In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone or the body does not use the hormone properly. The thyroid hormone affects almost every cell in the body. An estimated 85% of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers also have hypothyroidism. Some doctors even estimate that as high as 40% of the general U.S. population suffers from below-optimal thyroid function, making it a hidden epidemic.

Iodine and selenium are important for thyroid function. Most people get enough iodine from the food they eat. This is not necessarily the case with selenium. Even a mild selenium deficiency may contribute to the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases. The toxin MSG also contributes to hypothyroidism by damaging the hypothalamus of the brain, which indirectly causes reduced thyroid production. Fluoride is another toxin that strains the thyroid.

Some foods contain chemicals called goitrogens. Goitrogens cause the thyroid gland to enlarge by interfering with thyroid hormone production. Foods that contain goitrogens include rapeseed/canola oil, soy, corn, peanuts, yucca, sweet potatoes, lima beans, and millet. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussel sprouts, also contain goitrogens. However, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, lightly steaming cruciferous vegetables deactivates the goitrogens so that you may eat them without affecting your thyroid.

Note: A food that has a positive effect on the thyroid and the immune system is extra virgin coconut oil. Alternative medicine practitioners say that coconut oil should be “dosed” by starting with one teaspoon per day and working your way up to three tablespoons daily.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism vary from person to person, but may include feeling cold, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, mood swings, difficulty losing weight, PMS, heavy periods, dry skin and hair, brittle nails, headaches, hair loss, difficulty with memory and concentration, constipation, low libido, frequent infections, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The lower than normal body temperature caused by hypothyroidism is an immune system depressant. Individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome should make it a priority to determine if their thyroid is doing its job. Unfortunately, blood tests for hypothyroidism are unreliable at best. They also cannot detect when people produce enough thyroid hormone but don’t use it properly.

A good way to screen for hypothyroidism is to check for a low body temperature before getting out of bed in the morning for seven consecutive days. Place the thermometer under your armpit for ten minutes. If your temperature is below 97.8 to 98.2 degrees, talk with your doctor because you are likely hypothyroid, even if you have had normal blood tests.

Note: Women should wait until after their first day of their period before taking their temperature readings.

Disclaimer: I am certainly not a doctor and nothing that I say should be taken as medical advice, nor has it been evaluated by the FDA.

Is there a link between Lyme disease and auto-immune diseases including Chronic Fatigue Sydrome? 

If you have ever been bitten by a tick, flea, mosquito, gnat, or mite or have been sexually active with someone who has been bitten, then you are at risk for Lyme Disease. Lyme can also be transmitted from mother to unborn child and through breast-feeding. Contaminated food can also pass along the disease.

Forget what you have been told about “bulls-eye” rashes and deep woods excursions – they only make up a small percentage of the population infected by Lyme. Lyme Disease is not rare. It is an epidemic. Lyme disease and the inflammation produced because of it are also most likely a factor in the severity of many individuals’ autoimmune symptoms – if not the cause. (The Lyme Disease “outbreak” of the mid-1970’s caused arthritis.) According to the renowned Dr. Cowden, “…more than 50% of chronically ill people may have Lyme contributing to their condition”. (http://www.mercola.com/2001/jul/25/lyme_disease.htm)

Lyme, which was not even recognized in the United States until 1975, may be one of the most misunderstood and devastating diseases of our day. The test normally used to detect Lyme disease is extremely unreliable. This test does not look for the Lyme causing borreliosis bacteria. Instead, the test looks for the antibodies that your body has produced against Lyme causing bacteria. The problem is that Lyme can go undetected by your immune system for a long period of time, so those antibodies are not produced against it. Even after antibodies are produced, they are generally found in the tissue, not the blood of an infected person. The result is a negative blood test even if Lyme is present all over the body. Many organ systems can be invaded before an infected person even feels any symptoms. Some will never feel symptoms. (http://www.mercola.com/2001/jul/25/lyme_disease.htm)

Dr. Jo Anne Whitaker (no known relation to the author) developed a test that looks for the Lyme borreliosis bacteria, not the antibody. Dr. Whitaker’s lab has tested thousands of people for the presence of Lyme causing bacteria. Every test performed by her lab since 1999 has been positive for Lyme disease. (http://www.healthynewage.com/herbal-health-newsletter2.htm)

Lyme causes autoimmunity in the brain and central nervous system, not just the joints. It can mimic MS, Chronic Fatigue, and many mental illnesses.

