#154 Heathar Shepard: PUFAs, Thyroid Dysfunction & the Low-Carb Trap

Send us Fan MailIf you’re doing everything right like eating clean, working out, cutting carbs, and you're still dealing with weight gain, fatigue, or stubborn thyroid symptoms, then this conversation might shift everything.In this episode, Heather Shepard of EatHealFarm returns to the pod to share her deep dive into polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), what they are, where they’re hiding (hint: almost everywhere), and how they can quietly disrupt thyroid function, slow metabolism, and drive weight gain.We explore:– Why seed oils + processed foods are one of the biggest metabolic disruptors– How PUFAs can block thyroid hormone signaling and contribute to estrogen imbalance– The connection between low-carb diets, fasting, and thyroid suppression– Why many people feel worse, not better, on extreme diets like keto or carnivore– The role of carbohydrates, dairy, and calcium in supporting metabolic health– What’s really going on with store-bought eggs, chicken, and pork (and why sourcing matters)– How to begin reducing PUFA load without becoming obsessive– Simple ways to assess thyroid function at home (without expensive labs)We also explore a perspective that often gets missed:This isn’t about eliminating foods out of fear; it’s about restoring balance.Your body isn’t broken. But it does respond to the inputs you give it: light, food, minerals, and stress.And for many people, healing starts with:→ lowering the PUFA burden→ supporting the thyroid with adequate fuel (yes, carbs matter)→ and moving away from extremes toward a more ancestral, rhythmic way of eatingIf you’ve been stuck in cycles of restriction, burnout, or confusion around fats and carbs… this episode will give you a completely new lens.Listen now + let us know what landed for you!Connect with Heathar Shepard:https://www.eathealfarm.com/workwithheatharhttps://eathealfarm.substack.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/eat-heal-farm/id1883137891Support the showFind Heather:Book with HeatherHeather's Free Product Guide with Discount CodesHeather's Instagram Find Vanessa:Vanessa's Instagram Vanessa's Website Free Product Guide with Discount CodesFree Homeopathy at Home Guide