Dr Peat on coconut oil, salt, mineral balancing, etc.

[Guest guest]

It's been a long time since I've read any of Peat's stuff, but kind of interesting to revisit it and see what he says about thyroid issues and how some of those things most likely effect pwc with chronic infection including mitochondrial insufficiency and mineral imbalance (why salt helps, for example). http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/ray-peat.htm Shomon: You are a proponent of coconut oil for thyroid patients. Can you explain why? Dr. Ray Peat: An important function of coconut oil is that it supports mitochondrial respiration, increasing energy production that has been blocked by the unsaturated fatty acids. Since the polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit thyroid

function at many levels, coconut oil can promote thyroid function simply by reducing those toxic effects. It allows normal mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, without producing the toxic lipid peroxidation that is promoted by unsaturated fats. Shomon: Do you have any thoughts for thyroid patients who are trying to do everything right, and yet still can't lose any weight?Dr. Ray Peat: Coconut oil added to the diet can increase the metabolic rate. Small frequent feedings, each combining some carbohydrate and some protein, such as fruit and cheese, often help to keep the metabolic rate higher. Eating raw carrots can prevent the absorption of estrogen from the intestine, allowing the liver to more effectively regulate metabolism. If a person doesn't lose excess weight on a moderately low calorie diet with adequate protein, it's clear that the metabolic rate is low. The number of calories burned is a good indicator of the

metabolic rate. The amount of water lost by evaporation is another rough indicator: For each liter of water evaporated, about 1000 calories are burned. Shomon:You have talked about internal malnutrition as a problem for many thyroid patients, due to insufficient digestive juices and poor intestinal movements. Are there ways patients who are treated for hypothyroidism can help alleviate this problem.Dr. Ray Peat: The absorption and retention of magnesium, sodium, and copper, and the synthesis of proteins, are usually poor in hypothyroidism. Salt craving is common in hypothyroidism, and eating additional sodium tends to raise the body temperature, and by decreasing the production of aldosterone, it helps to minimize the loss of magnesium, which in turn allows cells to respond better to the thyroid hormone. This is probably why a low sodium diet increases adrenalin production, and why eating enough sodium lowers adrenalin

and improves sleep. The lowered adrenalin is also likely to improve intestinal motility. Shomon: You've mentioned eggs, milk and gelatin as good for the thyroid. Can you explain a bit more about this? rest of interview here: http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/ray-peat.htm