#thyroid function studies

[gemmabussell85]

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[fatliberation]

Anti-Obesity Drugs in Sociopolitical Context

Abstract

This literature review critically examines the use of Body Mass Index (BMI) as a diagnostic tool for obesity, highlighting its historical and scientific flaws. The diagnosis and treatment of obesity is heavily stigmatized and reflects deeper socio-economic and racial biases. Fatphobia, or anti-fatness, is deeply rooted in white supremacy and colonial history. I argue that anti-fatness and weight-based discrimination significantly impact health outcomes, rather than body fat percentage alone. The way that the medical system focuses on body size rather than the overall health of patients perpetuates harm and yields even poorer health outcomes. To genuinely improve the lives of fat individuals, we must dismantle anti-fat systems and remove barriers to healthcare, job equity, and basic infrastructure by implementing legal protections, rather than simply promoting weight loss. This review emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to health that considers socio-economic factors and systemic discrimination.

Journal Summary

Recently, two anti-obesity medications, Ozempic and Wegovy, which are primarily prescribed for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), have shown promise in causing weight loss. The 2022 scientific journal “Ozempic and Wegovy for Weight Loss, Pharmacological Component and Effect” by Abdullah Mohammed, et al explores the pharmacological components and effects of these medications on weight reduction, summarizing findings from existing clinical studies.

Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist primarily used to manage T2DM. Clinical studies indicate that semaglutide can also promote significant weight loss. Ozempic's mechanism involves binding to GLP-1 receptors in the brain, reducing food intake and increasing feelings of fullness. This leads to a decrease in body weight and improvement in glycemic control. Wegovy, also a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is the same drug as Ozempic but two times the dose, specifically approved for weight loss for fat people even without T2DM. Administered as a weekly injection, Wegovy has shown effectiveness in inducing sustained weight loss. The STEP trials demonstrated that participants using Wegovy experienced an average weight loss of 15.8% over 68 weeks. Wegovy's pharmacokinetics involve prolonged activation of GLP-1 receptors, enhancing satiety and reducing hunger. GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide mimic the action of the natural hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and blood sugar levels. By slowing gastric emptying and promoting a feeling of fullness, these medications reduce caloric intake. Clinical trials have shown that GLP-1RAs, including semaglutide, can result in weight loss from 5% or up to 10-15% of body weight. However, sustained weight loss requires ongoing lifestyle modifications, as discontinuation of the medication leads to weight regain. Common side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Other potential side effects include increased heart rate, fatigue, headaches, and changes in thyroid function.

Obesity as a Disease

How does one get an obesity diagnosis? There is one single criterion used for diagnosing someone with this disease: The Body Mass Index (BMI). A person’s BMI is their weight in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters, rounded to one decimal place. It does not account for muscle mass versus body fat. For these reasons, the BMI has been widely proven to be an ineffective health measure. The BMI was also never intended to be a measure of health in the first place.

The BMI was created in the 1800s by a statistician named Adolphe Quetelet, who did not study medicine, to gather statistics of the average height and weight of specifically white, European, upper-middle-class men to assist the government in allocating resources. It was never intended as a measure of individual body fat, build, or health (Karasu, 2016). Quetelet is also credited with founding the field of anthropometry, including the racist pseudoscience of phrenology. Quetelet’s L’homme Moyen would be used as a measurement of fitness to inspire, and as a scientific justification, for eugenics (Eugenics archive).

Studies have observed that about 30% of "normal” weight people are “unhealthy," whereas about 50% of "overweight" people are “healthy” (Rey-López, et al, 2014). Thus, using the BMI as an indicator of health misclassifies 75 million people in the United States alone. “Healthy*” lifestyle habits are associated with a significant decrease in mortality regardless of baseline body mass index (Matheson, et al, 2012).

*I put “healthy” in quotation marks here because the definition of an individual’s health is oversimplified and depends on many socioeconomic factors.

While epidemiologists use BMI to calculate national obesity rates, the distinctions between weight classes can be arbitrary. Ever notice that the weight classes on the BMI are nearly intervals of five? In 1998, the National Institutes of Health lowered the overweight threshold from 27.8 to 25—making roughly 29 million Americans "overweight" overnight—to match international guidelines (Butler, 2014). Critics have also noted that those guidelines were drafted in part by the International Obesity Task Force, whose two principal funders were companies making weight loss drugs.

Jackie Scully, Senior Research Fellow at the Unit for Ethics in the Biosciences, University of Basel, in her scientific journal titled “What is a Disease?” states the following: “As the business literature shows, new clinical diagnoses are often welcomed primarily as opportunities for market growth (Moynihan et al, 2002). One recent example of this is female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The huge commercial success of sildenafil (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction in men provides a strong motivation for drug companies to identify an equivalent market (that is, condition) in women. And some ethicists feel that drug companies were, to put it mildly, over-involved in the medical consensus meetings held between 1997 and 1999 that effectively drew up very inclusive clinical criteria for the definition of FSD (Moynihan, 2003)."

How can one diagnose a person with a disease and sell them medications solely based upon an outdated measure that was never meant to indicate health in the first place, especially when obesity has no proven causative role in the onset of any chronic condition? (Kahn, et. al., 2000), (Cofield, et al, 2010).

This is why the term “obese” is recognized as a slur by fat communities. It's a stigmatizing term that medicalizes fat bodies even in the absence of disease. The word directly translates to "having eaten oneself fat" in Latin. Obesity, as a medical diagnosis, doesn’t have much ground to stand on. Aside from being overtly incorrect as a medical tool, the BMI is used to deny certain medical treatments and gender-affirming care, as well as insurance coverage. Employers still often offer bonuses to workers who lower their BMI. Although science recognizes the BMI as deeply flawed, it's going to be tough to get rid of. It has been a long-standing and effective tool for the oppression of fat people and the profit of the weight loss industry.

To treat obesity, patients must eat less. Making someone smaller still means they will be healthier, right?

