Hypothyroidism can be caused by a variety of things. In this country, diet is the main culprit. Our food supply is so deficient in nutrients and loaded with anti-nutrients that it’s really no surprise we are experiencing health problems in epidemic proportions. Vegetable oils (polyunsaturated fats) are a huge contributor to hypothyroidism, obesity, cardio vascular disease and other health problems. These are man-made foods that have only been around since the early 1900s, with soy oil becoming the number one cooking oil by the 1950s.

Soy products, like soy oil and protein, contain extremely high amounts of goitrogens. Goitrogens are naturally occurring substances that interfere with the normal function of the thyroid gland by blocking the synthesis of thyroid hormones and slowing ones metabolism. Before inexpensive polyunsaturated fats became common place, beef tallow, lard, olive oil and tropical oils were in use; heart disease, hypothyroidism, obesity, diabetes and other diseases were but a fraction of the incidence they are today.

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Bromides are a common endocrine disruptor. It is found in commercial bread products and some flours as potassium bromate. In the 1960’s it replaced postassium iodate as a dough conditioner, which has been major contributor to hypothyroid.

Bromide is a halide and competes for the same receptors as iodine in the thyroid gland. This is why bromide will inhibit thyroid hormone production resulting in a hypothyroid state. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, it appears that the only method for removal of this halide from these receptors is in supplying iodine in forms such as Lugol’s liquid or Iodoral.

Where can you find bromide?

*Pesticides (specifically methyl bromide, used mainly on strawberries, predominantly in California)

*Plastics, like those used to make computers

*Bakery goods and some flours often contain a ?dough conditioner? called potassium bromate

*Soft drinks (including Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Sun Drop, Squirt, Fresca and other citrus-flavored sodas), in the form of brominated vegetable oils (BVOs)

*Medications such as Atrovent Inhaler, Atrovent Nasal Spray, Pro-Banthine (for ulcers), and anesthesia agents

*Fire retardants (common one is polybromo diphenyl ethers or PBDEs) used in fabrics, carpets, upholstery, and mattresses

*Bromine-based hot tub and swimming pool treatments

(Mercola.com)