Sunday, January 18, 2009

Hypothyroidism

Hi everyone this is another article I ran across, I think it might be helpful , read and enjoy, Keith

A Message from Dr. Hyman

Why are so many chronic illnesses misdiagnosed even when there are multiple symptoms? A perfect example of this is a low functioning thyroid (hypothyroid ism), which affects 20% of woman and 10% of men, half of which are never diagnosed. That means millions of people are struggling unknowingly when there is something they could be doing about it. They quietly live plagued with symptoms they accept as "normal" or their doctors tell them "there is nothing wrong."

Symptoms like: Fatigue in the morning Dry skin
Trouble losing weight Hair loss
Depression Muscle/joint pains
Poor cracked nails Excessive menopause
Constipation ...or being cold all the time.

Why is this happening? Why are doctors missing the thyroid epidemic diagnosis? Many doctors rely almost completely on laboratory testing which prevents them from diagnosing more subtle cases not detected by our conventional approach to thinking about thyroid disease. Instead of looking at symptoms and physical exams, many only have time to make their decision based on a test. If you suspect hypothyroidism, your doctor will typical give you a TSH test to see if your thyroid is functioning at a normal level. Often this test misses the diagnoses because even if your TSH test comes back normal, we've learned your thyroid still may not be functioning properly.

When I was in medical school, we were taught to treat the patient and not the test, but often in practice this is not the case especially when you consider that the average doctor is only able to give you 8 minutes when you come into their clinic for an exam. This is why I have become a medical detective and spent the last 20 years in my practice helping people find those difficult to diagnose problems that are really contributing to their symptoms. Consider Diane, a patient who had a whole list of problems and learned that they were all connected to her thyroid (trouble losing weight, loss of memory, cold all the time, muscle pains and depression). I've had to learn how to identify these symptoms and implement certain tests to diagnose the problem and then create a plan to help people take their life back.

That is why I developed a special health report that outlines exactly what I do when a new patient comes into my office and I suspect something like the thyroid as the source of the problem. I created this report because I can't see everyone. This is a way to help you identify what is wrong with you by identifying the problem and uncovering what you can do about it. This will enable you to use what the latest science tells us about diagnosing thyroid problems that are subtle and a whole person approach used to deal with an entire list of factors. If you suspect that you may have a thyroid problem but are not 100% sure, please use the link below to watch a new video I just created that explains more.

http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/recommends/ultra_thyroid

People who should consider this report are those who struggle with:
Fatigued in the morning Poor/cracked nails Cold all the time
Dry skin Hair loss Depression
Constipation Muscle/joint pains Trouble losing weight
Chronic infections Acne Memory Lapse
High cholesterol Severe PMS Irregular periods
Low sex drive Infertility Excessive menopause
Ovarian cysts Endometriosis Gum disease
Eczema

I hope you find this video and information helpful. To your good health, Mark Hyman, M.D. P.S. There are several other video clips on this page that discuss more about the symptoms of hypothyroidism, what causes your thyroid to malfunction and why doctors are failing to help diagnose this problem.

http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/recommends/ultra_thyroid

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Mental Tricks to help you lose weight

Wouldn't it be nice if you could wave a wand to erase the extra weight on you? That wand may not exist, but there are tricks that can help you slim down magically by tapping in to the power of your mind. Try these simple strategies from our 30-day Jump Start Diet and--abracadabra--you'll be showing off a sleeker physique in no time.

Pat yourself on the back: Women who view themselves as heavier than they are have a harder time maintaining weight loss after a year, according to a study in Eating and Weight Disorders. Rather than obsessing about thighs that are larger than you’d like, zero in on an area that makes you proud, say, your toned shoulders or killer calves. Love your body and it will love you back, by staying in the shape you desire.

Hop off the anxiety train: Stress is the uninvited crasher that shows up to your weight loss party and kills the mood and your resolve. Tension and anxiety increase your levels of cortisol, the hormone that encourages your body to hold onto dangerous tummy fat. Plus, I don't have to tell you what types of food you seek after a tough day. (If you're like me, it's ice cream, a high-fat, high-calorie choice that soothes the brain.) But rather than retreat to the freezer, hightail it to the gym or take a simple stroll to help you unwind. Your body will thank you!