Fatness and Mortality

The idea that obesity is unhealthy and can cause or exacerbate illnesses is a biased misrepresentation of the scientific literature that is informed more by bigotry than credible science (Medvedyuk, et al, 2017). Fatphobia existed long before fatness became medicalized. Yes, obesity is correlated with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes, but some scientists are looking into possibilities that don't equate correlation with causation. Obesity has no proven causative role in the onset of any chronic condition (Kahn, et al, 2000), (Cofield, et al, 2010) and its appearance may be a protective response to the onset of numerous chronic conditions generated from currently unknown causes (Lavie, et al, 2009), (Uretsky et al, 2007), (Mullen, et al, 2013), (Tseng, 2013). A portion of these correlated conditions are likely brought on by the stress of being part of one or more marginalized groups with little to no support or basic access in society. Weight stigma itself is deadly. Research shows that weight-based discrimination increases risk of death by 60% (Sutin, et al, 2014).

Dieting also poses serious health risks. The reason that these weight loss drugs are so successful by comparison is that dieting is unsustainable and does not lead to prolonged weight loss. Over 50 years of research conclusively demonstrates that virtually everyone who intentionally loses weight by manipulating their eating and exercise habits will regain the weight they lost within 3-5 years, and 75% will regain more weight than they lost (Mann, et al, 2007). Evidence suggests that repeatedly losing and gaining weight is linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and altered immune function (Tomiyama, et al, 2017). If most fat people have historically tried to lose weight their whole lives through dieting, this has major implications on overall health. Prescribed weight loss is also the leading predictor of eating disorders (Patton, et al, 1999).

Another factor that may be impacting fat people’s rate of mortality is that they are being mistreated at the doctor’s office. I have personally heard dozens of stories about doctors refusing to treat or investigate a problem that a fat person came in for until they lost a certain amount of weight, only to discover years later that the problem was unrelated to their weight and has progressed severely because it went untreated. Fat people are often mistreated and looked at with disgust and disdain in medical settings, leading them to avoid going to the doctor in shame or fear of abuse. This can seriously worsen health issues. Fat stigma in the medical establishment (Puhl, et al, 2012) and society at large arguably (Engber, 2009) kills more fat people than fat does (Teachman, et al, 2003), (Chastain, et al, 2009), (Sutin, et al, 2015). This impact is too significant not to be taken under consideration.

Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness

The issue of anti-fat bias is directly rooted in white supremacy. The ideal thin body was constructed as a marker of whiteness and “purity” before any of this was ever made to be about health. Dr. Sabrina Strings has spent her career studying this history. In her book, Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia, Dr. Strings discusses how constructions of race led to the thin ideal. “Over the decades, the rise in biracial children would break down the way that slave owners saw Blackness and whiteness. To combat the hypocrisy they created, owners invented new ways to dehumanize the enslaved population. They made a calculated decision to start putting more value on white physiques versus Black ones. In her research, Strings found that Black women’s bodies were otherized even more than Black males. For colonizers who hadn’t seen diverse body types before, they quickly categorized the Black female figure as ‘deviant,’ ‘greedy,’ and ‘overtly sexual.’ The fact that we still use these terms to describe fat bodies today is all the evidence we need to understand that fatphobia is directly linked to racism, not health. This mindset was also strengthened by Protestantism. Slave owners looked for any way to prove their power over the enslaved people, and they frequently used religion as ‘proof’ of their racist superiority. Additionally, Protestant belief encouraged various ways to become closer to God, which included eating as little as possible. This would resonate the most with white women. They had as much to do with perpetuating fatphobia as their husbands. White women were desperate to show their own power against Black women on the plantation, and the difference between their bodies was the perfect rift. And so began the centuries-old belief that thinness is beautiful, and fatness is ugly” (Sassenrath, 2023).

Revisiting the Journal with Context

Thinness has been an important value throughout history in the United States. Our positive associations with thinness and negative associations with fatness have led to a collective schema that is black and white, good versus bad, beautiful versus ugly, healthy versus unhealthy, and life versus death. This has led the FDA to approve Wegovy as a weight loss drug with haste, after just sixteen months of testing. It is known that going off the drug will result in rapid weight regain, so patients are expected to be on it for the rest of their lives when there have been no long-term studies. We do not yet know if the drug will have long-term effects, yet it has been approved for kids as young as twelve (FDA, 2021). As of July 2024, Novo Nordisk has a market cap of $633.01 billion (Marketcap). 

Wegovy is prescribed along with diet and exercise, which has been proven to lead to weight regain and eating disorders. Patients are being prescribed Wegovy and Ozempic when they are fat, but otherwise metabolically healthy. If this drug is truly a game changer for public health, we should be measuring how patients' health improves over the long-term rather than how much weight they lose. For example, if these drugs improve heart health, they should be prescribed as a heart health medication for patients with heart disease, rather than prescribed as a weight loss fix based on body size alone. With the evidence we have, we know it is possible to be fat and healthy, so these drugs may be solely cosmetic in many cases.

Future

If we want to improve the lives of fat people, we will remove barriers to care, not try as hard as we can to make all fat people disappear. That will never happen. If we truly cared about the well-being of fat people and not their disappearance, we would work to dismantle the systems that oppress them and abolish anti-fatness. 

Currently, fat people have next to no legal protections for being discriminated against (NAAFA, 2023). Fat people are denied housing, (Kariss, 1977) jobs, and receive less pay and promotions legally because of their size (The Economist). They are denied access to clothing, seating, transportation, and other human rights because infrastructure has been designed to exclude them. Fat people have less likelihood of receiving a fair trial (Beely, 2013), and are denied necessary surgeries (Barrett, 2022) ––but not weight loss surgery that amputates the digestive tract. Fat people are denied gender-affirming care (Conley, 2023), in vitro fertilization and reproductive healthcare (Muir, 2024), even adopting children (Carter, 2009). Fat children have been removed from their loving parents because when their diets failed, it was seen as neglect (Badshah, 2021). Fat people have disproportionately high suicide rates (Wagner, et al, 2013), and are facing medical malpractice and mistreatment (Kolata, 2016).

Can a drug fix that?

References

Karasu, Sylvia. Adolphe Quetelet and the Evolution of Body Mass Index (BMI). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-gravity-of-weight/201603/adolphe-quetelet-and-the-evolution-of-body-mass-index-bmi 2016, March 8.

“Quetelet, Adolphe.” Eugenics Archive, www.eugenicsarchive.ca/connections? id=5233cb0f5c2ec5000000009c. Accessed 5 July 2024.

