Medical expert of the article
New publications
Diet Mary Chaumont in the treatment of hypothyroidism
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
First, a few words about Mary Chaumont. This is a famous American writer who knows about hypothyroidism firsthand. She herself was confronted with this disease, so she endlessly searched for all possible methods of his treatment. As a result of painstaking work and research, Mary came to her own conclusions and conclusions. Thus, the diet of Mary Chaumont was developed, aimed at sustainable weight loss in diseases of the thyroid gland. All practical knowledge and recommendations, Mary outlined in her book - the best-selling "Diet in hypothyroidism."
Let us recall the terminology of this disease. Hypothyroidism is a pathological change in the hormonal system of the body, characterized by a lower production of hormones T3 and T4 with overestimated levels of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). T3 - hormone triiodothyronine, T4 - thyroxine.
As a result of disruption of the thyroid gland, the following symptoms appear: weight gain, depressive mood, decreased performance. Special disease causes this disease to women. In connection with the lower production of hormones, there are disruptions in the functioning of the genital organs, which leads to various neoplasms in the ovaries, uterus and mammary glands. Also, as a result of hypothyroidism, an early menopause or infertility may occur.
For the treatment of hypothyroidism, endocrinologists usually prescribe hormonal therapy and a special diet, since an important role in this case is the normalization of the weight of the patient. The diet of Mary Chaumont proved very good in hypothyroidism.
Indications
- Despite the decrease in appetite, the body weight increases, and it is rather difficult to dump it.
- Characteristic swelling of the facial area, as well as the hands and lower limbs. It should be noted that in this situation, diuretic drugs do not have the proper effect.
- There was a fragility of the nails and increased hair loss.
- The general condition of the human body is characterized by fatigue, apathy, sleep disturbance.
- The onset of increased sweating.
- The presence of pathological changes in the results of blood tests ( increased level of cholesterol, triglycerides, an increase in the index of atherogenicity ).
- Disorders of the cardiovascular system, characterized by arrhythmia, bradycardia and dyspnea.
- Hormonal failure, which breaks the menstrual cycle in women.
General information of the diet of Mary Chaumont
Mary says that it is not necessary to limit oneself in the amount of food taken. The main thing is to correctly calculate your optimal daily intake of calories. For this purpose, a certain formula is applied: the body weight (in kilograms) is multiplied by 25, then 200 kilocalories are subtracted from the received amount. That is, the restriction on kilocalories in the daily menu should not be more than 500. In other words, if the amount of everyday consumption of kilocalories is less than 1200, there is a significant slowdown in metabolic processes. Eventually, the patient gains weight.
The author is sure that there is nothing to worry about if the caloric value seems impressive after the calculations. It is better to eat a lot, but in small portions. After each meal, metabolism is accelerated. As a result, a steady decrease in body weight.
In addition to nutrition, special attention should be paid to physical exercises. The maximum effect is given by exercises on exercise bikes, frequent walks in the fresh air, swimming. Thanks to this, the mood improves, the sleep normalizes. A person feels rested and full of energy.
The basic principles of the diet of Mary Chaumont in hypothyroidism
It is important to understand that for patients with hypothyroidism, the process of getting rid of excess weight has a slightly different character than for healthy people. First of all, you need to make sure of low TSH test results. The fact is that many experts believe it is right to limit the dose of thyroxine taken once the TSH level falls below 5 mU / L (the norm for a healthy person is 0.5 to 5 mU / L).
However, American biochemists, as a result of clinical experiments, read another opinion. They proved that for people with hypothyroidism the normal TSH value is not higher than 2.5 mU / L. Paradoxically, very many practicing specialists in endocrine diseases are sure that the optimal index of TSH is 1 mU / l. In other words, for the well-being of patients taking hormonal drugs, it is necessary to achieve a lower level of TSH.
It is also important to pay attention to the fact that some medicines and foodstuffs reduce the effect of L-thyroxine. This group includes contraceptives (estrogens ), calcium preparations ( including vitamins ). From the diet should exclude products that include soy.
Benefits
The benefits of the diet of Mary Chaumont is that its application gives an effective result in the process of reducing weight and improving the physical and emotional state of the body. Also an important criterion is the absence of contraindications for the appointment of this diet. Thus, the diet of Mary Chaumont to a minimum reduces the risk of complications and more severe forms of hypothyroidism.
[5]
What can and what can not?
What foods can you eat with the diet of Mary Chaumont?
- Increase in its menu the number of foods that contain vitamins (vegetables, unsweetened fruits and fresh herbs). These foods contain a lot of fiber. As a result of their use, metabolic processes are improved, excess fluid and salts are eliminated, which leads to a decrease in edema and weight loss.
- Include cereals in your daily diet. Oatmeal and buckwheat porridge are especially useful in hypothyroidism.
- Increase the use of products containing tyrosine (lean meat, fish, chicken). Also there is a lot of tyrosine in avocado, almonds, pumpkin seeds, lentils, bananas and lima beans. It is allowed to use low-fat yogurt and milk.
- Particular emphasis is placed on products that contain iodine. Most of this substance is found in seafood. But it should be noted that eating iodized salt is recommended no more than 2 times a week.
- In hypothyroidism, products containing selenium (seafood, meat, Brazil nut, garlic, onion, uncooked grain) are useful.
What you can not eat with a diet?
- It is advisable to limit or completely exclude from its menu soy products, the use of which leads to violations of the thyroid gland.
- It is necessary to forget about such food stuffs as sugar, baked pastry, and also various confectionery products.
- Use water to cut to half a day.
- It is better not to use mustard, kohlrabi, cabbage, broccoli and turnips (the family of crucifers).
- Remove from the diet fat meat and fish, as well as smoked products and fast food.
- It is not recommended to eat fatty dairy products (homemade milk, butter, sour cream, cottage cheese).