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Meanwhile, a huge, 6-foot high stack of backlogged new books from other authors has been piling up. I want to read and review each and every one, and I'm slowly but surely going to get through them all and let you know about them. So do look for more book reviews in upcoming issues of this Sticking Out Our Necks email edition -- as well as the print/mail edition as well. (If you're not a subscriber, think about signing up now, so that you can get 12 pages every other month, delivered by regular mail, with longer, in-depth articles that you don't get online!
Meanwhile, I have a two terrific books to share with you in this issue -- Beat Sugar Addiction Now, and Zapped -- from Jacob Teitelbaum and Ann Louise Gittleman, two colleagues and practitioners whose work I greatly admire and respect. So I wanted to do an issue of "Sticking Out Our Necks" dedicated to letting you know about their new books and why I think they are so important for our health.
But first, let's cover a few quick thyroid newsbriefs...
HELP FOR ALL THE SUGAR ADDICTS -- AND YES, THAT MEANS YOU, CARAMEL MACCHIATO LOVERS!!
Jacob Teitelbaum, MD is one of the smartest (not to mention kind and decent) holistic and integrative physicians on the planet. He is also the kind of doctor who believes in putting tools into patients' hands, to allow us to identify issues, and make changes. And he discovered that many of his patients -- he works with many people who have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromaylgia, hypothyroidism, and hormonal imbalances -- struggle with sugar addiction. At the same time, reducing sugar intake is an important part of the nutritional approach to any of these conditions. So Dr. T focused his attention on helping patients beat sugar addiction, and the result is his terrific book: Beat Sugar Addiction Now!: The Cutting-Edge Program That Cures Your Type of Sugar Addiction and Puts You on the Road to Feeling Great - and Losing Weight.
Beat Sugar Addiction Now is an easy-to-read book, written in an understandable, accessible way -- no medicalese! -- that helps you understand what kind of sugar addict you are, and then outlines strategies to resolve the issue.
According to Dr. Teitelbaum, to beat sugar addiction, first you'll need to figure out which type of sugar addict you are. Simple quizzes help you figure that out, and then the book provides clear and simple directions on what you can do. This includes natural therapies, simple lifestyle changes, and even mind-body-spirit suggestions.
Here are the four key types of sugar addiction:
Are you chronically exhausted, hooked on caffeine and sugar, and living on Starbucks and Red Bull? According to Dr. T, when daily fatigue is causing sugar and caffeine cravings, it's time to take a look at nutrition, sleep and exercise. Beat Sugar Addiction Now outlines a protocol to turbocharge energy.
Type 2: Feed Me Now or I'll Kill You
This type of sugar addiction is common in thyroid patients, because here, Dr. T is identifying people with adrenal fatigue. According to Dr. T, if you get irritable when you're hungry, and crash under stress, and turn to sugar, these may be signs of adrenal exhaustion. Identifying and treating adrenal fatigue can be the key to eliminating sugar addiction.
Type 3: The Happy Twinkie Hunter
Dr. T says that this category of sugar craver typically has chronic nasal congestion, sinusitis, spastic colon, or irritable bowel syndrome. Here, the sugar craving may be a sign of candida/yeast overgrowth, and treating the condition can calm the cravings.
Finally, there are those of us who crave sugar around our menstrual period, menopause or, for the guys, andropause. Standard blood testing for hormonal deficiencies will not reveal the problems until they are very severe, says Dr. T, sometimes leaving people deficient for decades. So "Beat Sugar Addiction Now" provides guidelines on proper testing and hormone treatments.
Any of these sound familiar? Which one are you? The quizzes can help you pinpoint specifically, but it may be pretty obvious just from the descriptions. When I'm overdoing the sugar, I'm definitely a Type 1 Sugar Addict. In fact, when I start craving those afternoon runs to the local coffee place is when I know I've been overdoing sugar elsewhere in my diet!
Some of the other things I found especially eye-opening in Beat Sugar Addiction Now...
Interested? You can order Beat Sugar Addiction Now right now from Amazon.com.
Need more information? Check out the book's site and Facebook page.
And you'll love the cute Beat Sugar Addiction Now book trailer on Youtube! They've made an animated Dr. T!
WHY IS VITAMIN D SO IMPORTANT TO THYROID PATIENTS?
Vitamin D is in the news lately, and we know we probably need more of it than we get from sun exposure. But did you know that testing for Vitamin D deficiency is especially important for people with thyroid and autoimmune disease, and people who are trying to lose weight? Physician, author and thyroid coach Richard Shames, MD did a brief Q&A with me to explain.
