Unfortunately you don't sound like a conspiracy theorist.  I even know of an example of a fortune 500 company receiving air time for one of their products by "respected" news agencies.  

Back in the summer of 1999 or 00 one would have thought the supplement SAMe was the cure all for depression and arthritis.  Magazines Time, & Newsweek ran articles on it.  My memory isn't so good anymore but I believe one of them even placed SAMe on the front cover.  The nightly news NBC, CBS, and ABC all ran gushing reports on SAMe and its natural curing abilities.    

I'd like to say that the news reporting was done because SAMe is truly a wonder supplement.  That is not the case.  It is a fine product I suppose but not the kind of product that deserves the enormous press coverage that it did.  The reason it received so much press is because the large multi national company asked them to do so.

Dr. Davis, these comments are a huge inspiration.

As a b-school prof, I know that pharma and hospitals are not intentionally exploitative, but the profit motive inexorably works its effects in all aspects of the decision process, and ethical standards are gradually stretched to the minimum limits of acceptability.

I recently did a casual analysis of the ads in Reader's Digest. About 80% of the ads are for prescription drugs to treat lifestyle-inflicted illnesses, such as high BP, type 2 diabetes, and inability to sleep, as wells other highly questionable illnesses such as "restless leg syndrome, or RLS." Daytime TV is about the same. You may notice that the ads now say "talk to your prescriber" instead of "talk to your doctor" -- in other words, they don't care who prescribes it, only that it gets prescribed.

THESE ADS ARE THE REVENUE SOURCES FOR THE MEDIA, WHICH MUST CATER TO THE ADVERTISERS IN ORDER TO STAY IN BUSINESS. PHARMA PAYS FOR THE RESEARCH IN UNIVERSITIES, AS WELL.

People don't bite the hand that feeds them!

Wow! I wasn't aware of that.

Would you know who the company was?

Rich--

I had no idea that the proportion of pharmaceutical ads had grown to such an extraordinary number. The drug industry is not stupid--their direct-to-consumer advertising must be working in a big way.

Yeah, maybe I'm too cautious, but giving the companies name shouldn't be a problem in this case.  The SAMe pills were made by an Italian firm that had/has a contract with BASF.  (They could be a division of BASF.)  

I was told by a BASF employee that their press department is very good and persuasive.  They wanted to create a buzz for the product.  70% of sales for health foods are generated on new products.  People like to rush out and try the new thing.

Don't forget to include the "non-profits". Back in the 1950's my father, a physician, told me that the American Cancer Society did not really want to find a cure for cancer. From some of the things the American Heart Associaton promotes, I don't think they really want to stop heart disease.
Anne

I couldn't agree more.

Thank goodness we have someone like you, Dr. Davis, who can help us sort through all these industries who are looking for "suckers".

There is a very interesting 6 part documentary on youtube about marketing and the pharmaceutical industry. "Big Bucks, Big Pharma"
Here is the link to part 6.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVDTo8Rm1rE&feature=related

In addition to home kits we might create drop in health shops where healthy people are given a quick set of automated tests/scans and the results made available to them online.

This is a great tool as many of my clients mention their thyroids and wonder if there was a way to monitor it.  When will this be available in the UK?

I'm not sure getting tested is as big of an issue as getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.  I know lots of women who have their their thyroids tested (at least minimally with a TSH) but the results are not properly interpreted or treated.   Usually they end up with anti-depressant meds or are told to eat less and exercise more (or both).

My thyroid was tested for about ten years (mostly with just the TSH and total T4, not the full complement of thyroid tests) for more than ten years because of two infertility investigations and later, symptoms of fatigue, etc.  I didn't ask for these tests; they were routine as part of a panel or the doctor specified them.  

My HMO network doctors failed to see that my TSH was slowly slowly rising in that decade because they only looked at the recent result and not the trend (and there was a faster rate of increase after 7-8 years of testing).  They also missed that my results  were always in the "upper end" of the reference range (in late 2002 at least two national medical boards said the upper range was suspicious of development of mild hypothyroidism and the range should be adjusted downward).  Last year when I brought these AACE and NACL recommendations to the attention of the local HMO network lab supervisor, he was unaware of of the new range recommendations and promised to look into it.  I was pleased to note the ref range was somewhat adjusted down a few months later.

