287: Thyroid & Liver: Key to Health – with Sara Banta

June 19, 2025 |

In today’s world, many people struggle with weight gain, a slow metabolism, brain fog, and difficulty building muscle, despite healthy diets and exercise. Health expert Sarah Banta says the cause is often in thyroid and liver health. Her insights, shared on a podcast with Wade Lightheart, highlight how these organs regulate metabolism, fat burning, and muscle building. When these organs are not working well due to toxins, stress, or poor nutrition, the body may have trouble losing fat and gaining muscle.

Thyroid: Metabolic Master Switch

The thyroid controls how the body makes energy. It affects our metabolism, body temperature, fat burning, mental clarity, mood, and hormone balance. Sarah notes that many people might have thyroid issues, even if tests look normal. Symptoms of a struggling thyroid include slow metabolism, fat gain, cold hands and feet, brain fog, fatigue, and muscle loss. Thyroid issues can prevent effective fat burning, no matter the diet or exercise.

Liver: Metabolic Role

The thyroid and liver work together. The liver converts inactive thyroid hormone (T4) to the active form (T3). If the liver is slow or congested, this conversion suffers, slowing down the thyroid. Modern lifestyles burden the liver with toxins, processed foods, and stress. This can lead to fat gain, slow metabolism, and hormonal imbalances. Liver stress can reduce thyroid and overall metabolic function.

Iodine’s Essential Role

Iodine is important for thyroid function and every cell in the body. Many people are iodine deficient due to depleted soils, microplastics in salt, and competition from other chemicals. Iodine helps produce thyroid hormones, supports brain function, cellular energy, immune defense, and hormonal balance. It also helps detoxify heavy metals. Optimal iodine dosing is needed to overcome deficiency and remove toxins.

Liver Detox for Results

An overloaded liver can block fat burning, impair thyroid conversion, cause insulin resistance, and interfere with protein absorption. Sarah’s approach uses herbs to stimulate bile flow, support detox, break down fatty liver, and optimize metabolism. Key ingredients include Milk Thistle and other herbs that help with liver health. A healthy liver allows the body to burn fat and build muscle safely.