(28-06-07) The Zone Diet for Thyroid Patients and Losing Weight With Hypothyroidism

From Mary Shomon,
Your Guide to Thyroid Disease.
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(Continued from Page 1)
Prostaglandin E and Insulin Reactions

The Zone approach focuses on a diet that balances the body's insulin reactions related to food, and suggests a diet that ensures we create what are called good "eicosanoids" and limit product of the bad eicosanoids. Of the good ones, Prostaglandin E (PGE) is one of the most important and better known eiconasoids that come from a diet that is balanced in terms of protein, carbos and fats, and eliminates the hyperinsulin response.

Here's where it gets even more interesting. If insulin is in check, and the body is producing PGE, what does it do in the body?
? Inhibits platelet clumping, reducing the risk of clots. (Note: Reduced clotting is a symptom of hypothyroidism.)
? Helps blood vessels dilate, ensuring adequate blood flow to/from the heart and combatting artery clogging. (Note: reduced oxygen in the system, and atherosclerosis/hardened arteries) are effects of hypothyroidism.
? Helps cut down body's manufacture of cholesterol. (Note: high cholesterol is an effect of hypothyroidism.)
? Helps release lymphokines, the natural substances that help prime the immune system to take action. (Note: reduced immune function and susceptibility to infection are common in hypothyroidism.)
? Reduces proliferation of immune system cells which sometimes overreact and begin attack in other cells (this is what is happening in an auto-immune disease). (Note: Hashimotos is an autoimmune disease, and autoimmune diseases are commonly seen in clusters.)
? Cuts down the release of histamine, which can help curb allergic response. (Note: many folks with hypothyroidism anecdotally report increased allergies and allergic response, even multiple chemical sensitivity and Candida/yeast syndromes.)
? Reduces pain/combats inflammation. (Note: Many folks with hypothyroidism experience joint and muscle pain and inflammation, including carpal tunnel like inflammation of wrists and arms.)
? In the endocrine system, PGE stimulates the manufacture and secretion of vital hormones in the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands. (Note: we know something isn't secreting properly!!!)
? By increasing the uptake and release of these messengers, PGE can reduce the need for sleep, and it can help alleviate depression. (Note: fatigue and depression are common in hypothyroidism.)
? In the respiratory system, it has a relaxing effect on tissues in the bronchial tubes, helping to reduce the intensity of asthma attacks." (Note: many of us with hypothyroidism have a problem with feelings of oxygen starvation or asthma-like breathing symptoms.)
So where is this going? Well, I guess my main recommendation is that others take a look at the Zone-type approach. Sears believes that food is a drug, and I'll tell you, I'd pay big bucks to feel as good as I'd felt on the Zone approach. I can't report to you that I lost lots of weight on it in the month I was on it, but I felt better, less bloated, and my clothes were fitting a bit better.

How the Zone Works

Level 1: Basics
1. Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.
2. Eat more fruits and vegetables, less past, breads, grains and starches.
3. Eat more frequent meals with fewer calories.
4. Eat small amounts of low fat protein with every meal and snack.
Payoff: you'll stop gaining excess body fat.

Level 2:Paying Attention
1. Determine how much protein you require per day, and consume that amount (low fat protein is best.)
2. Use the eyeball method to control your ratio of protein to carbohydrates at every meal. (Eyeball method: never eat more lowfat protein than you can fit in your hand. And volume of protein dictates amount of carbo to eat. If it's unfavorable carbos -- breads, starches -- then 1 to 1, same amount in volume. If it's good carbos -- fruits and vegetables -- then double amount of protein volume wise.)
3. Add some extra monounsaturated fat to every meal.
4. Drink 8 ounces of water thirty minutes before a meal.
Payoff: you'll start losing excess body fat.

Level 3: Zoning
1. Make sure most carbos come from fruits and veg. Use grains, starches, pasta and breads as condiments. Keep them to no more than 25% of the total carbos consumed at a meal.
2. Never go more than 5 hour without a zone meal or snack.
3. Always eat a zone breakfast within an hour or rising.
Payoff: being in the ZONE.


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