Low Carb Pad Thai

THYROID FACTS

We all would like to blame the thyroid when it comes to weight gain. The thyroid isn’t just responsible for weight gain or loss, it also contribute to how well we sleep, it produces stomach acid, can cause high cholesterol, and helps with absorption of nutrients. Studies show that the thyroid isn’t going to make us gain 100 pounds, it really is only responsible for 5-12 pounds of weight gain if it is malfunctioning. Instead of focusing just on weight, there are some serious issues that can happen because of a thyroid issue.

There are a few main causes of thyroid issues:

1. It could be an iodine deficiency. This is a simple thing to fix. Get iodine tested if TSH is over 3.

2. Excess Bromide, (I suggest a blood test for this!). Excess bromides are endocrine disrupters which can be found in:

a. Strawberries due to the massive amounts in the pesticides sprayed on them
b. Citrus drinks like Mountain Dew, Fresca, Gatoraide,
c. Medications: inhalers, nasal spray, as well as others
d. Bread (it is a dough conditioner)
e. Plastics
f. Others include: hot tubs, fire retardants and swimming pool cleaners

3. Autoimmune disorder, such as Hashimoto’s (under-active thyroid) or Graves (over active thyroid): Thyroid nodules (cancerous or not) are often precursors to autoimmune thyroid disorders. I would request thyroid antibodies run (TPO and thyroglobulin if you have hypothyroid symptoms) (TPO, thyrogloblulin and TSI if hyperthyroid symptoms). This often happens after giving birth. During pregnancy, the immune system starts to change and circulate to protect the fetus. Once the fetus is born, the mother develops antibodies against her thyroid. In this case, adding 200mcg selenium while pregnant is not only very safe for the mother and fetus, it also lowers the autoimmune response after giving birth.

It is extremely important to know what is causing the thyroid issue before you begin any medication prescribed by your doctor. If it is an autoimmune disorder, then you would like to work with a person like myself who knows how to treat autoimmune disorders. If you decide to just jump into medication, then start to eat correctly to control the autoimmune response, you most likely will be taking too high of a dose. Once you address and eliminate what is causing the autoimmune response, we can most likely lower the dose.

If you take too much thyroid hormone and your TSH falls below 1.5 this can cause bone loss and other issues. Inflammation is the main cause of bone loss. This is why you need to address WHY first.

Another question I get is what is the best medication to take. Well, that really depends. If TSH is high, but t4 is normal the prescription medications called Synthroid or Levothyroxine is just going to give you more t4 which will help a little because there is more to give but not solve the problem. The problem is converting t4 to t3. This conversion doesn’t happen in the thyroid, it happens in the gut and the liver. Levothyroxine and synthroid won’t help much. Armor would be better because it has t4 and t3.

But if it is low t4, some people do better on the synthetic medicine (Synthroid and Levothyroxine) because of the fillers in natural medication (Armor). A few years ago everyone became upset because armor “changed their formula” but they didn’t change the amount of t3 or t4. They change their binding agents and just by doing that, many people reacted terribly. Some of these binders are cornstarch and gluten! No wonder! Those are common food allergens that can cause autoimmune responses.

In the case of a thyroidectomy it is like removing gum from the bottom of your shoe. There is still some thyroid present. The thyroid is in a venerable area. In the case of Hashimoto’s (cancerous or non-cancerous nodules), there will still be antibody production against that small amount. You need to address the foods causing autoimmune responses.

Now, what is really interesting, is that there is a common misconception in the paleo world that increasing carbs is required for thyroid conditions or conversion of T4 to T3. I have had many many clients with a T3 conversion issue heal with proper supplementation (such as selenium, kelp and other nutrients their thyroid is screaming for) heal in a matter of months.

What is also interesting is that the thyroid produces stomach acid. If you are deficient in hydrochloric acid you can’t absorb the nutrients for bone health and thyroid function. A helpful supplement would be HCL with pepsin 500-700mg caps before meals.

