Episode #103: How To Manage A Low Thyroid, Ketogenic Diets and More

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"Dr. Fitt" AKA Roby Mitchell, pictured above, is Interviewed in the Episode's Featured Topic

Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode

In this July 14, 2010 free audio episode: how to manage a low thyroid, are ketogenic diets helpful for fat loss, link between magnesium and testosterone, budgeting your supplement intake, how to improve circulation, knee strengthening exercises, how to eat during an Ironman triathlon.

Remember, if you have any trouble listening, downloading, or transferring to your mp3 player just e-mail ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com. And don't forget to leave the podcast a ranking in iTunes - it only takes 2 minutes of your time and helps grow our healthy community! Justclick here to go to our iTunes page and leave feedback. Scroll down to donate anything over $15 to the show, and Ben will send you a BenGreenfieldFitness.com t-shirt...you can also conveniently donate any amount with your phone by simply clicking here.

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Featured Topic: "Low Thyroid"

In the featured topic, I interview Dr. Roby Mitchell (pictured at the top of this post), aka "Dr. Fitt" . Dr. Mitchell graduated with honors from Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock, Texas and was selected to be the first medical student in an exchange program with Jinan University Medical School in mainland China. Over years of studying in both China and the United States, Dr. Mitchell has become an authority on nutritional medicine and bio-identical hormone replacement therapies in his own right. He served as a physician for the US Medical Triathlon Society, and even practiced as Chuck Norris's sparring partner! During our interview, Dr. Fitt discusses:

-Why is proper thyroid activity important? -The exact range of symptoms that you should look for to identify low thyroid -Is Synthroid or Levithyroxin the best option for people with low thyroid? Why or why not? -What are alternatives to common hypothyroid hormone replacement? -What is Thyropak, and how is it different from other over the counter drugs?

Be sure to check out the helpful resources at Dr. Fitt's website at http://www.drfitt.com and also the book he recommends: Hypothyroidism Type II by Mark Starr.

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Special Announcements:

-Think forward to your training next January...Will you be tired of the indoor trainer and the treadmill and that black line on the bottom of the pool? Are you going to be struggling to stay motivated for those wet 5-hour slogs in this rainy/snowy winter climate? Are you planning on ANY 2011 triathlon event from Olympic distance up to Ironman? Then this event is going to be perfect for you. Pacific Elite Fitness is proud to announced an Official 2011 Triathlete Training Camp, January 31-February 7, 2011 at the Endurance Ranch in Austin, Texas! Click here for more details or to register now.

- The Marathon Dominator officially launched on May 20 at midnight and is now LIVE! This is a complete program designed for the complete beginner who wants to ease themselves into a marathon, all the way up to the advanced marathoner interested in breaking their PR! Click here to learn more, and to find out about all the bonus items Ben Greenfield is including with the Marathon Dominator.

- BenGreenfieldFitness t-shirts are now available and you get one instantly when you donate more than $15 to the show. Just scroll down to donate.

- Join Ben to race a double triathlon in Thailand (http://www.lagunaphukettriathlon.com/)! Week 1: Laguna Phuket Triathlon; Week 2: Ironman 70.3 Thailand. Ben can still get you into the sold-out race AND organize your entire trip, but you must e-mail him at ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com within the next week.

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Listener Q&A:

Do you have a question for Ben? Just call 1-877-209-9439 and leave a voicemail, leave a Skype voicemail to username "pacificfit", or e-mail ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com.

Listener Sean asks: My question is, do you have any literature or information about athletes with low testosterone and how it affects their training. I've listened to your podcast about your own battle with Low T. Besides any supplements or medication, do you think it takes a guy like me, more time to reach the desired results due to my low testosterone?

In my response to magnesium, I mention the oral magnesium and the topical magnesium that I personally use.

Listener Patrick asks: "For a long distance training plan (like the Marathon/Triathlon Dominator) how much fitness is really gained in the last big month of volume. I'm on the Triathlon Dominator plan and am 3 weeks into the last 5 week kick of volume before the taper. I'd be interested to know how much all this volume really amounts to on race day. I get the feeling that it might not make much of a difference from a fitness perspective, but perhaps help a lot more from a mental perspective; enhancing things like visualization, self-esteem and self-confidence that your body can handle the stresses of race day."

Listener Gabe asks: I'm on a budget, but committed to improving my health. If you had to choose (I know you don't ; ) would you take EnerPrime as a first priority, or is it needed if you were taking Living Fuel greens as a meal replacement? Also, speaking of budget, which supplements would you say are the MOST valuable in order of priority to start with (greens, multi vitamins, essential fats, etc)? I have less than $100 per month to work with for supplements; what would you do in this case?

Both supplements Gabe mentioned can be found here.

Listener Laurel asks: I just pulled something in my back doing squats without a squat rack-putting the weights down when I was done. I am trying to get my left quad back from an acl injury, and I think squats are some of the best exercises. Are there better (safer) ones to do at home? There are so many slang terms for exercises, is there a place to look them up?

Balance exercises, one leg exercises, proprioception, etc. Good resource for exercises http://www.pacificfit.net/exercises.php and http://www.youtube.com/bengreenfieldfitness.

Listener Patricks asks: What is your opinion on Very Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diets? In studying for the test and reading Volek & Forsythe's chapter on VLCKDs, they basically praise it to the skies as a new, cutting edge way to increase your metabolism and lose weight.

"Studies support the notion that short-term VLCKDs are safe and effective in terms of promoting weight/fat loss, improving metabolic and cardivascular risk factors and are compatible with a physically active lifestyle ... there is sufficient scientific research to safely prescribe a VLCKD as an option to those people who prefer this approach..."

They mean "compatible with a physically active lifestyle" in the sense that it "can adversely affect performance for the first week, but longer adaptation (4-6 weeks) to the diet does not significantly impair physical performance."

Listener Jason has a call-in question about Ironman fueling, and I direct him to Triathlon Dominator.

Listener Jennifer has a call-in question about circulation.

In my response, I mention http://www.greyhoundjuice.com (5% discount code BGF), EnerEFA and Bioletics Fatty Acids supplement.

Do you have a question for Ben? Just call 1-877-209-9439 and leave a voicemail, leave a Skype voicemail to username "pacificfit", or e-mail ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com.

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Remember, if you have any trouble listening, downloading, or transferring to your mp3 player just e-mail ben@bengreenfieldfitness.com And don't forget to leave the podcast a ranking in iTunes - it only takes 2 minutes of your time and helps grow our healthy community! Justclick here to go to our iTunes page and leave feedback.

Brand new - get insider VIP tips and discounts from Ben - conveniently delivered directly to your phone! Just complete the information below...

First Name Last Name Email Cell # (1+area code):

Scroll down to donate anything over $15 to the show, and Ben will send you a BenGreenfieldFitness.com t-shirt...you can also conveniently donate any amount with your phone by simply clicking here.

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