So for me, the lab tests were less an issue; I had numerous TSH and total T4 tests while my symptoms progressively increased, but with little good.  

The biggest difficulty was getting a correct diagnosis and the proper treatment, instead of attempts to suppress symptoms with other meds (I felt in my gut this was the wrong approach and I mostly resisted it).  

The best treatment I've tried to date has been desiccated thyroid hormone (I'm now taking 1 grain of Nature-throid daily); to get to this it took a full three years with a continual search to find a local doctor who would use and correctly interpret the right lab tests *and* take into account my symptoms.   I hear similar stories from other hypothyroid people.

Yes, absolutely correct, Anna. Getting tested is just the first step.

Once tested, understanding what they mean is the next step. But at least you know where you start. It's certainly better than not having any data at all.

Next hurdle: Getting treatment when you need it. A topic for future discussion!

Lincolb--It is available in the U.K. by ordering.

I guess that's how CA and NY can justify putting restrictions on their sale.  Sheesh!  Reminds me of when CA was on the brink of criminalizing home-schooling.

That's great! I will recommend that to my sister and friend who were always complaining that they might have thyroid problem.
See yah!

Cathy Young
http://fashionhotcelebs.blogspot.com/

I have also been able to get my doctors to do TSH tests, but since my labs ate at the upper end of normal, they also pooh pooh my suggestion  that treating the thyroid might positively impact other issues they care about, like my cholesterol levels and my asthma.  But they would rather give me statins (which I refuse to take) and advair (which I take only because I have to be able to function.)  I think they have it in my notes that I am hypochondriac and uncompliant. So much for being proactive for my own health care! Now they think I am a nutcase!

I agree with Anna. My doc has routinely tested TSH for years. This past check up I told her I wanted more info on the thryoid because of my lack of energy and other symptoms. She ordered T3 and T4 along with TSH but nothing else. My TSH came in at 4.5 on a scale going to 4.5 which is a full point jump since my last test. My T3 is almost abnormal on the low end. However since they are within the lab's normal range, she says I am fine. I am making an appointment with doc #2 in my search for someone that knows what they are doing. I sure hope it does not take the 3 years to find him/her it took Anna!

Laura,

I'd also like to add that much of that 3 years looking for better care was also spent educating myself (I must have read every book available on hypothyroidism to get a sense of all the perspectives), so developed a sense of when to seek out another doctor's care and when to settle for "good enough for now".  

For me, the hardest part was early on -  summoning the inner strength to get over my reluctance to find new care and thyroid hormone options.  I was acutely aware that my tactic might be viewed as "doctor-shopping" or hypochondria.   Each step wasn't always very far forward, but it was still progress in some way and far more therapeutic than stagnating (it didn't always feel like progress at the time, though).

Good luck in your quest for better care and more thorough assessment of your thyroid function.  Be sure to get tested for anti-thyroid antibodies.

Regular Doctors are always a crap shoot. If you don't mind switching Doctors, it is better to seek out a Doctor that you know will probably be receptive to alternative therapies right from the get go. Life Extension has a list of "Innovative Doctors" here:

http://www.lef.org/Health-Wellness/InnovativeDoctors/

Another good source for Doctors that would probably be receptive to taking a patients thyroid concerns more seriously can be found at the A4M site:

http://www.worldhealth.net/pages/directory

Likewise, if lipid disorders are your concern, you can find a Lipidologist at the following site:

http://www.learnyourlipids.com/resources.php

Hope this helps.

John M.

here is the site to find thyroid hormones friendly doctors.
http://www.armourthyroid.com/con_phLocator.aspx

Dr Davis, I don't think that you are on there? LOL

Another option when faced with uncooperative doctors: order thyroid from an overseas pharmacy.

You forgot the option of saying you look Healthy so the test is unnecessary and Ridiculing you -- but finally ordering the tests, because you wouldn't leave the room till he patronizingly agreed (hey, whatever works)... and it turns out I have multi-nodule goiter!!

