds and have kept it off for 15 months. This is the first time since junior high I've been able to wear a 6/8. I'd also like to add the Weight Watchers' Just 2 Points bars to the list of favorite diet/protein bars. The chocolate mint variety is to die for! Even my non-WW friends love 'em. Who needs a Girl Scout Thin Mint with these bars around?! :-)
Weight Watchers' Just 2 Points Bars
Calories: 150 (30 from fat)
Fat: 3.5 g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Fiber: 5g!!
Carbs: 25g
Protein: 5g
25% RDA for 16 vitamins and minerals
50% RDA for folate
THANKS!
Thanks again for subscribing to "A Weight Off My Mind." I'll look forward to hearing your feedback.
If you’re a new “Weight Off My Mind” subscriber, you may not know about my monthly thyroid newsletter, “Sticking Out Our Necks,” which features thyroid-related news and information, both conventional and alternative. Each monthly issue covers a variety of the latest thyroid disease news and information of interest to patients and practitioners. If you signed up for this diet newsletter, you are NOT automatically subscribed to the monthly thyroid newsletter, so if you would like me to add you to that list, be sure to send an email to news@thyroid-info.comwith the subject “Subscribe Thyroid Newsletter.”
For those of you who have Hashimoto’s disease, Graves’ disease, or any autoimmune condition, my new book is coming out this October! Living Well With Autoimmune Disease – being published by Harper Collins, and the second book in my ongoing "Living Well..." series, focuses on various autoimmune diseases and subclinical autoimmune syndromes, their symptoms, and the conventional – and alternative – treatments that can help reduce the risk of developing these conditions, help to keep them from worsening – and in some cases, even CURE them! It's also the only book to look at autoimmune diseases as one group of conditions with common or similar causes and triggers, and many common treatments to help. I spoke with dozens of the nation's most respected physicians and natural medicine experts with expertise in autoimmune disease to develop this book, which includes a variety of lifestyle issues, including
diet, herbs and supplements, that you can use to help deal with autoimmunity in general, and specific conditions. I'll be launching a new newsletter soon to cover the issue of autoimmune disease specifically, so if you're interested, send an email to news@thyroid-info.com with "Subscribe Autoimmune" in the
subject for news and updates, including advance information on the book. Or, you can pre-order the book now, at Amazon.com!
NOTE: If in your "subscribe" email, you wrote a note, question, etc. and were looking for a response from me, please resend to
news@thyroid-info.com. The emails with "subscribe" in the subject line are automatically sorted and processed, and I don't receive those messages. So resend them with a different subject line, and I’ll be happy to answer as soon as I can. THANKS!
-- Mary
All
information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a
substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical
conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health
issues and consult your physician or health practitioner before starting a
new treatment program. Please see our full disclaimer.
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