Bromine and Thyroid: Things to Know to Keep Your Thyroid Healthy

Bromine and Your Thyroid

Bromines are one of the common endocrine disruptors. Increasing rates of bromine exposure can lead to iodine deficiency. This is because both bromine and iodine compete for the same receptors in our body.

Halides are chemical components of halogens. Iodine is part of the halogen family that also includes bromine. Since halides are similar to iodine, our thyroid often absorbs them where they accumulate, displacing iodine. So despite your adequate iodine intake, you cannot use it.

Since the thyroid gland needs iodine to make thyroid hormone, low levels of iodine in your body can make you more susceptible to thyroid disease. So, if you want to keep a healthy level of thyroid hormones in your body, you should minimize your bromine exposure.

Common Sources of Bromine Include

• Brominated fire retardants usually found in mattresses, carpet padding, and electronics goods.
• Pesticides and insecticides such as methyl bromide used in strawberry cultivation
• Plastics used to build computers.
• Commercial flours and baked goods use potassium bromate as a dough conditioner.
• Citrus-flavored sodas and soft drinks.
• Certain medications, e.g. some nasal sprays and inhalers, anesthesia agents, and ulcer medications.
• Some hot tubs and pools (bromine gas)

Seven Tips for Avoiding Bromine Exposure to Stay Healthy

Practically, it is impossible to avoid bromine exposure as it is almost present everywhere. But you can definitely minimize your exposure. Here are some tips that will help you to reduce your bromine exposure.

• Eat organic foods whenever possible. Minimize your pesticide exposure by washing all produce thoroughly before using it.
• Avoid drinking or eating from plastic containers.
• Consume only organic, whole-grain bread and flour. Better grind the grain by yourself, if possible.
• Avoid sodas, especially citrus-flavored ones.
• Consider an ozone purification system for your hot tub so that chemical contamination is minimized.
• Use only chemical-free personal care products.
• When in a car or a building, make cross ventilation possible as chemical pollutants are often much higher inside cars and buildings than outside.

Bromine-Containing Foods You Should Avoid

Bromine mostly enters the body through food. It can be present either as an ingredient of our food or in the pesticides used during cultivation. For example, flour can contain potassium bromate as it is used as an additive to flour. This means hot dogs and hamburgers made using this brominated flour should also be avoided.

Certain soda products, such as aerated and non-aerated citrus soft drinks, should also be avoided as these contain brominated vegetable oil.

Avoid strawberries if you can, because a pesticide called methyl bromide is often used in its cultivation. According to experts, pesticides containing bromine are the main culprit behind human bromine exposure.

How to Excrete Bromine

Here are some ways you can excrete bromine from your body.

• Take Epsom salts baths.
• Sweat in a sauna.
• Increase your Vitamin C intake.
• Check your iodine levels and make sure it is adequate.

If you are looking for the best thyroid treatment center near you, call us at 843-572-1600 or schedule an appointment with our thyroid treatment experts today.