Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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So i went to the doctor the other day because I was severly depressed.

I was perscribed an anti-depressant(yes I know I do not want to be on it, but my dad forced me to take it)

I also had my thyroid levels check. My t3 is low. Everything else is normal, so I am on 25 mg of liothyronine(sp?). My total t3 was 53.

This brings up a question that I hope you all can help me with...

I do not want to stop working out by any means, but I am weight lifting and with weight lifting in order to progress with strength you have to eat more. So I plan on doing IF with the leangains approach, eating 2700 calories MWF and then 1800 TTHSS. Do you think that this will still work to drop bodyfat? I do not want to gain any weight by any means(I am not overweight, I am 165ish and 6'1''). I have gained a little bit of weight, but that was due to over eating crap while battling this depression I am in. I know that my low thyroid levels will contribute to my depression, and I am hoping that if I am feeling better when my levels are normal I can wean off my AD(which is Wellbutrin btw).

I am scared that if I do this I will gain weight with the high carb days 3 days a week, although I hear that carbs are needed for a healthy thyroid. Does this seem like a healthy approach with things while being hypothyroid?

flag	asked Sep 26 at 2:34 Sam 86●4

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Anti-depressants will put weight on you, so be aware of that. And it's not muscle it puts on.... – NewEra Sep 26 at 17:11

Well wellbutrin isn't a ssri its a ndri and is actually used sometimes to aid weight loss... – Sam Sep 27 at 16:51

Michael · Answer 1 · 2012-09-26 03:06:34Z UTC

There's a lot of complex stuff related to this which I'm not well versed in enough to remark on in any depth, except to recommend you go to a few of these links and sites and have a read:

http://chriskresser.com/thyroid

http://perfecthealthdiet.com/category/disease/hypothyroidism/

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

There is also plenty of food for thought re thyroid support and depression (amongst other things) in Ray Peat's material. You might read Danny Roddy or even Matt Stone 180 for a more accessible take.

As a side note, I believe weight gain can be a side effect of low thyroid and depression (And SSRIs, although I see you're not on one. I'm not very famiilair with that drug though I'm afraid). Getting to the bottom of what's affecting what in what way is always one of the most difficult things to do, but a very helpful one.

Good luck.

Happy Now · Answer 2 · 2012-09-26 04:09:03Z UTC

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As far as I know carb refeeds immediately after lifting won't/can't add to bodyfat because of the way your muscles use up the glucose after working out. Don't sweat it, and don't skimp out on that part of it if you have low thyroid. You might need to up the carbs a bit even on non-workout days too until your thyroid issues are resolved.

answered Sep 26 at 4:09

Happy Now
25.6k●13●68

I just hate feeling like this, and I still want to exercise. I just don't know what to do. I think I have euthryoid stress syndrome. Which was from undereating/overtraining for far too long. I am not sure what to do. – Sam Sep 26 at 4:19

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I would seek out a nutritionist/ personal trainer or the like well versed in paleo. It seems you are putting a lot of stress on yourself NOT to gain weight which I understand but when dealing with your health issues is sort of like putting the cart before the horse. KNowledge is power and give yourself a little time to get your issues under control. You are doing a great job, just take it 1 day at a time and let your body lead you. – lovely Sep 26 at 12:07

Joy · Answer 3 · 2012-09-26 14:07:57Z UTC

I think leangains approach might work for muscle gain and fat loss, Berkhan says it does. Wikipedia lists having trouble losing fat as a symptom of hypothyroidism, and depression is as well. Maybe once the thyroid medication starts working you will be able to lose fat easier and won't have to worry about eating so little and gaining fat. Hope you feel better soon, Let us know how the thyroid medication helps!

Dan G · Answer 4 · 2012-09-26 13:08:05Z UTC

I've a lot of respect for Ray Peat and he does a lot of work to increase thyroid.

You'll not find a specific diet plan from him however I interpret it as:

Typical day:

milk, (personally I drink a combo of goats and cows) - 1000 Kcalories
fruit juice (particularly orange juice) -1000 Kcalories (I drink it watered down to reduce the pH and let my stomach get used to it)
gelatinous cuts of meat - 500- 1000 Kcalories ( this used to be all I ate only in greater quantity, mainly lamb chops)
eggs and butter omelette - 500 Kcalories

So in a day we are looking at around 3500 Calories.

liver (particularly for the vid A) (twice a week)
coconut oil (this will stimulate your thyroid)
Time spend in a UVB sun light - Osram vitalux ultra - avoiding washing none smelly areas of body with soap a raw carrot a day

When eating out or eating with friends I'll have anything that is meat and potatoes.

Sea salt added to most things.

I do this for the following reasons:

a) Ray peat has me convinced that it is healthy b) I'm sick of feeling like a person with an eating disorder, and sick of having to consume kilograms of meat per day just to maintain my weight. c) It is cheaper and actually makes me eager to get out of bed in the morning, a plate of lamb chops does not.

patrick · Answer 5 · 2012-09-26 19:08:14Z UTC

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I found kefir and high doses of vitamin D3 helped my hypo symptoms...

a good probiotic might help curb carb cravings while vitamin D3 will improve your mood and give you more energy.

answered Sep 26 at 19:08

patrick
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Thanks for the advice, but I am not gaining weight, nor do I have carb cravings. I actually do not crave food at all I just eat because I know I need to. I'm looking more towards an answer if body recomp would be safe to do while have hypothyroidism – Sam Sep 26 at 23:29

Just found out I’m hypothyroid

5 Answers