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There is no doubt an underactive thyroid has a major impact on your health. Are you gaining weight for no reason? Or finding it impossible to lose weight, even with a healthy diet and exercise? Do you constantly feel tired, lethargic, even depressed and moody? Is your hair falling out excessively?

The small butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck below the voice box. An enlarged thyroid is a tell-tale sign you are suffering from a low thyroid disorder. You may notice a distinct lump in your neck, or swelling at the base of your neck. In more severe cases the entire neck can swell, creating difficulties with swallowing, even breathing.

Get Your Thyroid Checked

Your thyroid becomes enlarged when it is under functioning. If you suspect an enlarged thyroid ask your health practitioner to perform a physical exam of your thyroid. They may also want to check your morning body temperature and thyroid hormone levels. Low body temperature and fatigue are two of the most common symptoms used to diagnose an under active thyroid.

Pregnancy & Thyroid Problems

Thyroid hormones are critical to normal development of a baby’s brain. In fact, it is normal for the thyroid to enlarge during pregnancy. But a noticeably enlarged thyroid after child birth can be a warning sign of postpartum thyroiditis. This low thyroid condition can linger for many months if left untreated. Symptoms such as fatigue and weight gain can make a thyroid problem harder to diagnose during this time.

Iodine: The Essential Thyroid Mineral

An enlarged thyroid is primarily caused by a lack of iodine in the diet. Most of the earth’s iodine is found in the oceans. Therefore, rich sources of this trace mineral include seafood and sea vegetables commonly used in Japanese cooking. Iodine added to white table salt has poor bioavailability. A natural sea salt is your best option.

Click Here! Your Low Thyroid Symptoms Checklist

Health experts agree that an expanding waistline is a strong indicator of unhealthy fat accumulation in the liver. The liver is the powerhouse of your body and keeping it in prime working condition is vital to keeping the weight off.

When your liver is working well it is simply a lot easier to get more energy from less food. Your liver keeps your metabolism humming, making your body work far more efficiently. Studies have shown that a fatty liver can undoubtedly be improved by weight loss. The worst offenders for fatty accumulation in the liver are high fat foods, soft drinks, alcohol and sugary snacks.

Reference
Kotronen A, Yki-Järvinen H. Fatty liver: a novel component of the metabolic syndrome. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2008 Jan;28(1):27-38. Epub 2007 Aug 9.

How To Lose Belly Fat: 10 Rules To Lose Belly Fat

Are you ready for a weight loss breakthrough? Losing weight doesn’t have to be hard. It’s time to get real about your health by choosing a nutritious, vital diet and staying active. Learn new eating and lifestyle habits with my FREE Natural Weight Loss Guidelines

The International Diabetes Federation recently published a new definition for Insulin Resistance Syndrome. To have this condition, a person must have central obesity (body fat that’s concentrated around the waist), plus any 2 of the following indicators:

• a raised triglyceride level (a type of fat in the blood)
  
• a low level of HDL-cholesterol (‘good’ cholesterol)
  
• high blood pressure or
  
• an increased blood sugar level after a period of fasting, or have been previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
  

Read more about Insulin Resistance Syndrome

Although lactose intolerance is well known, fructose intolerance is just beginning to be recognised. Fructose is found naturally in fruit and is in high amounts in sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup.

Emerging studies link fructose to digestive disorders. Fructose intolerance can cause bloating and diarrhea. These symptoms are often mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In the future, food manufacturers could face demand for fructose-free products.

Safe alternatives to high-fructose corn syrup are small amounts of natural honey, stevia, xylitol and agave nectar.

One thing's for sure, hormones have a powerful effect on your physical and emotional well-being. Making sense of your hormones may help you finally take control of your health, even help you shed that stubborn weight.

All sex hormones are created from cholesterol in a hormonal cascade. Pregnenolone is the true ‘mother hormone’ made directly from cholesterol. Pregnenolone is converted into a broad range of hormones, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), progesterone, testosterone and the three forms of oestrogens. Each hormone is interrelated, governing unique biological activity.

Women often report that as they approach menopause they gain apple shaped weight. If you exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet...AND still struggle to lose weight, a hormone imbalance may be setting you up for an ongoing cycle of weight gain.

Your Hormone Imbalance Checklist

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Breast health looms large as a major health concern for many women. When you are overweight or suffer ‘apple shaped’ obesity you can increase your risk of breast disease. One nutrient plays a significant role in safeguarding breast health.

