Do you ever wonder whether hypothyroidism and intermittent fasting can complement each other?
For most of your life, you may have had trouble keeping up a healthy weight. However, all your efforts to lose weight have always been hampered or made more difficult by hypothyroidism.
Intermittent fasting is a popular choice among people since it provides you with enough flexibility when trying to lose weight. In this article, you will find all you need to know about an intermittent fasting regimen with hypothyroidism.
Definition of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between the eating window and the fasting period. It offers you a timeframe for eating and fasting to emphasize how your body uses food, rather than adhering to a particular diet plan or emphasizing which food items to avoid.
One can practice intermittent fasting according to a variety of different patterns such as alternate-day fasting, time-restricted eating, the warrior diet, and more.
Intermittent fasting is used for a number of reasons. People may decide to fast for health reasons in order to reduce insulin resistance, improve cognitive function, regulate inflammation, lose weight, and so forth.
Definition of Hypothyroidism
When your body creates thyroid hormones less than required, hypothyroidism sets in. With the shape of a butterfly, the thyroid is a little gland that is located close to the windpipe. It triggers the release of hormones that aid in energy regulation and use in your body.
The actions of your digestive system and your heartbeat are among the processes that thyroid hormones assist regulate. In the absence of enough thyroid hormones, the natural processes of your body start to slack off.
Hypothyroidism, often known as an underactive thyroid, typically affects adults beyond 60 years of age and is more prevalent in females than males. However, it can be identified through a normal blood test or if symptoms appear.
Is Intermittent Fasting Effective For People with Hypothyroidism?
Every one of us is different and has different sensitivities. For some persons with hypothyroidism, intermittent fasting can be harmless. Others may experience adverse effects from it. Fasting has a direct effect on the thyroid because it is the body’s main metabolic engine.
In a recent study, the impacts of alternate-day fasting were assessed in healthy individuals. Triiodothyronine levels were lower in individuals who rotated 36 hours of calorie restriction with 12 hours of unrestrained eating than in the control group. According to research, following a low-calorie diet could result in a drop in triiodothyronine levels.
A different study compared the effectiveness of daily caloric restriction vs alternate-day fasting for weight loss in persons with subclinical hypothyroidism. Results, after six months, revealed a comparable bodyweight loss with calorie restriction and alternate-day fasting. Alternate-day fasting reduced insulin resistance more than calorie restriction did. TSH and free thyroxin remained the same.
Intermittent Fasting for Hypothyroidism: How to Get Started?
The potential benefits of intermittent fasting can overshadow the common drawbacks of calorie-reduced diets for hypothyroidism.
However, if you have hypothyroidism, it’s crucial to proceed with caution when fasting intermittently. To begin with a mild version of intermittent fasting, for example, 12/12 fasting, you can eat three meals a day.
Additionally, it’s essential to ensure that the foods you consume are nutritious and rich in calories. When using intermittent fasting, calorie restriction is not always necessary. Instead, it’s preferable to engage in periods of fasting and eating.
When you feel positive eating in this manner, you can gradually lengthen your daily fast. After a while, you can notice that you instinctively consume less food without feeling hungry. This is a healthy indicator that comes with intermittent fasting.
Work in close collaboration with your doctor since it’s essential to closely monitor thyroid hormone levels. Additionally, consult with your doctor as medication dosages may need to be adjusted during the course of intermittent fasting.
Conclusion
Calorie-restricted diets can be harmful to hypothyroid patients since they impede metabolism.
On the contrary, since intermittent fasting allows the body to utilize the energy stored, it has a less detrimental effect on metabolism.
Consult your doctor about whether intermittent fasting is the best option for you if you’re considering utilizing it for losing weight and other health advantages.