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

Although this was not asked in the poll, I believe that it is a safe assumption that you asked with good reason: you're abnormally fatigued, you have been gaining weight for no apparent reason or can't lose weight despite substantial effort, or you feel cold at inappropriate times.

Hmmm the Kitavans break your first rule and they don't have any signs of heart disease.

Danny,

Multifactorial, much?  And of the 20% or so of TEI from fat, the Kitavans consumed most of that as SFA.  Quite a bit different from the Ornish recommended screw you fat down as low as you can go approach.

Hmmm... maybe they're good on the other 9 steps perhaps???

I'm just curious about the inclusion of a multivitamin. How does a multi increase your chances of a heart attack? Maybe the ones with iron? Thanks

Elliot

I would love to know the reasons behind these - would you be interested in posting brief explanations?

I'm assuming the multi-vitamin is included for those types who can eat shite but as long as they are swallowing 20 vitamins & minerals everyday, they'll be fine and dandy... no need to change your diet when you can get everything you need from a pill you know.

Very good advice for thrill seakers. Perhaps, to make it even more exciting, you can advice them to consume lots of omega 6 containing vegetable oils. VBR Hans

This post is something one has to ead carefully as far as heart health is concerned. A source of information like this will help you understand so much about your health and how to deal with unexpected illness like heart attack.

To me, if one learns something about health, it shows how care for yourself and how good you take care of your precious body.

I say well done ! doc.

The Eades have a chapter about iron overload. Basically, our bodies have no mechanism for ridding excess iron, this historically happened naturally through blood loss: trauma and parasites. Then there's the famous study showing that beta carotene and vit A supplementation (18,000 people!) http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/334/18/1150 Better to get things in their natural state, like from a vegetable, rather than popping a Centrum. I use a few supplements, mostly to try and make up for what I perceive as lacking from modern lifestyle, vit D for inadequate sunlight, coQ10 for lack of organ meat consumption, etc. I chucked the Centrum.

Danny, the Kitavans also smoke a lot, so hey, that must be really good for your heart, also!

oops ... showed that vit A and beta carotene actually increased death rates by 28% for people at risk for lung cancer. The CARET study.

@Danny

It depends if you consider coconut and fatty acids from fish as low-fat foods...i know i don't.

Kurt Harris will tell you about the Kitavans, Danny

http://www.paleonu.com/panu-weblog/2009/11/2/im-so-bored-with-the-kitavans.html

I have to say: On my old "American" diet, my LDL was 155, on a 20% fat diet, it was 113, and on a 10% fat diet, it was 95.

Oh, my.  Well, I don't do any of these things any longer, so that's good.  However, I recently switched to natural sea salt after reading Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions, which is not fortified with added iodine.  Should I go back to the processed, bleached stuff?  I really don't want to, so how should I make sure I get enough iodine?

I would've kept my high-fat diet going for heart health, but I got tired of having chest pains.

@Jan: No way, never go back to regular table salt. Stick with the good stuff. We have used Redmond's for years now and I was happily surprised when I first visited our new family doc and saw an empty Redmond's bag on his desk. I asked him why he had it there and he said it's the only salt he recommends to all his patients. My nurse (part of the same practice) actually told me to mix a tsp. of Redmond's in a glass of water each day for my thyroid. I also take supplemental iodine... and Vit.D because we live so far north we don't get much natural D absorption here, something about the angle of the rays.

Pretty much I follow your advice but it seems like there are lots of indigenous cultures that eat unrefined carbs and seem to be much healthier than us.

So what about Okinawa, Sardinia, Costa Rica and other places where little meat is consumed?  How do they live to be 100?

In Okinawa they eat a lot of pork and cook everything in lard.

I eat breakfast cereal because it's the simplest thing to prepare. All I need to do is mix milk and cereal and I'm done. In my half awake state, I funnel it into my tummy and I'm done.

What is a good substitute for cereal that follows this beautiful simplicity? Help me check #3 off the list.

-- Boris

Dr. Davis,

With respect to iodine, do you have any feelings regarding the use of granulated kelp?  For a while I had toyed with the idea of mixing it in a shaker with the seal salt I use, however the issue of arsenic levels made me hesitant to go that route.

