Managing Our Sweet Tooth
We sat down with Dr. Arlan Cage, naturopathic physician, based in Montana, who has been practicing for over 20 years. While is knowledgeable in all areas of the body, he does have expertise with the endocrine system. So we asked about what we could learn regarding our thyroid.
As Dr. Cage explains our thyroid regulates our metabolism. Our entire body generates hormones that tells every cell in our body how fast they need to go. Different organs raise and lower our metabolism independent of other organs by listening to the autonomic nervous system. Our thyroid is one of them. As Dr. Cage describes, if we are resting, our gastrointestinal tract will be activated to digest, but if we are being chased by something or are actively moving, such as during exercise, the GI tract turns off and the energy from our adrenal and thyroid glands goes to the organs that we need to sustain that activity, which is into the heart and our muscles.
He says that sometimes, a person who is experiencing multiple issues may go in to see a more conventional practitioner, and walk out with multiple prescriptions to manage multiple issues, when there might actually be one issue that causes all those problems in the body. The thyroid may be causing multiple issues. So, if we can zero in on the problem, there may be a better way to treat it.
When we experience issues with our thyroid gland, we may have hypothyroid issues which is a low producing thyroid gland or over-active thyroid which is hyperthyroidism. When a patient comes in to see him, he pays attention to the symptoms they are having, and in the case of potential hypothyroidism, they may have issues with their skin, dry hair, brittle or weak nails. When one is experiencing hyperthyroidism they may experience a rapid heartbeat, weight loss, increased appetite and anxiety. The question he is trying to answer is this, is the thyroid hormone that is being generated, being properly absorbed into all the target tissues? Is it properly utilized to regulate our metabolism?
Dr. Cage begins with understanding a patient’s full health history and starts with where the patient is currently at with their health. He takes a bigger picture approach with a goal to establishing their optimal health. Sometimes food allergies interfere with the gut and have a ripple effect throughout and as a result the body produces a low-grade inflammation so that nothing seems to be working properly. Stress is another area of concern.
First, he takes a look at their nutrition. Surprisingly, there is a category of foods that for some people will interfere with hormone production and uptake. These are goitrogenic foods that include broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, turnips, kale, cabbage, soy, flax seeds, millet and cassava. The common thread in these foods may be associated with their sulfur levels. If a patient has symptoms that indicate they may have a low producing thyroid, he might suggest they avoid these foods and focus on other healthy vegetables to maintain good nutrients in their diet. There are other key nutrients that the body needs to make thyroid hormone and for the other tissues to absorb and use the thyroid hormone. These include Vitamin B2, B3 and Magnesium, which can be taken in a high-quality supplement if you’re not getting enough in your diet. Selenium is also a key nutrient for the proper conversion of the hormone T4 (the inactive reserve form of thyroid hormone) and its conversion to T3 (which is the bio-active form that tells your body to do something).
Stress, as already mentioned, is also a major factor in thyroid health. A high-level of stress blocks the conversion of T4 to T3. So, learning how to better manage stress is key to improving your thyroid state. Dr. Cage points out that in other cultures, their lifestyle plays a factor in better health, with managing stress. So, living in a high paced society, high-pressure job and big demands at home can all contribute to this high level of stress. Learning ways to cope, such as incorporating meditation into your daily life, having conversations with loved ones about managing expectations, doing things to relax you and calm your mind, and putting yourself in calming situations will be beneficial in the long-term.
Some other things Dr. Cage points out is that iodine is used to make more thyroid hormone and also used in every cell as part of the hormone receptors for all our hormones including thyroid, reproductive, stress, and blood sugar hormones. We all need iodine for the receptors to function optimally and if we’re not getting enough, we can take iodine supplements. Also, our body temperature should be checked, and he let us know that our morning, mid-day and evening temperatures should average to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
After testing properly for thyroid issues, being diagnosed and in managing their symptoms with diet changes, stress management and supplementation with the right nutrients, he may prescribe thyroid hormones. He let us know that bio-identical hormones are best. A large part of the thought is because the molecular structure is identical to what we produce in our own body, and a compound pharmacy is able to compound our T3 and T4 independently, which gives us flexibility in dosing. No two people are the same, which means personalized medication is optimal for our health.
Finally, prevention is key. Dr. Cage suggests a high-quality nutritional approach, nutrient supplementation, and a regular detoxification program at least once or twice a year (this is due to the environmental toxins that are unavoidable). He also suggests coming to him before issues even start, as he consults regularly on optimal health. He will come to your home, go through all your cupboards and tell you what to keep and what to get rid of, so that you can eat more nutritionally. There was so much information we covered in our conversation, that we will be sure to continue to share with you.
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