The thyroid is considered the “heart” of your endocrine system. Since it is one of your biggest endocrine glands, it has the important task of secreting hormones and maintaining energy levels. But toxic chemicals we encounter every day may harm and destroy your health.
Toxins are everywhere. You can do a lot to lessen them, but you cannot eliminate them completely. Limiting your exposure to these compounds can reduce your risks for thyroid issues. Here are some common toxins that may harm or destroy your thyroid function.
BPA
BPA—or Bisphenol A—is a chemical that is used in the manufacture of plastic and manages to pass as a genuine hormone. Because of this, it can literally affect your hormone levels and cause your thyroid to function out of whack.
Perchlorate
Perchlorate is a chemical that is primarily used for creating rocket fuel and products like fireworks and even fertilizers. Because of runoff, it is often found in water supplies and produce irrigated with perchlorate-contaminated water. Perchlorate can be easily absorbed by your thyroid, which prevents your thyroid from absorbing enough iodine.
Pesticides
Avoiding pesticides is another key to maintaining a healthy thyroid. There is a study that shows 60% of commonly used pesticides can affect the production of hormones of your thyroid glands. Weed killers and different antifungals have been shown to decrease thyroid function and increase weight- loss resistance
Fluoride
There are some countries are include fluoride in their water supplies to prevent cavities. But it may actually be responsible for your overactive thyroid. According to certain reports, two to five milligrams of fluoride each day for a period of several months can lower your thyroid’s function.
Mercury
Mercury can be found everywhere from cosmetics, pesticides, and fish to dental fillings and vaccines. Unfortunately, mercury is another chemical that can be easily absorbed by your thyroid. If your thyroid is already storing mercury instead of iodine, it won’t have enough iodine for producing appropriate levels of T3 and T4 hormones that can lead to hypothyroidism.
Plastics
Aside from being at top of the list of environmental concerns, plastic is another toxin that may harm your body. One of its main components is the antimony, which is a chemical found in the leaches of plastic bottles. Phthalates from some plastics can also decrease the function of your thyroid. Many plastics also contain BPA, which decreases your thyroid receptor site sensitivity.
Nitrates
Nitrates are another group of chemicals that are commonly used in foods and fertilizers. Foods such as celery and spinach contain natural levels of nitrate, but some foods—especially cured or processed ones like bacon and sandwich meat—have added nitrates as preservatives. Like perchlorate and mercury, nitrates are similar to iodine, resulting in easy absorption reduces the function of the thyroid. They are also linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer.
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