The
secret of great health has become a personal concern after suffering eczema,
migraines, recurrent conjunctivitis and fatigue for most of my adult life. My
blood results are normal, except for slight anaemia and vitamin D deficiency.
But my symptoms would indicate a problem.
Thermogenetic
Food and Activity
 |
| HIIT Boosts Metabolism |
Convinced
that systemic candida might be the source of my symptoms, I have learned after
a 50 day trial on the anti candida diet, that diet alone will not kill the
candida. Read about why I began the candida diet here.
Oral
thrush, itching and tiredness would indicate a candida overgrowth in the gut,
but after 50 days on anti fungals, probiotics and low carbs I have learned that
nothing will work if my body temperature is too low. Vulnerability to the cold and
Raynaud’s Syndrome would point to a lower than normal body temperature. The
liver cannot work properly, the body goes into an inflammatory state and the
candida flourishes. Worse, the body won’t lose weight easily.
How
to Boost Body Temperature
In
order to rule out hypothyroidism, I purchased a digital thermometer and took readings
over several days. I discovered that my basal body temperature (the lowest
reading taken early morning before rising) often dipped to 36.1°C or below. My
daytime temperatures rarely touched 37.0°C (the normal body temperature). I
also noticed that my symptoms occurred on ‘cold’ days and in the evenings, when
my body temperature dipped below 36.3°C.
Blood
tests showed no hypothyroidism. However, I was convinced that something wasn’t
right and looked into other causes of low body temperature. Adrenal exhaustion
and estrogen dominance cropped up. However, blood tests into hormone function
revealed nothing out of the ordinary.
Exercises
to Boost Metabolism
 |
| Seaweed Pack an Iodine Punch |
With
everything ruled out, I began a trial to increase my body temperature. I
introduced seaweed into my diet. Seaweed is packed full of minerals seldom
found in other foods, and is also a high source of iodine and fibre, good for
the thyroid and the endocrine system. Dulce, bladderwrack, nori and kelp are good examples of edible seaweed.
Every
other day, I have also been undergoing HIIT exercises. These are short bursts
of activity to the point of exhaustion in three cycles lasting no more than 30
seconds each. Short periods of recovery (exercising at a slower rate) links the
burst training. Warming up and cooling down is essential before and after each
session. The entire exercise session lasts no more than 10 or 15 minutes at
most. Ideal for the busy. But it gets better than tha.
These
short bursts are preferable to the daily 40 minute cardio, because over-stressing
the body produces too much cortisol, which in fact lowers body temperature and
exhausts the thyroid. Burst training is quick with longer recovery times
between. This allows the cortisol levels to drop and the body to recover. The
benefits of HIIT do not occur during the exercise, but during the 48 hours between.
As
always, always consult the GP before undertaking any new exercise.
HIIT
and Thermogenesis
 |
| Red & pink indicates warmer temperatures |
Now
on day 11 of my HIIT sessions and introduction of seaweed into my green
smoothies, I am seeing improvements in my body temperature already. My feet are
warm in bed without needing the electric blanket or socks, and I will often switch
the heating down. My daytime body temperatures are seeing 36.9°C and 37.0°C
more frequently than before (and even 37.1°C).
Basal
body temperatures are also slipping above 36.2°C.
But
I take cautious hope. These readings could be masked by a progesterone rise
after finishing my periods. I am also waiting for all my symptoms to disappear.
My eyes are still sore after a bout of conjunctivitis and my skin still itches.
However, I have new energy, my hair and skin looks good and my constipation has
eased.
The
results will be conclusive in a few weeks time.
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