In cases where you have the autoimmune disorder, Hashimoto’s or Graves, it is important to optimize glutathione status (click HERE to find), I suggest to optimize your vitamin D level, add in low-dose naltrexone (LDN) to help immune status. LDN works by blocking opioid receptors so the pituitary will somewhat normalize and the immune system functions better.

Also, adding in selenium which essential for the conversion of T4 to T3, which is the active form of thyroid hormone. You can eat 2 to 3 Brazil nuts a day or to ensure the proper amount, I recommend you can take a supplement: Click HERE to find.

Zinc also is responsible for converting T4 to the activated T3. I suggest 30-50mg zinc at breakfast (but note that as you increase zinc, it can cause nausea… slowly increase this). Click HERE to find.

GLA is an activated fatty acid that supports thyroid health. I prefer women to take 1,300mg of Evening Primrose Oil three times a day to help with hormone balance. Click HERE to find.

I also would seriously consider investing in a Reverse Osmosis water filter to get rid of all chlorine and fluoride in the water you drink. Click HERE to find.

If you or someone you know could use more help with their thyroid, Click here to get started on your journey to health!

 

 

One staple that every cook should have in their fridge is Fish Sauce. It is a special ingredient that takes good food to amazing food. Fish Sauce, mushrooms and aged cheeses have something called “UMAMI.” Umami is a pleasant savory taste produced by glutamate and ribonucleotides, chemicals which occur naturally in many foods. Umami is subtle and not generally identified by people when they encounter it, but blends well with other flavors and makes food taste amazing. Red Boat brand is traditionally fermented, not with wheat like most others. This bottle will last you a long time – you only use a little bit in a recipe!

“HEALTHIFIED” PAD THAI
4 cups cabbage, sliced very thin (into noodle-like shapes)
3/4 c. Swerve (or erythritol and 1 tsp stevia glycerite)
1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
3 TBS coconut vinegar OR cider vinegar
1 tsp fish sauce
1 TBS natural sunbutter or peanut butter
1 TBS coconut oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ginger, minced
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup fresh bean sprouts
2 packages Miracle Noodles
1 cup veggie broth
3/4 tsp guar gum (thickener)
GARNISHES:
1/2 c. chopped green onion
Handful of sunflower seeds or peanuts
Fresh cilantro leaves
Mung bean sprouts
SHRIMP OPTION:
1 lb cooked shrimp
Celtic sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

Slice cabbage into egg noodle widths. Stir fry in coconut oil or butter (or you could boil it in water) for 5-10 minutes or until very tender. Set aside.

Whisk natural sweetener, cayenne pepper, vinegar, fish sauce, and sunbutter or peanut butter together in a bowl. Coat the inside of a large skillet or wok with oil and place over high heat.  Lower the heat under the skillet to medium-low. Cook and stir garlic and ginger in the skillet until the garlic becomes translucent, 1 to 2 minutes. Cook and stir eggs into garlic until loosely cooked 2 to 3 minutes. Pour peanut sauce into the garlic and eggs, and stir to combine. Bring sauce to a simmer, stirring frequently, 5 to 8 more minutes. Stir Miracle noodles, the sauteed cabbage noodles, broth, and guar gum into the skillet. Bring to a simmer, and cook for about 10 minutes. Place into a serving dish and add desired garnishes before serving. Makes 5 servings.

CHICKEN OPTION: Heat coconut oil in a skillet. Once, hot, place chicken on skillet and cook until the meat is white outside and pink on inside is gone, about 3-5 minutes. Remove chicken and serve over Pad Thai.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Pad Thai with Rice Noodles and sugar = 601 calories, 20.2g fat, 42.6g protein, 59g carbs, 2.6g fiber (56.4 effective carbs)
“Healthified” Pad Thai (with chicken) = 311 calories, 15.8g fat, 36.3g protein, 4.8g carbs, 1g fiber (3.8 effective carbs)

Nutritional info (per cup)
White Pasta = 246 calories, 0g fat, 0g protein, 43 carbs, 5 fiber, (38 effective carbs)
Cabbage Pasta = 22 calories, 0g fat, 0g protein, 5 carbs, 2 fiber (3 effective carbs)