iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll ThofthThseA no-carbohydrate/low-carbohydrate diet was made popular by Dr.
Robert Atkins. In this type of diet, the body relies on fats instead of
carbohydrates for energy. Breaking down fats keeps glucose levels much
more stable as compared with the carbohydrate breakdown process, and
it creates ketones.
Known as “ketogenic diets,” Atkins and similar diets may help combat re-
active hypoglycemia, and they have also proven helpful in other conditions
ranging from mood disorders to epilepsy. Ketogenic diets generally limit
carbohydrates from fruit, grains, and starches to fewer than 15 grams a day.
Instead, they focus on meats, eggs, fats, and vegetables. Liberal amounts of
coconut oil are also used with ketogenic diets. Coconut oil can be added
to tea and sipped between meals. The classic ketogenic diet contains a 4:1
ratio by weight of fat to combined protein and carbohydrates.
As a caution, fasting diets and ultra-low carb diets may appear helpful
for healing in the short-term but may be inappropriate for those with
thyroid issues, especially over a prolonged period.
Fasting and insufficient carbohydrates can trigger the release of reverse
T3, leading to those pesky hypothyroid symptoms in light of “normal”
lab values.
Perhaps reverse T3 induces a “hibernation” state that once helped us sur-
vive long winters as cavemen and women by preserving our metabolic
function when we couldn’t drive down to the market and only had lim-
ited amounts of food available.
Most people report feeling energetic after starting a ketogenic diet, which
may last from days to months, or even years for some. However, others—
especially athletes and active individuals—may lose the energetic feeling
and start to feel exhausted.
This is a sign that your body may need more carbohydrates. It does not
mean, however, you should go back to eating pizza and soda three times
a day! Keeping in mind blood sugar balancing rules, you can begin to
add fruit, and if your gut healing is complete, incorporation of safe whole
grains (e.g., quinoa, buckwheat, wild/brown rice) may be beneficial as you
continue to nourish your body with organic meats, fats, and vegetables.
Caution for Vegans/Vegetarians
Recovering from adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism when follow-
ing a vegetarian diet is challenging since vegetarian diets are often
carbohydrate-heavy.