Note: These recipes are being provided specifically for the students in my 12 Weeks to a New You class. If you have Fibromyalgia or any other autoimmune disorder, you may also find them helpful.

“Milk”

Pistachio Milk Note: Raw nuts inhibit enzymes. Substitute roasted or cooked nuts.

Coconutmilk Cream

Cashew Milk Cream Note: Raw nuts inhibit enzymes. Substitute roasted or cooked nuts. Cashew milk cream is PERFECT for cream soups. Use it to make the best chowders that you have ever tasted.

Almond Milk Note: Raw nuts inhibit enzymes. Substitute roasted or cooked nuts.

Cream Soups

Cream of ANYTHING Soups Use cashew milk instead of milk. Use almond, quinoa, or buckwheat flour instead of wheat flour.

Holiday Recipes

Pumpkin Nog (Counts as alkaline-forming treat)

Tres Leches (My husband learned to love this dessert while lving in Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Root Mash - Do not use white potatoes. Substitute cows milk with one of the above “milks”.

Pumpkin Stew

Mashed Sweet Potatoes - Use a milk substitute from above

Lemon Pie

Recipes with Medicinal Ingredients

Ginger Detox Tea

Carmelized Onions Note: Use sea salt, not table salt

Yellow Lentils with Spinach and Ginger

Spiced Quinoa

Maitake Rice Pilaf

Medicinal Mushroom Recipes

Salad Dressing

Basil Vinaigrette Dressing Use maple instead of honey.

Lime Cilantro Dressing 

Salmon Recipes

Lemon Garlic Salmon

Lemon Dill Salmon

Baked Salmon with Fennel - Use lemon juice instead of orange.

Broccoli Recipes

Creamy Broccoli Soup - Use cashew milk instead of milk. Use almond, quinoa, or buckwheat flour instead of wheat flour.

Broccoli with Garlic

Broccoli with Almonds

Heidi’s Favorite: I don’t have a recipe for this one, but if you are adventurous, try throwing these ingredients together to make my favorite broccoli dish: fresh broccoli, cashew halves or pieces, pineapple bits or chunks, coconut flakes, and diced red onion. Yummy! For the holidays, add orange-flavored crasins. You can also substitute sunflower seeds for the cashew pieces. To keep the recipe more alkaline-forming, use almonds instead of cashews and avoid the crasins.

My version of Heavenly Hawaiian Haystacks

Serves 4

 Recipe from www.HealthyDivas.com

Dear Fibromyalgia Sufferer,

Let’s face it.

Knowledge is power! What you don’t know about fibromyalgia, it’s causes, and treatments could be preventing you from taking control of your health and living a fuller life.

For Me, Ignorance Was NOT Bliss!

I understand what it is like to be kept in the dark. I was like most people who suffer from an autoimmune disease like fibromyalgia; I had no idea about the little things I was doing everyday that were contributing to my condition and causing me misery.

I didn’t know because my doctors didn’t tell me!

Frankly, my ignorance caused me needless suffering.

Be Inspired!

Today, I am living steroid and drug free because I know the secrets that enable me to make the most of my life. I am pain free and full of energy! I get to be an active participant in the lives of my children. I make plans without the worry of a flare-up spoiling them.

Fibromyalgia sufferers from all walks of life have been inspired by my story and wanted to know exactly what changed my life so dramatically. I have shared these secrets with countless people. Now it is YOUR turn. I am willing and anxious to pass on these hard to find facts to you.

“Prepare to be EMPOWERED!”

Through my newsletter, fibromyalgia blog, seminars, BRAND NEW support forum, speaking engagements, private coaching, eCourse, emotional support kits, work from home choices blog and books, I have helped countless people find the hope and the help that they need.

Together, we can do this!

Sincerely,

Heidi Whitaker