Why is Vitamin D Important to Thyroid Patients?
MORE BAD BEHAVIOR FROM FOREST LABS -- MAKER OF LEVOTHROID, ARMOUR THYROID
The bad news keeps rolling in about drugmaker Forest Laboratories, the company that makes, among other medicines, the thyroid drugs Levothroid, Armour Thyroid and Thyrolar. They've already been charged with defrauding the government, and their antidepressant drug Celexa has been a source of multiple scandals. Kickbacks? Check. Bribery? Check. Backdoor deals? Check. Now comes news from the FDA that they've been messing around even more with thyroid drugs. Uh-oh.
Forest Labs, Thyroid Drug Maker, Scandal
OPRAH WINFREY KICKS OFF LAST SEASON: IS THIS THE YEAR SHE CHAMPIONS THE THYROID CAUSE?
I know, I know...give it up, Mary. Oprah's not listening. But you know, I never totally abandon hope that the Diva of Daytime might use this, her last season on network television, as a platform to help raise awareness of thyroid disease and get patients accurate, empowering information to help them live well with thyroid disease. And who knows, maybe in doing so, Oprah would finally figure out how to overcome her own thyroid issue?
Oprah's Last Season, Will She Talk About Thyroid?
SOY MILK DRINKERS TURNED THYROID PATIENTS LAUNCHING MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
If you think soy or iodine are always healthy -- or benign -- foods and supplements, think again. Soy drinkers are launching a major, launch multi-million-dollar class action lawsuit against a particular brand of soy milk, claiming it caused thyroid damage.
Soy Milk/Thyroid Lawsuit
It's no secret these days that one of the worst things for us healthwise is too much sugar. Excessive intake of sugar is not only linked to obvious issues like insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, but we now know it's a factor in that inflammation -- a root cause of many conditions. Sure, we know sugar's bad, but still, so many of us are addicted to sugar. The average American eats a whopping 150 pounds of sugar a year -- that's a typical body weight eaten in sugar each year!
Type 1: Hooked on "Energy Loan Shark" Drinks
Type 4: Depressed and Craving Carbs
Beat Sugar Addiction Now is formatted as a workbook, so by the time you've finished reading it, answering questions, and jotting down your notes, you end up with a treatment protocol that is specifically tailored to your unique sugar craving!
MUST-READING FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO PROTECT THEIR HEALTH IN OUR CELLPHONE/LAPTOP/WIFI WORLD!
That's why I want to call your attention to her newest book, just released, called Zapped: Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution.
Zapped is an eye opener. A fascinating, well-researched, and well-referenced book that looks at the health consequences of our constant exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and electronic pollution.
The most practical part of the book is the room-by-room guidelines to help you minimize exposure. And, as a holistic nutritionist by training, recognizing that some exposure can not be avoided, Dr. Gittleman also provides strategies -- including nutritional and lifestyle approaches -- that may help physically shield us against the negative health effects of electronic pollution and EMFs.
In the book, Dr. Gittleman asks you to mentally take a walk through your grandparents house, and count up the number of electric and electronic appliances. In most cases, there are very few -- a television, a radio, a phonograph, some electric lamps, maybe a few electric kitchen appliances, and perhaps an alarm clock in the bedroom. Then, you think about just your own bedroom, and you realize the extent of the electronic pollution.
In just my own bedroom, there's a tv, a DVD player, a cable box, an alarm clock, my laptop, my Kindle, a cell phone charging, an Ipod charging, not to mention the cordless phone, and the wi-fi that goes throughout the house. I have to admit that after I read Zapped, I felt so uneasy about the extent to which my family and I are exposed to various electronic devices that I already started making changes recommended by Dr. Gittleman, including:
Years ago, little attention was paid to the health effects of various toxins in the environment, and concerns were often dismissed, but persistent scientists and experts continued to make us aware of risks and concerns. Now we know that everything from perchlorate in the water, to plastics used in baby bottles, to gasoline additives can all have a negative effects on our health. The public always seems to recognize the dangers AFTER the fact...AFTER decades of exposure. But this time, we have a running start, thanks to Dr. Gittleman.
Electronic pollution is out there, it's everywhere, and sometimes it's unavoidable, but we now have a a practical program to help us identify the risks, minimize our exposure, and protect ourselves and our families.
You can order Zapped right now from Amazon.com.
Want to learn more? Visit the website or Zapped's Facebook page.
NOTE FROM MARY: LET'S TALK THYROID!
We all know why these emails keep coming -- it's because we're just not getting the information we need from many doctors.
