Belly Fat - “hidden” disruptors of Thyroid health.

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This information is for general informational, educational, or awareness purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

We always encourage You to consult qualified professionals before making health, fitness, or lifestyle decisions.

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Most people only hear about iodine or Hashimoto’s, but in reality, toxins, infections, stressors, and even medications can interfere with thyroid hormone production and conversion — often through their impact on the liver, kidneys, gut, brain, muscle, and fat tissue.

Hidden Disruptors of Thyroid Health

Heavy Metals (Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic)

Block iodine uptake → reduce T4/T3 synthesis.
Overload the liver → poor conversion.
Damage kidneys → impaired clearance.
Neurotoxic → worsen brain thyroid signaling.

Sources - fish (mercury), lead pipes/paint, cigarette smoke, contaminated soil, industrial pollution.

Parasites & Infections

Gut parasites steal nutrients like zinc & selenium (needed for conversion).
Chronic infections = constant immune activation → inflammation + high cortisol → more RT3.
Liver burden from parasite toxins = sluggish conversion.

Medications - there's many that affect Thyroid as well as other organs where Thyroid Hormones are created.

Do NOT stop or adjust any of these. Check with your Doctor.

Environmental Toxins

Plastics (BPA, phthalates): mimic hormones, block thyroid receptors.
Pesticides: mitochondrial damage → poor T4 → T3 conversion.
Flame retardants (PBDEs): interfere with hormone transport.

Fat tissue stores these toxins, which get released during weight loss → more burden on liver + thyroid.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Selenium, zinc, iron → required for deiodinase enzymes.
Magnesium, B vitamins, Vitamin D/A → support conversion & gene expression.
Deficiencies = sluggish liver, weak conversion, poor receptor function.

Stress & Cortisol

Shifts conversion toward RT3 instead of T3.
Impacts liver & kidney enzymes, muscle metabolism, and brain signaling.
Leads to “adrenal-thyroid” imbalance.

Gut Dysbiosis & Leaky Gut

20% of T4 → T3 conversion happens in the gut via microbiome.
Dysbiosis = less conversion, more inflammation, higher RT3.
Leaky gut → autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s).

Halides (Fluoride, Chlorine, Bromine)

Halides compete with iodine at the thyroid receptor.

Since iodine is essential to make T4/T3, halide overload starves the gland.

Fluoride: blocks thyroid peroxidase enzyme, reducing hormone synthesis.
Chlorine: competes with iodine uptake.
Bromine: toxic, binds to thyroid tissue, disrupts hormone production.

Sources of these -

Fluoride: tap water, toothpaste, dental treatments, tea leaves.
Chlorine: tap water, swimming pools, cleaning agents.
Bromine: flame retardants, pesticides, bakery products (bromated flour), some sodas.

Impact on tissues-

Thyroid: reduced T4/T3 synthesis.
Liver & Kidneys: increased detox load.
Brain: halides accumulate in tissue → cognitive issues.
Fat tissue: store halides, slow release over time.

FitnHealthy Tip - DON'T just go on a "cleanse", "detox" or extended "fast" without professional guidance as toxins dumping back into the system can overload organs causing more damage than the "goodness" intended.

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