Rockin The Workout

The Thyroid.. Our Bodies Butterfly

Everyone has the butterfly!  It's called your thyroid organ.  We all know that butterflies are beautiful and when you see one it brings happiness right?  Well your thyroid can be that happiness for your body  and fuel your metabolism to be a fat burning machine!  Yet, of course, it can also hinder your metabolism if it doesn't work properly. 

The thyroid helps control many of the bodies functions like your heart rate, body temperature, fertility, digestion, growth, etc.  What happens is your pituitary gland makes TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) that kicks the thyroid into gear.  Your thyroid then uses iodine from your blood to combine it with the amino acid tyrosine and make thyroid hormone which is called thyroxine or T4. Some T4 is then converted to triiodothyronine or T3, another thyroid hormone (this is the one with most of the boosting power for your metabolism).  These hormones are then released into the blood stream and transported through the body to help control your metabolism.  Now in a perfect world this process would be flawless within all of us.  Unfortunately there are some puzzle pieces that don't quite fit in the mix.

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are two complications that can put a cramp in things.  In a nutshell hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid works in overdrive and produces more hormones than needed.  To correct this patients are given radioactive iodine to even out blood hormone levels.  This treatment could also reverse the effect of hyperthyroidism and turn it to hypothyroid. 

Hypothyroidism is a whole other enchilada.  This is where the bodies immune system attacks the thyroid and prevents it from working properly.  Having an underactive thyroid can make you feel sluggish and gain unwanted weight with no explanation.  This condition is more common in women than in men which makes it very important for us to make sure our thyroid function is up to par.  There is medication that can be taken for hypothyroidism as well as changes to your diet that can help balance out the hormone levels.

There are millions of people that suffer from a thyroid imbalance and don't even know it.  It's a good idea to work with an endocrinologist just to make sure your levels are balanced or to correct them if they are not.  For more information go to www.endocrineweb.com or you can find it in Jillian Michael's "Master Your Metabolism" book featured on the left of the page.

Insulin and Your Body Part 2

Insulin when under control can work with your body, but it does have it's downfalls.  Insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes are all conditions that revolve around insulin and the reaction our bodies have to it.

Insulin resistance is when the liver, fat and muscle cells do not respond properly to insulin.  Because of this the pancreas continues to pump out more and more insulin to try and keep up with the demand for it.  Eventually the pancreas will fail to keep up which results in an excessive amount of glucose in the blood.  People who suffer from insulin resistance usually carry extra weight, have high blood pressure and glucose levels, and lack physical activity.  This can also be called metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance syndrome (syndrome x).  Having higher levels of blood glucose, but not enough to be called diabetes, is pre-diabetes.  This condition is the pre-cursor to type 2 diabetes.  Pre-diabetes and insulin resistance can be reversed with a healthy diet and exercise program.

Once known as adult-onset or non insulin-dependent diabetes, type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects how our bodies metabolize glucose.  Instead of sugar being ushered to the cells, it sits in the bloodstream and builds up.  This is because the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or the cells have become resistant to insulin.  Many type 2 diabetics rely on insulin shots to receive the proper amount needed to regulate their blood sugar as well as type 1 diabetics.  If not monitored properly it can turn to be life threatening.

The dependence of insulin is the primary factor for type 1 diabetes.  Usually known as juvenile diabetes, type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2.  This condition is when the pancreas produces very little or no insulin at all.  Those who suffer from type 1 diabetes rely solely on insulin shots or an insulin pump to get the right amount for their bodies.  Being that it only makes up 10% of the diabetic population, it is known to be more hereditary than type 2 and typically affects younger individuals.

Insulin plays such a vital role in our bodies.  It is very important to be aware of what can happen if blood sugar levels get out of whack.  In the end it just makes sense to be healthy and maintain balanced blood sugar levels!

Your Metabolism and Science

When you think "metabolism" you probably define it as your fat burner.  Actually your metabolism is made up of hormones, molecules, and cellular messenger chemicals that regulate the rate your body burns calories.  In other words, it is the conversion of oxygen and calories to energy for your body.  Pretty much everything you eat is broken down.  For example:

Protein: Broken down into amino acids

Carbohydrates: Broken down into glucose

Fat: Broken down into fatty acids

Once the enzymes in your digestive tract break your food down it is then carried into the blood stream and absorbed at a cellular level.  It then sparks chemical reactions that determine how it will be used or metabolized.  It is your hormones that then determine if the energy from you food is burned immediately, stored as fat, or used to build muscle.

Now we all want to lose weight or be healthy right?  Let me introduce you to the hormones that make up your metabolism.

1) Insulin: Produced in the pancreas and used to lower the concentration of glucose in your blood (regulates blood sugar levels)

2) Thyroid: The butterfly shaped gland located in your neck.  These hormones have many functions which include controlling the amount of oxygen each cell uses, how fast calories are burned in your body, digestion, heart rate, body temperature, mood, memory, and growth.  It also controls fertility and digestion.

3) Estrogen and Progesterone: These are steroid hormones produced in both men and women

4) Testosterone and DHEA: Produced in the testes, ovaries, and adrenals.  Will help increase energy and build muscle

5) Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, and Cortisol: Known as the stress hormones.  Cortisol is produced in the outer part of the adrenal gland called the adrenal cortex.  Norepinephrine and Epinephrine are produced in the adrenal medulla, the inner part of the adrenal glands.

6) Growth Hormone (HGH): Produced in the pituitary gland this is an anabolic hormone that aides in the growth of bone and body tissue while enhancing the immune system.

7) Leptin: Leptin is protein made by fat cells.  It works with the thyroid, cortisol, and insulin to figure out how hungry the body is, if it will keep the weight on or take it off, and how fast it burns off the food you eat.

8) Ghrelin: Works with leptin to keep a balance between satisfaction and hunger.  Also helps the pituitary gland release the growth hormone.

All of these different hormones will be explained in depth in future posts.  More information is also available in "Master Your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels featured on the left on the page.  Having two sisters that suffer from hormone imbalances due to type 1 diabetes and thyroid removal from cancer motivates me to research all I can to not only help them, but provide information as well for others. Stay tuned for more valuable information on your metabolism!

Starvation Mode: What is it and how does it effect our bodies?

Let's get to the point...  Starvation mode is when the body starts to respond to a prolonged period of low calorie dieting. 

So what exactly does that mean?  Your body uses the contents in your digestive tract (what you just ate) first to produce energy and function.  It will then move to your glycogen reserves which are located in you liver cells and muscles.  After about 6 hrs your glycogen levels will become depleted and your body will then dive into your fat reserve (this is what everyone hopes for).  Unfortunetly the fat reserves are only useful for 2-3 days before your metabolism starts to adjust and becomes more efficient.  Once this process takes place your body will want to use up your lean muscles for protien.  Now instead of your fat reserved being used to aid in energy, your lean muscle is now being burned for energy.

The starvation mode generally targets people who regularly perform periods of fasting.  It can also effect those who participate in crash diets which lead to yo-yo dieting.  It is best to stick with a healthy balanced diet to avoid the effects these methods can create.