Losing Weight with Hypothyroidism
Many people who have hypothyroidism experience weight gain because of the effect of the condition on their metabolic rate. The slower metabolic rate of a person who has hypothyroidism can also make it more difficult to lose excess weight.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient amounts of hormones. This is also known as an under active thyroid. The hormones that the thyroid gland produces are responsible for regulating the rate of the metabolism. When the thyroid gland is under active, the levels of these hormones are too low and therefore the metabolic rate is slower than it should be. This means that less of the energy that is consumed is actually used by the body.
The reduced metabolic rate that occurs as a result of hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. If it has taken some time for the condition to be diagnosed and treated, a significant amount of weight may have been gained. Even after treatment begins, it can still be very difficult to lose this weight and to prevent further weight gain because the metabolism will still remain slow.
It is possible to lose weight despite hypothyroidism, but it can be difficult and it will take time. It is important to ensure that a healthy, balanced diet is being eaten. Overeating should be avoided, but it is also important to avoid eating a diet that is too low in calories as this can exacerbate the problem by making the metabolism even slower. It is, therefore, important to avoid diets that are too restrictive or to try to lose weight too quickly. Losing weight with hypothyroidism is a gradual process.
A protein rich diet that is low in fat will help a person who has hypothyroidism to control their weight. A diet that contains plenty of fruit and vegetables will also be beneficial, as it will ensure that sufficient vitamins and minerals are being consumed. It will also be helpful to exercise regularly in order to raise the metabolic rate and burn off some extra calories. Exercising with hypothyroidism can be difficult as many people who have this condition are easily tired. A low to moderate intensity form of exercise such as walking, swimming or yoga can often be more effective because of this.
In addition to the weight gain that occurs due to the slower metabolic rate that is caused by hypothyroidism, the condition can also cause water retention, which may also cause some additional weight gain. The weight that is gained due to water retention should be lost once treatment commences, however.
Another reason why it is important for people who have hypothyroidism to be careful about their diet is that hypothyroidism can prevent the body from regulating the level of cholesterol in the blood properly. It can easily become dangerously high. Foods that contain a lot of fat and cholesterol should therefore be avoided.
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