D3 (cholecalciferol), sometimes called the sunshine vitamin is the naturally occurring form of vitamin D. Universally accepted as a nutritional factor for bone health, vitamin D3 is also attracting attention for its role in breast cancer prevention due to its role in regulating cell cycle turnover. Vitamin D deficiencies are highly prevalent in women with serious breast disease. A new study has predicted that 75% of deaths from breast cancer may be prevented with adequate intake of vitamin D3.

Ask your doctor to perform a blood test of your 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). Optimal levels are unlikely to be achieved using the current recommended dietary intake (RDI) of 200 - 400 IU/day. A D3 supplement is a cost effect step towards safeguarding your long term health.

Also increase foods rich in this nutrient such as lean meat, dairy products, eggs, and fish with a high fat content such sardines, salmon, herring and mackerel. Your skin synthesizes vitamin D from sunlight so spend some time outdoors to top up your levels.

References
Crew KD, Shane E, Cremers S, et al. High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency despite supplementation in premenopausal women with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol. 2009 May 1;27(13):2151-6. Epub 2009 Apr 6.

Garland CF, Gorham ED, Mohr SB. Vitamin D for cancer prevention: global perspective. Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul;19(7):468-83.

Which toxic food ingredient causes cancer, birth defects, obesity, heart disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism and many other chronic diseases? Would it shock you to hear that it is hydrogenated oils that are found in most processed foods? Hydrogenation is an industrial process used to convert liquid vegetable oils into semi-solid fats. If you fully hydrogenate, you create a solid fat out of the oil. But if you stop part way, you create a semi solid, partially hydrogenated oil that has a consistency like butter, only it's a lot cheaper. It is a big favourite with food manufacturers because its a cheap butter substitute. Hydrogenated oils extend shelf life and give products a buttery flavour and texture, but don't cost as much as butter.

In the body, these poisonous hydrogenated oils alter the structure and flexibility of your cell membranes. Destroying the function of the cell breaks the body down, cell by cell. Read food labels carefully and avoid anything that contains the words 'hydrogenated' or 'partially hydrogenated' and ingredients listed as vegetable oils.

Poison In The Food: Hydrogenated Oils
by Mike Adams, Holistic Nutritionist & Health Ranger
Truth Publishing; Where The Truth Gets Published

This is a must read if you are concerned about toxic ingredients in your food. No one will ever teach you about the dangers of hydrogenated oils, and yet it's some of the most important nutritional information you will ever learn.

Download This Vital Information Now To Safeguard Your Health

The TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test has become the 'gold standard' for measuring thyroid gland function. This is grossly inaccurate. Worse still, you may even be told you do NOT have a thyroid problem if your TSH falls within the ‘normal’ range even when you may be exhibiting the classic signs of hypothyroidism.

To get a proper medical diagnosis you should ask your health practitioner for a comprehensive check of how well your thyroid is working. A test of TSH along with free T3, free T4, thyroid antibodies and reverse T3 (rT3) will provide a better assessment of thyroid activity. The results should be considered along with the signs & symptoms that indicate an under active thyroid.

The Thyroid Hormone Solution: Your Essential Guide To Recovering Natural Thyroid Health

A new study reveals that Splenda, the low calorie sweetener reduces the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50%, increases the pH in the digestive system and contributes to weight gain.

The study was conducted using male rats over a period of twelve weeks. The manufacturers of Splenda also used a rat study when they applied for and received approval to market the product.

Consumer groups are calling on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to review its approval of Splenda and to require a warning label on Splenda packaging.

Splenda is the brand name for sucralose, a chemical substance that is not a natural sugar. It is found in many diet foods.

Safer alternatives are small amounts of natural honey, stevia and xylitol.

So, is sucralose safe for you and your family? Watch this video to see the shocking truth about this common artificial sweetener;

Artificial Sweetener Alert

Estrogen plays a chief role in regulating fat deposition and fat burning. Estrogen causes fat to accumulate, especially around the hips, thighs and abdomen. This 'apple shaped' weight gain greatly increases the risk of obesity related diseases such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Why Does Estrogen Dominance Cause Weight Gain?

Download our FREE Estrogen Overload Report!

Going organic is not just good for the planet, some experts believe it could also be the answer to the obesity epidemic. When you eat organic foods you reduce your exposure to environmental chemicals that slow your metabolism and you gain the full energy potential of your food.