It seems unfair that we pay for health insurance or HMOs every month out of our paychecks, but the doctor -- who may be earning hundreds of dollars from your visit -- can't even afford a few minutes to answer your questions!
They don't have the time -- or interest -- to answer our questions. The drug company sponsored brochures titled "This is Your Thyroid" handed out at the doctor's office don't address our unique situations or answer our questions. No one seems to have the time to talk, to listen, to really focus on what we have to say, and help us understand what will help us live and feel well.
So, are you looking for ways to talk and learn about thyroid disease? If so, here are resources to help!
First, make sure that you're regularly visiting the About.com Thyroid site at thyroid.about.com. That is where I post the latest news and developments at the blog, and in lengthier articles looking at all facets of thyroid disease. I have been doing it since 1997 -- so there are thousands of articles and posts there. Start with a search for what you're looking for -- there is a good chance you'll find it there. If you don't always remember to check in there regularly, sign up for the weekly email newsletter, and you'll get updates right to your email. Sign up here.
You'll also want to check out the Thyroid-info site at www.thyroid-info.com. Again, there are years worth of articles there to help you understand thyroid disease. That is also the home of my email and print newsletters, Sticking Out Our Necks. You can get the monthly free email edition -- it's a quick recap version -- or order the full-length, 12-page every other month mail edition. Signup for either edition online.
Sometimes it's really helpful to connect with others who know what you're going through, can relate, commiserate, and even share their own success stories. If that sounds helpful, then head to Facebook. On Facebook, my fellow thyroid patients and I talk about thyroid and health-related issues and support each other. We have an active social media community with thousands like-minded fellow thyroid sufferers who are eager to connect, share, and support you in your effort to live well. All you need to do join us is to fan/like" my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/thyroidsupport.
Are you more into the immediacy of Twitter? Then follow me at http://www.twitter.com/thyroidmary -- yes, my Twitter ID is @thyroidmary -- and we'll be connected!
Do you prefer a "support forum" away from Facebook? Then come to the About.com Thyroid Support Forum. Leslie Blumenberg, our moderator there, keeps things friendly, supportive, and informative.
If you are interested in advocating for thyroid patients, and in availability of natural desiccated thyroid drugs like Armour Thyroid, and other options, connect with us at the Coalition for Better Thyroid Care, on the web, or at Facebook at www.facebook.com/betterthyroidcare.
When you want in-depth information, consider one of my patient-oriented books. Every time I've written a book, it's been because people were regularly asking the same questions and looking for help on the same topics. So...it made sense to delve into the issue, flesh out the answers in great detail, and write a book that would help readers fast-forward through all the information and get to the practical help you need to live well. So it's very likely that my main answer to your question about thyroid disease, autoimmune problems, hair loss, or weight loss is going to be "First, read the book!" For example...
If you are hyperthyroid now, have Graves' disease, or suspect you might, then read: Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know. This book reviews diagnosis and treatment options, includes a detailed Risks/Symptoms Checklist, and conventional and alternative methods of dealing with an overactive thyroid. More info is online.
If you are struggling to lose weight despite having a thyroid condition, then read: The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss. This book was on the New York Times bestseller list for several weeks, and offers a comprehensive approach to help thyroid patients lose weight. More info is online. (Note: a new, expanded edition of the book is coming in 2011!)
If you are a woman age 40+, you'll want to read The Menopause Thyroid Solution, published in 2009. This book helps women in early perimenopause through menopause to manage adrenal, reproductive and thyroid hormone imbalances with conventional, alternative, holistic and mind-body approaches. A free chapter, a checklist and more info is online at www.menopausethyroid.com.
If you are having problem periods, fertility difficulties, thinking of getting pregnant or you are currently pregnant with thyroid disease, have had recurrent miscarriages, just had a baby, having difficulty breastfeeding, struggling with low sex drive, dealing with PMS or erratic periods -- you'll want to read "The Thyroid Hormone Breakthrough: Overcoming Sexual and the Hormonal Problems at Every Age." The book focuses on the various points in a woman's life when thyroid and other hormonal issues converge, and how to best manage them. Read a free chapter, take a free quiz, or order the book.
Finally, if you are experiencing hair loss along with your thyroid condition, you will want to check out the new 100 page book, Thyroid Guide to Hair Loss. The guide features step-by-step help on how to tackle hair loss that may be resulting from your thyroid condition, things to pursue with your doctor, and many self-care options. It's available as a printed book, and also in an immediate download ebook edition: See http://www.thyroid-info.com/hair.
