Has Exercise Wrecked Your Metabolism?
What if I told you your high intensity or long endurance exercises are causing more harm than good? Studies show that athletes and individuals par-taking in strenuous exercise have poor thyroid function.
Why do we never think of the thyroid when it comes to metabolism? The thyroid is our master gland that conducts every metabolic process in the body. Metabolism does not just determine your weight- it is every metabolic process in the body from digestion to immunity to detoxification to hormones to repair. Our metabolism runs on carbs, proteins and fat that are used for energy. If you have a healthy metabolism all of these processes will be running optimally.
Long-duration cardio and intense weight training can suppress the metabolism and lower thyroid function. I hate to say it, but, cross-fit and HIIT workouts do not increase our basil metabolic rate like we want to believe. Sure, these types of workouts can burn a lot of calories but this is because your body is stressed the F out and has increased adrenaline and cortisol but keep your thyroid suppressed. Your thyroid will only come back to normal when cortisol levels decrease.
Add in any other stressor for the day like an argument with a friend, toxins in your household, negative self talk, over-thinking/obsessing or your drive to work and your cortisol will stay raised and your thyroid will be taking a huge hit. Overtime we are looking at a case of severe thyroid dysfunction leading to digestive issues, sleep issues, mood disorders, low immunity, sluggish liver and every other symptom related to an under-active thyroid.
I know what you're thinking, what about those endurance athletes that seem to have no metabolic issues? Hey, metabolism doesn’t always have to do with weight. We are talking all metabolic processes here. Ever met an athlete that isn’t freezing cold all the time? Maybe they don’t want to admit it but I can guarantee they have terrible digestion, hormonal imbalance symptoms and in some, premature aging and chronic illness (even if they don’t know it yet).
But Laura I’m not stressed. What you talking about?
Girlfriend. I can promise you there are some stressors in your life. Unless you are living in a non toxic environment among the ocean and trees, living off the land with abundant food and nutrient dense soils, meditating for 6 hours a day, have completely shut off your mind to the “noise” and doing things you love all day every day. You got some stressors.
Conclusion is, if you are stressed out in any way shape or form. You gotta ditch the stressful workouts! Your metabolism in suffering. In a healthy individual, someone who has not destroyed their metabolism, intense exercise should be done in moderation with a lot of recovery, rest and a supportive diet.Interested in finding out how your metabolism and thyroid are functioning? Reach out! Let’s run that hair tissue mineral analysis test and come up with a game plan!