Make Organic Food Part Of Your Natural Weight Loss Program
Eat Organic Food To Lose The Weight

Excess fat stored in your liver is a consequence of excess weight. The medical term is ‘non-alcoholic fatty liver disease’. This condition is the most common form of liver disease in the Western world.

Although a fatty liver does not necessarily cause illness, it is associated with raised triglyceride levels and insulin resistance, both strong risk factors for type 2 diabetes. But there is good news: scientists say this condition can be completely reversed by simply changing to healthy eating habits and losing weight.

Today is the best day to get your health back on track. Your decision to choose healthy, vital food that is as close to nature as possible is a vital step in your natural weight loss journey.

Did you know that most shoppers fill their grocery trolleys with foods that are damaging to their health? Thousands of brand name grocery products are contaminated with toxic chemicals and dangerous ingredients. These mass produced foods directly promote obesity and degenerative diseases. Health experts agree that a local farmers market is the best place to get quality, fresh produce at lower prices. Check your local area for locations and times. Organic markets are best.

If you want a brighter future for yourself and your family, continue to make wise decisions about your health.

Stop Eating The Foods That Damage Your Thyroid!
The Natural Thyroid Diet - Updated January 2009

The holiday season is upon us! This is the time when we are surrounded by high calorie, high fat foods. Here are some party survival tips:

• Have a healthy snack before you leave for a gathering to avoid overeating.

• Look for healthy options on the menu or buffet. Ask for dressings on the side and include vegetables & salads with your meal.

• Stick to small servings. The more food you put on your plate, the more likely you are to eat it all regardless of satiety cues.

• Give yourself permission to eat some foods you really love, and savour each mouthful.

• Have a glass of water between alcoholic drinks. Not only is alcohol high in calories, it stimulates your appetite.

Don’t beat yourself up if you slip up. Being overly restrictive can backfire, making you feel deprived. It may even lead to overeating. Remember, life is about balance. Healthy eating, regular exercise & a positive attitude help keep you in great shape.

If a woman makes 1 unit of estrogen per day, the estimated daily dose of active estrogen from the contraceptive pill is 16,675 units and 3,350 from hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This is a dangerous level of exposure to synthetic estrogen, possibly over many years. Excess estrogen not only causes weight gain, it also increases the risk of reproductive disorders and breast cancer.

Strive to maintain healthy hormone balance by avoiding synthetic hormones, eating nutritious food, drinking clean water and maintaining your ideal weight.

References
Safe S.H., "Environmental and Dietary Estrogens and Human Health: Is There a Problem?" Environ. Health Perspec., 1995, 103(4):346-351.

Natural Hormone Health: Our Hormone Imbalance Checklist is Your First Step to Better Hormone Health

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common female hormone disorder. The underlying cause of PCOS is Insulin Resistance Syndrome, a condition associated with poor blood sugar control.

PCOS Diet & Lifestyle Plan: Best PCOS Diet Advice To Control Your Blood Sugar

Hoodia gordonii, the herb marketed as a natural appetite suppressant will not guarantee weight loss. In fact, starving yourself by cutting back on calories is never a solution. Educate yourself about nutrition and eat well. To lose weight for good you also need to address the health issues that sabotage your weight loss efforts such as hormone imbalances, low thyroid function and poor blood sugar control.

Water pollution from pharmaceutical drugs is an emerging issue. Pharmaceuticals are now a whole new class of water pollutants that can be found at ‘toxicologically significant levels’. These drugs find their way into the public water supply from pharmaceutical industries, medical facilities and from household disposal of unused medicines. Human excreta also contain significant drug residues.

Read the Natural News report: Poisoning the Water Supply

Emerging evidence shows the thyroid gland is extremely vulnerable to the effects of environmental pollution. It is not surprising that as we eat more toxic foods and become increasingly exposed to pollution that thyroid problems are becoming epidemic.

The most dangerous chemicals to the thyroid are organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals, dioxins and furans. These thyroid disrupting chemicals (TDCs) interfere directly with thyroid function.

One example of a common TDC is fluoride, a heavy metal with a strong affinity to the thyroid gland. The harmful effects are best illustrated by the fact that fluoride is used as a thyroid suppressing medication for hyperthyroid conditions. Fluoride is often added to urban water supplies and dental products are a common source.

