subject: The Thyroid Gland and It's Relationship With Weight Loss - Do You Know What it Is? by:James Gibbard [print this page] The Thyroid gland dictates much of the functioning of your metabolism, any failure or disease afflicting this area may well cause you to have problems with metabolic functions. This, if left unchecked could lead to drastic problems with your weight - you may either lose weight, gain weight, or may find losing weight is more difficult than it usually is
In many cases, diet planners, do not consider how the effects of the thyroid and metabolism may affect the success or failure of any given diet. Instead, they stick to that old premise that cutting calories is the best way to lose weight.
An overactive thyroid - Hyperthyroidism - causes the thyroid to work overtime, thereby causing rapid weight loss and the metabolism to rise alarmingly. Thyroid hormone is important at a cellular level, affecting nearly every type of tissue in the body. But, losing weight too rapidly can cause many other problems for the body's general health. Some of the other symptoms include fast heart beat and symptoms of palpitations, nervous system tremor and anxiety symptoms, digestive system hypermotility (diarrhoea), and weight loss.
An underactive thyroid - Hypothyroidism - works in the opposite direction - slowing metabolism until the body gains weight at an incredible rate. Like hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism causes a general weakness in the body. It too may need special treatment and may cause serious health problems if left unattended. If you suspect you possibly have either of these conditions, it would be advisable to consult with your doctor.
Problem? Calorie Controlled Diets.
The promoters of calorie controlled diets state that in order to lose weight, you have to cut calories and the more calories you cut the more weight you will lose. Regrettably, it doesn't work that way. Cutting calories can help in diets, but consuming too little calories can drive the body into a hoard mode, with the body's metabolism slowed to adapt to a smaller amount of energy being available.
Entering this mode, the body's metabolic rate will slow to such an extent, that losing weight becomes impossible. The ideal system here should be one that reduces calorie intake, but does not slow down the body's metabolism. Losing weight can then become easler.
Another problem connected with decreased metabolism is that when the metabolism slows due to a drastic reduction in metabolism, and then a good, hearty, calorie-filled meal is eaten, weight is bound to be gained owing to the increased surplus of energy.
This is why an imbalanced meal is highly discouraged among those who seek to lose weight. The sudden loss and increase of calories will cause an imbalance in one's energy consumption directly affecting fat deposit.
Here is a simple computation to help you get to the right amount of calories you will need per day so that you get your nutrients in the right balance.
First of all, multiply your weight in kilograms by 30.
Example:
Weight = 80kgs.
Multiply by 30 = 2400 calories
Means that to maintain your current weight you need to consume 2,400 calories per day.
If you only know your weight in pounds, divide it by 2.25 to get to its English equivalent. We then multiply this number by 30 because that is the number of calories you need to maintain your weight per pound of weight.
For example if your weight in pounds is 180, divide it by 2.25. That will give you a figure of 80. This is your weight in kilograms. Multiply this by 30 = 2,400 and you will arrive at the amount of calories you will need per day to maintain 180 lbs.
Try to spread your meals out during the day, as it is better to eat less per meal, with more meals being eaten. This will stimulate your metabolism. Ideally keep your diet as closely to 25% fat, 40% protein and 35% carbohydrate meals @ 300 calories per meal.
If you consume more than your body needs to maintain your weight, it will be stored as fat. If you consume less than your body needs, it will start using stored fat. As you start to lose weight, adjust your calorie intake periodically in line with your new body weight figure. Also start to take note of the calorific information on food packaging. Books are also available giving specific calorie counts for different foods. From this information you can plan meals to suit your personal liking, whilst staying within your daily calorie target.
James Gibbard has many years experience of internet experience, specialising in the health & fitness niches. He owns a number of product review sites and also writes articles on a freelance basis for a number of different markets. A free 11 page report on "Metabolism" and it's importance to your body and weight issues and is available for download at http://www.fatlosspreviews.com
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