Rey-López JP, de Rezende LF, Pastor-Valero M, Tess BH. The prevalence of metabolically healthy obesity: a systematic review and critical evaluation of the definitions used. ObesRev.2014 Oct;15(10):781-90. doi: 10.1111/obr.12198. Epub 2014 Jul 16. PMID: 25040597.

Matheson EM, King DE, Everett CJ. Healthy lifestyle habits and mortality in overweight and obese individuals. J Am Board Fam Med. 2012 Jan-Feb;25(1):9-15. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2012.01.110164. PMID: 22218619.

Butler, Kiera. “Why BMI Is a Big Fat Scam.” Mother Jones, 25 Aug. 2014, www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/why-bmi-big-fat-scam/.

Kahn BB, Flier JS. Obesity and insulin resistance. J Clin Invest. 2000 Aug;106(4):473-81. doi: 10.1172/JCI10842. PMID: 10953022; PMCID: PMC380258.

Cofield SS, Corona RV, Allison DB. Use of causal language in observational studies of obesity and nutrition. Obes Facts. 2010 Dec;3(6):353-6. doi: 10.1159/000322940. Epub 2010 Dec 10. PMID: 21196788; PMCID: PMC3280017.

Medvedyuk, S., Ali, A., & Raphael, D. (2017). Ideology, obesity and the social determinants of health: a critical analysis of the obesity and health relationship. Critical Public Health, 28(5), 573–585. https://doi.org/10.1080/09581596.2017.1356910

Kahn BB, Flier JS. Obesity and insulin resistance. J Clin Invest. 2000 Aug;106(4):473-81. doi: 10.1172/JCI10842. PMID: 10953022; PMCID: PMC380258.

Lavie CJ, Milani RV, Ventura HO. Obesity and cardiovascular disease: risk factor, paradox, and impact of weight loss. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009 May 26;53(21):1925-32. doi: 10.1016/ j.jacc.2008.12.068. PMID: 19460605.

Uretsky S, Messerli FH, Bangalore S, Champion A, Cooper-Dehoff RM, Zhou Q, Pepine CJ. Obesity paradox in patients with hypertension and coronary artery disease. Am J Med. 2007 Oct;120(10):863-70. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2007.05.011. PMID: 17904457.

Mullen JT, Moorman DW, Davenport DL. The obesity paradox: body mass index and outcomes in patients undergoing nonbariatric general surgery. Ann Surg. 2009 Jul;250(1):166-72. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e3181ad8935. PMID: 19561456.

Tseng CH. Obesity paradox: differential effects on cancer and noncancer mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Atherosclerosis. 2013 Jan;226(1):186-92. doi: 10.1016/ j.atherosclerosis.2012.09.004. Epub 2012 Sep 21. PMID: 23040832.

Sutin, A. R., Stephan, Y., & Terracciano, A. (2015). Weight Discrimination and Risk of Mortality. Psychological Science, 26(11), 1803-1811. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797615601103

Tomiyama, A Janet, et al. “Long‐term Effects of Dieting: Is Weight Loss Related to Health. Socialand Personality Psychology Compass, 6 July 2017, escholarship.org/uc/item/0tv27311.

Mann T, Tomiyama AJ, Westling E, Lew AM, Samuels B, Chatman J. Medicare's search for effective obesity treatments: diets are not the answer. Am Psychol. 2007 Apr;62(3):220-33. doi: 10.1037/0003-066X.62.3.220. PMID: 17469900.

Patton GC, Selzer R, Coffey C, Carlin JB, Wolfe R. Onset of adolescent eating disorders: population based cohort study over 3 years. BMJ. 1999 Mar 20;318(7186):765-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.318.7186.765. PMID: 10082698; PMCID: PMC27789.

Puhl, Rebecca, and Kelly D. Bronwell. “Bias, Discrimination, and Obesity.” Obesity Research, 6 Sept. 2012. doi.org/10.1038/oby.2001.108

Engber, Daniel. “Glutton Intolerance: What If a War on Obesity Only Makes the Problem Worse?” Slate, https://slate.com/technology/2009/10/the-health-effects-of-discrimination-against-fat-people.html 5 Oct. 2009.

Teachman, B. A., Gapinski, K. D., Brownell, K. D., Rawlins, M., & Jeyaram, S. (2003). Demonstrations of implicit anti-fat bias: The impact of providing causal information and evoking empathy. Health Psychology, 22(1), 68–78.

Chastain, Ragen. “So My Doctor Tried to Kill Me.” Dances With Fat, https://danceswithfat.org/2009/12/15/so-my-doctor-tried-to-kill-me/ 15 Dec. 2009.

Sutin AR, Stephan Y, Terracciano A. Weight Discrimination and Risk of Mortality. Psychol Sci. 2015 Nov;26(11):1803-11. doi: 10.1177/0956797615601103. Epub 2015 Sep 29. PMID: 26420442; PMCID: PMC4636946.

Sassenrath, Jenna. “Anti-Blackness Is Anti-Fatness in ‘Fearing the Black Body.’” Bookstr, bookstr.com/article/anti-blackness-is-anti-fatness-in-fearing-the-black-body/ 26 July 2023.

“Novo Nordisk (NVO) - Market Capitalization.” CompaniesMarketCap.Com - Companies Ranked by Market Capitalization, companiesmarketcap.com/novo-nordisk/marketcap/ 2024.

Commissioner, Office of the. “FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First since 2014.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-chronic-weight-management-first-2014. 5 July 2024.

Karris, L. (1977). Prejudice against Obese Renters. The Journal of Social Psychology, 101(1), 159–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1977.9924002

“Campaign for Size Freedom.” NAAFA, 2023,

naafa.org/sizefreedom. 5 July 2024.

“The Obesity Pay Gap Is Worse than Previously Thought.” The Economist, The Economist Newspaper, www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/11/23/the-obesity-pay-gap-is-worse-than-previously-thought. 5 July 2024.

