| Hypothyroidism and Low Metabolism in the Body | | | | muscle loss. Because the metabolic activities are |
| Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland, located | | | | mainly carried out in the muscles, it becomes harder |
| at the front of the neck just below the Adam's apple, | | | | for the body to process foods at a normal rate. |
| reduces production of the hormone thyroxine. | | | | Therefore, body metabolism is reduced, and |
| Thyroxine is responsible for balancing the bodily | | | | consequently, strength and energy. |
| processes and metabolism. A lower level of thyroxine | | | | Unfortunately, many people who have hypothyroidism |
| (also spelled thyroxin) means the body's metabolism is | | | | think they have symptoms of stress. They think that |
| reduced or lowered. | | | | rest and reducing stressful activities will handle the |
| According to Encarta Dictionaries, the word | | | | problem. Then they discover that even with adequate |
| "metabolism" has two meanings: | | | | rest, they seem to get worse. By that time the |
| 1. Life-sustaining chemical activity: the series of | | | | hypothyroidism is far progressed. Recent estimates |
| processes by which food is converted into the energy | | | | have shown that over 5 million people in the United |
| and products needed to sustain life. | | | | States alone are victims of this ailment. Over 10 |
| 2. Chemical activity involving a particular substance: the | | | | percent of women in the United States suffer from |
| biochemical activity of a particular substance in a living | | | | one form or another of hypothyroidism. |
| organism. It is clear that the metabolic processes in the | | | | Fortunately, it can easily be treated with supplements |
| body are what converts food to energy. | | | | that nourish the thyroid and rehabilitate its functions. |
| A decrease in thyroxine levels in the body results in | | | | |