The most important thing
- When is weight gain a cause for concern?
- What causes bad moods and weight gain?
- When is the answer to our problems in the thyroid gland?
- How to look after the health of your thyroid gland?
Is losing weight becoming increasingly difficult, and have you noticed mood changes you can’t explain? Do you feel more tired than usual? Your body is actually sending you a clear signal that something in your health needs attention.
Most often, the answer to these problems lies in the thyroid gland, which, if it does not function normally, can lead to depression and difficulties with weight control. However, there are ways to deal with these problems. One of these is Sarita+, a product created to support conditions characterised by reduced thyroid function. It helps to boost energy and mood and stimulates metabolism.
Weight gain and mood changes
Often, when we find it hard to lose weight, it affects our mood. The feeling of failure and low self-esteem that excess weight can cause makes us irritable and angry. But sometimes this can be misleading. This is especially true when the weight gain is unexplained and we cannot cope with it. In such cases, the appearance of depressive feelings or irritability can be a symptom of something else. In cases where weight gain and a worsening mood are accompanied by unexplained exhaustion, it is usually a sign of a serious health problem.
The hidden causes of weight gain and depression
When our low mood isn’t linked to weight gain, we should look for another cause. Some health conditions affect both mood and weight. Here are some of the most common causes:
- The link between depression and weight gain. An often-seen symptom of depression is an increased appetite, which leads to weight gain. Furthermore, the hormone cortisol is typically elevated in depressive states. High levels of cortisol are associated with fat accumulation around the abdomen.
- Taking medication. Some medications can affect both body weight and mood. An example of this is contraceptives, which affect hormone levels. This leads to changes in metabolism and sometimes feelings of depression. The side effects of some medications include weight gain and depression. These are usually antidepressants and other medications for psychiatric disorders.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome. This is a common condition in women, which arises from a hormonal imbalance. Women with this condition often have reduced insulin sensitivity. This leads to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. Additionally, the hormonal imbalance can lead to mood changes and an increased risk of depression.
- Menopause. Every woman at some point faces the end of her reproductive years. During menopause, hormonal changes occur that lead to weight gain and persistent mood swings. Changes in oestrogen and progesterone levels affect metabolism. This leads to weight gain, particularly around the abdomen.
- Insomnia. Chronic sleep disorders have an overall negative effect on health. Lack of sleep leads to irritability. Furthermore, insufficient sleep causes the body to produce more cortisol and insulin. The increase in these hormones affects metabolism and leads to weight gain.
Also, in our daily lives, there can be various factors that affect both our mood and our weight. Chronic stress, which most people suffer from in their busy daily lives, makes us irritable and can affect our weight. Smokers who have decided to improve their health and give up this habit may also experience these symptoms. Quitting smoking significantly affects mood and often increases appetite. However, it is worth enduring this period.
Another factor in our daily lives can be the regular consumption of alcohol. In addition to providing unnecessary calories with no nutritional value, alcohol consumption negatively affects sleep hormones. This combination causes mood changes, such as irritability and feelings of sadness.
Hypothyroidism
When symptoms such as weight gain and unexplained mood changes occur, the answer usually lies with the thyroid gland. This is especially true when accompanied by fatigue. The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones. When its function is reduced, it does not produce enough of these hormones, which leads to the symptoms. If you have noticed these changes in yourself, it is advisable to see a doctor. They will refer you for the appropriate thyroid tests. If a problem is found, you will be prescribed medication to support thyroid function. A suitable product is Sarita+, which promotes thyroid function by supporting the production of thyroid hormones, thereby directly addressing unexplained low mood and sudden weight gain.
The role of the thyroid gland
The thyroid gland is the largest endocrine gland in the body. It is butterfly-shaped and located at the front of the neck. It is primarily regulated by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Its main functions explain why it can affect mood and body weight.
- The main function of the thyroid gland is to produce hormones. It produces the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). They control the regulation of metabolism. In this way, they determine the rate at which cells use energy from food. They affect various physiological processes, including heart rate, digestion, temperature regulation, and the functioning of organs and tissues.
- Regulation of the basal metabolic rate. The metabolic rate, which is controlled by thyroid hormones, determines the number of calories the body burns at rest. They help regulate body weight and energy levels. Additionally, these hormones are critical for growth and development, especially during foetal development and childhood. Thyroid hormones play a major role in the development of the brain, bones and other organs.
- Effect on the nervous system. Thyroid hormones act upon and regulate the nervous system. Symptoms such as stiffness, tingling and pain occur when thyroid function is reduced. Neurological symptoms often include depression and anxiety.
How does hypothyroidism cause mood changes and weight gain?