Elizabeth Beety, Valena (2013) "Criminality and Corpulence: Weight Bias in the Courtroom," Seattle Journal for Social Justice: Vol. 11: Iss. 2, Article 4. https:// digitalcommons.law.seattleu.edu/sjsj/vol11/iss2/4

Berrett, Martyn. “More Obesity Discrimination: The NHS Will Deny Non-Urgent Surgery to Obese Patients.” Healthier Weight, 24 Nov. 2022, www.healthierweight.co.uk/blog/more-obesity-discrimination-the-nhs-will-deny-non-urgent-surgery-to-obese-patients/.

LaRosa, John. “U.S. Weight Loss Industry Grows to $90 Billion, Fueled by Obesity Drugs Demand.” Market Research Blog, The Freedonia Group, Inc., 2 May 2024, blog.marketresearch.com/u.s.-weight-loss-industry-grows-to-90-billion-fueled-by-obesity-drugs-demand.

Conley, H. “Studies Show Top Surgery Is Safe for FAT Patients, but Some Surgeons Still Mandate Weight Loss.” STAT, 25 July 2023, www.statnews.com/2023/06/02/top-surgery-safe-fat-patients/.

Muir, Becca. “Opinion: Women with Obesity Are Often Restricted from IVF. That’s Discriminatory.” NPR, 14 Jan. 2024, www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/01/14/1224546666/opinion-women-with-obesity-are-often-restricted-from-ivf-thats-discriminatory.

Carter, Helen. “Too Fat to Adopt - the Married, Teetotal Couple Rejected by Council Because of Man’s Weight.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 13 Jan. 2009, www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jan/13/adoption-rejected-couple.

Badshah, Nadeem. “Two Teenagers Placed in Foster Care after Weight Loss Plan Fails.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 11 Mar. 2021, amp.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/10/two-teenagers-placed-in-foster-care-after-weight-loss-plan-fails.

Wagner B, Klinitzke G, Brähler E, Kersting A. Extreme obesity is associated with suicidal behavior and suicide attempts in adults: results of a population-based representativesample. Depress Anxiety. 2013 Oct;30(10):975-81. doi: 10.1002/da.22105. Epub 2013 Apr 10. PMID:23576272.

Kolata, Gina. “Why Do Obese Patients Get Worse Care? Many Doctors Don’t See Past the Fat.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 Sept. 2016, www.nytimes.com/2016/09/26/health/obese-patients-health-care.html.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Reference preserved in our archive

Abstract Background: COVID-19 emerged in December 2019 and rapidly became a global pandemic. It has since been associated with the progression of various endocrine disorders, including thyroid disease. The long-term effects of this interplay have yet to be explored. This review explores the relationship between COVID-19 and thyroid diseases, emphasizing thyroid gland function and the clinical implications for managing thyroid disorders in infected individuals.

Objectives: This narrative review intends to provide insight into the scope of research that future clinical studies may aim to address regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection on thyroid health.

Methods: Keywords including “thyroid disease”, “COVID-19”, and “long-term” were used to search PubMed and Google Scholar for updated and relevant clinical research.

Results: COVID-19 affects the thyroid gland multifacetedly and includes direct viral invasion, immune-mediated damage, and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis disruption. Approximately 15% of COVID-19 patients experience thyroid dysfunction, which can present as thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism, or non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTI). Noteworthy findings include inflammatory thyroiditis. Long-term effects, including those observed in children, include persistent hypothyroidism and exacerbated pre-existing thyroid-autoimmune conditions. Management of thyroid disorders in COVID-19 patients requires consideration: anti-thyroid drug (ATD) therapy used to treat hyperthyroidism in COVID-19 patients may need adjustment to prevent immunosuppression. Radioactive iodine (ROI) alternatives and interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonists could offer potential benefits and should be further explored.

Conclusion: Longitudinal follow-ups post-COVID-19 for patients with new and pre-existing thyroid disorders can improve disease outcomes. In addition, pathophysiological research on thyroid dysfunction in COVID-19 may help develop strategies to prevent and alleviate thyroid gland abnormalities post-COVID-19.

[darkmaga-returns]

By Frank Bergman April 19, 2025

An alarming study involving over 2 million participants has confirmed that Covid mRNA “vaccines” cause devastating long-term harm by sabotaging people’s immune systems.

The major study found that mRNA injections attack thyroid function, making recipients vulnerable to deadly diseases such as cancer.

The group of leading researchers behind the study is sounding the alarm with an urgent warning about the long-term effects of Covid mRNA injections on thyroid health.

The study was led by renowned neurology and radiology experts Drs. Kai-Lun Cheng and Hsiang-Lin Lee, both with Chung Shan Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan.

The groundbreaking study was published by Oxford University Press in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

During the study, which included over 2.3 million patients, the researchers used the TriNetX federated data platform, which aggregates real-world electronic medical records.

The researchers analyzed a staggering 2,333,496 patients through a retrospective cohort study spanning two years.

[thoughtportal]

A group of bacteria has proved adept at destroying the ultratough carbon-fluorine bonds that give “forever chemicals” their name. This finding boosts hopes that microbes might someday help remove these notoriously pervasive pollutants from the environment.

Nearly 15,000 chemicals commonly found in everyday consumer products such as pizza boxes, rain jackets and sunscreens are recognized as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFASs. These chemicals can enter the body via drinking water or sludge-fertilized crops, and they have already infiltrated the blood of almost every person in the U.S. Scientists have linked even low levels of chronic PFAS exposure to myriad health effects such as kidney cancer, thyroid disease and ulcerative colitis.

Current methods to destroy PFASs require extreme heat or pressure, and they work safely only on filtered-out waste. Researchers have long wondered whether bacteria could break down the chemicals in natural environments, providing a cheaper and more scalable approach. But carbon-­fluorine bonds occur mainly in humanmade materials, and PFASs have not existed long enough for bacteria to have specifically evolved the ability to digest them. The new study—though not the first to identify a microbe that destroys carbon-fluorine bonds—provides a step forward, says William Dichtel, a chemist at Northwestern University who studies energy-efficient ways to chemically degrade PFASs.

To identify a promising set of bacteria, the study’s authors screened several microbe communities living in wastewater. Four strains from the Acetobacterium genus stood out, the team reported in Science Advances. Each strain produced an enzyme that can digest caffeate—a naturally occurring plant compound that roughly resembles some PFASs. This enzyme replaced certain fluorine atoms in the PFASs with hydrogen atoms; then a “transporter protein�� ferried the fluoride ion by-products out of the single-celled microbes, protecting them from damage. Over three weeks most of the strains split the targeted PFAS molecules into smaller fragments that could be degraded more easily via traditional chemical means.