-Robert Daly

@praguestepchild.  Well I can see by your picture that you are male.  For  50% of the population, menstruation might be a possible regular blood loss event. Just sayin'

My mother has #11: have your grown children live with you.

I didn't tell her that #12, in susceptible individuals, is to live with your parents.

Re: iodine, I eat dulse, a wild Atlantic sea vegetable (read: seaweed). Properly prepared, it tastes good to me. To rehydrate it, I put it in a sealed container with salad overnight.

The package says a 1/3 cup serving has 780% of the RDA of iodine and only 3g of carb, 2g of which are fiber.

Please submit a clarification or list of what one SHOULD DO (instead ) DO rather than the list of things here - I'm completely confused now! - I'd like some sort of explanation  - I want to ensure that I have an excellent lipid profile, low cholesterol and low risk or neglible heart disease and atherosclerosis, what SHOULD one do ???

While I don't use Dr Esselstyn's diet I'm impressed that 100s of his heart disease patients have totally avoided repeat heart attacks by avoiding animal fat.  This record goes back decades.  I've taken Dr Davis' advice and generally avoid wheat (except for a little wheat germ) but I see nothing wrong with unprocessed grains for most people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYTf0z_zVs0&feature=channel

Anon,

If you read this blog on a regular basis, you'd know what to DO.
DO your homework!

Jeanne

Love to get your take on this Dr. Davis: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38007231/ns/health-diabetes/

Dr Davis,

Speaking of heart attacks, a friend of mine's wife is in the hospital as we speak with heart attack symptoms. (Chest pains, numbness in arm, sweating, etc).  She is only 42 years old. They have been running a series of tests including the tropinin test from the sounds of what he describes, which has been flutuating up and down to high of 13. They have done a Catheter Angiography amd say everything "looks fine", with no blockages, and say they are puzzled at this point. They don't want to release her due the the chest pains and tropinin test and are considering tranferring her to another hospital.  Any ideas? also, does the cardio angiography rule out plaque blockages?

Thanks!
Kent

What's wrong with yogurt?

Hey folks,
I see that the moderator side of things for this blog appears to have gone away in that posts appear straight away.  No doubt some culling will occur.

For those who are new, check out this blog for key items such as Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, LDL particle size (making the distribution mode larger),  HDL (increasing it), effect of Niacin on LDL and tryglycerides (dropping), impact of low fat/high carbs diets on type II diabetes, Iodine impact on thyroid function and finally Omega 3/fish oil intake.

All this info is on this blog or you can download an interview of Dr Davis with Jimmy Moore of http://livinlavidalowcarb.com

As someone mentioned, you should do your own homework, and make your decision on what is best

other sources, Baylor College's www.lipidsonline.org  and the Med journal Circulation, eg http://www.circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/99/4/591 tells you about antioxidants.

This blog, IMHO, is a good motivator and launch point for literature research.  If you need more hand holding then spring for the TYP subscription, what is your health worth to you?.  Personally, I am fine with the web and that has given me the confidence I need to chose diet and ask questions of my FP.

I take a 20mg statin with 2.5g Niacin (most effective combination to lower trigs and reduce CAD event...See lipidsonline.org ), I eat mostly vegetarian but some fish. I have steered away from high amounts of wheat, based on information presented in this blog, and lowered my exposure to PUFAs based on Chris Masterjohn's blog (http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/Vegetarianism.html .  Vitamin D3 normalization (8000IU),  3g DHA/EPA and 120mu vitamin K2 round out the preventative measures for me personally,  Some other folks will swear by their approach. One size does not fit all.  Make an informed decision based on a dialog with your doctor.  

be healthy, not paranoid
Trevor

Lori--

I love your numbers 11 and 12!


Jamie--

My comment about multivitamins was not meant to bash multivitamins per se. People often say to me, "I don't need to take vitamin D, fish oil, magnesium, iodine, etc. because I already take a multivitamin."

It is folly to believe that you can obtain all you need from a multivitamin. It would have to be the size of a golf ball.

Trevor again..... one other good source for nubbies

http://dhaomega3.org

Dr Bruce Holub University of Guelph

shows biggest risk factors for all-cause morbidity (1st smoking, 2nd high blood pressure). 70% higher risk of CAD event from the combination of High Trigs and low HDL.... DHA/EPA Omega3 is key to lowering risk factors

@ Trevor

Wonderful summation Trevor. Most of the answers are here in Dr. Davis' blog.  With your dose of Statin, why aren't you taking CoQ10?