Reduced activity of the thyroid gland is called hypothyroidism. This means that the gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. When there are not enough of these hormones, the metabolism slows down, which makes it harder to burn calories. In addition to weight gain, a slow metabolism also affects many other processes in the body. Metabolism determines how each cell in the body converts food into energy to function and survive. When your metabolism slows down, everything else slows down with it.
The main symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- tiredness
- Reduced tolerance to cold
- Sudden mood swings
- Risk of developing depression
- filling
- Constipation
- Irregular heartbeat
- High cholesterol
- dry skin
- Swelling of the face and ankles
- changes in menstruation in women, etc.
What should we do for our thyroid gland?
When we discover that our thyroid gland is responsible for our poor mood and unexplained weight gain, we can take steps to improve our health. We need to improve our thyroid function to keep our metabolism active. When we suffer from hypothyroidism, we should change our lifestyle and turn to specific supplements:
- Follow a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat protein sources and healthy fats. Try to include sources of iodine, selenium and zinc, which are essential for thyroid health.
- Regular physical activity is important for overall health. Exercise can speed up the metabolism, improve energy levels and have a positive effect on mood. Physical activity releases dopamine, which is known as the ‘happy hormone’. It is most effective to combine aerobic exercises (e.g., walking, cycling, swimming) and muscle-strengthening exercises to improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and body weight control.
- Reduce chronic stress in your life. It is important to reduce both work-related and personal stress to improve thyroid function. If necessary, seek help from a therapist. To lower stress levels, it is crucial to get enough sleep. Aim for a regular sleep schedule of seven to nine hours each night.
- Supplementing with products that support the thyroid gland. A product like Sarita+ is a good choice, as it is specially formulated for people with hypothyroid conditions. Sarita+ includes a powerful formula with extracts of L-tyrosine, ashwagandha and ginkgo biloba, enriched with zinc, selenium and vitamin D. These ingredients help to normalise thyroid hormones and support metabolism. Ginkgo biloba extract further helps to manage body weight and energy levels [1,2]. Ashwagandha extract not only normalises thyroid hormone levels but can also significantly improve mental health.
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Can hypothyroidism cause mood changes?
- Hypothyroidism can cause physical symptoms as well as psychological and cognitive symptoms. These include mood changes and symptoms that mimic mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
Can hypothyroidism be cured?
- To manage hypothyroidism, it is essential to follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding thyroid hormone replacement therapy. There is no cure for the condition, but it can be effectively managed through the appropriate use of medication, lifestyle changes and the consumption of essential nutrients that support thyroid health, such as those found in Sarita+.
Is it possible to lose the weight gained due to hypothyroidism?
- Although it is a challenge to lose weight caused exclusively by hypothyroidism, effective management of the condition can often lead to weight loss or prevent further weight gain. Treatment usually involves thyroid hormone replacement, lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, and addressing any underlying factors that contribute to weight gain. With proper management, many people with hypothyroidism can achieve a healthier body weight.
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References:
- Hramosou, Haralambia, Andriána C. Kaliora, Aristia Joksar, The efficacy of Panax ginseng in obesity and related metabolic disorders, Pharmacological Research – Modern Chinese Medicine, vol. 1, 2021. Most studies agree that CRG reduces blood pressure in patients with prehypertension and hypertension, while the anti-lipidemic properties of CRG in humans are rather controversial. However, there are indications that the application of CRG limits lipid peroxidation, thereby regulating oxidative stress. There is very little data regarding the anti-inflammatory efficacy of CRG in obesity and obesity-related comorbidities, with some studies showing a reduction in CRP concentration. With regard to insulin resistance, although not entirely convincing, the data are promising. There are certain documents supporting the favourable effect of CRG on fasting blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects or patients with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes.
2. Zhang G, Lu B, Wang E, Wang W, Li Z, Jiao L, Li H, Wu W. Panax ginseng improves physical recovery and energy utilisation in chronic fatigue in rats via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway. Pharm Biol. 2023. The swimming time to exhaustion in rats with EE was significantly longer than in those without it. EE preserved the levels of muscle glycogen, liver glycogen, and blood glucose under chronic conditions. Furthermore, EE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced serum triglycerides (1.24 ± 0.17, 1.29 ± 0.04 and 1.20 ± 0.21 versus 1.58 ± 0.13 mmol/L) and total cholesterol (1.64 ± 0.36, 1.70 ± 0.15 and 1.41 ± 0.19 versus 2.22 ± 0.19 mmol/L) compared with the model group. Regarding energy regulation, EEP had a positive effect on stimulating the activities of ATPase and the relative protein expression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
