Did you know that, unsuspecting to you, lurking in your food and environment are agents that are adversely affecting your thyroid?
At my seminar this week, one of the attendees shared a pretty shocking story. Judging from the comments she made and her appearance, this lady is obviously very focused on her health. When I spoke about toxins in the environment affecting the thyroid, she raised her hand to share an incredible story.
She and her husband are very focused on maintaining excellent health. She shared many of the practices and efforts that they go through on a daily basis.
One day both she and her husband were diagnosed with hypothyroid disease. Shocked, they went on a search of what could be contributing to their condition, thinking it odd that they both had the same new diagnosis.
They observed that one of their daily practices was the regular consumption of a vitamin enhanced water beverage. She researched the ingredients and found that an artificial sweetener was a listed ingredient. Both she and her husband immediately stopped the water consumption. The hypothyroid problem completely went away.
Interestingly enough, today I read an article written by Dr. Mercola in which he commented that the presence of potassium bromate, a dough conditioner found in commercial bakery products and some flours, is a major, but hidden cause of thyroid dysfunction. He referenced a previous article which can be found at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/22/Another-Poison-Hiding-in-Your-Environment.aspx.
Dr. Mercola’s article listed the following information:
Bromides are a common endocrine disruptor. Because bromide is also a halide, it competes for the same receptors that are used in the thyroid gland to capture iodine. This will inhibit thyroid hormone production resulting in a low thyroid state.
Bromine can be found in a number of places in your everyday world, including:
Pesticides (specifically methyl bromide, used mainly on strawberries, predominantly in California).
Plastics, like those used to make computers.
Bakery goods and some flours that contain a “dough conditioner” called potassium bromate.
Soft drinks (including Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Sun Drop, Squirt, Fresca and other citrus-flavored sodas), in the form of brominated vegetable oils (BVOs).
Medications such as Atrovent Inhaler, Atrovent Nasal Spray, Pro-Banthine (for ulcers), and anesthesia agents.
Fire retardants used in fabrics, carpets, upholstery, and mattresses.
Bromine-based hot tub and swimming pool treatments.
If you are interested in learning more about the impact of chemicals on the thyroid, Dr. Mark Starr, M.D., devotes 39 pages to this topic in his book Hypothyroidism Type 2.
It is said that 20% of the population is taking thyroid medication, but 30% of the population is undiagnosed. Unsuspecting foods and agents in our environment are contributing to what researches are calling an “epidemic” of thyroid dysfunction.
Isn’t it about time to blow the whistle on all these culprits that are having such a negative impact on your thyroid?
