Bromine and Thyroid Function: What You Need to Know

Even though you may know a lot about the thyroid gland’s function in the body, you may not know about a substance called bromine and what it means for thyroid health.

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, bromine belongs in a family of chemicals with iodine, fluoride, and chlorine. Bromine competes with receptors in the body that are supposed to capture iodine, so too much bromine can lead to the body getting rid of much needed iodine.

The thyroid gland needs iodine to produce the hormones the body needs to regulate its metabolism. Bromine disrupts thyroid function because it interferes with iodine, and this condition can lead to an underactive thyroid gland or hypothyroidism, wrote Sandi Busch at  Livestrong.com.

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According to the National Academy of Hypothyroidism, bromine is all around us.

As a processed food additive, it is most commonly found in commercial baked goods and breads that use bromated flour and in citrus-flavored sodas and sports drinks.

It is added to mouthwash, toothpaste and astringents used on the skin.

Bromine is also used as a flame retardant in car upholstery, home furnishings, carpets, and mattresses.

Mercola also explains that endocrine-disrupting bromine is found in pesticides used in conventional agriculture, especially in strawberries, and even in the plastics that are used in our computers.

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Hypothyroidism, according to Mercola, was estimated to affect more than 13 million Americans but actual numbers were most likely much higher. It is his assertion that many of these patients may actually be iodine deficient due to excessive bromine exposure.

He recommends the following to help limit exposure to bromine:

1. Eat organic foods whenever possible, and thoroughly wash all produce to minimize pesticide residue on food.
2. Avoid eating and drinking from or storing food in plastic containers and use glass instead.
3. Avoid all sodas and bottled drinks.
4. Use personal care products that have as few chemicals as possible.
5. When inside a car or building, open the windows whenever possible. Open more than one window if you can to create cross ventilation and minimize chemical pollutants inside.

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