Most people know that an under active thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause weight gain and fatigue, but it can also trigger high cholesterol and triglycerides along with a host of other less obvious symptoms. These include constipation, dry skin, hair loss, slow heartbeat, cold hands and feet, slow wound healing, depression, memory disturbances and difficulty concentrating. Hypothyroidism can also contribute to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis.
This condition is more common than most people think. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), about 1 in 8 women ages 35 to 65 has low thyroid function, and 1 in 5 women over 65 are affected.
Thyroid replacement therapy usually returns thyroid activity to normal. One should not use the best selling brand, Synthroid, as it only contains T4, and T4 is not the only hormone produced my the thyroid. T3 and other substances present in the thyroid should be replaced along with T4.
Clinical studies have shown that treatment with the gamut of thyroid hormones results in more dramatic improvement than treatment with isolated T4, particularly in measures of mood and brain function.
Talk to your doctor about a prescription for a therapeutic trial of low dose natural thyroid hormone.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Low Saturated Fat Intake Associated With Higher Stroke Mortality
Very low intakes of saturated fats may be just as bad for you as very high intakes, and could lead to an increased risk of death from stroke-according to new Japanese research.
The study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests that a very low dietary intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) is associated with an increase risk of stroke.
"SFA intake was inversely associated with mortality from stroke. This inverse association was similarly observed for intraparenchymal hemorrhage and ischemic stroke, " wrote the researchers.
Saturated fat intakes are known to correlate with blood cholesterol levels-a strong risk factor for heart disease. However, the associations between SFA intake and stroke are less clear. Ischemic stroke is considered to be an atherosclerotic disease in Western societies: however research suggests that other pathways, like arteriosclerosis, may also be implicated in ischemic stroke.
In discussing their results, the researchers speculate that saturated fats could have different impacts in larger arteries compared to small vessels-suggesting that although in larger vessels saturated fats can increase the risks of atherosclerotic plaques, but in smaller vessels low SFA levels could lead to angionecrosis through a reduction of smooth muscles cells and increased fragility of vascular walls.
The study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests that a very low dietary intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) is associated with an increase risk of stroke.
"SFA intake was inversely associated with mortality from stroke. This inverse association was similarly observed for intraparenchymal hemorrhage and ischemic stroke, " wrote the researchers.
Saturated fat intakes are known to correlate with blood cholesterol levels-a strong risk factor for heart disease. However, the associations between SFA intake and stroke are less clear. Ischemic stroke is considered to be an atherosclerotic disease in Western societies: however research suggests that other pathways, like arteriosclerosis, may also be implicated in ischemic stroke.
In discussing their results, the researchers speculate that saturated fats could have different impacts in larger arteries compared to small vessels-suggesting that although in larger vessels saturated fats can increase the risks of atherosclerotic plaques, but in smaller vessels low SFA levels could lead to angionecrosis through a reduction of smooth muscles cells and increased fragility of vascular walls.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)