Because effortless weight loss is a common symptom of Grave’s disease, few patients seek out fat-reduction programs for the condition itself. Nor is there a standard diet suggested for Graves’. Yet you may find weight loss plans helpful if drug therapy results in weight gain. A plan that de-emphasizes grains may also be helpful for Graves’ patients who also have gluten intolerance. Some people may find the South Beach Diet effective in these cases, but always check with your doctor before making any major lifestyle changes.
Condition
The most common form of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, notes MayoClinic.com. The condition, which involves an excessive amount of thyroid hormones released into your system, is considered an immune system disorder. Symptoms of Graves’ disease include weight loss, anxiety, irritability, racing heart, insomnia, hand tremors and diarrhea. Some people also develop an enlarged throat, known as a goiter, or bulging eyes.
South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet is one of the less restrictive low-carbohydrate eating plans currently popular, according to MayoClinic.com. The diet plan is offered through for-profit books, DVDs and other media, rather than created by a medical institution or government agency. It calls for eating whole grains instead of refined grains, but keeping overall carb consumption to between 225 and 325 grams a day. The author does not claim that the South Beach diet helps people with Graves’ or other specific disorders.
Graves’ and Weight Gain
Some treatments for Graves’ disease may cause temporary weight gain. Radioactive iodine tablets, which destroy overactive thyroid cells, may spur weight gain. About 50 percent of people with Graves’ disease develop bulging eyes, vision problems and eye sensitivity known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy. Prescription corticosteroids ease eye swelling, but can cause some patients to gain weight. In addition, some people with weight problems prior to developing Graves’ may find the pounds creeping back after treatment begins once hormones normalize.
Graves’ and Grains
Some researchers theorize that eliminating grains containing gluten may help people with Graves’ disease. A 2007 study in the journal “Clinical Medicine & Research” posited that people with celiac disease, or gluten sensitivity, are more likely to develop autoimmune thyroid disorders, including Graves’ disease. The researchers concluded that a gluten-free diet might not prevent people with celiac disease from developing Graves’ disease, but it might reduce symptoms such as nutrient malabsorption. The South Beach Diet, which discourages you from centering your meals around grains, may be helpful if you suspect you have a problem with gluten. But the South Beach plan does not teach followers which grains contain gluten. It’s important to research which breads, pastas and cereals are gluten-free when choosing which carbs to eat on the South Beach Diet.
Bottom Line
The connection between eliminating gluten and controlling Graves’ disease still remains theoretical. Unless you have a proven gluten intolerance, a diet that is high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, includes nonfat meat and dairy choices and a reduction in saturated fats and refined carbohydrates is currently the recommended program for most Graves’ and hyperthyroidism patients. During or after treatment, if you experience weight gain from medication or from the cessation of malabsorption symptoms, you may be interested in a weight loss program. South Beach and other carb-reducing programs work for some people, but always talk to your physician about their possible consequences to your health.
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