Experts reveal why Oprah gained 20 lbs – and how she can lose the weight easily. Follow this plan to get slim – no matter how sluggish your thyroid is!

In the most buzz-worthy episode of Oprah’s new season, the talk show queen revealed that she had burned out her thyroid – and suddenly found herself exhausted and 20 pounds heavier. “When the thyroid is out of balance, so are you,” said Oprah, who added that millions of other women have or will develop a thyroid problem. Worse, say experts, because the symptoms are blamed on stress or aging, up to 50% of the cases go undiagnosed. Translation: A bum thyroid may be to blame for your spare pounds. How can you fix the problem? And how can Oprah speed her recovery? Thyroid specialist Ridha Arem, M.D., author of The Thyroid Solution, has the answers!

Do you have a bum thyroid?

According to Dr. Arem, symptoms include fatigue, increased hunger and cravings, depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, difficulty staying warm, elevated blood pressure, dry skin, hair loss, heavy periods, fertility problems, severe PMS, and, of course, stubborn weight gain. Having as few as two symptoms may be a sign that you have a thyroid problem.

The Cure

If your condition is advanced enough, “you’ll need prescription thyroid replacement hormone to get relief,” says Dr. Arem. (He recommends a new “T3/T4 protocol”; visit www.thyroidwellness.com to learn more.) Problem is, some cases with significant symptoms don’t show up on standard tests; if you have multiple symptoms but a negative test, ask for a referral to a specialist and keep pushing until you feel you’re getting the help you need. That said, even after a diagnosis, patients may find their waistlines slow to respond. No worries, Dr. Arem has created a plan that he promises can put anyone – including Oprah! - on the fast track to optimal thyroid health. When we had thyroid-challenged readers test it, they lost up to seven pounds and 10 inches in one week! Bonus: It’s a smart choice no matter what reason you’ve gained weight. “A plan powerful enough to work for someone with a thyroid imbalance,” notes Dr. Arem, “will work for anyone.”

4 Easy Strategies

1) A Healthy Thyroid Diet

Dr. Arem has folks eat to combat the most fattening side effects of a thyroid imbalance. Lean protein at each meal, for example, stimulates a stalled metabolism and controls appetite. Meanwhile, extra omega-3 fatty acids improve thyroid-related mood problems, thus reducing comfort-food cravings. And replacing refined carbs and sugar with unprocessed options lowers levels of fat-storage hormones, allowing “thyroid flab” to be burned off more easily.

2) The Right Vitamins

See the chart below for the nutrients and dosages that Dr. Arem says works wonders for thyroid patients.

3) Three Little Workouts

Until energy levels improve, Dr. Arem recommends 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise three times a week. This strategy burns calories, stimulates metabolism and, perhaps most importantly, fights mood problems that lead to comfort-food cravings.

4) A Lot of Relaxation

Since stress often triggers thyroid disease and worsens its symptoms, calming down is key to recovery. Oprah spent a month resting in Hawaii; readers who tested Dr. Arem’s plan got great results just by taking at least 15 minutes each day to pray, mediate or sit quietly while listening to soothing music.

That’s all there is to it. Simply follow Dr. Arem’s advice, and both your thyroid and your waistline will thank you!

A Diet Your Thyroid Will Love!

While following this plan, drink plenty of water; enjoy other caffeine-free, low-calorie beverages in moderation.

Breakfast Choose One Daily ¾ c whole-grain cereal,   ¾ c cup fat-free milk 1 cup berries ¼ cup sliced almonds ½ whole-grain English muffin,   2 tsp peanut butter 2 slices Canadian Bacon 1 apple 4 scrambled egg whites,    1 tsp olive oil, fresh herbs 1 slice whole-wheat toast 1 cup sugar-free hot cocoa 6 strawberries

Lunch Choose One Daily 1 cup turkey-bean chili,   ½ oz cheese 3 whole-grain crackers 2 cups cucumbers 6 oz grilled chicken breast, ½ large whole-wheat pita 3 cups mixed green salad,   1 Tbsp pine nuts   1 ½ Tbsp olive-oil vinaigrette 4 oz tuna 3 Tbsp plain fat-free yogurt,   1 Tbsp canola mayo and   2 Tbsp minced onions 1 oz whole-wheat roll 1 cup baby carrots ½ apple

Dinner Choose One Daily 4 oz grilled chicken or fish ½ cup black beans,   ¼ cup each: shredded cheese, onion and tomato,    baby spinach and salsa to taste, 1 large whole-wheat tortilla ¼ cup guacamole 1 cup bell pepper slices 3 ½ oz. lean beef 2/3 cup brown rice,    1 Tbsp sliced almonds 1 cup grilled zucchini and eggplant prepared    with 1 tsp olive oil and minced garlic 1 ½ cups whole-wheat spaghetti with    ½ cup cooked lean ground turkey and    1/3 cup marinara sauce 1 cup spinach, 1 tsp. olive oil, lemon to taste

Snack Choose One daily 1 Tbsp almonds and 1 plum 1 ¾ cup strawberries and ½ cups whole-grain cereal 1 ½ oz goat cheese and ½ apple 1 cup celery and 2 Tbsp nut butter 3 Tbsp peanuts and 1 Tbsp raisins 6 corn tortilla chips with ¼ cup guacamole and 3 Tbsp bean dip

Thyroid Vitamins!

Daily Dose	How it Helps
Vitamin C, 750 mg-100mg	Supports thyroid function and protects the thyroid from heavy metals
Vitamin E, 150IU-200IU	*Improves cellular inflammation caused by a thyroid imbalance; helps prevent depression
Vitamin D, 1000IU	*Protects immune system and bone mass, which an overactive thyroid destroys
Beta Carotene and Mixed Carotenoids 200IU-4000IU	*Help increase the effectiveness of anti-thyroid medications
Selenium 50 mcg-100mcg	*A deficiency makes your thyroid underactive
Zinc 15mg-20mg	Needed to produce adequate amounts of thyroid hormone
*Some dosages exceed government RDA. Check with your doctor to be sure these amounts are safe for you. Safety first! These strategies are not a substitute for medical care. If you have or suspect you have a health condition, see a physician. As always, get a doctor's okay before using any new weight-loss plan or supplement.