Preserving the health of your thyroid is very important if you want to live a healthy life. Your thyroid is responsible for controlling the rate of your metabolism, driving energy production, and regulating your overall health. But, in many cases, you may not be able to protect it because you are unaware of what threatens it. Most of you may feel that only adults face a risk of threatening the health of their thyroid glands, but that is not the case. Children are even more vulnerable. Recently, it was found in a study that that early exposure to phthalates, which are chemicals found in common household products and cosmetics, can result in a lower thyroid function in children.
How Does Early-Life Chemical Exposure Affect Thyroid Health?
The study, which was published in Environment International, aimed at determining the link between phthalates and thyroid function. The researchers took urine samples from pregnant women who were in their third trimester. They measured the urine for di-isobutyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, butylbenzyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, and diethyl phthalate, which are common phthalates found in many products. 3 years later, the researchers tested the children’s urine for the same phthalates. They also measured serum-free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).1
The results of the study showed that higher exposure to the chemicals as linked to lower levels of thyroid function in girls, but there was no such connection in boys. This suggested that girls are more sensitive to the negative effect of phthalates than boys. It is important to know this because low levels of thyroid hormones are associated with behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, and metabolic issues later on in life. These are the things that people generally want to avoid.
How Are Phthalates Bad For Your Body?
Exposure to phthalates is generally linked to asthma, lower IQ, and delayed mental development. Phthalates also disrupt the function of the endocrine glands, causing hormonal issues. And it has now been found that phthalates affect thyroid gland function even before we are born. So it is much better to make a conscious effort to read the labels on each and every product before you buy them, especially if you are pregnant. By using chemical laden products, you will not only be putting your health at risk but your little one’s health at risk too.
How Can You Avoid Phthalates Completely?
Since phthalates cause so many health issues, it makes sense to avoid them altogether. But, unfortunately, it is not that easy to do so. There are no laws that require companies to mention whether or not their products have phthalates on their labels. But what you can do is check a product’s ingredient list for “fragrance.” If it contains “fragrance” then you can assume that it contains phthalates too.
If you can replace your common cosmetics or household products with herbal ones or with natural ingredients, then you will be much safer. Many natural ingredients can be used for a variety of purposes and they do not cause any health issue at all. So, go through your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and look for all the toxic products hiding in plain sight. Once you have set them aside, find out if you can use natural ingredients as alternatives and then discard of them. Keep chemical products in your home only if you have to. Your life and your family’s life will be much better off without harmful chemicals.
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