At the same time, if you don't have the time or energy to read and research yourself, or you really need a chance to talk and brainstorm in person, I understand. So while I unfortunately can't offer personalized support by email, I can help one-on-one in a telephone coaching session. In a personalized telephone session, we can brainstorm your thyroid questions in depth, map out strategies to get better care, and explore ideas and resources for more help. After you contact me to set up a phone consultation, usually, we can schedule your session within a few days. One important reminder -- since I'm NOT a doctor, I cannot tell you what to take or how to take it. But what we can do is talk, find a great doctor, formulate questions for your practitioners, identify tests to request, and pinpoint resources, experts, information sources and more that can help you in your effort to live well and feel better! Find out more about phone coaching or request a session online now at ThyroidCoaching.com.
I look forward to connecting with you!
Live well,
I've followed the terrific work of Ann Louise Gittleman, MS, CNS, PhD for years, and it's clear that after 30 books, many of them bestsellers, she has established herself as a leader in identifying the latest health challenges, as well as in presenting cutting-edge, common sense approaches to help resolve them.
If you think about it, every day, we are literally marinating in electromagnetic fields -- our homes, offices -- even our coffeehouses -- are filled with wireless wi-fi internet, smart phones, laptops, electronic games, cordless devices and appliances everywhere. In Zapped, Dr. Gittleman makes a compelling argument for the health impact of this constant exposure, and outlines the research and studies behind the latest health concerns related to electronic pollution. In particular, Dr. Gittleman talks about -- and includes in her references list -- many of the studies that have found that exposure to electromagnetic fields may be associated with Alzheimer's disease, ALS, heart disease, miscarriage, birth defects, infertility, mood disturbances such as depression, and quality of sleep. Of particular concern is the link between EMFs and cancer, especially brain tumors in cell phone users. She also outlines her concerns about the particular danger that electronic pollution poses for children.
As a thyroid patient advocate, I know how important it is to our overall health that we identify and minimize our exposure to toxins and chronic environmental stressors.
Every day, I get emails from people with thyroid concerns, asking health questions. Sometimes it's a quick question, but more often, it's an in-depth, personal question, paragraphs or even pages long, with medical history, a detailed story of health challenges and struggles. Sometimes, there are even PDFs attached with years of blood test results, or jpgs with thyroid ultrasound pictures or xrays!
Fed up with paying through the nose for blood tests, or doctors and HMOS who refuse to run tests like Free T3, or Reverse T3, or leptin? If you are trying to get the blood tests you need to assess thyroid, hormones, and other health issues, be aware that you can now order your own blood tests -- with tests being done at the same top-notch labs that your doctors use -- at only slightly above wholesale cost, and all without a doctor's prescription. Visit MyMedLab for more information and to order tests.
If any of the above are true, then you'll want to read "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know." A new, updated edition of the book came out recently, updating the first edition from 2000, which went to more than 20 printings. The new book includes a detailed Risks/Symptoms Checklist, and conventional and alternative help to get diagnosed and treated. More info is online.
Now, about those long emails I get. As much as I wish I could write a personal response, recommend doctors, outline weight loss ideas, brainstorm thyroid treatments, and more, with to each and every person who writes in, it's not possible. The problem is, I'm getting hundreds of these emails every week. (You should see my inbox -- there are usually about 1,000 unread emails at any given time. And many people don't realize, but I work out of a home office...alone -- unless you count my new dog Belle, left, who is a delightful Bichon, but a VERY lazy coworker! No staff, no roomful of "Thyroid-Info" employees! There are a few people who help me out on a few specific tasks -- if you call for Thyroid Coaching, for example, you'll hear back from the amazing Jane Frank, for example, a dear friend who helps me out by scheduling my coaching appointments.) So mainly, it's just me, plugging along, doing the About.com thyroid website, my other sites, keeping up with Facebook, writing the newsletters, working on the books, coaching, and so on.
Mary
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"Sticking Out Our Necks" email edition is published regularly by Mary Shomon, patient advocate and New York Times best-selling author books on health, as well web sites, newsletters and other health advocacy communications.
Mary Shomon is the author of: The Menopause Thyroid Solution: Overcome Menopause by Solving Your Hidden Thyroid Problems *
The Thyroid Hormone Breakthrough: Overcoming Sexual and Hormonal Problems at Every Age * Living Well With Hypothyroidism * The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss * Living Well With Graves' Disease & Hyperthyroidism * The Thyroid Guide to Hair Loss * Living Well With Autoimmune Disease * Living Well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
Bookstore online: http://www.thyroid-info.com/bookstore.htm
Key websites: http://www.thyroid-info.com and http://thyroid.about.com
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