@ anonymous Trevor
Cholesterol Lowering, Cardiovascular Diseases, and the Rosuvastatin-JUPITER Controversy
A Critical Reappraisal The results of the trial do not support the use of statin treatment for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and raise troubling questions concerning the role of commercial sponsors.

I recently saw a cardiologist to get an order for a second EBCT and I explained to him how I increased my HDL from 32 to 71.  I could see that he didn't have a frame of reference for processing that information.  He also commented on how all he knew about nutrition was what he learned in medical school.  I simply remarked "I understand".  I don't think he meets many well-informed patients.

He also didn't think it was possible to reduce the calcium score.  Assuming he follows the ten rules listed by Dr. Davis, I think it's safe to say he never will.

@ Ted,
I hear you. That was a pretty dumb move by AstraZeneca.  Healthy people with no risk profile should not take any drugs "just in case".  

Combination therapy of niacin and statin lowers the risk on CAD events by almost 90%

@ Anon,
I have used CoQ10 at the suggestion of my family physician.  But not so convinced of the need/expenditure.
Trevor

[citations needed]

6 months ago after following a vegan diet my HDL had dropped to 21 and triglycerides were at 256. Now, with low-carb, niacin, vitamin d and fish oil HDL is at 61 with triglycerides at 98.

What about people with the APOe 3/4 genetics? I was told by Berkley Labs that fish oils actually do the reverse for people like me. I  have had a 3 way bipass, am 52 yrs. old and can't get my HDL up past 32, even with 1500 mg niaspan. On an extremly low fat diet LDL went down to 76 but HDL didnt go up. What should a person do if they have hyperlipidemia and are APOe 3/4?

Dr. Davis
I sure wish I could find the truth for Apoe 3/4 people. I get conflicting reports about fats. I have spent the last 3 mo. researching and can see that your info is good for most people. What about us? I know that efa's are important to help ward off alzheimers, but I have been told that I can't process them and should count them in my daily fat allowance. Also Berkleys research showed that omega 3 helped all heart patients except APOe 3/4. What am I going to do? Yvonne

Hi, Yvonne--

We will be having some conversations about the influence of Apo E genetics on dietary considerations in a future Track Your Plaque discussion.

Your tips are really great. Thanks for sharing such a great post.

For the question about cereal for breakfast, use cooked brown rice or other whole grain cereal, gluten free if necessary.  Put it in the crock pot overnight with grass fed pastured milk, butter, honey and nutmeg or cinnamon.  Or crock pot it with delicious bone broth and some animal fat.  Add some lovely pastured cream and butter in the morning and a few bananas or berries, depending on the flavors you have going.  In the morning, just spoon it up and enjoy.  

Next day if you have time, after it congeals in the frig, slice and saute it in bacon fat or butter until the edges are crispy.  Serve with a couple of over easy pastured soy free eggs.   MMMM!

Dear Dr. Davis,

I'm new to your blog, which I find very interesting and full of what appears to be insightful comments and recommendations. I also find your "unorthodox" stance in many issues very refreshing. I would like to know:
1.have you published research backing the advice you give on your blog?
2. have your work been peer reviewed?
3. could you, please, let me know where I can find them?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Dr. Davis,

I really appreciate it if you could provide an answer to my previous comment regarding research backing your advice.

Thanks!

Dear Dr. Davis,

I'm extremely disappointed you haven't answered my question regarding your research, either in this forum or via e-mail. I want to give you the benefit of the doubt, otherwise I would have to conclude that your advice is baseless and does not carry any scientific weight.

most of the stuff makes sense, but what is the issue with multi vitamins?

Doc, what's your thoughts about oats as a wheat supplement? From what I've read, oats don't have the insulin effect of wheat, and have a positive effect on heart health.

I think you mean as a wheat replacement? Yes, it is indeed a great replacement, along with flaxseed. Both exert effects on reducing both LDL and small LDL, opposite that of wheat.