Let go of guilt: So you ate a brownie. You're human! Forget about it and get back on your healthy eating track. Aiming to be a flawless eater 100 percent of the time is unrealistic, and chastising yourself for caving to a craving can lead to total loss of weight loss resolve. One small slip won't make you suddenly balloon, but letting that trip-up mushroom into days or weeks of overindulging might. See a sample menu that'll help you eat healthy all week.

Cut the emotional cord. Try not to label foods as good or bad and define yourself by the food choices you make on any given day. Make an effort to disentangle the relationship between eating and emotions, so you will be happier, healthier and more in control of your diet. When a craving strikes or you get the urge to overeat, stop, count to 10 and ask yourself if something is bothering you--and what steps you could take to deal with that problem. Chances are, the need to nosh will pass. See how a nutritionist keeps the balance on the Eat Like Me blog.

Slow down: There's no prize for cleaning your plate the quickest. In fact, there's a penalty: You'll likely consume more calories because it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to recognize that you're satisfied. Allow yourself to chew each bite completely before swallowing, and eat your meal in small courses rather than stacking your plate sky-high.

Some of the best food that will help you lose weight

Losing weight is not about starving yourself and subsisting on seltzer. Eat too little and the only place you'll feel lighter is your head. Plus, research shows that any pounds you lose will likely come back--plus more. One of the healthiest ways to shed pounds for good is to eat power foods that are naturally filling, nutrient-packed and, yes, proven to help you peel off pounds. Pile your plate with these prize possessions!

Steak women on a diet that included red meat lost more weight than those eating equal calories but little beef, according to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. One reason: The protein in lean cuts of steak helps you keep muscle mass during weight loss, and muscle incinerates more calories than fat, so you will shed more stubborn pudge. Try it: Grill or broil a 4-ounce serving of top round or sirloin; slice thinly to top a salad, or mix with veggies for fajitas.

Eggs the breakfast staple can trim off inches all over. Research from the Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge found that women on a low-calorie diet who ate an egg with toast and jelly each morning lost twice as many pounds as those who had a bagel breakfast with the same number of calories but no eggs. Turns out, egg protein is particularly satisfying, so you likely eat less during the course of the day.Try it: Enjoy a morning omelet or top your lunchtime salad with hard-boiled eggs.

Lentils, these beans can help banish belly bloat and reduce your belt size. Chock full of protein and soluble fiber, lentils can stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent insulin spikes that cause your body to create excess fat, especially in the abdominal area.Try it: Toss lentils in soups, salads or pasta sauce. Or try this delicious Lentil Pilaf with Turkey Sausage.

Pomegranates low in calories, this fruit gets high marks for taste and nutritional content, thanks to a healthy dose of folatic, fiber and disease-deterring antioxidants.Try it: Skip the juice and snack on the seeds instead. Toss them into salad in place of nuts. Or try these Pomegranate and Cranberry Bellinis from Giada DeLaurentiis (one of her holiday faves).

Chile's some like it hot, and for good reason. Eating spicy numbers will spike your metabolism, courtesy of a compound in Chile's called capsaicin, which helps the body burn extra calories for 20 minutes after you eat them. Bonus: It can be downright painful to inhale a plate of chiles, so you'll eat slower, allowing your brain adequate time to register that it is full and prevent overeating.Try it: Sample the savory entree that chef Nigella Lawson shared with SELF.

Quinoa It might be hard to pronounce (it's KEEN-wah), but eating quinoa offers a simple way to ward off the munchies. The grain is teeming with fiber (2.6 grams per 1/2 cup) and protein to keep you humming and hunger-free for hours.Try it: Replace the rice in stir-fries with quinoa.

Parmesan say cheese! Women who had one serving of whole milk or cheese daily were less likely to gain weight over time, a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds. Dieters who ate low fat varieties of dairy did not experience the same benefit. Why? Whole dairy may contain more conjugated linoleic acid, which could assist in the fat-burning department. And since Parmesan is so flavorful, you only need a few sprinkles to gain maximum flavor without compromising its pound-shedding power.Try it: Grate Parmesan over veggies such as broccoli or asparagus, or pair a 1-ounce portion with an apple.

For more recipes and fat-fighting foods, log on to Self.com and check out 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss. Then sign up for our Jump Start Diet plan to help you shed pounds the healthy way for good!