By directly targeting carbon-fluorine bonds, the Acetobacterium bacteria partially digested perfluoroalkyls, a type of PFAS that very few microbes can break down. Even so, these Acetobacterium strains could work only on perfluoroalkyl molecules that contain carbon-carbon double bonds adjacent to the car­bon-fluorine ones. These “unsaturated” perfluoroalkyl compounds serve as building blocks for most larger PFASs; they are produced by chemical manufacturers and also emerge when PFASs are destroyed via incineration.

Scientists had previously demonstrated that a microbe called Acidimicrobium sp. strain A6 could break down carbon-fluorine bonds and completely degrade two of the most ubiquitous perfluoroalkyls. This microbe grows slowly, however, and requires finicky environmental conditions to function. And researchers do not yet fully understand how this bacterial strain does the job.

The Acetobacterium lines target a separate group of PFASs, and the team hopes to engineer the microbes to either improve their efficiency or expand their reach—potentially to more perfluoroalkyls. Lead study author Yujie Men of the University of California, Riverside, imagines the microbes would perform best in combination with other approaches to degrade PFASs. The range of chemical structures in these compounds means “a single lab cannot solve this problem.”

Any future commercial use of the microbes would face numerous hurdles, including breakdown speed and replicability outside of the lab, but Men looks forward to seeing how far her team can push the technique. “We’re paving the road as we go,” she says with a laugh.

[lifeafterpsychiatry]

Risperidone almost killed me and completely destroyed my memory. We think some of the memory part has to do with system movement in response to just the entire trauma of the experience, but it was the first time I ever had a total fugue episode and forgot people close to me entirely. It's taken a few years now to even recover what little we have out of it (it's not much, but I can at least pretend I remember what people are talking about most of the time when anything pre-2022 comes up and I remember who my childhood friends are again). I told my psych I was throwing up constantly and he said I'd get used to the medication and ignored me. For months. From what I wrote at the time, my psychosis had increased and my ability to self regulate was completely gone.

My rheumatologist now thinks that it had set my immune system way off on my body and triggered a hyperthyroidism attack on me (but without it currently happening, there's no way to check levels to confirm because they're fine now, but in the course of Hashimoto's that is very much a possibility). Had this psychiatrist not ghosted me and those meds run out, it could have been even worse, especially because the extent of my memory at that point was basically go work go home and I had been described as a zombie by people around me (also why they didn't notice I was losing my memory because I wasn't even present enough to interact). I had forgot I had a thyroid condition at all (and ended up getting diagnosed again, even though my pcp had run the routine tests for it when I finally dragged myself back in two years later because I didn't realize what it was for).

I realize that I am an odd case for a lot of things because I also ended up with every rare side effect of corticosteroids after running controlled, safe doses with my doctor for pain. I have to be very attentive about every medication I start, but in a system that doesn't give informed consent? With professionals who dismiss you reporting potentially serious side effects like throwing up every single day? Being ghosted saved my life probably and I'm glad I was able to get out of the mess I (presumably) walked into willingly. There's also a handful of studies suggesting that antipsychotics negatively affect thyroid function, but not NEARLY enough for my liking.

I feel real strong about people being like "well they're fine actually this that blah blah" sounding a lot like bad actors. If they are helping you then yes! Don't stop because they can be bad. Everything is typically a game of risk-reward assessment. I had to take nsaids for two years straight every day just to function and I had people breathing down my neck about it like I wasn't aware of the affects that would have on my liver, but the situation of not being able to walk was more immediate and worth that risk to me. It was being informed. It was knowing. And it was being able to make the decision that it was in my best interest. THAT is what is missing when it comes to antipsychotics and that is the problem. When they don't work, people are not listened to. When the side effects are not worth the benefits, people are not listened to. And that's a poor ass basis for a practice because it was never built for the people in it to begin with. Information and personal experience isn't fear mongering unless you think informed consent is a problem.

Facts!!! We're not saying that taking psych meds is always and inherently the wrong decision, but in a context without informed consent and guaranteed autonomy things like what you went through will keep happening, and that's wrong and abusive and RUINS LIVES just as much as any mental health episode can. I'm so sorry for what you were put through, and it's so wrong and abusive that even your serious life threatening reactions were dismissed as irrelevant. I'm so fucking angry on your behalf! (And now I'm wondering whether my own thyroid condition could possibly be related to antipsychotics... definitely gotta look into that at a point)

[goodhealthedit]

Red light therapy 2x/week can help your thyroid & boost metabolism 🚨

In a clinical study, people with hypothyroidism did red light therapy twice a week for 5 weeks. By the end of the study, almost half of them no longer needed thyroid medication, their thyroid function improved that much

Red light therapy helps the cells in your thyroid produce more energy & reduce inflammation, two key things needed for healing

It’s not a miracle fix, but it’s a promising, research backed option

[gabatelepsychiatry-blog]

Causes of Reversible Dementia

Dementia means ‘progressive cognitive decline for more than three months’. Although there are severe forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, most forms of dementia are preventable or reversible.

The first reaction when hearing the term dementia is to panic. There have been many cases of elderly patients being wrongly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease due to cognitive decline.

There have also been many cases of elderly patients committing suicide after a dementia diagnosis. This is why complete evaluation is so important: preventing unnecessary distress and devastation.

Reversible dementia occurs when known medical conditions cause cognitive decline. Studies show that around 20 percent of dementia cases are due to reversible causes.

Early diagnosis is important because it can prevent long-term consequences. Some of the causes of reversible dementia are mentioned below:

Thyroid Dementia Low thyroid hormones or hypothyroidism can cause dementia-like symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Studies show that it affects around 4.6% of adults in the U.S. It is observed that synthetic thyroid hormones can improve brain function and cognitive abilities.

Alcohol Dementia Excessive alcohol consumption over a long time can lead to cognitive decline. It can cause memory loss and confusion. Studies show that around 50 percent of people with alcohol use disorder show symptoms of cognitive decline similar to dementia symptoms.

