Ask Dr. Mike: Intermittent Fasting, Bulletproof Coffee, Converting T4 into T3

Here you'll find the answers to a wealth of health and wellness questions posed by Healthy Talk fans.

Listen in because what you know helps ensure healthy choices you can live with. Today on Healthy Talk, you wanted to know:

What are your thoughts on intermittent fasting?

Dr. Mike thinks that as long as it's truly intermittent (one day a week or one day every couple of weeks) it has amazing overall health benefits.

What are your thoughts on putting butter in your coffee?

This is called bulletproof coffee, where you put unsalted and grass-fed butter into your coffee mixed with a medium chain oil (like coconut oil). There is some evidence that a fat-based diet is better for you than a carb-based diet. Dr. Mike believes that butter in your coffee is fine to do, but you might want to consider doing it in moderation.

I listened to your show about the thyroid gland and it's very interesting. However, I didn't understand the name of the plant extract that can help convert my T4 into T3.

Your thyroid gland (located in your neck) makes T4, it then travels throughout the body and when it gets to a specific cell (like a muscle cell) it converts to the more active thyroid T3. When it comes to supporting your thyroid, it's important to support your thyroid with supplements like iodine and Tyrosine. You also want to incorporate a nutrient known as Commiphora, since it can help your body convert T4 into T3.

If you have a health question or concern, Dr. Mike encourages you to write him at askdrmikesmith@radiomd.com or call in, toll-free, to the LIVE radio show (1.844.305.7800) so he can provide you with support and helpful advice.