I think it is a pretty easy explanation, wheat contains starches that cause a release of insulin.  Insulin is a powerful hormone that makes you hungry.  Gary Taubes book cites studies where insulin was injected directly into mice and guess what?  The mice eat like pigs.  Then the dropping blood sugar makes you hungry again.  

Ever notice how you get hungrier when you start eating?  That's the first release of insulin and it whets the appetite.  The next release of insulin is slower and bigger (if you're eating lots of carbs).

One of the nicest parts of a low carb diet is you get rid of all these cravings and crazy hunger because insulin is released much more normally.

Barley is a darned good grain also.  More antioxidants than blueberries!

Yes, I agree.

This is absolutely true for me.  I was a victim of the '80s lowfat diet craze - doc told me I was obese, gave me the Standard American Diet and said to watch my fat (I'm not a big meat eater, didn't like mayo ... couldn't figure out where my fat was coming from!  maybe the fries - I will admit I liked fries).  I looked to the USDA food pyramid and to increase my fiber for the constipation I was experiencing.  Bread with 3 grams of fiber wasn't good enough; I turned to Kashi cereals for 11 years.  My constipation turned to steattorrhea and a celiac disease diagnosis!  *No gut pains!*  My PCP sent me to the  gastroenterologist for a colonscopy because my ferritin was a 5 (20 is low range).  Good thing I googled around and asked him to do an endoscopy or I'd be a zombie by now.

My symptoms were depression & anxiety, eczema, GERD, hypothyroidism, mild dizziness, tripping, Alzheimer's-like memory problems, insomnia, heart palpitations, fibromyalgia, worsening eyesight, mild cardiomyopathy, to name a few.

After six months gluten-free, I asked my gastroenterologist about feeling full early ... he said he didn't know what I was talking about!  *shrug*  

But *I* knew -- it was the gluten/starches!  My satiety level has totally changed, and for the first time in my life I feel NORMAL!  

Most of the above symptoms have resolved themselves, except the heart palpitations... Any suggestions?  (Doc seems to only look at thyroid:  Synthroid just reduced again to 100mcg from 175 mcg last year, but I’m still having them, esp w/low bp 96/59)   (I'm losing weight eating no white foods.)

Just heard the tail end of a Gary Taubes interview on XM radio and he mentioned something about low bp and heart ... hmmm.

My life changed when I cut not only all wheat, but all grains from my diet.

For the first time in my life, I was no longer hungry -no hunger pangs between meals; no overwhelming desire to snack.  Now I eat at mealtimes without even thinking about food in between.

I've dropped 70 pounds, effortlessly, come off high blood pressure meds and control my blood sugar without medication.

I don't know whether it was just the elimination of grain, especially wheat, or whether it was a combination of grain elimnation along with a number of other changes, but I do know that mere reduction of grain consumption still left me hungry.  It wasn't until I elimnated it that the overwhelming redution in appetite kicked in.

As a former wheat-addicted vegetarian, who thought she was eating healthily according to all the expert advice out there at the time, I can only shake my head at how mistaken I was.

I've been reading your blog for some time, and eliminating wheat sounds like a great thing...but what do you eat? I'm hypothyroid and have been told to avoid soy products because it interferes with the absorption of thyroid meds. I'm lactose intolerant, so I'm avoiding dairy as much as possible (I miss cheese!), and I've recently been given a diagnosis of IBS. My MD said to avoid raw vegetables and fruits. That leaves eggs, lunch meant, and almonds for protein. Cooked vegetables are very difficult to include in my daily diet when the majority of my meals must be transported. I am at a loss as to where to even begin...and I already eat too much rice because that's one of the things I can consume without discomfort. Needless to say, I am gaining weight... What does someone in my predicament eat to control hunger?

While I have no doubt some are sensitive to wheat, personally I think it's the total carbs in any given meal that regulates appetite. For me, an piece of fruit increases my appetite just as much, if not more than a piece of bread!

Wow. Tough predicament.

I won't pretend to have a full solution but some thoughts:

1) Many lactose intolerant people can handle yogurt and cottage cheese, often some cheese.

2) You've just got to bit the bullet and cook your vegetables. If vegetables are the number one most important food in your diet, you simply need to find a solution.