Decreasing the frequency of drinking or stopping alcohol, combined with supplements can lead to improvement in symptoms. Alcohol-induced dementia is at least partially reversible. Recovery of cognitive function often depends on the age of the person, and the severity of the alcohol use.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Dementia Vitamin B12 deficiency can disrupt brain functioning and lead to dementia-like symptoms such as memory loss or confusion. Studies show that around 10-15% of older adults experience low levels of vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms. B12 supplements can restore cognitive function.

Vitamin B1 Deficiency Dementia Vitamin B1 is important for brain function and energy production. Vitamin B1 deficiency can damage the brain and lead to symptoms that look like dementia, such as forgetfulness and trouble in coordination. Thiamine supplements can be given orally or by injection and are used to treat the deficiency symptoms.

Pituitary Tumors Pituitary tumors can cause a dementia-like syndrome and can be treated with surgery and hormone replacement.

Growth Hormone Deficiency Dementia Growth hormone maintains brain cells and supports brain health. A growth hormone deficiency can lead to dementia-like symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Hormone replacement therapy can treat this deficiency.

Pseudo-Dementia Secondary to Depression Pseudo-dementia occurs when underlying depression causes dementia-like symptoms such as memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and confusion. Depression can slow down brain function and make everyday tasks harder.

These dementia-like symptoms can be reversed when underlying depression is treated using antidepressants. Pseudo-dementia can look just like Alzheimer's, as the aging brain is more vulnerable to shifts in serotonin and other neurotransmitters. Pseudodementia can recover rapidly with treatment.

Medication-Induced Delerium Medication-induced delirium can cause confusion and cognitive decline. It is a common cause of cognitive impairment in the elderly. Medication-induced delirium can easily be confused for dementia without proper evaluation. Common perpetrators are antihistamines, antibiotics, and blood pressure medications. Symptoms usually resolve after stopping the offending agent.

HIV-Associated Dementia HIV can affect the brain and nervous system. HIV encephalopathy can spread to the brain, causing cognitive impairment and leading to dementia-like symptoms. It is referred to as “HIV-associated dementia” (HAD). As people with HIV are living longer, HIV dementia is now more common in the elderly. It is observed that antiretroviral therapy and medication can help in reversing the symptoms.

Although these conditions can cause cognitive decline in any age group, older brains are more prone to assaults caused by medical illness, so the cognitive symptoms may appear more obvious.

Reversible dementia offers hope for recovery with early diagnosis and proper treatment. These reversible causes can help patients regain cognitive function and improve their quality of life.

Slow-Progressing Dementia

Microvascular Dementia Almost everyone over seventy-five has some microvascular dementia. It is not reversible per se. However, progression can be slowed down with treatment.

Also, treating the complications with cognitive remediation can dramatically improve social and occupational functioning. Microvascular dementia can be easily confused with Alzheimer's disease without complete evaluation.

If you or someone you know is struggling with memory loss, consult a specialist, call us at +1(833)312-4222.

[yourgamemasterthewhiterabbit]

Okay, so it's about 3pm and I have continued snacking on the beans and just about the only thing that isn't better is some of the shoulder and lower back pain. My ability to move, reach and etc seems to be restored again.

My symptoms are always worse in the mornings, sometime regardless of when I sleep, but sometimes any time I first wake up, which had left me unsure whether it has a hormonal component...

But TPP is known to often be worst in the mornings.

The only hiccup about it being TPP is that TPP attacks tend to last either hours or days... Not recur almost daily for months at a time. If it IS TPP it is the worst case of it that didn't lead to total paralysis or suffocation that anyone has ever seen. Chronic low-grade tpp [from potassium deficiency and high thyroid function] could be a thing? Idk if it's well studied what happens to someone left with chronic untreated thyroid storms. Tpp is pretty fucking rare too.

But once again, my thyroid levels appear to be high, potassium seems to help the symptoms, and the main symptom it's helping is muscle weakness up to the inability to move at all.

And I am not sure what that would be other than something like TPP...

I guess the next thing I could try is not having ibuprofen at all, like I had planned today, and just eating a bunch of potassium when I first wake up to see if that helps instead. Rather than waiting till after noon.

To eliminate the possibility that the relief is a delayed reaction to ibuprofen or is because of the time of day. Or because of the mid-day nap I accidentally had both times.

It only seemed to get marginally better through the day before when I got myself moving around, I am not sure I have really tested whether its genuinely just not as bad by evening even if I do absolutely nothing all day.

Also just not taking anything for swelling might be hard, because right now my throat is swelling so bad that swallowing, even to clear my throat, is clicking cartilage over cartilage in my throat on every swallow unless I have had 800mg of ibuprofen.

I NEED answers, but idk if I want to do that much damage to my throat for science? I am not having iodine to calm down the goiter, I need to let my body run out of excess thyroid hormone as quickly as possible if I want this to stop.

Maybe tomorrow morning I just live with the discomfort and see if morning potassium makes the difference.

I want this to be the answer because I want to have found a working solution, and I have to be on guard for that impacting how I evaluate my symptoms, but like, getting out of this chair with no struggle doesn't seem subjective. Neither does suddenly being able to just reach across this chair to get my cup without dropping it. I was able to climb into my bed to sleep again last night for the first time in a couple days.

I had been getting better, and I don't know what was doing it, and then I got worse over night and I don't really know for sure what caused that either, but I did *happen* to have 5 liters of fluids [with salt] on the day just before I got worse, and that might have either over hydrated me OR depleted either my potassium or sodium levels [but again, I have been salting my tea].

I guess I could try also having more salt. More salt and fluids with the added potassium for now?

There's always plain rice for 3 days straight to see if I get worse or better T~T [that's already almost all I am eating except my chosen exceptions and herbs]

[ringchollyandfriends]

Chronical illness / medical stuff

The doctor was nice, overall. He did give me some weight-loss advice when I mentioned gaining 80 lbs since my symptoms started and I said I didn't want to do that. I don't think weight gain is automatically something to fix.

He did order a bunch of blood tests to see if my weight gain or thirst is caused by something else. He also suggested a sleep study.

He said that my autoimmune system is attacking my thyroid but that's why my levels are normal. The elevated antibodies mean that my immune system is working really hard.