Recover Natural Thyroid Health! The Thyroid Hormone Solution: Your Essential Guide To Recovering Natural Thyroid Health

Discover 10 Facts About Fluoride: Fluoride Alert

Gout is a painful form of arthritis which mainly affects the big toe. This results when crystals of uric acid are deposited in the joints. Uric acid is a by-product of protein metabolism and people who are overweight often have much higher levels of uric acid in their blood. New research shows that even two cans of sugar sweetened soft drinks daily can double the risk of gout.

Reference: British Medical Journal. 9 February 2008;336:309-312.

You Can Control Your Gout Naturally: Gout: A Natural Approach

Aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, neotame, tagatose and acesulfame K are the most common artificial sweeteners. Beware, these artificial sweeteners used to substitute sugar are found in processed foods, medications, nutritional supplements and most ‘diet’ foods. Research shows that the more synthetic sugar substitutes you consume, the more you seek out sugary foods. Artificial sweeteners are not a magic bullet and can often lead to greater weight gain.

Read Why Artificial Sweeteners Are Dangerous

Not everyone wants a six pack ab but if you want to trim down around the waist and get a flatter stomach you have to lose weight all over. As you start to lose the weight sit-ups or crunches will make a difference to how your waist and stomach look.

Ab exercises will blast body fat around the belly. Let Bob Harper, Personal Trainer from The Biggest Loser show you how.

Discover 10 Rules To Lose Belly Fat Fast

Toxic chemicals in your food can wreak havoc on how your body functions, particularly your metabolism. A healthy, nutritious organic diet can help you lose weight.

Discover Twenty Good Reasons to Buy Organic: Organic Food For Health & Our Planet

A report in the journal Neurology has revealed that weight loss surgery such as a gastric bypass can lead to memory loss and confusion. The syndrome, called Wernicke encephalopathy, is caused by a lack of vitamin B1 and can also cause problems with vision. The report found that the syndrome usually struck between one and three months after obesity surgery.

The start of a new year is the ideal time to think about your health, in particular your diet habits. Decide now to avoid all the high calorie, mass produced foods that have become so widely available in our supermarkets, but provide very little health benefits.

Of particular concern are the high GI foods that cause spikes in your insulin levels. These types of foods increase your cancer risk. Cancer cells use insulin as a growth factor, which helps explain why overweight people have a much higher incidence of cancer.

Now is the time to retrain yourself to select delicious, highly nutritious foods that provide life!

Discover The Natural Weight Loss Diet

Now is the perfect time to get off the couch and kick start some good exercise habits. Start with a sport or exercise program that you enjoy.

Long term fitness requires planning, discipline and finding ways to motivate yourself every day.

Read About Exercise For Health

Check out our e-books... The Natural Thyroid Diet, The Thyroid Hormone Solution, & Gout: A Natural Approach

Discover natural weight loss e-books at the Natural Weight Loss Programs book shop. These are e-books (electronic books) so you can download them instantly to get started. All payments are processed by ClickBank, the premier retailer for digitally delivered products.

Explore The Natural Weight Loss Book Shop

Your metabolic setpoint is what your body considers to be your normal body weight. Your individual fat to muscle ratio is closely regulated by your body even when your body composition becomes unhealthy.

Your metabolism defends your metabolic setpoint by slowing down or speeding up when your weight approaches the outer limits of your accepted range. It will fight to maintain what it has set at your ideal weight.

A slow, steady approach to weight loss helps to minimise resistance to changes to your metabolic setpoint.

How to Adjust Your Metabolic Setpoint

Why is it that we feel sicker not healthier?

Scientists are increasingly concerned that long term low-level exposures to chemicals can cause serious health issues.

Pesticides, heavy metals, industrial pollution and the cumulative effect of toxic exposure over many years can wreak havoc on how your body functions, particularly your metabolism.

You cannot achieve healthy natural weight loss if your body is choked with toxins.

Here are 10 pollution solutions to help minimise your exposure to toxic chemicals

Read These 10 Pollution Solutions

While borderline low thyroid function is becoming more widely accepted by traditional endocrinologists, reverse T3 dominance is often overlooked.

This thyroid problem is often difficult to diagnose as low thyroid symptoms exist, but standard thyroid tests appear to be within normal limits. Only a test for reverse T3 will rule out reverse T3 dominance.

Testing For Reverse T3 Dominance

One of the best ways to live a longer, healthier life is to quit smoking. Make THIS the year you quit smoking and kick the habit for good because you are worth it!

Take Action Today To Quit Smoking