3) Nuts-lots! Seeds, too, like sunflower and pumpkin.

4) Low-glycemic index grains like oats, barley, and flaxseed (ground). Perhaps Ezekiel bread might be a compromise worth trying.

5) More oils.

6) Rice should be wild.

7) Squashes

8) Avocados-transportable, too.

9) Do you and your doctor feel that ALL raw vegetables trigger IBS symptoms? In my experience, it's just selected vegetables.

No doubt about it. You've got it tougher than most.

dotslady--

Re: palpitations. Have you addressed the omega-3 and magnesium issues? There may also be real issues to consider by your doctor, e.g., your potassium level and blood pressure control. Underappreciated high blood pressure issues can trigger palpitations. In my experience, this is very common.

I'm betting the doctor told nyn to cook her veggies, and avoid soy, because many are goitrogenic (work to make thyroid hormone unusuable).  I think any of the veggies in the brassica family are like broccoli, brussel sprouts.  I know turnips are (I love raw turnips), and soy is too.

If you've got refrigeration and a microwave handy, bringing your meals is pretty easy.  I used to bring all kinds of things to work that would probably work for you.  One of my favorites is a big salad with meat, nuts and a simple olive oil and rice vinegar dressing.  Cooking veggies shouldn't be a problem reheating them in the microwave.  I tend to use lots of frozen veggies and just microwave them and drizzle butter or EVOO on them.

I follow the Paleo diet pretty closely.  It eliminates all grains, legumes, and dairy products.  My autoimmune diseases are much, much better now too.

nancy m & all, thank you for the suggestions. I will look into more cooked veggies. I hate cooking, and am very unhappy with this new way of eating and lifestyle. I am trying to plan ahead, and this site has really helped me. I'm trying to get past the denial stage and move on with things. I wish there was a list of things to eat, like a meal plan, somewhere. I am still looking. Great advice here.

hi nyn -- i've never heard that you have to avoid certain foods when you are taking Synthroid -- you do need to avoid taking calcium and other minerals being co-adminstered at the same time as the Synthroid. Calcium (or magnesium or other cation minerals bind Synthroid and inactive the drug). A recent study showed that taking thyroid replacement medications at bedtime on an empty stomach has the most optimal effects and absorption. so i tell patients to take Levothroid or synthroid when they brush their teeth at night (assuming they brush daily) and at least 1-2 hrs AFTER any dairy, milk, ice cream, multivitamins (esp containing minerals), TUMS, antacids, etc.  I don't see a food interaction otherwise with thyroid medications.
I hope your doc is aware that the new AACE Hypothyroid guidelines is to shoot for TSH between 0.2 and 3.0.  Many labs still have 5.5 as the 'normal' upper limit.  This is no longer correct.  So, if your TSH is greater than 3.0, you are likely still suffering from hypothryoid signs and symptoms. getting corrected (meaning, more medication) will get the TSH down to optimal goal < 3.0 and will prevent complications related to hypothyroidism (ie, high BP, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, PALPITATIONS, feeling plain crappy, wt gain and even osteoporosis!)  i hope that helps!  IBS is tough -- my husband has it too -- developed when he commuted 1h each way to see me during pharmacy school!  aint stress bad bad bad!!!  once you get IBS you never get rid of it... good news, it can be improved...
sugar-free metamucil (or other fiber source -- take 1-2 scoops with a VERY LARGE glass of water daily) is the cornerstone treatment (it works for most people I know) along with stress REDUCTION! go to a day spa weekly and get yourself a therapeutic massage (*doctor's orders!*  *ha haaa* no kidding!  good luck!!

(of course i hope you followed DR. D's advice on getting checked out for your baseline vitamin 25(OH)D test?  Hashimoto's hypothyroidism is autoimmune and therefore can be associated with hypovitaminosis D, ie, inadequate Vitamin D stores in the body.  get your sunlight/ supplements if you need it!! I'm deficient myself... and in denial...  but i'm so grateful I came across this blog to even become aware of this epidemic)

Dr. D - Re: magnesium and potassium, last check they were in range.  I wanted to get baselines before trying supplements, so I just got my vit D checked also (not sure he did correct test, but D3 was 20, D2 was 10 = 30 and he said it was fine!).  I haven't been taking omega-3s, so will start and let you know how it goes!  Thanks for your help.  I appreciate everything you write!

nyn - another thought re: IBS.  Could be a symptom of celiac disease at worst, gluten sensitivities at least.  Maybe giving up gluten grains will help repair your villi/gut(if indeed that's a problem) and allow fresh veggies, etc. at a later time once healed.   Have you done an elimination diet and rotated foods before?

