Fluoride and Thyroid Health
One thing that has been on my radar in my natural healing journey is the impacts of fluoride. This is because fluoride has the ability to alter components in your endocrine system impacting your thyroid, parathyroid, pineal gland, adrenals, pancreas and pituitary gland.
Of most impact is fluoride on your thyroid, which is most sensitive to the accumulation of fluoride than any other soft tissue. It doesn’t take much fluoride to effect thyroid function.
Fluoride interferes with proper functioning of your thyroid by disrupting conversion from the inactive form of T4 to the active form of T3. It also disrupts G-proteins, which serves as the building blocks of the body’s hormone receptors.
Fluoride competes for the receptor sites on your thyroid gland which responds to the TSH, so less of this hormone reaches your thyroid gland and less thyroid hormone is manufactured (resulting in hypothyroidism).
Fluoride also displaces iodine — a mineral needed for proper thyroid functioning. Iodine deficiency is also related to hypothyroidism.
Additionally, fluoride has been linked to goiters (swelling of your thyroid gland).
Accumulation of fluoride in your body leads to a weakened immune system and does damage to your kidneys and liver. Fluoride accumulation is a big contributor to auto immune diseases.
Sources of Fluoride
Fluoride is cumulative, so it builds up steadily in your body from many sources in the environment. Your body is only able to eliminate half of the total intake of fluoride so the accumulation of it over time is quite problematic.
Over 70% of the water in the United States is fluorinated, meaning you are getting this disruptive mineral in your drinking water. To help determine fluoride levels in your county, check out this link.
To avoid this contamination in tap water it is important to use water filters that remove fluoride including reverse osmosis, deionizers, activated alumnia and distillation units. Also, spring water is a safe choice.
This water contamination is present in most processed drinks (yet another reason to avoid these). Also black and green tea accumulates high levels of fluoride — so best to avoid bottled and instant teas.
Cheap tea bags also have high levels of fluoride.
Fluoride levels are higher in non-organic grapes and raisins due to a type of pesticide that is sprayed on them.
Fluoride is included in most commercial toothpastes and dental treatments. There are fluoride free toothpastes available and if visiting the dentist, make sure to deny fluoride treatments.
Ways to Remove Fluoride
There are several ways to help clear your body of fluoride:
- Tamarind — an Ayurvedic herb that helps eliminate fluoride through your urine
- Magnesium — inhibits absorption of fluoride into your cells
- Boron
- Dry Saunas — encourages movement of toxins out your skin
- Chlorella — an excellent detoxifier
- Bentonite Clay
- Liver Cleanses
On the Positive Side?
There are many places where fluoride is not included in the drinking water, so this issue may not be as big of concern for you, but for those of us affected, it is positive to know that there are ways to filter this disruptive mineral out.
I am thankful that for those of us concerned with this problematic mineral, that there is information out there on how to avoid and remove fluoride from your body.
I hope that by sharing this information, that I am able to help you take a step towards improving your own health. I know that hypothyroidism is common with women with endometriosis.
Have you made steps to reduce your fluoride intake? Do you have additional suggestions that I have not shared?
I’d love to hear from you.
Until next time….
Much love,
Aubree.
