The Ever Growing Thyroid Issue
It seems like I am hearing about thyroid issues in people more than ever…and it’s happening to younger and younger people. It got me to thinking. Is there something that has changed? Something that we are doing different to cause this increasing and very scary problem?
Americans are always looking for the next best thing, the shortcut. The healthier version, that’s been altered from the way nature intended. Be careful for health buzzwords like gluten free for instance. That doesn’t mean it’s good for you and whole civilizations survived on natural food that came out of the ground with gluten in it. We take something that should be used in moderation and fall off the deep end. Put down the gluten free cookie, it’s not healthy either! OK I’ll blog about that one later.
So there are a lot of chemicals and household foods and items you can avoid to lower your exposure to potential thyroid problems in the future.
- Soy – Before you pick up that soy milk, listen to this. Soy can disrupt normal thyroid function by inhibiting the body’s ability to use iodine, which becomes the thyroid hormones. Therefore, soy can inhibit the secretion of thyroid hormone. Researchers also discovered that infants that were given soy formula had a prolonged increase in their thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, compared to infants fed non-soy formulas. We already get so much soy in our diet without even trying. Go for an almond or rice milk instead. Skip that fake meat product and feed your body something nourishing and healthy.
- Pesticides – You come into contact with these a lot more than you may think. Not only do you have to consider the pesticides you are using in your home (which should be natural) but also the pesticides that are coming home with you from the produce section of the grocery store. To help decrease the amount of harmful chemicals on your food, buy organic and also buy a fruit and vegetable wash to use every time you eat produce. Especially when it comes to fruits that are mostly water and that you eat the skin of like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries etc. Learn about the dirty dozen that you must eat organic or don’t eat.
- Plastics – Certain plastics can be hazardous to our bodies. Antimony, a chemical that leaches from plastic bottles, is one concern. Researchers have found antimony levels in fruit drinks and juices in plastic bottles at levels 2.5 times higher than what’s considered safe in tap water! Phthalates in some plastics have been shown to decrease thyroid function. Bisphenol A (BPA) “” also used in plastics, food can coatings, and dental sealants “”decreases thyroid receptor site sensitivity, causing thyroid resistance, similar to PCBs.”
- Antibacterial Products – Triclosan is an ingredient in antibacterial products as well as some soaps, lotions and toothpaste. There’s evidence that triclosan is an endocrine disruptor and impacts thyroid function. Washing your hands is more effective than antibacterial gels. A lot of people are starting to think they may be the cause of more germs and disease. And that my friend will be another blog too. You can never educated yourself enough on how to keep you and your family healthy.
Stay tuned for more breaking news! 🙂