He said that because my immune system is working, I don't need thyroid médecine. But I wonder if getting that médecine would help my body rest.

If all the tests are negative, he'll see me in 4-6 months.

.

I really hope *something* comes back from the tests because there is *no way* my symptoms are normal.

People should be able to drink normal water without feeling dizzy, faint and have intense brain fog.

People should be able to function and walk normally, instead I'm so tired to the point where walking, even a few steps, is too much. *And I sleep well.*

My skin is so dry that I have a lot more acne that I used to and my hair hasn't even grown a foot in 3 years. (average is 1 in a month)

Something is wrong and I just want to find out what.

I'm so tired of not feeling well.

[maaarine]

Hormones and their Interaction with the Pain Experience (Katy Vincent and Irene Tracey, 2008)

"One of the most striking physiological differences between men and women is in sex steroid hormones, both the absolute levels and the occurrence of cyclical fluctuations in women.

These hormones are known to be responsible for the embryological development of a male or female phenotype and for successful reproductive function after puberty.

More recently, observations such as the marked differences in pain symptoms between males and females in the period between puberty and the menopause, and the cyclical variations in many clinical pain symptoms in women have suggested that they may also have a role in altering the pain experience. (…)

With the onset of regular ovulation and menstruation, it can be seen that a number of clinical pain conditions show variation in symptom severity across the menstrual cycle.

Clearly the pain of dysmenorrhoea is, by definition, associated with the menstrual cycle, however, the symptoms of temperomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and migraine can also show cyclical variation.

The greatest reports of pain symptoms appear to occur at times of low or rapidly falling estrogen levels and the use of the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) to give a more constant hormonal level can improve these symptoms. (…)

From puberty onwards, men have significantly higher levels of testosterone and its metabolites than women.

Testosterone appears to have an analgesic effect protecting against the development of painful conditions such as TMJ pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients (both male and female) have been shown to have lower androgen levels than sex-matched controls, and androgen administration improves their symptoms, whilst female workers with lower testosterone levels have more work-related neck and shoulder injuries.

However, investigation of the specific effects of testosterone are complicated by the fact that much is metabolised in vivo to estradiol by aromatase, and this is therefore an issue which needs to be addressed in future studies.

Perhaps one of the more intriguing studies to be published recently explored the effect of systemic hormone administration to both male to female (MtF) and female to male (FtM) transsexuals (n=73) during the process of sex reassignment.

They observed that approximately one third of the MtF subjects developed chronic pain during their treatment with estrogen and androgens, and even those that did not, reported a decreased tolerance to painful events and an enhanced sensitivity to thermal stimuli (both warm and cold).

Of those FtM subjects who had chronic pain before the start of treatment, more than half improved after commencing testosterone treatment, reporting reduced numbers of painful episodes and shorter lengths of those that did occur.

Clearly, psychological effects cannot be ignored in this group of subjects, however, this is the only situation where the hormonal milieu in humans can be ethically altered to that of the opposite gender and therefore gives us interesting insights. (…)

In addition to its sensory aspect, pain is an emotional experience.

It is therefore of interest that the life time patterns in pain symptoms in men and women are closely mirrored by those of mood disorders, though with the addition of a perimenopausal peak in mood disorders.

Comparing post-puberty with pre-puberty, rates of significant depression increased two-fold for boys but more than four-fold for girls.

In Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMD), there is no evidence that abnormal levels of hormones occur (unlike in depression associated with thyroid or pituitary dysfunction), rather, it appears that some women are more sensitive to the mood destabilising effects of these hormones.

It is not inconceivable therefore, that a similar situation may exist for pain."

[nathanielaaron]

DETOX SUPPLEMENTS FOR VACCINE INJURED VICTIMS

🖲Magnesium — plays many crucial roles in the body, such as supporting muscle & nerve function and energy production.

🖲NAC — (a precursor to glutathione) provides a variety of protective antioxidant effects, block damages to DNA, strengthening all organs, including the brain — dissolves mucus, improves breathing & respiratory problems. NAC powers up the immune system, boosting antibodies, increasing glutathione, which fights disease & aging. NAC has been around for decades, proven to be very safe, with NO SIDE EFFECTS.

🖲Glutathione — is the body's most powerful antioxidant & counteracts the harmful effects of graphene oxide. Human bodies produce glutathione naturally but over as humans age & absorbs toxins, the production of it slows down. Children naturally have high glutathione levels. Glutathione is a body-specific antioxidant that cells need to function & survive. When you get sick, the level of glutathione can drop.

🖲Selenium — a trace element that is naturally present in many foods & available as a dietary supplement. Selenium, which is nutritionally essential for humans, is a constituent of more than two dozen selenoproteins that play critical roles in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA synthesis & protection from oxidative damage and infection.

🖲Quercetin — have significant capability to interfere with SARS-CoV-2 replication and multi-faceted anti-inflammatory and thrombin-inhibitory actions. 

🖲Vitamin D/C/A – promotes immune cell proliferation, stimulates antimicrobial peptides, cytokines and immune cell proliferation, enhances mucosal Integrity, antioxidant, protects healthy cells, activated immune cells, antiviral, coordinates cellular immune response.

🖲Zinc – essential for binding capacity & optimizing lethality of immune cells. Promotes antiviral enzyme blocking viral replication.

🖲Zeolite — has a strong attraction to many heavy metals including mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. It also binds to & removes many chemicals like fluorine & chlorine, eliminating free radicals of all types, and it reverses acute chemical & allergic reactions, all without removing vital nutrients from the body. This makes it a maximum detoxifier.

🖲Pine Needle Tea, Fennel See, Star Anise — contains shikimic acid, high levels of antioxidants & DNA-protective properties.

🖲Dandelion Root —  blocks interaction between ACE2, spike protein & variants.

🖲Black Cumin Seed Oil — is natural alternative for Ivermectin. Nigella sativa has been used as traditional medicine for centuries. The oil from its seeds are effective against many diseases like cancer, cardiovascular complications, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease — also effective against cancer in blood system, lung, kidney, liver, prostate, breast, cervix & skin.

🖲Fulvic Acid & Shilajit — have long been used in traditional medicine & reduces inflammation and boost immunity. Fulvic acid has been well studied for its effects on immune health and inflammation. Improve disease resistance, increase your immune defenses, fight inflammation, chronic diseases & enhance antioxidant activity.

