"Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat?" is a book by Dr. Sanford Siegal, D.O., M.D., that describes a series of steps you can take over a 28-day period to monitor your thyroid. Over the 28-day period, Siegal says, this diet generates enough information to allow you to determine if you should seek medical attention for a thyroid problem. According to Siegal, hypothyroidism is a significantly underestimated cause of obesity. Therefore, detection of thyroid problems can support weight loss. As with any diet program, you should speak to a medical professional before attempting Siegal's thyroid diet.
Hypothyroidism
Abnormal thyroid function can contribute to health and weight problems. Hypothyroidism is a disease that can produce confusing and contradictory symptoms. According to Siegal, lab tests that measure thyroid function are not the only indicators of this disease, and you should pay careful attention to subtle symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism that you can self-diagnose. Further Siegal states, medical professionals commonly mistake hypothyroidism for disorders such as chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.
The Diet Plan
The diet developed by Siegal requires you to eat a fixed percentage of carbohydrates, protein and fat over the 28 days. You also monitor your weight and temperature and track the results on a chart to monitor your thyroid activity. The diet requires you to consume approximately 1,000 calories per day for the entire 28-day period. All calories consumed during the diet period should come from whole food sources such as fruits, vegetables and lean cuts of chicken, fish and turkey. The diet does not permit any processed or refined foods.
Detecting Thyroid Problems
Dr. Siegal's method for testing your thyroid function allows you to evaluate your weight loss for the 28-day period compared to a base standard established by Siegal. Siegal says his method for testing your thyroid function is as accurate as tests administered by your doctor, but he does not offer any clinical evidence for this assertion. By the end of the 28-day diet period, Siegal claims, you can successfully self-diagnose your thyroid problems.
About the Author
Dr. Sanford Siegal established the Siegal Medical Group in Miami, Florida, and has exclusively treated obesity and thyroid disorders since 1960. Siegal has also authored numerous medical books on topics from high-fiber dieting to drug-free hunger control for hypothyroidism. Siegal regularly appears as an expert on obesity and thyroid disorders on television news programs including Fox News and CNN.
References
- "Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat?"; Sanford Siegal and Alan R. Gaby; 2001
- "Dr. Siegal's Natural Fiber Permanent Weight-Loss Diet"; Sanford Siegal; 1984
