In the current scenario, diet is given major importance. Health and fitness are also related to diet. Everyone is in search of healthy diet tips to live a healthy lifestyle. All of us would need tips for a healthy metabolism. There are many people concerned about their thyroid issues as well when it comes to talking about metabolism. 

At Medicircle, we are presenting the Ask The Expert Series for health awareness to understand facts and find solutions related to them. We have come up with the series of Sehat Ki Baat, Karishma Ke Saath. Let’s interact with Expert Karishma Shah about the healthy diet to boost metabolism and helpful tips for thyroid patients.

Karishma Shah is a Renowned Nutritionist and Plant Diet based Food Coach. She is also a Weight Loss Expert, Diabetes and PCOS Educator & Certified in Psychology of Eating

Episode 5 with Karishma Shah revolves around healthy diet tips to boost metabolism. She also explains the importance of exercise with a healthy diet is a must. Karishma explains that genetic factors should not always be blamed for thyroid or diabetes-related problems. 

All you need to know about hypothyroidism 

Karishma Shah informs, “Detection of thyroid issues is time-consuming and might get delayed. There are many cases of patients who come up with symptoms related to thyroid issues. After that, we come up with a final diagnosis of thyroid-related issues. If you have a problem with losing weight, then you need to get your thyroid levels checked. Hypothyroidism is a condition when your body fails to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone which results in stimulation and overproduction of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. When the value of TSH increases in the body, the patient develops hypothyroidism.”

Food to avoid for hypothyroid patients 

Karishma says, “90 % of the hypothyroid patients have nutrition deficiencies which suggest an intake of an unhealthy diet. They have not been taken care of over the years which has led to the development of hypothyroidism. Lack of exercise, nutritional deficiency, and unhealthy diet resulting in inflammation. This results in a lack of functioning and giving up thyroid hormones. If you are consuming food that does not suit your body and lack nutrients will result in thyroid disorder. The high-risk factors are: 

Smoking  Drinking  Stress 

The main reason behind thyroid disorder 

Karishma states, “A lot of people think that if they are suffering from hypothyroidism, it is mainly due to the problem in the thyroid gland in the throat. The main reason behind thyroid disorder is the mind and the brain's functioning. If you are stressed out or have been through post-traumatic disorder such as relationship break up, miscarriage, loss of a loved one can lead to major traumatic events in life. This results in fluctuation of the hormones especially the thyroid hormone which is connected to our hypothalamus i.e the brain. There is a problem with lifestyle, diet, and stress which has resulted with a thyroid disorder.”

Thyroid disorder is genetic 

Karishma emphasizes, “If any of your family members have hypothyroidism, the chances of you suffering from thyroid disorder increases. Genetic factor contributes to the 30 % of cases of thyroid disorder. However, there are other factors such as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, poor mental health.”

Nutritional deficiency in thyroid disorder 

Karishma informs, “It is important to get certain tests done for patients to check their nutritional deficiency and vitamin level. 

Vitamin D deficiency  Vitamin B12 deficiency  Weak immune system  Iron levels especially in females Vitamin C deficiency  High C-reactive protein levels  High Antibody levels 

All these nutritional deficiencies make you more prone to thyroid disorders. 

Role of genetics for healthy weight 

Karishma says, “We always blame our genes for diabetes and thyroid-related disorders. Unhealthy diets and lack of nutrition can run in families too. Before the age of 18 years, we consume the diet as per our family's needs and requirements. After the age of 18 as we become independent, we have charge of the selection of our food. Genetics has only a 20 % chance of gaining weight or causing thyroid disorder. If you have a genetic factor of diabetes, you need to make sure that you are extra cautious about your diet, active lifestyle, and self-care. Blaming your genetics is not right. You need to be more careful about your lifestyle to avoid health-related issues and disorders that run in families. It's very easy to have a healthy lifestyle by just taking care of yourself.”

Exercise for the healthy maintenance of metabolism 

Karishma says, “Fluctuating levels of the thyroid will affect your metabolism. Thyroid disorder is a metabolic disorder. With defective metabolism, there is a problem in burning calories in our day-to-day life. We feel lazy which results in a lack of exercise and no desire to work. This will result in ordering outside junk food. Also, if you are having a sedentary lifestyle with a lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet, the metabolism rate is going to get affected. Exercise is very important for every individual irrespective of the fact whether you have a thyroid disorder or not. 

A good immune system and staying away from metabolic disorders are very important. At a certain age, you need to keep your body active to stay away from disease. With a healthy diet, exercise is a must.”

(Edited by Dr.Rati Parwani)