Have you ever experimented with the South Beach Diet, Zone Diet, or Nutrisystem? If so, you’re likely aware of Glycemic Index (GI): A scale of 1 to 100 that measures how different foods (and beverages) will influence blood sugar levels. “Low-GI” diets have become popular for helping with weight loss by stabilizing blood sugar. The bigger news is that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the Low-GI diet to prevent heart disease, diabetes and obesity. For those with low thyroid function, the Low-GI diet’s blood sugar stabilizing effects may hold even more promise.
Thyroid disease and diabetes go hand-in-hand. Consider: 6.6% of the general problem has thyroid problems. Overall, 10.8% of those with diabetes also have thyroid disease, usually hypothyroidism. Perhaps most significantly: 30% of females with type 1 diabetes also have thyroid disease.
Blood sugar imbalances like those seen in diabetes seem to affect body temperatures and symptoms as well. Since blood sugar levels can affect body temperature patterns, and body temperature patterns can affect blood sugar levels, it would seem that stabilizing blood sugar levels may help to optimize body temperature and vice versa. Low-GI dieting may be a great first step for naturally balancing blood sugar – thereby taking stress of the endocrine system and helping with low body temperature.
But how does Low-GI dieting work? Glycemic Index refers to when the body breaks down carbohydrates into sugars that enter the bloodstream. Simple carbohydrates (including many “white foods” like rice, white bread, potatoes and sugar) have higher GI ratings – they are absorbed quickly and cause a big spike in blood sugar. Complex carbs (fiber, whole grains, legumes) have lower GI ratings – they are absorbed slowly, so their sugars gradually enter the bloodstream. The diet is relatively easy to follow. Check out this list of 100 different foods and their GI ratings to get an idea of which foods are best for the Low-Gi diet.
Proper diet, exercise, and normalizing body temperatures can help people recover a normal life.
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