Tag Archives: digestion

How restrictive dieting (low calories) negatively impacts your thyroid

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Your thyroid is a 🦋-shaped gland that powers every cell in your body. It sets the pace for your body to function and operate.

Thyroid health can be so confusing, especially because you don’t need to be diagnosed with a thyroid disorder to suffer from thyroid issues. Hypothyroidism or sluggish thyroid is much more common in women than hyperthyroidism—see symptoms on slide 6.

Swipe👉🏻 to learn how chronic dieting, under-eating, under-nourishing can lead to impaired thyroid function.

It’s important to understand that the years of stressors (Like: undernourishment, overexercising, lack of rest, sunlight, constant stimulation, trauma, halogen exposure, etc.) will not disappear overnight.

Here are some areas to focus on to bring back balance:

Managing STRESS — Developing positive stress coping mechanisms like: journaling, getting outside, asking for help, breath work, taking a bath, therapy, &hanging with pets. Be sure to prioritize morning and bedtime routines, quality sleep, gentle exercise, and support your circadian rhythm by getting enough natural light (and less blue light exposure).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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NUTRIENTS — Our thyroid requires specific minerals, like Vit. A, iodine, zinc, copper, selenium, etc. to properly function. Focus on nutrient-dense foods like shrimp, organ meats, bone broth, quality dairy, &fresh fruits.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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DIGESTION — We need to properly break down and absorb our food to get the nutrients our thyroid requires. We also need enough stomach acid for a healthy digestive process. Try adding in digestive bitters if you suffer from digestive issues.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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TOXINS — Specific chemicals called halogens (bromine, chlorine, and fluorine) compete with iodine and bind to thyroid receptors, preventing thyroid hormones from working properly. Filtering fluoride and chloride out of your drinking and bath/shower water helps those with thyroid dysfunction.⠀⠀⠀

Looking for more support navigating your cycle with fitness & nutrition? Check out my FREE guide & pro-metabolic strength training guide available for purchase!

LINK to apply for 1:1 coaching 🫶🏻

#onlinepersonaltrainer#onlinefitnesscoach#chronicdieting#hormoneimbalance#womenshealth#strengthtrainingforwomen
#thyroid#thyroidhealth#fitnessjourney

How stress impacts digestive function

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The root of most gut problems, is the downgrade of metabolic health. It’s not the food honey, it’s the chronic stress.

First, what do I mean by stress? It is anything that causes the body to STRAIN and use extra fuel resources and pull those things from being used in important daily body functions.

What is digestion? The mechanical and chemical processes in which the body breaks down and absorbs nutrients from food. When we are in the fight or flight state, our body prioritizes survival, by pulling power from digestive organs and sending blood, oxygen and nutrients to the organs like heart, lunges, adrenals and muscles.

The energetic state we are in when consuming our food matters. Eating mindlessly or in a stressed out environment leads to not chewing food properly. When we swallow large chunks of food, this leads to issues in the gut. Being in a stressed state means less stomach acid, digestive enzymes, sluggish bile, and less colon contractions. Large chunks of food can lead to fermenting, rotting, irritation and feeding of bacteria.

Ideally, food is broken down into liquid before swallowed, this allows for maximal absorption later in the intestines. A good rule of thumb is count to 20-30 chews before swallowing. As long as you do this, until you lose count at least–that’s a step in the right direction. Mechanical digestion mastication and peristalsis (chewing and movement through the gut) are equally crucial as chemical digestion for absorption of nutrients.

Digestion begins in the brain and nervous system, as well as the senses. How appetizing your plate is, the smells, tastes and textures. Salvia (drool) itself contains digestive enzymes.

Creating a pre-meal ritual where you take a few deep breaths to relax your brain and body is helpful when going through stressful times. As counterintuitive as it may seem, the more you enjoy your food and incorporate mindful eating practices into the daily routines, the better your digestion, absorption and overall satisfaction will be.

#stress#digestivehealth#digestion#diet#personaltrainer#nutrition#stressmanagement#deepbreaths#vagusnerve#mindfulness#mindful#mindfuleating