🖲Bio-Fibrin — is a proteolytic enzyme (a process known as proteolysis - help dissolve proteins. There are over 700 identified human enzymes, and each enzyme has a specific biochemical reaction involving a specific substance.

Activated Charcoal, Chlorophyll, Chlorella, Spirulina, Irish Sea Moss, C-60, Power Immunity, Infrared Sauna, Green Tea, Alkaline Water, Probiotics, Cinnamon & Raw Honey, Avocado, Garlic, Turmeric, Cilantro, Ginger, Cruciferous vegetables & leafy greens are also great detoxes for the body.

[ppkamy]

Ashwagandha, an adaptogenic herb, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Vegan ashwagandha capsules offer a convenient and cruelty-free way to harness its potential benefits. Here are some of the advantages:

Stress and Anxiety Reduction:

* Ashwagandha helps reduce cortisol levels, the stress hormone, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.

* It can improve mood and overall mental well-being.

Enhanced Cognitive Function:

* Ashwagandha may improve memory, focus, and concentration.

* It can protect brain cells from oxidative stress.

Improved Sleep Quality:

* Ashwagandha can help regulate sleep patterns, leading to better sleep quality and reduced insomnia.

Boosted Immunity:

* Ashwagandha has immune-boosting properties, helping to strengthen the body's defense against infections.

Increased Energy Levels:

* By reducing stress and improving sleep, ashwagandha can indirectly boost energy levels.

Support for Hormonal Balance:

* Ashwagandha may help regulate hormones, particularly in women, and support thyroid function.

Anti-inflammatory Effects:

* Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body.

Potential Benefits for Athletes:

* Ashwagandha may improve athletic performance by reducing muscle damage and increasing strength.

Important Considerations:

* While ashwagandha is generally safe, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

* It's crucial to choose high-quality, vegan ashwagandha capsules from reputable brands to ensure purity and potency.

* While research on ashwagandha is promising, more studies are needed to fully understand its long-term effects and interactions with other medications.

By incorporating vegan ashwagandha capsules into your routine, you may experience a range of benefits, including reduced stress, improved cognitive function, and enhanced overall well-being.

[darkmaga-returns]

A major new study has confirmed that Covid mRNA shots cause “vaccine-induced AIDS” to develop in those who receive the injections.

The study, involving 2.3 million patients, found that mRNA injections trigger a condition known as Vaccine-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (VAIDS).

The researchers found that VAIDS, or “vaccine-induced AIDS,” is caused by Covid mRNA shots destroying the human immune system by attacking the thyroid function.

The group of leading researchers behind the study is sounding the alarm with an urgent warning about the long-term effects of Covid mRNA injections on thyroid health.

The bombshell study has sent shockwaves through the medical and scientific communities after researchers concluded that Covid mRNA shots have caused a global surge in cases of VAIDS.

The findings have debunked claims from the corporate media and so-called “fact-checkers” that previously dismissed reports of VAIDS as “conspiracy theories.”

The study was led by renowned neurology and radiology experts Drs. Kai-Lun Cheng and Hsiang-Lin Lee, both with Chung Shan Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan.

The groundbreaking study was published by Oxford University Press in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

During the study, the researchers used the TriNetX federated data platform, which aggregates real-world electronic medical records.

[nutriintact]

Struggling with Thyroid Issues? Try Brazil Nuts

Most people don’t think about their thyroid until something feels off. You wake up exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep. Weight shifts without reason. Mood swings come out of nowhere. Focus slips. Memory fades. Life, quite literally, feels heavier.

Could a single nut change that? The Brazil nut (*Bertholletia excelsa*), known for its buttery richness, carries an overlooked but essential mineral — selenium.

The body needs selenium, but the thyroid holds more of it than any other organ. Its role isn’t secondary — it’s fundamental. Without it, hormones fall out of balance. Inflammation creeps in. Small problems turn into long battles.

Selenium might sound like just another trace element. But in the context of thyroid health, it’s non-negotiable. This butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck doesn’t just benefit from selenium — it depends on it.

Brazil nuts contain more selenium per gram than any other food. A few each day fill the gap. No supplements. No complex regimens. Just real food.

Selenium, a natural antioxidant, shields cells from damage. But its power goes beyond protection — it’s essential for hormone activation.

Without it, the thyroid struggles to regulate metabolism. Deficiency disrupts this process and raises the risk of disorders.

A single nut can hold up to 90 micrograms of selenium — far beyond the daily requirement. Few foods come close. Seafood, eggs, and whole grains contain selenium, but none match the potency of Brazil nuts. Their nutrient profile is unique. Alongside selenium, they offer healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants — elements that collectively reduce inflammation and strengthen thyroid function.

The thyroid doesn’t rely on just one nutrient. Iodine, zinc, vitamin D, and iron all play roles in its stability. But selenium stands apart — it converts inactive thyroid hormones into their active form. Without it, function declines.

Studies confirm this. Research links low selenium levels to a higher risk of autoimmune thyroid disorders. In contrast, restoring it improves function. A study in the *European Journal of Clinical Nutrition* found that selenium supplementation benefited individuals with autoimmune thyroiditis. Science backs what nature provides.

Try this: Eat two Brazil nuts daily for a month. No extra supplements. No drastic diet shifts. Just two nuts.

After a few weeks, you might notice changes. The energy lasts longer. Brain fog clears. The body feels lighter.

Brazil nuts won’t fix everything. They won’t erase stress, undo years of imbalance, or replace medical care. But they start something. They restore. They remind the body of what it once knew.

[alfalfaaarya]

2nd July 2023 // Sunday

Day 1

Stayed up at night till 4 am ( the previous day but technically counts here 🙃)

Studied Spleen

Revised Testis, Stomach and Liver.

Read a bit of CVS

Woke up at around 10 am

Revised Renal Function Tests , Thyroid Function Tests , and went through some past year papers .

Read up Meninges for tomorrow's class.

Revised Superficial and Deep Perineal Pouches .

Did a bit of doodling as well !

I'm finding things to do during breaks so that I don't get distracted from the task at hand , open to suggestions !