SYMPTOMS OF THYROID DISORDERS

I do not know much about thyroid disorders, but I am aware they are much more prevalent than most of us realize. Dr. David Brownstein, a Family Physician, has done a lot of research and written on the subject. He is the author of the book Overcoming Thyroid Disorders as well as several other books. He has stated that the most common symptoms associated with thyroid dysfunction include the following:

• Brain fog and poor brain function
• Constipation
• Depression
• Dry skin, weight gain
• Fatigue
• Hair Falling Out
• Headaches
• Menstrual Disorders
• Poor eyebrow growth
• Sense of coldness, including hands and feet

He has also stated that a history of cardiovascular disease, psoriasis, infertility, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, as well as a history of anemia can all be related to inadequate thyroid function.

If you suffer from some of these problems and your thyroid function hasn't been checked, you may want to ask your doctor to do some thyroid testing.

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NO TO SODA, POP, SOFT DRINKS OR WHATEVER YOU CALL IT

Do not drink sodas on a regular basis but substitute water with a slice of citrus such as lemon, lime or orange. Even a slice of cucumber is a good idea. According to the American Heart Association, drinking two or more sugar-sweetened beverages a day may expand a woman's waistline and increase her risk of heart disease and diabetes. This was stated in a symposium to women but should be applied to men, too.

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SALAD DRESSINGS

Dr. A. Marc Gillinov, noted surgeon at the famed Cleveland Clinic, suggests getting rid of creamy salad dressings and making your own dressing with some type of blend of extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar with some spices to taste. Dr. Gillinov states, "Olive oil is a healthy fat that's good for your heart." Don't ruin a healthy salad by loading it down with a dressing that is not good for you!

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HEART DISEASE ADVICE

Less than 20% of women think they are at risk for heart disease even though it is the #1 killer in America. Ladies make sure you are eating a heart-healthy diet, getting enough exercise, and know the signs of a heart attack - women and men usually suffer different symptoms. There are many posts on this blog to help you with both. Take the time to read them.

SALT AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

 Approximately 70% of Americans will have high blood pressure during their lifetimes. Even worse, 1 in 4 persons with hypertension (high blood pressure) have their blood pressure under control. It is a good idea to watch your sodium (salt) intake. Studies show that the higher the sodium intake, the more blood pressure increases with age. Salt causes the body to retain fluid thus causing an increase in blood volume. The increase in blood volume raises the blood pressure. One should never salt their food without tasting it first. It is beneficial to one's health to go easy on salt.

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THANKSGIVING MEAL NUTRITION

Don't feel guilty about enjoying a bountiful Thanksgiving Day meal. There's some good nutrition in the holiday meal. Eat in moderation and consider the following instead of counting calories for this one meal. 

• Pumpkins and Squashes are rich in vitamin A, potassium, fiber, calcium, and phytochemicals.
• Cranberries are rich in vitamins A, B, and C, as well as 12 essential minerals.
• Sweet Potatoes are rich in vitamin A and are a good source of potassium (it's okay to dial down the ooey, gooey topping).
• Turkey is the centerpiece of many Thanksgiving tables. Turkey breast is a good nutritional choice because it's low in fat. But if you prefer the turkey leg, indulge yourself. The dark meat is higher in fat but it's also about three times higher in zinc and iron, two minerals we often don't get enough of in the typical American diet.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving celebration.

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START YOUR DAY IN A HEALTHY WAY

If you are starting your day with coffee and a pastry, a bowl of sugary cereal, or a platter of bacon and eggs try changing that to a healthy breakfast several days a week. According to Anne VanBeber, R.D. and a professor at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, changing to a breakfast of 1 cup of oatmeal can reduce your fat and cholesterol intake by as much as 20%. Adding a slice of whole-grain toast can add more plant sterols to get your day off to a healthy start.

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EATING YOGURT MAY BE GOOD FOR YOUR HEART

Eating yogurt may be good for the heart as well as the gut. A couple of studies done a few years ago by Dr. James W. Anderson, showed that people who ate approximately 7-ounces of yogurt a day, reduced their levels of total cholesterol by almost 3%. That may not sound like much, but according to Dr. Anderson even that small amount of reduction is important because for every 1% drop in total cholesterol, heart-disease risk goes down 2 to 3-percent. Remember, not all yogurt is the same. I recommend you buy yogurt that contains 'active cultures'. And remember buying plain yogurt and adding your own fresh fruit, etc is better for you than some of the yogurts that have a lot of sugar added.

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EUCALYPTUS

Eucalyptus, an herb from Australia, is great at easing congestion. You will find it as an ingredient in many over-the-counter medications such as VapoRubs, nasal decongestants, cough suppressants, etc. Eucalyptus contains the chemical eucalyptol which contains both decongestant and antiseptic powers. However, one should never ingest eucalyptus oil! Note that teas and internal uses such as cough suppressants that contain eucalyptus use the leaves which are very safe.

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DAILY FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SERVINGS

Children over six years of age as well as adults, should be getting 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day just to meet the minimum USDA recommended requirements. To help you know if you and your children are meeting that goal, below are some serving portion sizes. 

• 1/2 cup of cooked, canned or chopped fresh fruit and most vegetables
• 1 cup of raw, leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and other salad greens
• 1 medium tomato or 5 cherry tomatoes
• 3/4 cup juice
• 10 French fries
• 1/2 cup tomato or spaghetti sauce
• 1 medium apple, peach, banana, orange, 1 large kiwi-

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