| Big bones, genetics, thyroid problems. All three are | | | | The Cause of Weight Gain: Diet, But Not As We |
| often given as reasons for unexplained weight | | | | Know It. |
| gain, or for being overweight. Often these three | | | | A publication issued by the American Thyroid |
| are cruelly dismissed by others as "excuses" and | | | | Association to educate people about thyroid health |
| that the real reason a person is overweight is | | | | problems has proved beneficial to the over seven |
| simply because they are too lazy or too greedy, | | | | million women who are afflicted with thyroid |
| or both. Of course, big bones do not cause the | | | | health problems. Thyroid problems are sometimes |
| sort of fat you can grab hold of and wiggle about, | | | | the result of ingesting fluoride in the drinking |
| and the link between genetics and obesity is not | | | | water which leads to fluoride poisoning. |
| yet proven. However, thyroid problems certainly | | | | Iodine is crucially important in correct thyroid |
| are real, and one symptom of an under-active | | | | support and function. A lack of iodine in the diet |
| thyroid gland is unexplained weight gain. In a | | | | causes a number of thyroid problems, including |
| country that has 65% of its population | | | | goiter. Goiters are no longer a problem in most |
| overweight or obese, it is time to investigate | | | | developed countries, but other thyroid problems |
| whether thyroid problems might be a bigger | | | | still do and it is thought that it may be due to |
| cause than once thought. | | | | incorrect levels of iodine. It was once assumed |
| The Symptoms of Thyroid Problems | | | | that iodized salt, commonly available, would be the |
| The thyroid gland is located beneath the voice | | | | solution to these problems but it that has not |
| box and produces thyroid hormone, which helps | | | | been the case. There are a number of foods that |
| regulate growth and metabolism. An imbalance in | | | | block iodine from being absorbed, including peanuts |
| thyroid levels in the body leads to thyroid health | | | | and soybeans. In addition, our diets having |
| problems. There can be a number of thyroid | | | | changed so much from the time of our |
| problem symptoms, but the most noticeable is | | | | ancestors, and these new foods - heavily refined |
| reflected in the weight of the patient. An | | | | and processed - work our thyroid gland to |
| over-active thyroid gland is called hyperthyroidism, | | | | exhaustion. This can lead to thyroid problems, and |
| and leads to rapid weight loss. An under active | | | | of course weight gain. |
| thyroid, hypothyroidism, is much more common | | | | We hear a lot about how our modern American |
| and leads to sometimes dramatic weight gain. | | | | diet is making the country, and the world, fat. |
| To properly diagnose an underactive thyroid, or | | | | This may be the case, but not simply through |
| any thyroid problem, a physician is needed. | | | | eating too many calories and not burning off |
| However there are a number of symptoms, | | | | enough excess. It is possible that your weight gain |
| besides weight gain, that can indicate a thyroid | | | | could be caused through thyroid problems. You |
| problem: | | | | can take control of your thyroid gland through |
| Cold hands and feet | | | | supplementation, either using a combination of B |
| Headaches, insomnia | | | | vitamins and other natural extracts. Don't let |
| Puffy eyes | | | | people tell you that you're lazy or that you eat |
| Dry skin | | | | too much. Consider the cause of your weight gain |
| Dizziness or a ringing in the ears | | | | could be thyroid related and take positive steps. |