Healing time varies depending on severity of villi damage.  Consider researching celiac symptoms & websites, maybe read about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet by Elaine Gottschall(google)?  Read:  Gluten-Free Living for Dummies by Danna Korn before changing your diet.  Consider if you want a celiac diagnosis on your health or life insurance records ...

I'm an incurable yoga addict now(nothing special... just 'gym' *translation... 'FREE'* yoga!) but i've done some research and the benefits are huge. it's been around forever > hundreds of years and there must be a reason...

benefits:
1. reduction in stress/cortisol and improved relaxation (cortisol is 'toxic' injuring brain cells, increasing visceral fat in the abdom cavity which clogs arteries to the heart, liver and other organs, and increases glucose and therefore inflammation/free radicals)
2. many poses  'massage' internal endocrine glands including the adrenals, parathyroid and THYROID tissue (which help remove stagnant toxins and improve internal circulation)
3. has helped me to make the magnficient realization that all things are connected in life (whether we like it or not, ie friends-foes, black-white, ying-yang, et cetera) -- just like how all the organs and limbs and the mind are uniquely linked in our own bodies. when one thing is injured/hurt/malignant, it goes and affects e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g else. For instance I had a recent shoulder injury, and now if I don't do the appropriate exercises to maintain its strength, I unfortunately get referred pain and tension to my neck and back.
4. all the tendons, ligaments and small muscles in the back need to be exercised and kept strong in order to support the back. yoga helps to accomplish this otherwise the back cannot do what it needs to do effortlessly and painlessly.  MUCH LIKE THE AMAZING COMMUNITY HERE -- we all support each other and keep our bodies, minds, and spirit STRONG. I'm so grateful to Dr. D for all his advice, accessibilty and ever endeavoring persistence to improve our greater health. May you ALWAYS be blessed. (and that your house doesn't get TP'd when more truths are exposed). Keep up the excellent work! THANK YOU, G

Thanks for the kind comments, G.

I agree with you about the yoga. Having tried it over the years and doing it on occasion with my wife, I believe that you are absolutely right.

Bring on the TP!

heartscanblog.blogspot.com is very informative. The article is very professionally written. I enjoy reading heartscanblog.blogspot.com every day.

I have been wheat free for 2 and 1/2 months, and have to agree 110% on the hunger factor.  Thanks for getting the word out there.  It has made me wonder if companies know this and use it in their favor? Also if this is one of the big triggers in the US weight problem?  And how sad if people don't know this, that they think they simply have no will, when it is really the wheat.  We have also noticed that it is difficult to find cat or dog food (dry) without wheat in it!   Our outdoor cats are constantly hungry, even though it seems like they have more than enough food, I wish we could find a wheat free cat food, and see if they eat less.  Thanks again for the article.

But if you want to seize control over appetite, elimination--not reduction--but elimination of wheat, as well as other processed carbohydrates, can really change the way you approach food. (Interestingly, The Wheat Foods Council estimates that the average American eats 144 lbs of wheat flour per year; they argue that it should be increased 210 lbs per year!)

i am surprised you did not discuss a main reason most are against heart scans: the lack of telling how much soft plaque exists.  I also, fail to see why a scan is necessary if you have tons of small LDL; afterall, it is unlikely that if you have tons of small dense LDL and no or very little plaque.  Perhaps scans are good for some cases, but like statins not for all cases.

I never check Web MD anymore.  It's just more of the same-old baloney and rarely provides any insight that I haven't already come across.  I consider Web MD "Medicine for Dummies", or non-thinking "sheeple".  Not at all useful for thinking people.

No, a physical exam does not uncover hidden heart disease. The annual physical is, in fact, a miserable failure for detection of hidden heart disease.